For centuries, African Americans have sown seeds that have profoundly shaped the American food system. The legacies of Black agricultural pioneers impact how we grow, procure, and cook our food to this day. Mariyah Whitley, FONA Program Manager, recently highlighted three of these pioneers in a handout she shared with D.C. teachers.

Booker T. Whatley was a professor of agricultural studies, a horticulturist, and an author. His book "How to Make $100,000 Farming 25 Acres" introduced the concept of clientele membership clubs in the 1960s to help struggling Black farmers. This concept paved the way for what is now known as Community Supported Agriculture, or CSA. With this model, consumers at the beginning of the season buy into a share of a farm's produce for that entire season. This ensures the farms receive revenue for their work regardless of crop yield.

Learn More about Whatley and His Legacy >

Edna Lewis was a chef, author, teacher, and activist who redefined Southern cooking and made it more accessible to all Americans. Lewis preserved and shined a new light on Southern flavors, traditions, and culture. She also championed the use of fresh, in-season ingredients.

Learn More about Lewis and Her Legacy >

John W. Boyd, Jr. is a fourth generation farmer in Virginia, a civil rights activist, and president and founder of the National Black Farmers Association (NBFA). He was instrumental in securing a victory for Black farmers in the 2008 Farm Bill by reopening the government's discrimination settlement with Black farmers. NBFA continues to focus on educating and advocating for Black and other small farmers.

Learn More About NBFA >

The flowering cherries of Washington, D.C. are world famous. These springtime stars have been hitting early peak blooms, with some varieties blooming weeks earlier than they have in past years. One of the first flowering cherries to bloom is Prunus x incam ‘First Lady.’ This Arboretum introduction, developed by Dr. Don Egolf of the USNA shrub breeding program, typically blooms in late March but has recently been making a showing as early as late February.

'First Lady’ combines the vivid pink bell-like flowers of Prunus campanulata with the hardiness and bloom density of Prunus x incam ‘Okame’ to great effect. It grows into a narrow, upright shape that is perfect for small gardens and roadside plantings. Flowering cherry ‘First Lady’ can be found in the Introduction Garden, the Flowering Tree Collection, outside the National Bonsai and Penjing Museum, and scattered elsewhere on the Arboretum grounds.

Kamala Codrington-White shares plants of note at the Arboretum in this recurring segment. Find these plants on your next trip to the Arboretum. Photos by the National Arboretum.

A new exhibit opens this weekend in the National Bonsai & Penjing Museum's Exhibits Gallery. Sakura Orihon: Diary of a Cherry Blossom Journey will be available from Saturday, March 1st through Sunday, April 20th.

Landscape architect Ron Henderson recorded his experience in folding sketchbooks called orihon as he followed the blossoming cherry trees from south to north in Japan. His work celebrates the cherry blossom culture in Japan, highlighting his pilgrimages to visit famous old trees. He also focuses on the horticultural practices that extend the lives of cherry trees in Japan, illustrating pruning techniques, branch crutches, rope tenting, and root grafting. This exhibition of Henderson’s books inspires awe for the trees as well as appreciation for the unique way one man documented his journey. The Museum is open daily from 10 AM to 4 PM.

Rooting DC is the District's central meeting ground for individuals, nonprofits, businesses, and government entities looking to grow gardens and a healthier food system in D.C. The annual event features interactive workshops, panel discussions, and an Information Fair. This year's event will be held on Saturday, March 8th from 9 AM to 4 PM at Eastern Senior High School. It is free for everyone to attend, but registration is required.

Register for Rooting DC >

Spring into School Gardening

Saturday, March 22

Free resources for educators, in WYG

Save the date — more info coming soon

Flowering 5K

Sunday, March 23, 8:30 AM

Run or walk through collections in bloom

FONA members get 20% off registration

Register for the 5K >

Native Plant Sale

Saturday, March 29, 8 AM - 1 PM

Local native plant vendors, hosted by FONA

Learn More >

38th Annual Lahr Native Plant Symposium

Saturday, March 29, 9 AM - 4 PM

Learn from experts about native plants, pollinators, and ecosystems, hosted by USNA

Add Your Name to the Waitlist >