Welcome to The Well at Oxon Run’s
Virtual Resource Tour
This page is here to provide wonderful experiences and engagement opportunities to support healthy living for the Ward 8 community.
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Food Access
At DC Greens, we believe that access to healthy food is a human right. This is about more than having enough food. It’s about access to chosen foods, cultural foods, and nutritious foods that nourish and support our overall health and well-being. The city of Washington, D.C., particularly in Wards 7 and 8, is a place where food food disparities prevent access to affordable, culturally appropriate, nutritious foods. Promoting food access goes hand-in-hand with environmental sustainability: local food production and distribution — like what’s practiced at The Well and by our partners — reduces food transportation emissions (on air, land, and water), minimizes food waste, and strengthens our local food system. Promoting, preserving, and using green spaces like community gardens and community farms help improve food access in areas with limited access to grocery stores. Valuable resources are shared to grow food, learn sustainable practices, increase food security, and promote self-sufficiency.
Food Access Resources
Operates weekly markets and brings fresh, locally grown foods to underserved neighborhoods in D.C.
Provides equitable access to food and programs for people experiencing food insecurity
Combats hunger and poverty through hands-on culinary job training and job creation
Creates self-sustaining connections between city residents and nutritious food
Nonprofit food hub and food distributor
Increases access to quality education, health and wellness, and family resources
Interactive dataset of grocery store locations in Washington, D.C.
Educational programs designed to deepen the connectivity between people and the food we consume
Mutual aid seed sharing and growing program for growers and gardeners to share their spares with the community
Harvest Days at The Well
Come harvest alongside the DC Greens farm team every Wednesday and Friday during the 2024 growing season! Our staff will guide you through the experience of harvesting your own produce grown right here in Ward 8.
Every harvester can take up to 2lbs of produce home per visit. We ask that participants kindly remember that our farm and community wellness space is for our neighbors, so we request a max of two visits per person per week (4lbs total per person each week).
Health and Wellness
Health and wellness drive our mission toward building a just and resilient food system. This emphasis strengthens individuals and communities aspiring to lead fulfilling lives. With initiatives like The Well at Oxon Run, we promote healthful food options and equitable access, which are pivotal to nourishing our bodies and supporting us as a whole system.
Holistic health isn’t just about physical well-being. It also includes mental, emotional, social, spiritual, intellectual, environmental, and occupational aspects to our health. By removing barriers to accessing healthy, nutritious food, we help sustain a movement toward a city where healthy food is seen as a human right, and where residents have the resources to advance the policies and programs that impact them.
Health and Wellness Resources
Online marketplace for D.C. residents to access health insurance plans
Provides a variety of health-related services and resources for DC residents
Comprehensive list of local resources for mental health services and supports
Offers housing counseling, education, and advocacy to individuals and families in DC
Nonprofit dedicated to ending poverty essential services to families in need
Nonprofit that provides free programs and services to individuals and families affected by cancer
Offers free and low-cost meditation resources to D.C. residents
Provides resources, advocacy, and support services to help individuals living with disabilities in D.C.
Advocates for the rights of well-being of residents in long-term care facilities
Nonprofit that provides community-based services to individuals and families in need
Offers professional development and mental health support to strengthen DC communities
Produce Rx
DC Greens’ award-winning produce prescription program, Produce Rx, allows medical professionals to prescribe fresh fruits and vegetables to DC Medicaid-enrolled patients who are experiencing a diet-related chronic illness. Program participants receive monthly funds using a preloaded produce prescription card for one full year, which they can use to shop at participating grocery retailers. Produce Rx is part of DC Greens’ work in Food Is Medicine, which aims to increase access to critical nutrition programs through D.C.’s health care system.
Agriculture and Community Farming
DC Greens is committed to building a just and resilient food system through sustainable agriculture and community farming. By championing local agriculture, we work to ensure equitable access to nutritious food, support local farmers, and build vibrant, food-secure communities. Through innovative programs and partnerships, DC Greens works alongside residents by engaging in sustainable farming practices and advocating for policies that strengthen the local food system.
“I’m truly grateful to have the opportunity to come back home, come back to my community, and be a steward of this space.”
— Kenneth Bridgers, Farmer at The Well at Oxon Run
Food Growing Resources
The USDA provides resources to support urban growers in cultivating, processing, and distributing agricultural products in urban and suburban areas
The Department of Energy & Environment’s (DOEE) Urban Agriculture program boosts local food production and encourages sustainable practices within communities
Offer a series of webinars and resources focused on sustainable growing practices
Youth Engagement
Investing in youth through initiatives like The Well at Oxon Run fosters responsibility and community pride. Farming, food advocacy, and other hands-on activities provide beneficial skills and knowledge for the future generation. Pairing these skills with leadership experience provides an enriching experience for young people to become champions for this great work. Providing intentional opportunities for children and youth to connect to their local environmental and food system strengthens the overall impact and effectiveness of initiatives aimed at creating a just and equitable society.
Youth Resources
After-school programs, activities, and support to nurture youth in D.C.
