Parker Family Urban Farms LLC - Parker Farms

06/11/2026

🌱 🍅

Mulch matters! 🍅

In this Farmer-Led Trial, Markisha Parker, of Parker Family Urban Farms LLC - Parker Farms in Warren, Ohio, compared the effects of different organic mulches—🌾straw, 🌱grass clippings, and 🪵wood chips—against a bare-soil control group on slicer tomato yield and marketability. As an urban farmer with limited space, Markisha wanted to find a readily available mulch that would help with excess water on her farm and improve the overall quality of her tomatoes.

Now that he trial is complete, we've rounded up the results into this Final Report, available for free (like all our resources) on our website and at the Organic Research Hub: https://hub.ofrf.org/resource/ofrf-farmer-led-trials-comparing-mulch-types-on-an-urban-farm-in-transition

06/10/2026

🌱 These aren’t just seeds. They’re history, culture, and future harvests in one packet. Thanks to our partnership with Ujamaa Cooperative Farming Alliance, we’re growing culturally meaningful foods while increasing food access in our community. 💚

06/10/2026

🌱 Fresh food. Small space. Big impact.

Over 100+ organic leafy greens thriving indoors with the Parker Farms Indoor Grow System! From crisp greens to mint flourishing year-round, we’re proving that you don’t need acres to grow fresh, local food. 🥬🌿

The future of farming is growing right here in the city.

06/09/2026

🍅 Got tomato troubles?

Stop by the Parker Farms Tomato Clinic during the 5th Annual Seed Donation Event at the Youngstown Juneteenth Celebration!

Whether you’re dealing with blossom end rot, yellowing leaves, pests, diseases, cracking fruit, or just want to grow bigger, healthier tomatoes, we’ll be on-site to answer your questions and help diagnose common tomato problems.

📸 Bring photos, leaves, stems, or affected fruit samples if you have them.

🌱 Free advice
🍅 Tomato growing tips & tricks
👩🏽‍🌾 One-on-one questions and answers

📅 June 14, 2026
⏰ 2:00 PM – 5:00 PM
📍 Pocket Park, Corner of McGuffey & Berkley, Youngstown, OH

Come enjoy the Seed Donation Event featuring seeds, plants, music, fruit snacks, microgreens demonstrations, and more!

06/05/2026

🌱🚜 Planting Day at Fast Track Farming!

We spent the day getting our hands dirty, working together, and building real farming skills. Participants learned how to safely operate a tiller, prepare the soil for planting, and work as a team to get crops in the ground.

There’s nothing like learning by doing! Every row planted today brings us one step closer to a successful growing season while helping new and beginning farmers gain the confidence and experience they need to grow.

06/03/2026

06/03/2026

Honored to receive a congratulatory letter from U.S. Senator Jon Husted recognizing my ATHENA Award nomination. As a Black woman farmer and community leader, this recognition reflects the work of Parker Family Urban Farms, Farm & Family Alliance, and the many partners helping us grow opportunities in our community.

06/02/2026

🍅🔥 The Salsa Is Back… and So Are We! 🌶️

Market season is officially here, and Parker Farms is bringing the flavor! Stop by and grab our crowd-favorite fresh salsa and Southern Style pasta sauce before it sells out.

📍 Warren Farmers Market
🗓 Friday, June 5
⏰ 11 AM – 2 PM

Get there early, our salsa has a habit of disappearing fast! 👀

🍅 Fresh. Local. Farm-Made. 🌶️

Farm the City, Feed the Soul.

06/01/2026

BLACK GOLD. 🖤🌱

4 years of nurturing, composting, planting, and believing.

Now look at this soil! Rich, healthy, and full of life, right here in an urban neighborhood.

Good food starts with good soil.

05/29/2026

Join us for this summer's Home Food Preservation webinar series, "Let's Preserve It!"
Tuesdays 12-12:30 p.m.
June 9: Methods of Preserving
June 23: Water Bath Canning Basics
July 7: Pressure Canning Basics
July 21: Freezing Basics
July 28: Drying Basics
Aug. 11: Making and Preserving Juice

Webinars are free, register required go.osu.edu/fpwebinars