Raleigh City Farm: Family-friendly farming, events, volunteering & learning

Tucked into downtown Raleigh, Raleigh City Farm is a unique urban farm where families can connect with nature, learn where food comes from, volunteer together, and become part of a thriving community dedicated to sustainable agriculture and food access.

More than just a farm, Raleigh City Farm serves as an educational hub, community gathering space, volunteer destination, and source of fresh local produce. Throughout the year, the nonprofit organization offers opportunities for families, students, gardeners, and community members to learn about farming, support local food systems, and experience agriculture in the heart of the city.

Here's what you'll find at Raleigh City Farm:

• 🌱 A working urban farm growing fresh produce in downtown Raleigh.
• 🤝 Volunteer opportunities for individuals, families, groups, and community members.
• 🥕 Farmshare and fresh produce programs that help increase access to healthy local food.
• 🛒 The Pay-What-You-Can farmstand making farm-fresh food accessible to everyone.
• 🎉 Events and community programs that bring neighbors together throughout the year.
• 🎓 Youth education and learning experiences for schools, homeschool groups, and families.
• 🐝 The farm's apiary and pollinator programs focused on environmental stewardship and education.
• 📍 Planning your visit - location, parking, and tips for visiting the farm.
• ❤️ Ways to get involved through volunteering, donations, and community support.

Ready to get involved? Plan a Visit, View Upcoming Events, Volunteer, Donate, or follow Raleigh City Farm on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube.

1. Rooted in Raleigh: growing food, community, and future farmers

Founded in 2011 on a former vacant downtown lot, Raleigh City Farm has grown into a nonprofit focused on regenerative urban agriculture and community connection.

Today, the farm operates its original downtown site and a second location at Marsh Creek Park, expanding local food production, education, and access to fresh produce across Raleigh.

• 🌱 Founded in 2011 as a nonprofit urban farm
• 📍 Two farm locations in Raleigh
• 🥕 ~10,000 lbs of produce harvested in 2025
• ❤️ 40%+ shared through food access programs
• 🌎 Focus on regenerative, climate-resilient farming

Its mission is simple: to connect and nourish the community through regenerative agriculture. The farm also serves as a space for education, volunteering, and hands-on learning about local food systems.

2. Family-friendly volunteer opportunities

Raleigh City Farm welcomes families, beginners, and community members to get hands-on with local food and regenerative farming.

• 🌿 Volunteer @ Blount Street - Help with planting, mulching, weeding, harvesting, and general farm care in downtown Raleigh.
• 🌱 Volunteer @ Marsh Creek Park - Support a growing regenerative farm focused on soil health and long-term food production.
• 👨‍👩‍👧 Kids & families - Children can join with a parent or guardian (under 15 must be supervised; under 18 requires a waiver). Activities include planting, watering, harvesting, and learning about composting and pollinators.
• ❤️ Why volunteer together - Families build teamwork, spend time outdoors, and learn where food comes from while supporting the local food system.
• 🧑‍🌾 Groups - Organized workdays for groups of 12–24 people are available for schools, clubs, and community teams.
• 📩 How to join - Sign up through events, email alerts, or scheduled workdays. A waiver is required for all volunteers.

Volunteer at Blount Street location · Volunteer at Marsh Creek Park location · Email Alerts · Waiver

3. Farmshare: fresh produce for the community

Raleigh City Farm’s Farmshare Program “shares it forward” by donating fresh, locally grown produce to nonprofit partners addressing food insecurity in Raleigh.

Launched in 2020, the program directs nearly 50% of the farm’s annual harvest to local organizations, with additional produce sold through the Pay-What-You-Can farmstand.

• 🥕 How it works - Fresh produce is grown at the farm and donated year-round to local nonprofit partners.
• 🤝 Food access impact - Since 2020, more than 25,000 lbs of produce has been distributed through the program.
• ❤️ Community support - Farmshare helps extend fresh, healthy food to families through trusted local organizations.
• 🥬 Seasonal produce - Donations follow the growing seasons, with fresh vegetables and greens available spring through fall.

Learn more about Farmshare · Support Farmshare

4. The Pay-What-You-Can farmstand

From April through October, Raleigh City Farm hosts a weekly Pay-What-You-Can Farmstand featuring fresh produce harvested the same day at the farm.

• 🥬 How it works - Visit the farmstand on Wednesdays between 4pm-7pm (4pm-6pm in October) and pay the suggested price, less, or pay it forward to help cover someone else's purchase.
• 🌿 Fresh seasonal produce - Availability varies throughout the season and may include tomatoes, squash, greens, herbs, beets, flowers, and more.
• ❤️ Food for everyone - The flexible pricing model helps make healthy, locally grown food accessible to more Raleigh families.

