The date is approaching fast and we’re making preparations. Don’t miss out!
DaysDays
HrsHours
MinsMinutes
SecsSeconds
The National Urban Farm Festival brings together farmers with educators, industry professionals, researchers, and community members. Community members and visitors build deep connections with healthy foods, nature, and wellness. This very important event increases the sustainability of locally grown foods by connecting urban, beginning, and innovative farmers with the resources that they need to succeed and grow.
In partnership with the Maryland National Capital Park & Planning Commission, The Gift Legacy Foundation is providing land on a 39 acre site in Upper Marlboro, Maryland for farmers to expand their farms and gain security with long-term leases, programmatic support, and cooperative resource sharing.
Keywords: environmental stewardship charity, nonprofits improving food access, support sustainable agriculture
The Innovation Container is an off-grid, controlled environment classroom within a modified shipping container. The Innovation Container incorporates mushroom cultivation, an aquaponics system from the University of Maryland, and hydroponic systems including a tower garden.
Increasing the use of sustainable controlled environmental agriculture in Maryland is crucial for several reasons.
The COVID-19 crisis highlighted the fragility of our food system, which is vulnerable to labor and transportation shortages. By producing food locally, we can reduce our environmental footprint and ensure community food security. Additionally, as global temperatures rise and rainfall becomes more unpredictable, controlled environmental agriculture offers a safer and more reliable alternative for workers and farmers.
Land access presents a significant challenge for many beginning and urban farmers, who often resort to land leases and plots lacking utility access. The Innovation Container will address this issue by providing a sustainable solution that can be replicated on other farms. It will also inspire children to learn S.T.E.A.M. topics through the lens of agriculture and environmental stewardship.
The DMV region, including Prince George’s County, is experiencing prolonged periods of record-breaking heat and drought. In this county, which has 20 food deserts, 14% food insecurity, and an 8-year life expectancy gap compared to Montgomery County, addressing health concerns is vital to community resiliency.
The Gift Legacy Foundation has partnered with The Garden International to foster community education, wellness, healthy food equity, and environmental initiatives at the Garden’s Mushroom Learning Center in Clinton, MD. The Center is an educational campus and farm that grows gourmet and functional mushrooms using controlled environmental agriculture, and a food forest using regenerative soil practices. This partnership will leverage the Innovation Container to further these goals and create a resilient, sustainable food system for the community.
Sign up to hear from us about programs and events.
Copyright © 2025 The Gift Legacy Foundation - All Rights Reserved.
11890 Old Baltimore Pike, Ste G, Beltsville, MD 20705