An Urban Farming Collective
Alleycat Acres reconnects people, place, and produce by transforming underutilized urban spaces into neighborhood run farms. Food is more than what we eat; it’s a medium through which we can forge intimate, meaningful relationships. Our farms provide platforms for diverse communities to converge and build strong relationships with a coalition of people and partner organizations who are committed to social and environmental change.
We work with a network of partner agencies to distribute the produce we grow free of charge: Seattle Community Kitchen Collective Pedaling Relief Project, Recovery Cafe, Immanuel Community Services food bank, Rainier Valley Food Bank, East Cherry YWCA food bank, South East Effective Development, and Monica’s Village Place.
We are excited to be working responsively to the COVID-19 crisis with our 4 urban farms on public land! We are increasing production and produce donation impacts by partnering with Seattle Community Kitchen and developing pop-up contact free distribution events.
We strive to find innovative ways to put culture back into agriculture. Our current projects include transforming an undeveloped street into a community garden, renovating the grounds of Cascade People’s Center, installing an edible walking trail on City Light’s Duwamish Valley transmission corridor, and a series of “farmlets” in parking strips across the Central District. Each farm site hosts events and work parties throughout the year tailored to suit its neighborhood.
Alleycat Acres was founded in 2009 by nine friends dedicated to growing food and community. Our first three farms were on privately held residential lots in Beacon Hill and the Central District, but in 2015 all three farms were sold to developers simultaneously. We took this challenge as an opportunity, and began working to activate public lands to continue our mission. We work closely with Seattle Department of Transportation, Parks and Recreation, and Department of Neighborhood P-patch, as well as numerous food banks and service providers to grow and distribute thousands of pounds of free organic produce every year.
After a long running partnership, Alleycat Acres officially became a program of The Common Acre in 2019!
We work with a network of partner agencies to distribute the produce we grow free of charge: Seattle Community Kitchen Collective Pedaling Relief Project, Recovery Cafe, Immanuel Community Services food bank, Rainier Valley Food Bank, East Cherry YWCA food bank, South East Effective Development, and Monica’s Village Place.
We are excited to be working responsively to the COVID-19 crisis with our 4 urban farms on public land! We are increasing production and produce donation impacts by partnering with Seattle Community Kitchen and developing pop-up contact free distribution events.
We strive to find innovative ways to put culture back into agriculture. Our current projects include transforming an undeveloped street into a community garden, renovating the grounds of Cascade People’s Center, installing an edible walking trail on City Light’s Duwamish Valley transmission corridor, and a series of “farmlets” in parking strips across the Central District. Each farm site hosts events and work parties throughout the year tailored to suit its neighborhood.
Alleycat Acres was founded in 2009 by nine friends dedicated to growing food and community. Our first three farms were on privately held residential lots in Beacon Hill and the Central District, but in 2015 all three farms were sold to developers simultaneously. We took this challenge as an opportunity, and began working to activate public lands to continue our mission. We work closely with Seattle Department of Transportation, Parks and Recreation, and Department of Neighborhood P-patch, as well as numerous food banks and service providers to grow and distribute thousands of pounds of free organic produce every year.
After a long running partnership, Alleycat Acres officially became a program of The Common Acre in 2019!
Join Us!
NOTICE: During COVID-19, we welcome you to enjoy our gardens independently - or Sign Up to Volunteer. We are limiting the amount of visitors, providing sanitation, and asking guests to wear masks.
During the growing season (March-October) each farm hosts weekly open hours for you to come meet your neighbors, pick some veggies, and get dirty! Come as you are, no experience or equipment necessary!
Cascade Giving Garden
- Mondays 4:00-7:00 (March-Oct)
- 309 Pontius Ave N, 98109
- We work with the Cascade People’s Center to transform their landscaping into vibrant giving gardens which can support an array of educational programming. We work closely with the Cascade P-patch next door, and donate produce to partners at Immanuel Community Services and Recovery Cafe.
- Tuesdays 4:00-7:00 (March-Oct)
- 26th Ave & E Marion, 98122
- Our first mini-farm. Operated by our Field Director, Steve, on the planting strip of his corner lot, as well as his neighbor’s across the street. This farm donates produce to the East Cherry YWCA.
- Wednesdays 4:00-7:00 (March-Oct)
- 3025 S Estelle St, 98144
- This farm activates an undeveloped street in Rainier Valley, one block off of Rainier Ave S. Construction was completed in 2018, removing a ¼ acre of invasive plants and over 2 tons of trash. We’re now producing food on over 10,000 square feet, including native edible, fruits, berries, and mushrooms and sharing with neighbors in SEED housing and the Rainier Valley food bank.
- Thursdays 4:00-7:00 (March-Oct)
- 189 24th Ave S, 98144
- Our second mini-farm, in partnership with Catholic Community Services and Monica’s Village Place. This farm began on the planting strip on the corner of 24th Ave S and Main St in Summer 2015, and has expanded to the North to include an orchard, berries, and two pollinator gardens. Produce is distributed to residents of Monica’s village and the E Cherry YWCA.
We love to host volunteer groups! We can work with you to create a custom experience, just drop us a line to get started.
To learn more, contact volunteer@commonacre.org