Marra Farm Coalition 3.64

Marra Farm is a model urban community farm engaging people in sustainable agriculture and education while enhancing local food security. Located in the Duwamish River Valley, Marra Farm and Desimone Park comprise 8.7 acres of preserved farmland in Seattle's South Park neighborhood - home to both ethnically diverse immigrant communities and a high concentration of commercial industry.

The Marra Farm Coalition represents the spectrum of farm stakeholders including farmers and gardeners, consumers of farm food, the City of Seattle, Solid Ground (as a program manager), volunteers and educational program participants as well as visitors to the park. The current gardening groups are involved in the Giving Garden, Mien Community Gardens, P-Patch Garden and Large-Tract Plots, Children's Garden and Seattle Urban Farm Project.

Giving Garden
Marra Farm generates tons of fresh, organic produce each year. In 2012, volunteers helped us grow more than 17,000 pounds at Marra Farm! In addition to South Park residents growing food for their own families, the food grown at Marra Farm goes to local residents and the senior lunch program through the Providence Regina House Food Bank, Mien senior citizens, and Concord Elementary School students and their families. Also, through a Seattle Parks and Green Spaces Levy, the adjacent property was transformed into the Marra-Desimone Park in 2009.

Mien Community Gardens
Mien farmers from Laos have established productive garden plots growing traditional Mien foods which they share among their community. Tradional seeds and growing techniques have been adapted to the Seattle environment allowing the community to retain their traditional foods and connection to agriculture.

The P-Patch and Large-Tract Plots - The Department of Neighborhoods administers the P-Patch onsite, including three large tracts (about 2000 sq ft), which allow community members access to land to grow food for themselves.

Children’s Garden
Lettuce Link maintains a Children’s Garden at Marra Farm where since the year 2000, we have facilitated a series of gardening and nutrition programs for children in South Park. The children walk to the farm, garden in their own plots, taste and cook fresh vegetables, and learn about their environment through scientific exploration and outdoor-themed games. At the end of the class series, children take home their harvests to share with their families.

The Children’s Gardening and Nutrition program connects students to their food, encourages them to try new recipes, and cultivates healthy eating habits. Moreover, students gain self-confidence and pride by working together to grow their own food and reap the harvest.

We also offer 1- to 2-hour experiential and educational field trips for local schools. We gratefully accept a sliding-scale donation for all field trips. For more info or to schedule a tour, contact lettucelink@solid-ground.org.