Volunteer Here! is a United Way of King County blog that highlights local organizations, events or programs that need volunteers. Opportunities include many organizations that partner with United Way around our priority areas of education, housing and financial stability. Check back frequently to see how you can get involved.

This month, we’re spotlighting Marra Farm, 8.7 acres of preserved farmland located in South Park’s Marra-Desimone Park. One of few large swaths of acreage dedicated to farming in the city, Marra Farm is a Duwamish River Valley gem in an area home to ethnically diverse immigrant communities and a high concentration of commercial industry.

According to the Seattle Department of Neighborhoods, Marra Farm comprises 39 garden plots, 24 greenhouse plots and three large tract plots. The Department says Marra Farm was established in 1997 and has been an ideal venue to volunteer and learn about organic produce cultivation, food-related issues and environmental stewardship.

Marra Farm is also the site of United Way’s Monthly Volunteer Project: Gardening at the Giving Garden, slated for March 18 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. United Way partners with Solid Ground, a Seattle-based nonprofit committed to addressing poverty, to promote volunteer efforts at the Giving Garden.

We hope volunteers will join us in this effort to use gardening to support families struggling to put food on the table. Volunteers will be weeding, planting and preparing vegetable beds to help the community access fresh produce.

“Marra Farm, run by Solid Ground, contains a community garden that donates thousands of pounds of organic produce to food banks across Seattle,” said Esther Yang, United Way community and volunteer engagement manager. “If you want to be a part of a cause that grows nourishing, accessible and culturally appropriate food to all communities, join in this amazing volunteer opportunity!”

“If you want to be a part of a cause that grows nourishing, accessible and culturally appropriate food to all communities, join in this amazing volunteer opportunity!”

Esther Yang, United Way community and volunteer engagement manager

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. As of March 7, we have 19 spots remaining for volunteers to sign up.

This event also gives folks opportunities to connect with other like-minded groups seeking to make an impact via gardening. In addition to Solid Ground, other organizations that take part in activities at Marra Farm include Young Women Empowered, Salsa de la Vida, Mien Community Garden, Flowers Sow Urban, Casa Surya Healing, Marra Farm Chicken Cooperative and P-Patch Community Garden.

For more information, click here.