Join AfriThrive on April 24 for a hands-on community farming day at Madison Fields Farm in Dickerson, Maryland.
There is a field in Dickerson, Maryland, that has been quietly preparing for this moment.
On April 24, 2026, AfriThrive will officially launch our farm at Madison Fields with a ribbon cutting ceremony alongside the Madison House Autism Foundation. It is Earth Day. It is also the most tangible symbol yet of what AfriThrive has been building toward since we started distributing food from a parking lot in 2019.
From Parking Lots to Permanent Land
AfriThrive began where most urgent needs begin — in the gaps. Families in Montgomery, Prince George’s, and Baltimore Counties needed food that reflected their heritage, their diets, their traditions. We showed up in parking lots and church halls. We built a refrigerated fleet. We partnered, distributed, and served.
More than 2.5 million pounds of food later, 49,500 individuals reached, 13,135 families supported — we are still showing up. But now we are showing up with land.
What Madison Fields Makes Possible
The partnership with the Madison House Autism Foundation gives AfriThrive access to farmland where we can grow the culturally specific crops our community depends on. Ingredients that are not always available at food banks. Vegetables and herbs that carry the memory of home.
This is not supplemental. This is structural. A community that can grow its own food does not depend on the fluctuating availability of donated supply chains. It builds something that lasts.
“This farm is not just land. It is an investment in the dignity and self-sufficiency of our community. When families can grow food that is meaningful to them, we are building something that no single donation can dismantle. We are building permanence.”
— Dr. Truphena M. Choti, Founder and CEO, AfriThrive Inc.
Come Be Part of This on April 24
We are inviting the community to join us for the ribbon cutting and an afternoon of planting, learning, and celebration. Volunteers of all experience levels are welcome — and every participant will have the chance to plant and take home a culturally relevant seedling of their own.
Friday, April 24, 2026 | 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Madison Fields Farm | 19300 Mouth of Monocacy Rd, Dickerson, MD 20842
Expect a ribbon cutting ceremony, hands-on planting, farm tours, and the kind of community connection that reminds you why this work matters. Light refreshments will be provided.
Why Earth Day Is the Right Day
Earth Day exists to remind us that the land we tend and the systems we build either sustain life or deplete it. AfriThrive’s model has always been about sustainability in the truest sense — not just environmental, but cultural, nutritional, and communal.
Launching our farm on April 24 is not a coincidence. It is a commitment.
Register now and come grow with us.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is the AfriThrive Earth Day event located?
The AfriThrive Earth Day volunteer farming event is held at Madison Fields Farm, located at 19300 Mouth of Monocacy Rd, Dickerson, MD 20842. Madison Fields Farm is in Montgomery County, Maryland, approximately one hour from Washington, D.C.
Is the AfriThrive Earth Day volunteer event free to attend?
Yes. The Earth Day volunteer farming event at Madison Fields Farm is free and open to all participants. Registration is encouraged so AfriThrive can plan for the number of volunteers. Visit www.afrithrive.org to register.
Do I need farming or gardening experience to volunteer at this event?
No farming or gardening experience is required to volunteer at AfriThrive's Earth Day event. AfriThrive staff will provide hands-on guidance throughout the day. Volunteers of all backgrounds, skill levels, and experience are welcome.
What is AfriThrive and what does the organization do?
AfriThrive Inc. is a Maryland-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that builds culturally rooted food systems to support immigrant and underserved communities in Montgomery, Prince George's, and Baltimore Counties. Since 2019, AfriThrive has distributed more than 2.5 million pounds of food to more than 13,000 families and 49,500 individuals. The organization grows and distributes culturally appropriate produce, delivers food and health education programs, and is building permanent food infrastructure across the region.
How does volunteering at this event support food access in Maryland?
Produce grown at Madison Fields Farm is harvested and distributed directly to families served by AfriThrive across three Maryland counties. Volunteering at a planting event means you are directly contributing to the fresh food supply of families who depend on culturally relevant, nutritious produce throughout the year.
Can a corporate or community group volunteer at this Earth Day event?
Yes. AfriThrive welcomes corporate volunteer groups, faith community teams, school groups, and other organized groups. If you are coordinating five or more volunteers, contact AfriThrive in advance at [email protected] or by calling 240.706.1517 to coordinate your group's participation.
What is regenerative agriculture and why does AfriThrive practice it?
Regenerative agriculture is a set of farming practices that restore soil health, increase biodiversity, and improve ecosystem resilience. AfriThrive practices regenerative and sustainable growing methods because they support long-term land health, reduce environmental impact, and produce the nutritious, culturally appropriate food that families in our communities rely on. At the Earth Day event, volunteers will learn these practices directly from AfriThrive staff.
