Evergreen field trip group with Khue, speaker from IRC.

Locations

Horseneck Farm Tour with Kamal Adhikari- Kent, WA

Tukwila Farmers Market and Spice Bridge Food Hall with Khue Tran

Spice Bridge Restaurant- Tukwila, WA

“In an effort to protect the farmland that remained, Horseneck was purchased by King County nearly 40 years ago through the Farmland Preservation Program . . . This lease agreement is the start of a gradual process to use the full acreage and uplift marginalized farmers, while keeping the land in full production.”

2021 King County Green: Horseneck Farm: Preserved for Agriculture Now Increasing-Access For Diverse Growers

Horseneck Farm is managed with a unique collaboration of land leasing between King County nonprofits called Food Access and Aggregation Community Team (FAACT), a network of South King County organizations which includes the Seattle International Rescue Committee (IRC), South King County Food Coalition, Elk Run Farm, Food Innovation Network, Highline College, Living Well Kent, Wakulima USA, and Shared Soil. Our trip to Horseneck Farm was guided on an informational tour by Kamal, a coordinator with the IRC. Kamal explained that this site encompasses 6 community gardens, 3 market gardens, and serves 200 people- including families. He said these gardens represent 17+ nations, and majority of gardeners are women. Additionally, the IRC’s “New Roots” program connects farmers with market opportunities in other organizations like Pacific Coast Harvest (PCH) and Farmstand Local Foods. These partnerships have provided both sales opportunities and community benefits like supporting local students with farm fresh produce. The reciprocal nature of this farm to market approach is very profound; for farmers there is the benefit of food sovereignty, economic opportunity, community connection, and mental health support; for community there is the benefit of food sovereignty and affordable produce for marginalized people.

“Food is culture . . . Everyone is a farmer in Bhutan”

Kamal Adhikari
Bitter Eggplant, Solanum aethiopicum, observed at the Horseneck Farm site. In contrast to our experimental planting method, this planting was arranged in an alternate pattern, with varying distances approximately 2-3ft. apart. Also, these eggplants were used without trellising. Kamal said he has typically seen bitter eggplant sautéed in a meal. 

Kamal explained that this space is grant funded, receiving a lot of support from the County. This means, applying for financial support for new infrastructures can be a slower process. Farmers newly have access to a wash station and hope to achieve a cool storage operation, and possibly greenhouse space with support from the County. As of now, Kamal said that farmers can store produce at Cascadia Farm’s cool storage. This visit was truly inspiring and I am hopeful that this land will continue to expand with increasing support for refugees, farmers, and the local community. Bitter eggplant may not be as abundant in the market as other Solanum spp., however visiting with these communities affirms the demand and relevance to grow this crop in the PNW, as it is vital for cultural cuisine.

Sources

  1. Elk Run Farm
  2. Food Access and Aggregation Community Team (FAACT)
  3. Food Innovation Network
  4. Highline College
  5. Horseneck Farm 
  6. IRC: New Roots
  7. King County Farmland Preservation Program
  8. Kezama Farm
  9. Living Well Kent
  10. Nemuna Garden and Kezama LLC: Horseneck Farm
  11. Pacific Coast Harvest (PCH) and Farmstand Local Foods
  12. Seattle International Rescue Committee
  13. South King County Food Coalition
  14. Tukwila Farmers Market
  15. Wakulima USA