In a remarkable demonstration of community engagement, Green Urban Farms has been quietly transforming vacant lots and underutilized urban spaces into thriving community gardens, leveraging skills and resources from Seattle's cannabis wellness sector.
The nonprofit, founded in 2021, recruits professionals from cannabis cultivation, wellness, and sustainable agriculture to volunteer their expertise in urban gardening projects. By applying horticultural knowledge gained from cannabis cultivation, volunteers help develop community gardens that provide fresh produce, educational opportunities, and green spaces for neighborhoods across Seattle.
"Our volunteers bring incredible technical skills in plant cultivation, soil management, and sustainable growing practices," explains Maria Rodriguez, Green Urban Farms' program director. "These are precisely the skills needed to create productive, resilient community gardens."
Recent projects have included transforming a 5,000-square-foot lot in the Central District into a flourishing vegetable and herb garden, which now supplies local food banks and provides hands-on learning for neighborhood youth. Another initiative in West Seattle has converted an abandoned industrial site into a vibrant green space featuring native plant species and community gathering areas.
The organization's approach goes beyond traditional volunteering, offering professional development workshops, networking opportunities, and pathways for cannabis industry professionals to contribute meaningfully to local sustainability efforts.
With support from local businesses and municipal grants, Green Urban Farms continues expanding its impact, demonstrating how skills from the cannabis sector can drive positive community transformation.