Rainier Beach Urban Farm & Wetlands in Southeast Seattle is a great example of how caring for the environment and our health go hand in hand. This 8-acre farm is the largest in the city and sits on the ancestral lands of the Duwamish people. It was founded in 2009 by local residents and activists who wanted to improve food security, build community, and restore the wetlands. Seattle Parks and Recreation owns the land, but Tilth Alliance, volunteers, and the Friends of Rainier Beach Urban Farm and Wetlands all work together to make it a welcoming place for all.
Rainier Beach Urban Farm & Wetlands grows many kinds of vegetables, native plants, and big blueberry bushes in raised beds and greenhouses. The farm also has nature trails for residents to explore, a composting area, and wetlands teeming with plants and animals. All the food grown here is shared amongst neighbors through designated U-Pick areas or monthly dinners, during which members of the community are invited to act as chef and teacher. The dinner events highlight local small-scale farms that use organic growing practices and support BIPOC, immigrant, and refugee farmers. The meals served often reflect Seattle’s multicultural background, expanding the palates of young and old alike.
The farm stand is open every Thursday from June to September, 2-6 p.m., and sells seasonal fruits, vegetables, herbs, flowers, eggs, honey, and other products from the farm or local growers. The stand uses a sliding scale so everyone can afford healthy food, no matter their budget. People who need extra help can get up to $20 in free produce, and those who want to give back can donate to support this fantastic initiative. The farm also has a flower CSA program, where members receive fresh, local flowers that last longer and help reduce the carbon footprint of imported flowers.
The learning opportunities at this urban hub are endless and go beyond volunteer positions, including summer camps, after-school programs, and field trips. Gardening and cooking classes are offered, as well as training programs on topics like sustainable living, natural resource conservation, wetland restoration, and food and environmental justice. There are also workshops on fermentation, container gardening, raising chickens, drip irrigation, and more. Many of these classes are designed to help young people build good habits early. By nurturing both the land and its people, Rainier Beach Urban Farm & Wetlands stands as a vibrant model for how communities can grow together toward a more just, sustainable, and nourishing future.
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This 8-acre farm is the largest in the city and sits on the ancestral lands of the Duwamish people. It was founded in 2009 by local residents and activists who wanted to improve food security,…
