A heated greenhouse.
“There is so much to be excited about right now here at RBUFW,” said Seattle Tilth farm manager Katie Pencke, “We are expanding programs and really looking forward to this growing season.” All around I could see neatly mulched beds, vegetable plant starts pushing up their Reemay covers and the calls of Redwing Blackbirds were sweet on the cool spring winds.
The ten acre farm is located next to Rainier Beach High School on the shores of Lake Washington. Formerly called the Atlantic City Nursery it is owned by Seattle Parks and Recreation and since 2010 has been jointly manged by Seattle Tilth and the Friends of Rainier Beach Urban Farm and Wetlands.
One of the washing stations.
Since 2010 the farm has grown an enormous amount of food and provided thousands of hours of training to community members from preschoolers to senior citizens. “I am a healthier person because of this place” said one of the East African senior farmers.
Reemay covered bed.
This fall construction will start guided by a community driven design created by landscape architecture firm Berger Partnership. There will be classrooms, a food processing and storage area and a kitchen for community dinners and farm fresh cooking classes. Planners are estimating that 20,000 pounds of food will be grown each year on this site!
Classroom
Want to get involved? Drop in work parties at the farm, (5513 S. Cloverdale St.), are every Saturday from 10am to 3pm. Visit here for more information.
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