Marra Farm: A Model Urban Community Farm

Located in the Duwamish River Valley, Marra Farm comprises four acres of historic farmland in Seattle's South Park neighborhood - home to both diverse immigrant communities and a high concentration of commercial industry. The Marra Family, Italian truck farmers, worked the land from the beginning of the twentieth century until the 1970’s, when they sold the land to King County. In 2005, the property was transferred to the Seattle Parks Department, creating an urban oasis for all to enjoy.

As one of the community partners who steward the land, Solid Ground’s Lettuce Link program runs a Giving Garden at Marra Farm, growing 16,000-22,000 pounds of fresh, organic and culturally-appropriate produce each year to donate to local food banks in South Park, Georgetown, and Beacon Hill. This could not be done without hundreds of volunteers who put in countless hours tending the garden.

Lettuce Link’s Giving Garden at Marra Farm 

Volunteer FAQs

Can I volunteer?
Yes! We accept individuals, groups, and families as volunteers.

Can I bring my kids to volunteer?
Children of all ages are welcome – we do request that you provide adequate adult supervision. Be mindful that children often get hot/cold/tired/hungry/bored faster than adults, so please plan accordingly. Before a youth can volunteer, a parent or guardian needs to fill out and sign a liability waiver (can be done on site).

When can I volunteer?

Tuesday: 10am-2pm, March-November
Friday: 9am-2pm, March-November
Saturday: 10am-2pm, March-November

Additional days and times can sometimes be arranged with advanced notice.

Can I bring my group?
Yes, we take volunteer groups of teens or adults ranging in size from 10-50 people. Our calendar for groups does fill up, so please schedule early!

What kinds of tasks will I be doing?
Tending and maintaining Lettuce Link’s Giving Garden is a great way to make a difference! Get your hands dirty while working outdoors in the fresh air. Tasks vary based on the season, but you may help prepare soil and garden beds, mix compost, plant vegetable starts and seeds, weed, harvest and/or wash produce. Through hands on work and conversation, you will learn about the source of your food, food security, organic farming and food justice.

What do I need to bring?
We provide tools and gloves. Dress in layers, wearing weather-appropriate clothing (raingear, hat, etc.) and sturdy shoes that can get muddy. Long sleeves and pants can protect you from the sun and prickly plants. Don’t forget your lunch, snacks and a water bottle!

How do I sign up?
In order to plan workdays based on the number of volunteers available, we request that you contact us at lettucelink@solid-ground.org before volunteering. Groups must be scheduled in advance.

Where is Marra Farm?
The farm’s street address is 9026 4th Ave. S., Seattle 98108. It is located in the South Park neighborhood, and accessible by Metro routes #60 and #132. Street parking is available.

Do you offer field trips or service learning for school or community groups?
Yes! Please contact lettucelink@solid-ground.org for more information. We offer field trips for preschool and elementary students, and hands-on service learning  for elementary and middle school students.

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Marra Farm Goals 

Promote Food Security

• Provide fresh, culturally appropriate food to people living on lower-incomes 
• Educate and teach people about food security 

Foster Community Involvement

• Serve as a space for South Park residents to gather, learn and connect 

Model Ecological Urban Agriculture

• Practice organic agriculture 
• Educate visitors about the benefits and practices of ecological agriculture