Perched along the Washington D.C. suburb of Mt. Rainier, Maryland, is a greenhouse resting on a quarter acre of land. The street is lined with homes, businesses, and the vibe of the arts district trickling down the concrete sidewalk. The local library is on the corner, while the bus stop is on the other. The plot of land is tucked up on a hill, between two homes, with a little free library greeting you at the top of the steps.
If you go too fast, you'll miss it. But if you take a moment, you'll notice the greenhouse peaking out from this urban setting. New Brooklyn Farms of Mt. Rainier is showing the community what is possible in their own backyard.
Founded by Doug Adams, New Brooklyn Farms is an independently owned and operated urban farm and green event space. When an opportunity arose five years ago, Doug purchased the land next door to his childhood home - where his family still resides.
The owner of the land approached my parents and said, 'Hey, you guys interested, I know you're next door.' And my parents couldn't do it. So I was like, hmmm. That's really a once in a lifetime opportunity. It would be tragic if someone came and built a house right next door. We could own that.
- Doug Adams
With passion to preserve the land, Doug has been working for the past five years to turn New Brooklyn Farms into a community hub. He lives in Brooklyn, New York, while tending to the urban farm in Maryland. He has a farm manager, as well as a farmer-in-residence that helps maintain the greenhouse and all it's growing needs.
From squash, to stinging nettle, the greenhouse is producing a variety of vegetables, herbs, tropical plants and succulents. The aroma of Thai basil carried me to the corner of the green house. And as I meandered to the other side, I spotted lemongrass, lemon balm, turmeric, ginger, and a sweet little watermelon hanging on from the summer.
New growth is sprouting up in the greenhouse as well, preparing to offer the community its fresh produce through the winter months. A small CSA is coming soon to New Brooklyn Farms, as well as the continuation of special events.
My vision is to scale this nationally, maybe internationally. Where we take what would otherwise be developed on, or just blighted, and turn it into a productive space. A commons for the community. It's all on God's time.
- Doug Adams
It's quite the accomplishment what Doug and his crew have created in just five years. He gives full credit to having the right people around him, to help take his dream and turn it into a reality. There's an energy, a synergy, that comes with New Brooklyn Farms. I felt it. My husband did as well. And we're definitely staying connected to Doug and his future efforts. Big heart goes a long way.
To learn more about New Brooklyn Farms, visit their website at www.newbrooklynfarms.com or on Instagram at www.instagram.com/newbrooklynfarms
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