Above) Melody Muhammad harvesting garlic. She is founder of Edith Family Farms and is hosting a summer camp for children 6-13 years old. The camp offers young people exposure to camping, urban agriculture and self-development. Photos: Edith Farms

Edith Family Farms is educating and cultivating the minds of youth with its agricultural summer camp this July 1-15. Located in North Carolina, the camp provides a safe haven for children ages 6-13 and the opportunity to learn agricultural, horticultural and survival skills.

Melody Muhammad, founder of Edith Family Farms, found inspiration in the words of the Most Honorable Elijah Muhammad who stated: “The beginning of all nations is back to the earth—to the farm. Farming is the solution to our economic problems. Farming is the foundation of self-Independence.”

Melody Muhammad harvesting garlic. She is founder of Edith Family Farms and is hosting a summer camp for children 6-13 years old. Photo: Edith Farms

Ms. Muhammad purchased the seven acres of land shortly before the Covid-19 quarantine began. She said it was a blessing to be able to purchase the land for Edith Family Farms at that time.

“The name originated from my grandmother,” Ms. Muhammad told The Final Call. “The seven acres itself has room for 10 houses and four are already on there, and they’re occupied. It sustains itself at this point. We’re going to put cabins on the land, and these cabins will allow us to have rooms for camps.”

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The summer program will provide children physical activities, creative self-expression, positive social interactions and much more. The itinerary will include visiting six different farms, sleeping outdoors for two nights; harvesting and eating locally grown foods for two weeks; physically growing foods within 7-10 days; and planting a memorial tree.

Considering the pandemic and to keep within health and safety standards registration is limited, social distancing will be in effect and facial masks will be provided.

“The children that come to the camps will learn aspects of all those things. … Six is a special number—when Master Fard Muhammad got his vision at six—at six years old, I learned different aspects of Islam,” she continued.

Ms. Muhammad says the plan is to expand the farm to a prep school that will include more age groups and programs. She says she is grateful for her supporters such as Supreme Investors, Louis Shabazz out of Detroit, and family members that have helped her with Edith Family Farms.

“Camping outdoors is one of the best things you can do with children right now. You’re teaching them how to survive out here. With land, you can come up with all kinds of ideas,” she said.

“We want to have fun while learning. One way or another, we’re all connected to the Earth because we all come from the Earth, and will return to the Earth,” she continued.

For more information, and/or to sponsor a child, visit panaeducational.com/edith-family-farms.