Sylhet Farm Story
Beginnings
Sylhet Farm & Farmers Market started when Rahman, the founder of the Hope Center in the Detroit Banglatown neighborhood, asked Daniel from One New Humanity if he would help them with their vision to start an urban farm and farmers market. The Hope Center had acquired over 2 acres of vacant land, a building, multiple houses and was attempting to renew their community but needed help. Sylhet is a green, fertile region in Bangladesh where many in Detroit have immigrated.
The partnership started slow with the help of volunteers, but over time it has grown to become a significant part of the Banglatown community. The farm has distributed thousands of lbs of fresh food for free or low cost to the community through the Sylhet Farmers Market. We have mentored youth as a host site for the Grow Detroit Young Talent Program and led approximately 1,400 volunteers who collectively gave around 86k service hours.
Daniel Schneider, President of One New Humanity, gave a tour of Sylhet Farm to Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan.
Akm Rahman, Founder of the Hope Center, during an expansion of Sylhet Farm Community Garden.
Today
The farm consists of three main sections. The first is a community garden where several immigrants from Bangladesh and Yemen grow their ethnic vegetables; some sell at our farmer's market. The second is a demonstration garden where students working at the farm get a plot and are taught how to manage a small CSA. This section has a few chickens and rabbits, primarily for fun with the neighborhood kids. We also have a treehouse, toolsheds, small greenhouse, and clay adobe bread/ pizza oven. The third section is a house and side lots ONH purchased and plans to use as a homestead/ market garden.
Section 1- Community Garden property owned by the Hope Center.
Section 2- Building and parking lot property owned by the Hope Center used for Sylhet Farmers Market. Land in the back of the building is a demonstration garden and more.
Section 3- Red is a farmhouse and side lots One New Humanity owns.
Blue are properties owned by the Hope Center that could be used in the future.
The farm comes alive in March and is put to sleep at the end of October. We have volunteers throughout that period, but the summer is a busy season at Sylhet Farm. The farmers market runs every Saturday from 10-1 pm in early July through the end of October. We are proud to be recognized by Eastern Market Corporation as one of the Detroit Community Markets. You will find unique products grown locally that you would not find elsewhere in Detroit. Everything you want to know about Sylhet Farm can be found at the link below.
