Tranquil Islands Urban Farm Honored by the Maryland Department of Agriculture and Hosts Prince George's Soil Conservation District Urban Farmers Open Mic Nite
- Dr. Michaele C. Samuel
- 6 days ago
- 3 min read
June 2026
Dr. Michaele C. Samuel Named Featured Woman Farmer for the International Year of the Woman Farmer 2026 by Maryland's Best, and Opens the Farm Gates to Celebrate Urban Agriculture and Soil Conservation in Prince George's County
CLINTON, Maryland- Tranquil Islands Urban Farm is honored to announce two meaningful milestones this June. Dr. Michaele C. Samuel, founder and owner-operator of Tranquil Islands Urban Farm, has been featured by the Maryland Department of Agriculture's Maryland's Best program as a highlighted woman farmer for the International Year of the Woman Farmer 2026 (IYOWF2026). In the same month, Tranquil Islands Farm proudly served as the host venue for the Prince George's Soil Conservation District Urban Farmers Open Mic Night, welcoming farmers and growers from across the region on June
16, 2026.
Featured by the Maryland Department of Agriculture
Maryland's Best, the marketing program of the Maryland Department of Agriculture, selected Dr. Samuel as a featured woman farmer for its IYOWF2026 series, which honors women whose leadership, resilience, and innovation are shaping the future of agriculture in Maryland. The recognition highlights Tranquil Islands Urban Farm's production of organic vegetables, fruits, herbs, and cut flowers, and its role as a space where farming meets healing, education, and community.
Reflecting on her agricultural journey, Dr. Samuel shared: "My path into agriculture is rooted in both heritage and intention. I grew up in Grenada, where farming was not a profession you chose, but a way of life. I spent my early years helping my mother tend to crops, harvest food, and understand the rhythm of the land. Establishing Tranquil Islands Urban Farm allowed me to bring agriculture into urban spaces and reframe it as something accessible, purposeful, and essential. What keeps me passionate today is the impact. I see how farming supports community well-being, preserves cultural knowledge, and creates opportunities for education and healing."
Hosting the Urban Farmers Open Mic Night
On June 16, 2026, Tranquil Islands Farm opened its gates to the community for the Prince George's Soil Conservation District Urban Farmers Open Mic Nite, a free event for farmers and growers. Dr. Samuel presented how Tranquil Islands Farm is implementing conservation practices and actively improving soil health, covering crop layering, no-till soil management, pollinator habitats, and the cultivation of heritage crops. The evening was a celebration of what urban agriculture can be when it is grounded in conservation, cultural knowledge, and a commitment to community well-being.
The Prince George's Soil Conservation District works alongside farmers and landowners across the county to advance conservation practices that protect soil, water, and natural resources. Tranquil Islands Farm's selection as the host site reflects its standing as a demonstration farm for sustainable, community-centered urban agriculture in Prince George's County.
About Tranquil Islands Urban Farm
Tranquil Islands Urban Farm is a Prince George's County urban farm grounded in Caribbean heritage and guided by the belief that farming is an act of healing, for the land and for people. Founded by Dr. Michaele C. Samuel, a licensed psychotherapist, author, and lifelong steward of the land, the farm grows vegetables, fruits, herbs, and cut flowers while serving as a space for education, conservation, and community connection. Tranquil Islands is also the home of the Tranquil Islands mindful living lifestyle brand, which includes value-added farm products, handcrafted goods, and wellness content.
Media Contact
Dr. Michaele C. Samuel | Tranquil Islands Urban Farm
Clinton, Maryland | Prince George's County
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