Volunteers at Stanwood’s city-owned Ovenell Farm are growing produce for local families while a new partnership prepares to restore part of the property’s natural habitat.
In an Oct. 22 update, the city says it leases 15 acres near the Stanwood-Camano Bridge to Puget Sound Public Farms. About 25 volunteers help grow vegetables, fruit and herbs, with a goal of donating more than 10,000 pounds of fresh food this year through the Stanwood-Camano Food Bank partnership.
The donation figure is a goal, rather than a reported final harvest total. The city also describes a composting partnership that turns food bank waste into material for future crops.
Stanwood City Council approved a partnership with Snohomish Conservation District on Oct. 8 to restore five acres of habitat. The city says a $382,795 Washington Department of Ecology grant supports removing invasive plants and adding native trees and shrubs.
Ovenell’s eventual conversion into a public park still has no development timeline, according to the city. In the meantime, residents interested in volunteering can learn more through Puget Sound Public Farms.
