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Wholistic Herbs & Happenings |
| Recap of 3rd Annual MABFC Conference & 2nd Annual DE Farm Crawl | |
🌾 Community Power! 3rd Annual Mid-Atlantic Black Farmers Conference
August 27–28, 2026 | Delaware State University
What an incredible celebration of Black agriculture, collaboration, culture, and community!
This year's Mid-Atlantic Black Farmers Conference brought together farmers, entrepreneurs, educators, advocates, and community leaders from across the region to exchange knowledge, strengthen relationships, and build opportunities for collective success.
Our founder, Jamie Shanklin-Spencer, who serves as Vice President and Delaware Director of the Mid-Atlantic Black Farmers Caucus, was honored to help facilitate the Rooted & Rising Women's Wellness and Resilience Experience and present “Rooted Together: Building Black Food Economies Through Collaboration, Community & Collective Wealth.”
From interactive workshops and agricultural demonstrations to meaningful conversations about cooperative economics, the conference reinforced one powerful message: We are stronger when we grow together!
A heartfelt thank-you to Delaware State University, our fellow organizers, presenters, farmers, and everyone who helped bring this vision to life.
Delaware Farm Crawl: From Farm to Community!
August 29, 2026 | New Castle County, Delaware
Our 2nd Annual Delaware Farm Crawl was a wonderful reminder of what happens when we connect people directly to the farmers growing their food!
Coordinated through the Mid-Atlantic Black Farmers Caucus -Delaware Hub in collaboration with Delaware State University, the event welcomed more than 150 participants across six agricultural sites.
Visitors explored farms and gardens, met local growers, learned about sustainable agriculture, and supported small agricultural businesses.
Together, we generated approximately $4,500 in direct farm sales!
The celebration concluded with a community block party hosted by Messiah's Market and The Village Tree on Delamore Place, bringing neighbors together for food, fellowship, and celebration.
This was more than a farm tour. It was an opportunity to strengthen our local food economy, increase visibility for Black farmers, and demonstrate the power of community collaboration.
Rooted in Legacy. Powered by Land. Built for the Future.
Special thanks to Professor Andy Wetherill and Delaware State University Cooperative Extension, our participating farms, community partners, volunteers, and everyone who made this experience possible!
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From Wilmington to Regional Stages
Growing Our Voice, Expanding Our Impact
These past two months have brought exciting opportunities to advocate for urban agriculture, cooperative economics, food access, and community-centered solutions.
At the 3rd Annual Mid-Atlantic Black Farmers Cooperative Conference, our founder continued advancing conversations around collaboration, collective wealth, and building stronger Black food economies.
More recently, Jamie presented at the IMPACT 2026 Conference, sharing insights from her presentation, From Isolation to Ecosystem: Building a Regional Black Farmer Cooperative Network in the Mid-Atlantic.
The experience also included hosting a Black cooperative meetup, bringing together individuals interested in strengthening cooperative relationships and building regional networks.
These opportunities remind us that the work happening right here in Wilmington is part of a much larger movement!
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Your Voice Matters! Senior Listening Session
At Messiah’s Market, we believe building a healthier, stronger community starts with listening to the people who call it home!
We're excited to partner with Ingleside Senior Services for a special Senior Listening Session, creating a welcoming space for older adults to share their needs, interests, experiences, and ideas.
We want to hear what matters most to our seniors—from wellness and social activities to resources, support, and opportunities to stay connected.
📅 Thursday, October 22, 2026
⏰ 4:00–5:30 PM
📍 Messiah’s Market Wholistic Center
1512 W. 4th Street, Wilmington, DE
Your experiences matter. Your ideas matter. Your voice matters!
Join us as we listen, learn, and work together to create a more connected, inclusive, and supportive community for our older adults.
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Resilient Blooms: A Community Vision Taking Root
Our Resilient Blooms Edible Forest & Urban Farm on Delamore continues to grow into a space where agriculture, education, wellness, and community come together.
We've been preparing the garden for its next chapter, creating opportunities for families, youth, and neighbors to reconnect with the land and one another.
Join us October 23 for our official community garden and edible forest unveiling!
We can't wait to share this special milestone with you.
Friday, October 23 | 4–7 PM
Join us for a very special evening as we celebrate the final Westside Urban Farmers Market of the season and unveil our Resilient Blooms community garden and edible forest!
Two locations, one community celebration:
📍 Messiah's Market Wholistic Center
1512 W. 4th Street, Wilmington, DE
📍 Resilient Blooms Community Garden & Edible Forrest
403 Delamore Place, Wilmington, DE
Enjoy family-friendly fall activities, Halloween treats, community connections, and a celebration of all we've accomplished together.
We need your help!
We're seeking sponsors, volunteers, donated supplies, and community supporters to make this celebration memorable.
Volunteer during the celebration!
Click here to Support the celebration!
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Fresh From the Market
Our market continues to connect neighbors with fresh, locally grown food and handcrafted wellness products.
We've been expanding our online offerings, including:
- Fresh and dried culinary herbs
- Locally grown salad greens
- Farm-fresh eggs
- Egyptian walking onions
- Herbal products and locally made goods
We're also making shopping more convenient with preorders, curbside pickup, and delivery options.
SNAP/EBT welcomed!
Every purchase supports our mission and helps strengthen the local food economy.
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Community Connections & Giving Back
Community partnerships remain at the heart of everything we do.
