How is it already March? We’re getting ready to open up Marra Farm this weekend, and have been busy pruning fruit trees, packing seeds, and revising curriculum for our children’s program.

Need to get out of the house? Here are some great events sponsored by our friends in the food community:

Tuesday, March 1st (tonight!) Why the Farm Bill matters, and what we can do about it!
UW Architecture Hall, 7pm
Have you been following our series on how the farm bill impacts you? Dan Imhoff, activist author of Food Fight! A Citizen’s Guide to a Food and Farm Bill, will provide an overview of this enormous piece of legislation that is so overwhelmingly responsible for the ecological and human health of our county. Click here to listen to Imhoff speak with KUOW’s Steve Scher.

Saturday, March 5: Spring Into Bed Kickoff
El Centro De La Raza, 7pm
The Just Garden Project is launching their campaign for Spring Into Bed 2011 – a county-wide day of gardening and building free or subsidized gardens for low-income families. Bring your checkbooks and party hats for this event featuring food, raffles and an open mic.

Saturday, March 12: Seed Swap N’Sale 
South Seattle Community College, 2-4pm
Want to get lots of variety without spending lots of money on seeds?  Come to the annual Community Harvest Seed Swap N’Sale, where you can purchase mini-packets of seeds for $1 each.  Featuring unusual varieties and a free swap table.  Come early – last year they sold out! 

Saturday, March 19: Early Spring Edible Plant Sale
Interbay Urban Center, 10am-2pm
Seattle Tilth’s early plant sale – buy the first round of starts for your garden!

Sunday, March 20: Cold Frames and Raised Flower Beds
Second Use, 1pm
Our friends at Second Use are one again sponsoring Salvage Sundays with a great line up of FREE spring workshops. Learn how to build and fill cold frames and raised flowerbeds. We’ll be there to chat with folks about community farming and food security. RSVP required.

Wednesday, March 30: FRESH: The movie
Grand Illusion Cinema, 7pm
Come to this exclusive screening of a great movie about farm-to-table efforts and support the Danny Woo Children’s Garden. Door prizes, raffles, and more!

Saturday, April 2: Magnuson Children’s Garden Family Gardening Day
Magnuson Park Children’s Garden, 10am-2pm
Bring your children for garden exploration activities, and bring your home garden questions for free consultation with King County Master Gardeners!

May 7 & 8: Seattle Tilth Plant Sale
Good Shepherd Center
Save the date for this not-to-be-missed annual event!

Saturday, May 14: Spring Into Bed
A county-wide day of gardening – volunteer to get your hands dirty! Watch for more information as it gets closer.

February 15-March 15: King Conservation District Elections
Now you can vote online from the comfort of your own home! This historically low-voter turnout election plays an important role in environmentally policy for our region – make your voice heard.

March 4-March 10: Queen of The Sun: What are the bees telling us?
Northwest Film Forum
A grass-roots documentary, Queen of the Sun is a profound, alternative look at the global honeybee crisis from Taggart Siegel, award-winning director of The Real Dirt on Farmer John.

Friday, March 11: Master Composter Applications Due
A great program with a great title! Apply now for this year’s class.

For a list of ongoing classes on gardening, pruning and more, check out our colleagues at Seattle Tilth, City Fruit & Plant Amnesty. And you can always volunteer with Lettuce Link!