Saj - noun

A Person of Great Wisdom & Knowledge

Saj’s love for urban farming blossomed during her time at Towson University, she participated in "Project Serve," a volunteer initiative where she had the opportunity to work alongside other farmers in Baltimore City. This experience was a turning point for her, sparking a deep passion for urban farming and community engagement.

At the core of Saj's work is a desire to inspire and empower. Through Sajeeda Urban Farm, she hopes to reflect God's favor on her life by providing a safe space for young Black girls to discover their purpose, grow, and thrive in a supportive environment.

Saj’s vision is to create opportunities for individuals to learn, teach, and become the best versions of themselves, while also contributing to the growth of their communities.

Saj is proud to call Baltimore her home and she is committed to fostering positive change in her community and empowering others to do the same.

MY WHY?

The Lord will send a blessing on your barns and on everything you put your hand to. The Lord your God will bless you in the land. – Deuteronomy 28:8

WHO IS SAJ?

Saj Dillard is the passionate owner of Sajeeda Urban Farm, located in the heart of West Baltimore. As an urban farmer and community advocate, Saj has dedicated herself to the growth of sustainable urban farming and community empowerment in Baltimore City.

Saj’s love for urban farming blossomed during her time at Towson University, where she earned a B.S. in Business Administration with a concentration in Entrepreneurship and a minor in Marketing. Following graduation during the challenging days of the COVID-19 pandemic, Saj's desire to contribute meaningfully to the community led her to Backyard Basecamp, where she proactively identified gaps in their operations, created a job description based on employee needs, and was hired as the ‘Farm Manager’ to help further their mission.

In October 2023, Saj purchased her first home from Black Women Build Baltimore, where she has been given the opportunity to give back to future and current Baltimore City homeowners. You can ask Saj questions about homeownership in Upton via her Neighborhood Profile Page through LIVE Baltimore.

Beyond Sajeeda Urban Farm, Saj serves as the Food Access Coordinator for The 6th Branch in East Baltimore, managing SHARE—a social enterprise offering nutritious food packages at over 50% off grocery store prices with no restrictions. Through this role, she continues to advocate for food justice and access to healthy food in underserved communities.

She also serves as the Neighborhood Outreach Coordinator for Central Baltimore Partnership, where she supports community outreach and engagement for a grant project funded by the Governor’s Office of Children’s ENOUGH Act, with the goals of improving education, healthcare, housing, and economic opportunities for families in the community.