Learn more about the Farmstand

5. Events and community programs

Raleigh City Farm hosts a variety of events throughout the year that bring together gardening, education, volunteering, and community connection. Whether you're looking to learn a new skill, help on the farm, or simply spend time outdoors, there are opportunities for all ages.

• 🌱 First Saturdays - Monthly gatherings featuring volunteer workdays, farm tours, workshops, and seasonal activities.
• 🍅 Weekly Farmstand - Shop fresh, locally grown produce every Wednesday during the growing season.
• 🍷 Wine + Weeds - A popular weekly volunteer event where participants help care for the farm while learning about regenerative agriculture and meeting fellow community members.
• 🌻 Community Workdays - Regular volunteer opportunities at both the Blount Street and Marsh Creek Park locations.
• 📚 Educational Workshops - Topics change throughout the year and may include food preservation, gardening, herbalism, fermentation, pollinator habitats, and sustainable growing practices.

These events help connect Raleigh residents with local food, environmental stewardship, and one another while creating a welcoming space to learn and grow together.

View Upcoming Events

6. Youth education: tours, camps, and hands-on learning

Raleigh City Farm helps children connect with food, nature, and sustainability through educational tours, seasonal programs, and hands-on gardening experiences.

• 🌱 Educational tours - School groups, homeschool families, camps, and community organizations can explore the farm's growing areas, compost systems, greenhouses, and regenerative farming practices.
• 👩‍🌾 Farm camp - In partnership with the City of Raleigh, Farm Camp gives children opportunities to garden, save seeds, explore local food systems, and build meaningful connections with nature at the Marsh Creek Park site.
• 🥕 Learning where food comes from - Participants learn how crops are planted, cared for, harvested, and shared with the community through programs like Farmshare.
• 🌎 Sustainability in action - Kids discover topics such as pollinators, composting, soil health, regenerative agriculture, and environmental stewardship through hands-on experiences.

Whether attending a tour, participating in Farm Camp, or visiting during a community event, children gain a deeper understanding of the natural systems that support healthy food and thriving communities.

Learn about Farm Camp · Educational Tours

7. Meet the bees: the apiary

Raleigh City Farm's apiary helps support pollinators while providing visitors with opportunities to learn about the important role bees play in local food systems.

• 🐝 Beekeeping program - The farm maintains honeybee hives cared for by local beekeepers and volunteers.
• 🌼 Pollinator education - Learn how bees help pollinate fruits, vegetables, flowers, and other plants.
• 🌎 Why bees matter - Healthy pollinator populations are essential for biodiversity and food production.
• 👨‍👩‍👧 Family learning - Visitors can observe the apiary and discover pollinator-friendly plants throughout the farm.

Learn more about the Apiary

8. Planning your visit

Whether you're stopping by for a tour, workshop, volunteer day, or the weekly Farmstand, Raleigh City Farm offers a unique opportunity to experience urban agriculture in the heart of downtown Raleigh.

• 📍 Location - The main farm is located at 800 N. Blount Street in downtown Raleigh
• 🕒 Best times to visit - Popular times include Wednesday Farmstands (April–October), First Saturday events, workshops, and volunteer workdays throughout the year.
• 🎒 What to bring - Comfortable closed-toe shoes, a reusable water bottle, and sun protection are recommended, especially for tours and volunteer activities.
• 🚲 Parking & visitor tips - Street parking is available nearby, but visitors are encouraged to walk, bike, carpool, or use public transit when possible. Please avoid parking in the Person Street Plaza lot. Well-behaved leashed dogs are welcome outside production areas.

Before visiting, check the farm's event calendar for current programs, seasonal activities, and any weather-related updates.

Upcoming Events · Tours & Visits

9. Final thoughts

Raleigh City Farm is much more than a place to grow vegetables. It is a community gathering space, outdoor classroom, volunteer hub, and living example of how local agriculture can strengthen connections between people, food, and the environment.

If you're looking for a meaningful way to connect with nature and your community, Raleigh City Farm is one of the Triangle's most unique family resources.

Ready to get involved?
🌱 Volunteer at the Farm
🥕 Visit the Farmstand
📅 Attend an Event
❤️ Make a Donation
🌻 Learn More About Raleigh City Farm

Looking for more things to do in the Triangle? Explore our Raleigh Parent events calendar or browse more volunteering opportunities in the Triangle area