The Charles Koiner Conservancy for Urban Farming (CKC) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit land trust dedicated to protecting and sustaining urban farms in Montgomery County, MD through community conservation.
Spring Internships
Begin March 5th
We are excited to welcome an amazing new class of interns to Koiner Farm for the spring 2024 season! Spring interns' orientation and first workday is Tuesday, March 5th from 4-6pm at Koiner Farm (737 Easley Street, Silver Spring). Learn more about our Urban Farmer Internships here.
Volunteers Return
To The Farm
The Volunteer Crews are back at it again this year - growing healthy food for their community and making Koiner Farm the special place that it is. Since the Volunteer Crew start dates vary, volunteers should contact their Crew Leader via WhatApp if they have any questions. Learn more about our Volunteerships here.
Farm Market Opens
Thursday, April 18th
(it's Emily's Bday... shhhh :)
The Farm Market at Koiner Farm officially opens Thursday, April 18th, from 5-7pm. Join our Farmstand newsletter for early-opening days, Third Thursday announcemnts and other fun farmstand updates through the sesaon. Join our Farmstand newsletter here.
As a nonprofit urban land trust, we protect community-led urban farms in food insecure neighborhoods of Montgomery County, MD. The urban farms that we steward help people engage with their land, their food, and each other. Through our cooperative stewardship model, we are trying to return the power of fertile land, the benefits of healthy food, and the peacefulness of open greenspace to people who need it most.
Land Stewardship
In 2019, with the support of the Maryland Environmental Trust (MET), CKC established a conservation easement to permanently protect Koiner Farm from development. In 2020, our Land Stewardship Committee created a Strategic Conservation Plan to guide CKC's land preservation work and help us determine where and how urban farms should be established here in Montgomery County, MD.
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Food Production
Our Farm Management team runs the day-to-day operations at Koiner Farm, inlcuding all food production, food distirbution and closing the loop with composting. A team of volunteers and interns work in partnership with skilled and experienced urban farmers to care for the soil and grow healthy food for their community. We are always looking to add great people to our team so be sure to contact us if interested.
<< Click here for more info >>
Ag Education
Our Farm Educators host on-farm field trips, workshops, picnics and more for our partner schools, troops, religious organizations and fellow nonprofits. Our farm visit help kids engage with their land and their food in meaningful ways. Our field trips are designed for K-8th graders and include seasonal, age-appropriate activities focused on composting, seed saving, pollinating, nutrition and more.
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We are honored to serve our community:
Number of students served:
3,663
Total,
since 2018
Since 2018, we have been hosting on-farm field trips for students in K-8th, as well as internships for high school and college students. Students get to experience a small, closed-loop food system right in their neighborhood. CKC is an approved SSL organization for MCPS students. Learn more here.
Pounds of produce donated:
8,520
Total,
since 2020
Since 2020, we have tried to donate 50% of our sustainably grown produce to those in need. Shepherd's Table (located 0.5 miles away) is our primary food distribution partner, as well as the Montgomery County Housing Opportunity Commitssion (HOC). Learn more here.
Square feet of land protected:
34,848
Total,
since 2019
Since September 2019, we have served as the primary stewards of Koiner Farm. As the local steward, we are responsible for ensuring that the conservation easement, which is co-held by the Maryland Environmental Trust and CKC, is upheld and that the farm is truly providing a public benefit. Learn more here.