Blue Rock Farmland Commons, Ohio
July 8, 2025
Earthen Heart Farmland Commons, Michigan
July 8, 2025Chesapeake Farmland Commons, Maryland
Backyard Basecamp and The Farmers Land Trust have come together in collaboration to create a multi-partner, community-centered Chesapeake Farmland Commons 501(c)(25) to secure, own, and steward farmland for regenerative food production.
Seeking Land, Seeding Change
The Chesapeake Farmland Commons is pursuing transfer of title ownership of farmland real estate into the Commons for agriculture, education, and community uses to create a positive example of farmland centered community empowerment in Northeast Baltimore.
We have performed GIS mapping to identify possible land parcels, engaged in strategic land owner outreach, worked with attorneys to complete title searches, and are actively searching for the perfect land for the Chesapeake Farmland Commons.
What we are looking for:
- 5 acres or more
- Road access
- Electricity
- Water
- Existing or potential for agricultural buildings and infrastructure
- All approved zoning and permitting approvals for agriculture, education, community, and residential uses
- Within an hour of Bliss Meadows
Be Part of a Land Justice Legacy
Donating land to the Farmland Commons in Baltimore helps create access, equity, and deep reconnection to land for Black and Brown communities. Be the seed of lasting change.
Email [email protected] to discuss potentials and possibilities.
Founder, visionary, and leader Atiya Wells is creating the Chesapeake Farmland Commons in Northeast Baltimore to ensure farmland remains dedicated to active food production for generations to come in the community. A pediatric nurse, educator, and founder of Backyard Basecamp, Atiya brings a deep commitment to reconnecting communities of color to land and nature.
This Farmland Commons is rooted in and connected to BLISS Meadows, a transformative 10-acre urban reclamation project led by Backyard Basecamp. BLISS Meadows brings environmental education, sustainability, and community engagement to life—and is recognized as part of the National Park Service’s Chesapeake Gateways network. Together, these efforts form a powerful vision of land justice, community healing, and long-term food sovereignty in Baltimore.
This transformational justice work needs your support
The gift of land and money will be the catalyst to bring about the transition of generational, ecological, spiritual, and community wisdom and connection, creating legacy. It will facilitate the reconnection of Black, Indigenous, and People of Color to land, food, and nature communities deeply rooted to the natural world in Baltimore.
Stay in the loop!
Join the Chesapeake Farmland Commons mailing list!
Scenes From Backyard Basecamp
In the Headlines
Baltimore Maryland Public Radio
Regional Data
- 575,000 residents
- median age 34.7
- 63% Black
- 28% White
- $58,200 median HH
- 20.1% poverty
- MD avg $6, 200/acresre
- city redevelopment parcels ~$25,000/acresre
- $32,500 per capita
- East Baltimore neighborhoods >30% poverty
- 16.5% residents; 23.4% children experience food insecurity
- Historic community gardens
- Block‑party farm stands
- Youth farm programs
- Baltimore metro (~2.8 M) sources from 150+ farms; 120+ markets
- Fort McHenry inspired “The Star‑Spangled Banner” in 1814
