Eastport Community Farm to Celebrate Greenhouse Ribbon Cutting in Annapolis

A new community-driven agricultural initiative is taking root in Annapolis as residents and local organizations work together to build the ambitious Eastport Community Farm behind the Housing Authority of the City of Annapolis communities of Eastport Terrace and Harbour House. ((Photos below courtesy of Joy Grows))

Facilitated by the nonprofit Joy Grows, the project is transforming more than an acre of underutilized land into a large-scale growing space designed to provide fresh produce, youth programming, and educational opportunities for the surrounding community.

Organizers say the project includes 10,000 square feet of productive growing space, highlighted by a 4,000-square-foot working greenhouse located within Annapolis’ only USDA-certified food desert. The organization aims to deliver 100,000 servings of fresh vegetables and fruit to the community this year.

The community will officially celebrate the project during a greenhouse ribbon-cutting ceremony scheduled for Monday, May 18, from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. in Eastport.

According to organizers, dozens of residents have already contributed thousands of volunteer hours toward construction and preparation efforts. Plans for the site extend beyond gardening infrastructure and include a future classroom space and woodworking shop intended to support youth leadership development and hands-on educational programming.

Pantha Stansbury, community member and Board Chair of Joy Grows, described the farm as a resource focused on access, education, and community participation.

“The Eastport Community Farm means access to fresh fruits and vegetables for our families,” Stansbury said. “It means education on what, when and how to grow things. It means engagement for our youth and activities for families—all are welcome to join in. And it means a sense of collaborative ownership.”

Organizers noted that the project builds on years of community gardening and environmental initiatives already underway in Eastport. Groups including B.L.A.C.K. Excel and Breaking Boundaries Environmental, along with local gardener Heaven White, helped establish the foundation for the current collaboration through earlier neighborhood gardening and youth-focused green initiatives.

The farm will also serve as a hub for youth programming throughout the spring and summer months. Planned activities include a “chicken club” breakfast program, composting projects, arts and crafts, and carpentry and electrical workshops, totaling an anticipated 200 hours of programming.

Young participants are already becoming involved in the growing effort. “I like to plant seeds,” said community member Asha-Pearl, who recently participated in planting tomatoes at the farm with her father. Another youth participant, Messiah, added, “Planting stuff makes me happy.”

Joy Grows Executive Director Matthew Wallace said the project demonstrates the impact of community collaboration and local investment. “What’s incredible is, this is a million-dollar project, built on a $20,000 budget by tapping into the latent assets, expertise and passion that are right here in the community,” Wallace said. “More important than anything we are growing in the soil, we are helping to grow leaders.”

The Eastport Community Farm is currently working toward a $50,000 spring fundraising goal to support continued construction and expanded summer youth programming. 

Community members interested in attending the ribbon-cutting celebration or supporting the project can learn more through Joy Grows’ official website. The event will take place next to 1185 Frederick Douglass Street in Annapolis, with parking available at 1185 Madison Street. 

Photos of The Farm’s spring construction work and community engagement can be found here. 

For more information, contact Matthew Wallace, Joy Grows, Executive Director, matthew@joy-grows.org