Free Community Food Forest Program for Seattle & King County
Imagine transforming an underused community space into a thriving food forest that provides fresh fruit, habitat for pollinators, shade, and opportunities for neighbors to gather and learn together.
Tilth Alliance is accepting applications for its Community Food Forest Program, helping community organizations throughout Seattle and King County establish new food forests with comprehensive support. Applications are currently being reviewed for projects beginning in fall 2026 through 2027.
Selected projects receive:
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Free fruit trees, berry bushes, and edible perennial plants
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Professional food forest design and planning
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Soil testing and site preparation guidance
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Irrigation, mulch, trellises, tree protection, and other infrastructure
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Training workshops for staff and volunteers
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A customized stewardship guide and long-term maintenance plan
Food forests increase access to fresh, locally grown fruit while strengthening communities and restoring ecological health. By combining fruit-bearing trees and shrubs with diverse perennial plants, these living landscapes provide food, expand urban tree canopy, improve habitat for pollinators and wildlife, and create welcoming spaces for neighbors to gather, learn, and share in the harvest.
Projects should:
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Be located on publicly owned land or clearly provide a community benefit, such as schools, parks, community farms, housing authority properties, or similar spaces.
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Have permission from the landowner.
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Have access to water and approximately 500 square feet for 5–10 fruit trees.
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Include at least two committed stewards to care for the food forest.
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Include a plan for sharing the harvest with the community.
Tilth Alliance has funding to support 12 additional community food forests over the next two years.
Learn more and apply:
https://tilthalliance.org/our-work/urban-farms-gardens/community-orchards-food-forests/
Questions about whether your site is a good fit? Contact Carey Thornton, Community Food Forest Program Manager, at careythornton (at) tilthalliance.org to discuss your project.