Seattle City Council: Please Fund Rainier Beach Urban Farm and Wetlands

Dear Seattle City Council Members,

I am contacting you to urge your support in funding Rainier Beach Urban Farm and Wetlands, securing the remaining $350,000 needed.

The farm is a major asset for Seattle and the Rainier Beach neighborhood. It provides many opportunities including:

hands-on learning for people of all ages
a local source of fresh and healthy food for the community
experience growing food organically
environmental education
cooking skills and nutrition education
youth employment
hunger prevention
neighborhood safety
community wellness

Seattle benefits by the presence of small, local farms. The food is fresher and healthier. Also important is the transportation distance is much less resulting in less congestion on our roads and significantly less Fossil fuel burned. Might I here mention Pollution and Climate Change.

Although the farm currently engages thousands of children, adults and seniors each year, developing the site will add: a new classroom, teaching kitchen, farm stand, wash/pack facility, greenhouses and office space. This investment will make the farm much more functional in fulfilling its potential.

This proposal is an excellent method for the Council to provide the leadership in the advantages of small. local farms managed by farmers, not Corporate profiteers.

ease join Council member Bruce Harrell and support full funding of Rainier Beach Urban Farm.