Groups of 6-40* volunteers help build resiliency and increase access to healthy produce at Marra Farm.
About Marra Farm
Located in the Duwamish River Valley, Marra Farm comprises 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. Solid Ground’s CFE program, one of many community partners who steward the land, operates a Giving Garden that does education work while growing food for the community.
Giving Garden Work Party
Work at our Giving Garden at Marra Farm with your coworkers, friends, family, or school! We’ll work on building soil, preparing vegetable beds, planting vegetable starts and seeds, weeding by hand, composting, watering, harvesting, washing produce, and distributing produce to the community food bank and other locations. Many of our volunteers start with limited or no gardening knowledge and learn as they go, so we welcome you with whatever level of gardening skills and knowledge you bring. Families welcome!
A suggested $500 donation from corporate volunteer groups helps cover the cost of our staff time and directly supports Solid Ground’s community food education programs. Your contribution uplifts communities, bridges food equity gaps, and inspires a healthier, more equitable future for everyone. If you’d like to donate, please do so here.
To Apply
1) Schedule a work party: Contact us at marrafarm@solid-ground.org to schedule a Giving Garden Work Party for groups of 6-40.
2) Adult Waiver for Marra Farm Volunteers: Please complete this brief form. (Note that Giving Garden Volunteers do not need to apply using a Solid Ground Volunteer Application and an Orientation is not required – although all are welcome to attend one to learn more about volunteering with Solid Ground!)
3) Youth Volunteer Waiver for Marra Farm Volunteers: If bringing family members under 18, please fill out this one-page form.
4) Contact us with any questions at marrafarm@solid-ground.org or 206.694.6869.
Time Commitment & Group Size
We encourage groups to schedule a full shift for our volunteer opportunities, but we ask for a minimum of three hours. Please contact us to schedule: marrafarm@solid-ground.org or 206.694.6869.
- Hours: Wednesdays & Fridays 9am-2pm, Saturdays 10am-2pm.
- *Currently, 40 is the maximum number of people who can safely volunteer simultaneously at Marra Farm.
Training
Volunteers will be oriented to the farm site at the beginning of their first day volunteering. No experience necessary – our staff will train you on any gardening activity you will do.
What to Bring
Please bring a water bottle, lunch/snacks for yourself, and clothes for working outside in all weather (including a raincoat, warm socks, sturdy closed-toe shoes, a sunhat, sunscreen, etc.).
Qualifications
- Generally, this role involves standing, kneeling, bending, walking, and lifting up to 10 pounds. Solid Ground does and will make accommodations for people of differing abilities.
- Interest in organic gardening and working outdoors
- Friendly, reliable, and self-motivated
- Ability to follow directions and work collaboratively with staff and other volunteers
- Enjoy working with people from diverse backgrounds
Scroll down to apply & view upcoming volunteer orientations.
BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, and other People of Color), and people with the lived experience of food insecurity are strongly encouraged to apply. This opportunity also qualifies as an RSVP (Retired and Senior Volunteer Program) activity.
Solid Ground believes poverty is solvable.
Volunteers play a critical role in helping us meet basic needs, nurture success, and promote change – so everyone in our community can achieve their full potential.