Growing up in Charles County, Maryland, Mel Thomas’ father sparked her interest in agriculture as he grew plants and food for the family.

“My dad and I, we would have a garden every year. I was an outdoor kid. I just wanted to be out there all the time. He taught me about growing,” she said.

What began as a childhood passion has blossomed into a way to foster community, encourage connection to the land and educate Maryland families about the importance of growing their own food.

Thomas, 38, is the owner and operator of Mel ‘n Nem Farms, stretching across half an acre about 20 miles outside of Washington, D.C., she and her team have developed a sustainable learning farm that offers workshops and training so that people of all age groups can be introduced to the basics of farming.

“There are so many places in Prince George’s County that are already food deserts, and with the food supply shortages and things like that from the pandemic, kids were starving,” Thomas said.

According to a 2024 report by the Capital Area Food Bank, 50 percent of Prince George’s County residents are experiencing food insecurity, a 5 percent increase from the previous year.

Mel ‘n Nem Farms works with the Bowie Interfaith Pantry and Emergency Fund to donate excess produce from their programming.

Thomas’ concern for Maryland families’ limited access to food highlighted another issue: Many Black and Brown families in her community didn’t have the access to agriculture that she did.