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The Green Farmacy Garden

The Community Ecology Institute is honored to serve as the owner and steward of the Green Farmacy Garden (GFG), a unique teaching garden based on the work of world-renowned ethnobotanist Dr. James A. Duke (1929–2017), who curated more than 300 plant species traditionally used and/or researched for their medicinal properties. The four terraced garden beds are organized in 80-some plots representing human health conditions, each populated by plants that have been applied or researched for that condition. This structure echoes the structure of Jim Duke's best-selling book, The Green Pharmacy (Rodale, 1997), which is organized in over 100 chapters each exploring plants used around the world for a particular human health condition.

From 1971 until 2021, the Green Farmacy Garden was home to the Duke family. Peggy-Ann Kessler Duke (1931–2021) was a botanist and accomplished botanical illustrator and sumi-e artist. Together, Jim and Peggy hosted tours, educational workshops, and community-building gatherings, often with live music. The gorgeous six-acre property includes myriad rare plants, two streams, two ponds, a meadow, outdoor gathering and teaching areas and a beautiful patch of established forest with walking trails—all home to bounteous wildlife. 
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Visit the Green Farmacy Garden Facebook Page to see what's going on and upcoming events at the Green Farmacy Garden:
Jim Duke died in 2017 and Peggy passed away in 2021. They had arranged for their property to be transferred to the Maryland University of Integrative Health (MUIH), with an obligation to protect the gardens through August 2025. When MUIH put the property on the market in 2021, they were hoping for a non-profit buyer with an interest in protecting the Dukes’ legacy gardens for the long term. With generous financial support committed from both the State of Maryland and Howard County, CEI will now steward the Green Farmacy Garden into the future.  The property is located in Fulton, Maryland, approximately 5 miles southwest of CEI's Freetown Farm location. The Green Farmacy Garden is open to the public at ticketed events only, or by Volunteering.
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Stewarding this property for social and ecological benefits is in full alignment with the Community Ecology Institute's mission to cultivate communities where people and nature thrive together. To paraphrase Dr. Duke, gardening is a great way to accomplish five things useful for enhancing health: 1. exercise, 2. fresh air, 3. relaxation, 4. sunshine (not too much now) and 5. communion with nature.

Stewarding the GFG requires $100,000 per year, at a maintenance level, which includes continuing the work of the gardeners who are knowledgeable about the property and its specialized plants and needs.  We have been moving mindfully in this journey and so we know the property as it has been and as it is as a foundation for any substantial changes or adding any substantial programming. We are counting on the community help us support CEI's stewardship of the Green Farmacy Garden. Every amount makes a meaningful difference. If you are interested in exploring corporate or organizational sponsorships, please email [email protected].
Learn more about the history of the Green Farmacy Garden:
CEI Purchases Jim and Peggy Duke’s ‘Green Farmacy Garden’ | American Botanical Council 
Green Farmacy Garden - United Plant Savers
A Tribute to Dr. James Duke and His Green Farmacy Garden | Folklife Magazine (si.edu)

CEI Property & program norms

The mission of the Community Ecology Institute (CEI) is to cultivate communities where people and nature thrive together. All people are welcome at the spaces that CEI stewards, but not all behaviors are acceptable. Each person present on either of CEI’s properties (Freetown Farm and the Green Farmacy Garden) is expected to follow basic agreements to ensure that we are creating and maintaining safe and respectful spaces. While at our properties, you agree that:​
  • You are responsible for your safety and the safety of any minors in your care.
    • Come prepared for your experience, be mindful of your environment, and behave in a way that prioritizes your safety and the safety of those around you; ask questions if you are unsure. Always supervise children and be mindful of how they interact with the property. 
  • You must treat all others with respect.
    • Make an active effort to connect to others with kindness and an open mind. Harmful behavior of any kind will not be tolerated, including racist, sexist, ableist, phobic or threatening language.
  • You will treat our property with respect.
    • Only enter spaces where you have been invited by staff and remain in the area where the activity you are here for is taking place. Be respectful of the plants and animals on our land as well as our tools and supplies. Clean up after yourself - whether working independently or with a group; if you are not sure where things go, ask a staff member.