Concord Elementary Garden Program at Marra Farm

Located in the Seattle neighborhood of South Park, Marra Farm is more than 4-acres of historic preserved farmland. Stewarded by the Marra Farm Coalition and owned by the Seattle Parks Department, the goals of the Coalition are to engage the community in sustainable agriculture and education while enhancing local food security. The Coalition is comprised of community members, Seattle Youth Garden Works, the P-Patch Program, the Mien Community Garden, Lettuce Link, and the South Park Area Redevelopment Committee.

“ Whoa, bok choy is good!! I’m gonna get my mom to buy a ton of this. ”

Initially, the site was owned and farmed by the Marra Family, Italian truck farmers who grew produce and transported it to Pike’s Place Market from the early 1900’s until the 1970’s, when they sold the land to the King County Parks System. In 1997, a group came together as the Marra Farm Coalition to act as stewards of the land and expand the farm’s role in the community. One of the last two remaining pieces of original agricultural land in Seattle, Marra Farm is also Seattle’s only agriculturally based City Park.

In a ½ acre section of the farm, Lettuce Link produces up to 13,000 pounds of fresh, organic produce for direct donation to the South Park Food bank. Since 2000, this Giving Garden has also been home to Lettuce Link’s free Children’s Nutrition and Gardening Program for Concord Elementary.

“ Dear Marra, Dear Marra,

Can’t wait to pick peas,

The Giving Garden is up to our knees,

With arugula, cilantro and even some chives,

What a totally wonderful part of our lives,

Signed, Room 205 ”

— Student Song

Initially, the weekly spring program served one 3rd grade classroom each year. Since then, this has expanded to include more classes, after-school, and summer programs. In 2006, interest from the surrounding community increased tremendously and we expanded the Children’s Garden into previously fallow land to allow for more running around, enough plots for four groups to tend their own 2’ x 2’ plots, and communal planting areas.

The children walk to the farm, garden in their own garden plots, and participate in nutrition education. They cook, taste test fresh vegetables, and are physically active through gardening and outdoor-themed games. Each child is given their own workbook to document their gardening experiences, read about, and cook with the ‘Vegetable of the Week.’ Lettuce Link also partners with Operation Frontline, giving the children an opportunity to work with professional chefs, learn about nutrition, and healthy food preparation in a safe and educational setting.

The Children’s Gardening and Nutrition Program serves to address a real problem in the community – a lack of healthy food – and also strongly emphasizes fundamentals necessary for the proper educational and emotional development of participating children. Lettuce Link seeks to change children’s lives by providing an opportunity to serve others, improve their work ethics, enhance self-esteem, learn new skills, eat well, and have fun. All services are free to the participants.

With the help of a University of Washington intern, the education program now includes two 3rd grade classes, two 5th grade classes, two after-school groups from Concord Elementary, age-appropriate field trips for up to 30 children, and a thriving summer program serving 60 children! With continuing support from volunteers, we expect the Children’s program to grow even stronger. All volunteer help or monetary donations are greatly appreciated.

Home