A special thank-you to the WSFS volunteers who joined us for We Stand for Service Day on October 1!
We appreciate every helping hand, community partner, local vendor, volunteer, and neighbor who contributes to our work.
Our commitment to community nourishment continues through Food & Fellowship Saturdays, providing free meals and opportunities for neighbors to gather, connect, and feel supported.
Together, we're demonstrating that community wellness begins with connection.
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You Gon’ Learn! Growing Food, Families & Self-Sufficiency
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In August, Messiah’s Market Wholistic Center partnered with Nemours Children's Health as part of Councilwoman Shané Darby's Self-Sufficiency Series to host our hands-on workshop, “You Gon’ Learn: How to Grow Food for Your Family!”
Families rolled up their sleeves to learn the basics of growing their own food, explore container gardening, plant seeds, and take home growing kits to continue their gardening journey.
Participants also enjoyed a garden tour led by Professor Andy Wetherill, exploring culturally significant crops like okra, callaloo, and Scotch bonnet peppers.
A special thank-you to Nemours, Councilwoman Darby, Community Garden Liaison Felicia Davis, Delaware Master Gardener Sharon, and everyone who helped make this experience possible!
Our goal is simple: empower families with the knowledge, tools, and confidence to grow their own food, strengthen food security, and cultivate healthier communities—one household at a time!
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Coming in November: Elevating Your Coffee Experience
Saturday, November 7 | 2–4 PM
Join us at Messiah's Market Wholistic Center for an afternoon of coffee education, tasting, delicious food, and networking.
$20 per person includes the session, coffee tasting, food, raffle ticket, and networking.
Register here:
| | Food as Medicine / Seasonal Tips | |
Indoor Growing & Aeroponics: Fresh Food, Every Season!
The seasons are changing, but our growing never stops!
As cooler temperatures settle in and our outdoor gardens prepare for winter, our indoor aeroponic growing systems continue producing fresh, nutritious food—helping us extend the growing season and provide year-round access to locally grown produce.
Through aeroponics, we're able to:
- 🥬 Grow fresh herbs, leafy greens, and vegetables throughout the year.
- 🌱 Start healthy seedlings for future planting seasons.
- 💧 Conserve water while growing food efficiently without soil.
- 🏡 Demonstrate innovative, space-saving growing methods ideal for urban homes, schools, and community spaces.
- 📚 Provide hands-on educational opportunities for youth, families, and aspiring growers.
Our mission goes beyond growing food. We're cultivating food security, environmental stewardship, agricultural education, and self-sufficiency—one tower at a time!
Because at Messiah's Market, growing season is every season! 💚🌿
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Explore, Learn & Grow With Us!
Learning goes beyond the classroom at Messiah’s Market Wholistic Center!
We're excited to offer hands-on educational field trips that bring agriculture, science, wellness, and entrepreneurship to life for students in grades K–12!
Through our Resilient Blooms Academy, students can explore urban farming and aeroponics, discover the healing power of plants, learn about nutrition and food preparation, and connect with the rich history of agriculture and food justice.
Our interactive experiences are designed to spark curiosity, build confidence, and inspire the next generation of growers, innovators, and community leaders.
📚 Now booking school groups, homeschool families, youth organizations, and educational programs!
📍 Wilmington, Delaware
📧 messiahsmarket@gmail.com
📞 302-689-3891
Let's grow the next generation of changemakers—one seed, one student, and one experience at a time!
🔗 Explore our programs & connect with us
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Save the Date: Black Farmers Meetup
Tuesday, November 17 | 6–8 PM
Delaware State University
Washington Building – Cooperative Extension
Join us for a Black Farmers Meetup and Mid-Atlantic Black Farmers Cooperative information session.
This gathering is an opportunity to connect with fellow growers, explore cooperative opportunities, and strengthen our agricultural community.
Click here to reserve your space
| | From the Garden / Education Corner | |
Tuscan Bean-Kale Soup
Ingredients:
- 2 large tomatoes, quartered
- 1/2 small butternut squash, peeled, seeded and cut lengthwise into 1/2-inch thick wedges
- 4 cups kale, finely chopped
- 3 large fresh thyme sprigs
- 3 carrots, peeled and quartered
- 1 large onion, cut into 8 wedges
- 6 garlic cloves, unpeeled
- 1 bay leaf
- 15 oz great Northern beans, drained
- 1 tbsp olive oil
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6 cups vegetable broth (consider making your own!)
- Nonstick vegetable oil spray
- Salt and pepper to taste
Click here for the :Thai Kale Tuscan Bean-Kale Soup Recipe
| | | October Herb of the Month: Sage
| | Share Your Voice with DEUFFC | | |
Everything we grow—our gardens, programs, and community spaces—is nurtured through shared care and collective effort.
If you’re looking for ways to stay connected and help this work continue, here are a few meaningful options:
- Volunteer With Us
- Lend your hands and heart in the garden, during workshops, or at community events.
- Support Our Wishlist
- Contribute tools, supplies, and materials that directly support our growing spaces and educational programs.
- Make a Donation
- Your gift helps sustain food access, youth education, and healing-centered programming rooted in community care.
Every form of support
—time, resources, or financial—
is a seed that helps this work grow and reach more people.
| | “May the roots you plant this year bring nourishment, strength, and joy to your life and those around you.” | | | | |
