Awardee
Project
Greenhouse Infrastructure for BIPOC Farmers Co-op
Description
Gathering Roots Wellness is a Black and Indigenous-led, BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, People of Color)-centered wellness organization. We recently purchased 78 acres of farm and woodland in Auburn, WA on which we are building a permanent retreat center. The Gathering Roots Retreat and Wellness Center will activate healing in BIPOC communities by providing space to heal intergenerational trauma and build collective wellness. A key activity will be the development of farmland that is ecologically and economically sustainable.
In 2022 we will establish infrastructure for agricultural work, partnering with Black Star Farmers to (1) install two 24’ x 60’ greenhouses with solar power, and (2) develop pilot programming for BIPoC youth and community members to engage with our site. Black Star Farmers (BSF) is a Black and Indigenous-led foundry for the radical reclamation of land and food for BIPoC community. In addition to working with us onsite in Auburn, BSF will help to bring our programs (and plants grown in our greenhouses) to their farm sites throughout Seattle. Funding will support the purchase and installation of the greenhouses, soil and seeds, planting tables, and staff support to manage the project and further develop our long-range collaboration.