Mount Pleasant Man Transforms Vacant Family Lots Into Thriving Urban Farm

Published: Jun 18, 2026 - 6:17 p.m.

By Natalie Gonsalves

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https://youtube.com/shorts/xOmQ9WKVCjg?si=6VWWPjoXuaSYITKm

CLEVELAND, OH — In Cleveland's Mount Pleasant neighborhood, a cluster of once-vacant lots is now a bustling center for urban agriculture and community development. Trey Williams, a beekeeper and entrepreneur, has transformed the land where his grandmother's house once stood into Hood Honey, a multi-faceted operation now in its sixth year. The farm serves as an apiary, vegetable garden, wellness space, and an incubator for Black-owned agricultural businesses. Williams, a Mount Pleasant native, was inspired to start the project in 2020 on a nearby plot before expanding to the seven lots that now make up the farm. Most of the lots, which he acquired through city and university programs, were previously used for illegal dumping. "They were just empty lots waiting for something crazy to happen," Williams said of the land's previous condition. The operation is built on deeply personal history. The farm sits on the former sites of his grandmother's and stepfather's homes, the former Black House Art Gallery, and includes the spot where his mom taught him to ride a bike. Williams's mission is to foster Black economic development in his community by turning a neighborhood disadvantage into a productive asset. Hood Honey produces a range of goods, including honey, vegetables, and supplies for soap and skincare products. The farm also features one of Ohio's first dedicated "bee therapy" houses, a space designed to promote relaxation through direct interaction with hives. Everything from the hives is utilized, from honey and pollen to propolis, which is used in dental and skincare. Hood Honey is a for-profit company established to provide financial support for Leaders of Our Future America (LOOFA), a nonprofit created by his friend Sam Booze. Day-to-day operations involve meticulous hive management, including weekly inspections and the use of modern monitoring technology. Williams notes that the focus required to work with the bees, often without gloves, puts him in a zen-like state. Beyond production, the farm serves as an educational resource, welcoming children from local organizations and the neighborhood to learn about urban agriculture. Williams hopes to inspire future generations to take an interest in farming. Funding has come from grants, donations, and sales of honey and other products through the company's website. Having met an initial fundraising goal of $150,000 with help from donors including the Saint Luke's Foundation, SPACES art gallery, Acme Express Inc., and the USDA's NRCS and SARE programs, Williams now has ambitious plans for the future. He hopes to add small livestock, launch an outdoor homesteading school, and eventually supply a portion of a local school's food. "This is what makes America beautiful; things like this, people like Trey, doing cool stuff— passion projects," said Scott Nixon, also known as @staybeautifulamerica on social media, who came along for the tour. -------------------- At Cleveland 13 News, we strive to provide accurate, up-to-date, and reliable reporting. If you spot an error, omission, or have information that may need updating, please email us at tips@cleveland13news.com. As a community-driven news network, we appreciate the help of our readers in ensuring the integrity of our reporting.