Provides financial assistance for home care services
Provides resources, lesson plans, and grants to support school and youth gardening programs
Resources to promote healthy eating habits and nutrition education for children
The Green Scheme
The Green Scheme is dedicated to empowering youth through education, wellness, and sustainable living. In partnership with DC Greens, The Green Scheme has launched transformative initiatives at The Well at Oxon Run that promote community gardening, environmental literacy, and community advocacy. The Green Scheme continues to be a leader in developing the next generation of leaders committed to creating healthier, more sustainable communities.
Native Plants and Animals
As stewards of the land, we recognize the value of D.C.’s native plants and prioritize their preservation. The cultivation of these plants promotes local biodiversity, agricultural resilience, and sustainability in our ecosystem. Over time, these plants have adapted to the environmental conditions of the region. As a result, they are well-suited to flourish in our soils and wildlife habitats. This also contributes to the support of other wildlife populations and pollinators, like bees and butterflies. Fewer resources (water, organic fertilizer, maintenance) are required to sustain native plants, making them sustainable choices for landscaping and green spaces. Native root systems improve soil health, prevent erosion, and reduce runoff, which contributes to cleaner waterways and a healthier environment. Conservation and environmental justice are tangible benefits of this initiative, and the community can also benefit from deeper knowledge and connection to this region’s landscape and heritage. By incorporating native plants, we enhance the aesthetic appeal of our spaces and maintain resilient, biodiverse environments that benefit the land for generations to come.
Native Plants and Animal Resources
DC Health offers guidance on safely managing urban wildlife, including deer, raccoons, bats, and foxes, to ensure peaceful coexistence
Access resources, free classes, and guides to support native plants and local ecosystems
Learn about the major initiative to naturalize and revitalize the Oxon Run Stream
History of Oxon Run Park
Covering 128 acres with a three-mile stretch, Oxon Run Park is known for its greenery and majestic trees, including Magnolia Bogs and Legacy Cherry Blossom trees. The trees in Oxon Run Park are similar to the original cherry blossom trees given to the United States in 1912 by the people of Tokyo, symbolizing the enduring friendship between the American and Japanese peoples. Oxon Run Park has the largest number of Legacy Cherry Blossom Trees outside the Tidal Basin in our nation’s capital.
Friends of Oxon Run
Friends of Oxon Run address the needs of conservation and green space preservation in Ward 8, specifically focusing on Oxon Run Park. They promote environmental stewardship and have been instrumental in the fundraising and community engagement efforts at The Well at Oxon Run. Their dedication supports conservation initiatives and enhances community involvement, ensuring the park remains a valuable resource for all residents.
Mimi the Memory Tree
Meet “Mimi,” our beloved American Sycamore tree. Standing guard over Oxon Run for generations now, Mimi has witnessed many things in the community, including the development of The Well at Oxon Run.
The Ward 8 community honors Mimi as a “Witness Tree,” a testament to shared history and collective memory. Mimi embodies the spirit of community and the enduring strength of nature.
Programs and Classes
The Well at Oxon Run hosts hundreds of community members of all ages across the year for programs, classes, workshops, and events. Here are just a few highlights of programs we’re offering in 2024:
Wellness Market Saturdays
DC Greens will host seven large programming days where community members can join in diverse offerings provided at The Well at Oxon Run. Wellness Market Saturdays include physical activities, mental and emotional health programs, nutrition education, music and the arts, and so much more!
Curbside Groceries with Capital Area Food Bank
To help support our distribution on the farm, DC Greens has connected with long-standing partner, Capital Area Food Bank, to bring their Curbside Groceries truck on site during our Wellness Market Saturdays. DC Greens also provides gift cards to the truck for residents who sign up for wellness programs at The Well.
Journaling Workshops with Fully Bloomed
Fully Bloomed will provide three one-hour journal workshops for 15 community members. These workshops will be facilitated by Fully Bloomed and help guide participants in a meditation experience through working prompts.
Fresh Farm Friday Dinner
We collaborate with FRESHFARM to host late afternoon and evening dinners for Ward 8 community members. These communal events feature dinners crafted by the FRESHFARM team, fostering connection and community through shared meals.
Go-Go Truck + The Little Free Library
The Well at Oxon Run has a Little Free Library. We partner with DC Public Library to bring their Go-Go Truck on specific dates across our program season. The Go-Go Truck offers a variety of services for community members, such as books for checkout, library card sign-ups, assistance with accounts and resources, and giveaways.
Yoga at the Well with Jalila Williams
The Ward 8 community can enjoy free yoga classes taught by Jalila Williams every Saturday at The Well. Open to all levels, these sessions run from 11 am to 12 pm. Bring your mat, water bottle, and some bug spray.
Sponsor or Partner Highlight
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Upcoming Events
Events
List of events in Photo View
Volunteering
When neighbors volunteer their time, energy, and resources with initiatives like The Well at Oxon Run, they contribute to the cultivation of a healthier community. Your involvement helps promote access to nutritious food options for our neighbors, further develops a space that prioritizes health equity, and energizes others to shape more progressive community-based strategies. The result of this kind of community involvement includes not only learning new skills, but also improved food production and access and a sense of belonging and connection to community. By collaborating with The Well at Oxon Run, you join a movement toward a city where healthy food is seen as a human right, and where residents have the resources they need to advance the policies and programs that impact them.
