Field School: Land Access & Funding

Join us for a class all about land access and funding led by experienced growers and land stewards Sarah D'Adamo and Saj Dillard.

This session will explore different pathways for securing growing space in Baltimore City and give an overview of funding sources available to small scale growing operations. Drawing from their own experiences as urban farmers and community advocates, Sarah and Saj will share insights about navigating land tenure, fundraising for operational costs, and putting down roots.

About the Field School

The Farm Alliance of Baltimore (FAB) is proud to launch Black Butterfly Urban Farmer Academy (BBUFA) Field School. Running from March to December, this series of hands-on workshops is intended to serve as an accessible point of entry for anyone interested in learning the seasonal fundamentals of urban agriculture. No previous farming experience is required to participate!

The BBUFA Field School's schedule is split up into three sessions: spring, summer, and fall. The majority of instruction will take place on site at FAB's teaching farm in South Baltimore, with occasional classroom sessions depending on content.

Learn more about the history of the Black Butterfly Urban Farmer Academy program on our website.

About the Facilitator

Sarah D'Adamo currently leads Baltimore Green Space's land trust program as the Preservation Manager. Sarah grew up in Catonsville and returned to claim Baltimore as her home in 2015 after many years of living and working abroad. Since 2019, Sarah has been an active member of Baltimore's urban agriculture community and a core member of two green spaces preserved by Baltimore Green Space: Hidden Harvest Farm in Greenmount West and Ash Street Garden in Hampden. Sarah completed a PhD in Cultural Studies in 2022, and her interest in social infrastructure extends to urban ecology, botany, local agriculture, community organizing, mutual aid, food access and distribution, environmental education and youth outreach, and land-based history and rehabilitation. You can often find Sarah outdoors, in a garden or at another of the city's farms, or walking in the city's forests, trails, and along the Jones Falls, where she is an avid birder.

Saj Dillard is an urban farmer and community advocate in Baltimore City. She owns and operates Sajeeda Urban Farm in West Baltimore, promoting sustainable farming, food sovereignty, and community education. After earning a B.S. in Business Administration with a concentration in Entrepreneurship from Towson University, Saj was the Farm Manager at Backyard Basecamp, strengthening farm operations and community programming. Saj purchased her first home through Black Women Build Baltimore in 2023 and now supports the nonprofit's future homeowners through community engagement. She also serves as Director of Equity & Engagement at The 6th Branch, where she manages the SHARE food program, expanding Baltimore's access to affordable, healthy food.

Additional Information

This workshop will be held indoors. We encourage you to bring a water bottle! Extra water, masks, and hand sanitizer will be available.

• Parking: Parking is available in the lot on the NORTH side of the Union Mill building. Street parking is also available in the neighborhood.
• Restrooms: There is a restroom on site.
• Accessibility: The conference room is on the first floor with ramp access. Seating will be provided.
• Illness: Please do not attend this event if you are sick or experiencing symptoms of illness including but not limited to fever, coughing, and/or vomiting.
• Cancellation: In the event that we need to cancel due to weather or unforeseen circumstances, attendees will receive an email notification.

Questions? Please contact [email protected]