Rainier Beach Urban Farm and Wetlands is a vibrant community hub for food, urban farming and environmental education in the heart of Seattle’s Rainier Beach neighborhood –one the most diverse zip codes in the nation. About half of this 7.2 acres site is dedicated to organic food production and about half of the farm is dedicated to restoring natural wetlands.
In 2009, a group of neighbors and community members came together to propose an urban farm in the heart of the Rainier Beach Community at the former City of Seattle’s Parks and Recreation Department’s Atlantic City Nursery site. The Rainier Beach Urban Farm and Wetlands (RBUFW) was founded out of community interest to create a local source of fresh produce, community gardening, economic development and training opportunity for area residents and youth. In 2010, joint operation of the farm was awarded to the Friends of RBUFW with our partner Tilth Alliance (formerly Seattle Tilth).
The vision of Friends of Rainier Beach Urban Farm and Wetlands (RBUFW) is a healthy, vibrant and powerful Rainier Beach community through sustainable urban farming. Our mission is to educate and engage community through sustainable urban farming and environmental stewardship. As the farm moves into long-term maintenance and sustainability, the Friends of RBUFW will continue to work toward achieving our vision and mission through our engagement with the community, partnership in the Food Innovation District, and continued co-operatorship with Tilth Alliance.
Tilth Alliance manages the physical site, programs, and day-to-day operations, Seattle Parks Department (SPD) owns the land, and the Friends of RBFUW provides community outreach, fundraising and volunteer support – and manages this page. In 2017, farm renovations were completed that added a new classroom and kitchen to support all our programs. If you’re interested in getting involved, join one of our drop-in volunteer work parties on Fridays and Saturdays.
