Seattle Tilth is providing appropriate educational and farm business opportunities to immigrants, refugees and other underserved families in South King County through a “farm incubator” program known as Seattle Tilth Farm Works (aka United People’s Farm).

Seattle Tilth Farm Works participants attend farm and business trainings, tour neighboring farm operations, and gain hands-on experience growing and harvesting food using organic practices.

Current News

• You’re invited to visit the farm! Come to our Seattle Tilth Farm Works Open House on Sat., Oct. 22!

• Seattle Tilth Farm Works is accepting applications for 2012. Get an application.

What’s a “Farm Incubator”?

Through Seattle Tilth Farm Works, participants are empowered, and expected, to create market, farm and business plans to ensure their success as small farm operators. Participants who successfully complete the program will have an opportunity to rent land, equipment and utilities at subsidized rates. Graduates will also continue to receive market and distribution support, in addition to opportunities for continuing education.

Somali Bantu, Ethiopian, Burundian and other low-income families have participated in the program. Seattle Tilth Farm Works is now accepting applications for participants in the 2012 training! Applications are open.

At the heart of this project is the idea that participating farmers learn best by actually operating a small farm in a supportive environment. This learn-by-doing concept has already been proven  successful at other nationally recognized agricultural small farm and new farmer trainings. This program provides:

• A comprehensive educational program covering farming, business planning,
  operations and marketing
• On-site mentorship from experienced farmers and food systems businesses
• Hands-on experience growing food on 1/4 acre plots
• Access to farmland, equipment, water and other necessary farming inputs
• Assistance in creating marketing channels for products in both general and ethnic specific markets.

Volunteer!

Help from community volunteers is always needed and there are always projects around to start and complete. Find out about volunteer and internship opportunities at the United People’s Farm. Learn composting, how to grow worms, start plants, or plan for spring crops.

Buy Our Produce

Somali Bantu Family Farmers of Washington (Seattle Tilth Farm Works participants) will be at the Des Moines Waterfront Farmers market, Saturdays, 10 a.m.-2 p.m, June-October, located at S. 227th St. & Dock St, Des Moines, WA 98198. Produce is also sold at Highline Community College, located at 2400 S. 240th St., Des Moines, WA 98198. Seattle
Tilth Produce is also sold to Grand Central Bakery, Central Co-op and South King County restaurants and small grocery stores.