Owl’s Nest Farm is a Certified Naturally Grown vegetable and flower farm established in Upper Marlboro, MD in 2016. Founder Liz Whitehurst built the farm on principles of economic justice and food access, guiding its growth from three to ten acres.

The farm runs a 200-member, year-round, sliding-scale CSA with no questions asked, maintains a steady presence at two weekly farmers markets, and sells wholesale to distributors serving underserved neighborhoods. Through its Food Access Fund, Owl’s Nest provides free CSA shares, and its “Solidarity CSA add-on” helps support local BIPOC-owned food businesses. Staff receive benefits that are rarely found for farm work, including paid sick leave, vacation, and a continuing education stipend for full-time employees.

In 2024, Liz transitioned the farm to a worker-owned cooperative with two founding members, with two more buying in by 2025. All staff have the opportunity to become owners and participate in decision-making.

That same year, the farm saw a 45% revenue increase due to key investments in a high tunnel, tractor cultivation setup, and seed drill. A 0% interest loan from FoodCap provided early-season capital for 2025, allowing them to use retained past-season earnings to fund more improvements like wash/pack infrastructure and a new delivery vehicle.