Today we’d like to introduce you to Shoshana Nachman.
Hi Shoshana, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today.
I’ve always had a passion for the outdoors and nature since I was a kid. I grew up doing a lot of swimming in the ocean and hiking for our family vacations. We also had a tradition of going to Larriland Farm for pick-your-own blueberries in the summer and apples and pumpkins in the fall. My parents would have a hard time pulling me away from picking the fruit. However, it never dawned on me that farming could be my occupation.
I went off to college at Towson University not knowing what I wanted to study and ended up in a seminar called Writing Baltimore during freshman year. The professor had a focus on environmental writing and it struck a chord for me. This led me to the environmental department, and I completed my degree in environmental science with a focus on biology. After graduating, I tried several jobs in the conservation field, from reforestation in Baltimore to a vegetation technician in Idaho. Between these jobs and dropping out of grad school, I kept revisiting farmhand jobs on organic, small-scale farms in Howard and Baltimore Counties. Working at Moon Valley Farm provided a true taste of farming for a living and, despite the challenge, I loved it. I loved the tangible reward—feeding myself and my community—as well as working and being in tune with nature, doing something aligned with my values, and combating climate change (even on a small scale).
After my first (and only) brief attempt at a desk job as an environmental scientist, I decided to commit to farming for a living in 2019 and began working at Clark’s Elioak Farm in Ellicott City, where my boyfriend, Nick, and I also moved into the original farmhouse. We were there for four seasons, and I grew into the role of vegetable farm manager and learned a lot about farming.
Going into my fourth season at Clark’s I made the decision, after much deliberation, that I wanted to start my farm by 2023. We began searching for a property where I could farm for myself, as close to Baltimore as possible. We landed in Hampstead and starting Communitas Farm in Baltimore County made a lot of sense because central MD holds our community of friends, family, and colleagues. Our farm wouldn’t be where it is in year one without this support system. “Communitas” is Latin for “the spirit of community,” which succinctly explains how we got started and what we intend to uphold. Nick proposed this name after researching the etymology of the word “community,” given that the core of our farm is Community Supported Agriculture (CSA).
I’m so grateful for the support we’ve received and excited to see how the farm evolves in the coming years.
We all face challenges, but looking back, would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Land access posed the biggest challenge to starting the farm. We went through many iterations of how we would buy a home and how I would start a farm. We looked into many loan options, and programs that help young and beginning farmers acquire land, and considered leasing or buying land separately from the house. Each choice had its pros and cons, and we didn’t know how it was going to play out.
We ended up buying a house with two acres that fit into our budget and then applied for and received a Direct Operating Loan through the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). The operating loan enabled us to purchase all the equipment we needed to get the farm started and immediately dive into production. If and when the farm expands and eventually outgrows the property, I will look into acquiring more land to support a larger operation.
Land access is consistently one of the top problems young & beginning farmers list as the barrier to entry.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
We grow vegetables using sustainable and organic practices on a half acre.
This style of farming is called a market garden. Our main outlets are CSA, Mt. Washington Farmer’s Market, small businesses, and our online store.
So, before we go, how can our readers or others connect or collaborate with you? How can they support you?
There are a few ways you can still support us this season.
Connect with us on social media @CommunitasFarm. You can also find us at the Mt. Washington Farmer’s Market every Sunday, from 10 am to 2 pm, through November. Or, stop by the farm on Saturdays from 11 am to 1 pm, and order online.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.communitasfarm.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/communitas_farm/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/communitasfarm
