OlaLekan

What makes Maryland a sacred place? 

Maybe it’s the spirit of Harriet Tubman and Frederick Douglass that is roaming free on the land
Maybe it’s the guidance from ancestors, relatives and visionaries who call this place home 
Maybe it's the access to forests, lakes, mountains and plant medicine 

Maybe it is the depth and range of Blackness

Whatever it is, I am glad that my life journey led me here. This has been the place where I learned how to integrate younger versions of myself.  Now, I (inner)stand why those versions of myself were essential. They were preparing me to be open and willing to connect with other souls on their journey.

2017-2018, Farmer Tolu and I were both living in Madison, Wisconsin but never crossed paths. It’s not until this year that we connected through OurSpace World. The Ujima Jam at OlaLekan Farm felt like an opportunity to celebrate divine timing and guidance.

OlaLekan Farm is worth celebrating. Farmer Tolu started the farm this year and she made it through the first season!

When I arrived on the farm, I greeted the land. Soon after, Tolu pulled up. We talked about the intention for the Jam session. Tolu shared, she wanted the Jam to be light-hearted and productive. 

As we set up, Tolu and I talked about our journey to the DMV area and different versions of ourselves.  

As more folks arrived, we moved mulch, dug holes and planted garlic. One of my first friends in Maryland participated in this Ujima Jam. That made me smile. Also, some of Tolu’s students from the ECO City Farms Beginning Farmer Program came to support. 

Collectively, we enjoyed a delicious sweet potato soup made by the OurSpace World apprentices. The sweet potatoes in the soup were harvested from Sisters of the Soil Farm. Farmers Michelle and Miriam were both present on the farm and enjoyed the soup.

We helped Tolu move two large tarps that were filled with mud and water. As we were moving the tarps, Little Simz's “How Did You Get Here” was playing in the background. At the end, we were covered in mud and water but we accomplished our goal. 
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Before I left the farm, Tolu harvested some chard and gave it to me. I used it to make dinner!

Thank you Farmer Tolu for reminding me of divine timing.
Thank you for teaching us to believe in ourselves.
​Thank you for showing us how to steward the land we are on.

Photo Credit: MJ