A week ago Saturday, over 100 people came and celebrated the official Grand Opening of the Seattle Community Farm! Scott and our volunteers worked hard to get the farm looking beautiful.

All the beds are planted, the compost piles are in place, and we are looking forward to the delicious vegetables that will come from the hard work we’ve put in over the last months.

To help mark the official opening, City Council President Richard Conlin and Department of Neighborhoods Director Bernie Matsuno each said a few words. Their comments reminded everyone of how the Farm fits into the larger picture of the City of Seattle and the local food system. We also heard from Michelle Bates-Benetua, Lettuce Link Program Manger and Scott Behmer, Farm Coordinator. It was a celebration, not just of the work many hands have done already, but also of the collective vision we share for the future.

Lettuce Link farm coordinators – Scott and Sue

The Grand Opening was also an opportunity to see the “community” in Community Farm really taking shape. Many of our Rainier Vista neighbors came to the event, and there were a lot of new faces in the crowd, too.

We shared a delicious lunch with food from many different cultures: Sandwiches with local veggies donated by Homegrown Cafe (thank you Homegrown!), Ethiopian sambussas, Chinese egg rolls, and vegetables from Marra Farm.

While the adults talked and toured the farm, a team of Lettuce Link and AppleCorps folks led activities for the kids. I’m not sure who had more fun – the leaders or the kids. With bubbles, sidewalk chalk, strawberries to plant, and worm bins to paint, there was never a dull moment.

Meredith from AppleCorps has fun with bubbles

The Seattle Community Farm, once a vision in a few people’s minds, is definitely and grandly open