Dreaming Out Loud

We celebrated 18 Years of Dreaming Out Loud over #dolweek . Our ‘Turn the Block Purple’ block party right outside our Marion Barry Ave Market & Cafe was a hit! The community energy was real, and the joy & appreciation for our journey was apparent. We’ve got so much more to do and can’t wait for what’s to come! In the meantime, join us for more blissful vibes today back at #MBAM for the first of our #FishFrydays series! Enjoy delicious food from the DOL crew, fun & games for the whole neighborhood, with vibes by @djpaeme . See y’all there from 2-7pm!! 🎥: @kreative_71 @sneakshotphotography

At our @doldc farms, we are always hard at work growing delicious food and preparing it to go out into our community. So many folks want to support our work but are not sure how, so we want to let you know about our volunteer days! This is an opportunity to connect with the earth, connect with each other, and connect Wards 7 & 8 to healthy food options in their own backyard. Join us, and register now via our Volunteer Hub profile page! #linkinbio

SpringFest hit a little different this year, as we celebrated 18 Years of Dreaming Out Loud!! There was plenty of joy to go around & the vibes were high. Those who’ve seen this organization grow from a small startup to an award-winning pillar of the DC community were able to reflect and share in good times. The future is bright for @doldc and we can’t wait to show you what’s in store! Stay tuned for more testimonials from our beautiful DOL community. #dreamingoutloud #blackfarmers #community #blackownedbusiness #foodjustice

Just a taste of some of beautiful produce being harvested at The Farm. The team is locked in and we’re so excited to share with our #DreamingOutLoud community! And if you like what you see, don’t forget to register for our ‘Grow Your Own’ workshop series, the first of which will be kicking off this Saturday May 2! Registration #linkinbio

THIS WEEKEND!! Come get your hands dirty with the Dreaming Out Loud farm team and learn how to grow fresh produce right in your own backyard. We’ve got multiple sessions guided by special guest experts, for which you can register individually or as a group. Sessions include: May 2nd - Soil Health and Science The soil health and science workshop explores the key elements that make soil healthy and productive. Participants will examine the specific components of different soil types, gain an understanding of essential soil nutrients, explore the basics of soil chemistry, and discover the living soil biome that supports plant growth. Sept 12th - Container Growing In the container growing workshop, participants learn what you may need to successfully grow plants in pots and small spaces. We’ll cover the best types of containers to use, the right soil mixes for healthy roots, and essential nutrients to keep plants thriving. Participants will also explore which plants grow best in containers, practical pest management strategies, and the basic tools needed for success. October 10th - Raised Bed In the raised bed workshop, participants will learn about raised bed growing. This session will cover the creation of a raised bed, the best soil blends to use, and which plants grow especially well in raised beds. We’ll also discuss essential nutrients, effective pest management strategies, and the tools you’ll need to get started. RSVP #linkinbio

The @doldc team had a blast kicking off Dreaming Out Loud Week in support of our partners at @dccentralkitchen . We’re celebrating our 18th anniversary all week, and what better way to start than coming together to volunteer for our community. The goal was to #TurnTheKitchenPurple and we did that! Catch us at the Farm at Kelly Miller tomorrow morning at 9am, for our Earth Day Volunteer Cleanup. See you soon & Happy DOL Week!

