“The flower that blooms in adversity is the most rare and beautiful of all.”
Tamara M. Ashton is an educator, curriculum designer, and community practitioner working at the intersection of food systems, environmental stewardship, creative expression, and wellness. Her work is rooted in cultivating spaces, programs, and resources that connect youth and families to land, culture, and holistic nourishment.
She specializes in experiential learning, urban agriculture, and community-centered program design, developing initiatives that integrate ecological literacy, food culture, and the arts. Her work includes leading farm-based learning experiences, seasonal land stewardship projects, creative learning series, youth-centered entrepreneurship experiences, and collaborative community forums.
With a focus on curriculum development, educational programming, and partnership building, Tamara designs and facilitates experiences that support individual and collective growth. Her approach weaves together education, agriculture, art, and wellness to create meaningful opportunities for learning, connection, and resilience.
“Planting seeds for wellness, creativity, and environmental stewardship.”
Explore her work and connect to collaborate on programs, curriculum, and initiatives that nurture healthy, sustainable, and culturally grounded communities.
Featured Events
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![Sunset over a lush vegetable garden with cherry tomatoes and orange marigold flowers, behind a black fence.]()
a poetry garden
6.5 6:00 - 7:00PM | DC Public Library | DC
a poetry recital + discussion
Enjoy a sunny evening outside while listening to the work of D.C. poet Tatiana Figueroa Ramirez and gardener Tamara M. Ashton. Moderated by award-winning poet María Fernanda (she/her/hers), artists will speak about the literal and figurative gardens that inspire them and their writing practice. Preceding their presentations, there will be a seed discussion and a brief ten-minute conversation open to the audience.
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![Close-up of red poppy flowers with dark centers, surrounded by purple flowers and green foliage in a garden setting.]()
a poetry garden
8.21 7:00 - 9:00 PM | Rewild Capitol Hill | DC
gardener talk + poetry reading
a poetry garden aims to honor DC’s history, gardening communities, and poetry traditions by featuring Black gardeners and poets.Enjoy an evening with DC award-winning poet María Fernanda and local gardener and educator, Tamara M. Ashton to discuss gardens, creative practices, and more!
This event is open to all and is preceded by a seed discussion, which is a brief ten-minute open to audience members to share their own experiences with gardens, history, or poetry. Audience members are not required to participate. María Fernanda developed the seed discussion to deepen a collective exchange.
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![Close-up of green leafy vegetables, likely spinach or similar greens, growing in a garden bed.]()
grow your own food workshop
Spring 2026
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![Close-up of green bean plant with small white and pink flowers, leafy green foliage, and a metal fence in the background.]()
2024 Summer Institute for Garden-based Teachers
7.21 11:00 AM - 1:30 PM
The Summer Institute for Garden-based Teaching is a four-day long professional development course. This training inspires and connects teachers and school staff to more fully integrate their school garden into their daily educational activities.
Tamara M. Ashton has been invited to serve as a presenter for Math in the Garden, a portion of the training that allows teacher to explore math concepts for students in grades Pre-K to 8th grade.