APRIL 21-25. It’s about that time for Dreaming Out Loud Week, this time a celebration of 18 years (We Grown!) of growing community, food sovereignty, and a more just local food system in DC. Through hands-on service, shared meals, and joyful gatherings, we come together to honor where we’ve been and activate what we’re still building. Throughout the week, partners, neighbors, volunteers, and supporters will gather across multiple @doldc sites to reflect on our shared impact, strengthen relationships, and activate our network in meaningful ways. We’d love for you to join us, check the schedule below: TUESDAY – Turn DCCK Purple: DOL staff, partners and board members are invited to kick off the week by “Turning the Kitchen Purple” in partnership with @dccentralkitchen for a hands-on volunteer experience. WEDNESDAY – Earth Day Clean Up at the Farm: In honor of Earth Day, volunteers will gather at the Farm at Kelly Miller for a day of service supporting environmental stewardship. Participants will help prepare the farm for Spring Fest and beautify the space. FRIDAY – “Turn the Block Purple” Block Party: DOL will celebrate another year of growth, impact, and community at the Marion Barry Ave Market & Café. This appreciation event will bring together staff, partners, volunteers, and supporters to reflect on the organization’s journey and the collective work that has shaped its impact over the past 18 years. The celebration will highlight milestones, share stories from the community, and honor the people and partnerships that continue to strengthen Dreaming Out Loud’s mission. SATURDAY – Spring Fest: DOL and @cityblossoms will host the annual Spring Fest, a family-friendly festival celebrating the arrival of spring and the power of urban agriculture. The festival will feature live music, local food vendors, games, youth activities, and interactive workshops for all ages. A flagship event at the Farm at Kelly Miller that the whole community can enjoy! Learn More & Register at the #linksinbio

We love serving our community doulas at @doldc . Crystal of @aqmdoula recently joined us at MBAM to shop for one of her postpartum clients. We pride ourselves offering healthy, sustainable resources for customers of all needs. Come see us!

UPDATED: Dreaming Out Loud is proud to announce applications are now open for our DREAM Program Bootcamp, an intensive training program designed to support food and beverage entrepreneurs across the DMV region. The DREAM (Developing, Resourcing, and Empowering Agricultural & Marketplaces) Program Bootcamp equips packaged food and beverage founders with the tools, knowledge, and networks needed to grow and sustain successful businesses—particularly those rooted in historically underserved communities. Running from May 13 through August 20, the cohort-based program provides a hybrid learning experience combining in-person and virtual sessions held on Monday evenings from 6PM - 8PM. Participants will gain access to a comprehensive curriculum and support system, including: Business Education & Training: Workshops covering key CPG topics such as costing, pricing, production planning, branding, sales strategy, and food regulations 1-on-1 Technical Assistance: Personalized guidance from industry experts to address real-time business challenges Access to Resources & Networks: Connections to buyers, shared kitchen spaces, capital opportunities, and a growing alumni network Community & Peer Learning: A collaborative cohort environment fostering shared growth and accountability Application Deadline: May 2, 2026 Program Dates: May 13 – August 20, 2026 Cost: Free (No application fee) APPLY NOW at the #linkinbio And many thanks to @thisismadeindc for the support!

Produce Plus Season is Back & @doldc wants to get you all set!! Sign up to receive $40/month to purchase fresh produce at DC farmers markets - including DOL markets! Enrollment Live - Mon April 6th at 9AM Enroll online: freshfarm.org/produceplus Hotline: (call) 202-888-4834 (text) 833-474-2811 Email: [email protected] *Use our enrollment code for priority placement: dol26 Come to market to activate your card and shop with us! Kelly Miller Farmers Market, every Saturdays 10a-1p, starting June 6th (301 49th Street NE) Anacostia Farmers Market, Saturdays 11a-2p, starting June 6th (1303 Marion Barry Ave SE) *If you already signed up without using our code, do not re-submit a new application. Instead, email [email protected] with your full name, phone number and zip code and we will manually add you to our list for priority approval.

Things continue to look up for the season. 150 green garlic bunches harvested for our CSA Program! Beautiful work from our entire farm team!!

This past weekend, @doldc at @dolmarkets had a great, productive time collaborating with volunteers from @dcdietitians . We discussed all things Dreaming Out Loud, our progress with the Marion Barry Ave Market & Cafe, and how we can best provide community wellness. This included workshops based around our crop harvests & what to prioritize from our farms, menu planning for our cafe with Chef Maia, and creating wellness cards for our customer. We truly got to do the work & most importantly had a blast! We also recently had the privilege of hosting a visit with our partners at @medstarhealth . We welcomed staff from their MedStar Center for Health Equity Research that includes a Food as Medicine Program where families are enrolled in DOL’s CSA produce box delivery program. Several of these families were able to join us to for a tour to see where it all happens, even coming away with a few special gifts (and snacks of course)! Truly a beautiful day!