UW Farm Harvest Dinner | University of Washington Botanic Gardens

2026 Harvest Dinner Fundraiser

The campus farm’s annual farm to table event!

Thursday, September 17, 2026

Location: Center for Urban Horticulture

Welcome UW Farm Community!

We’re thrilled to welcome you back for our beloved annual Farm Harvest Dinner, a celebration of local flavors, seasonal bounty, and community under the open sky. This year’s theme is “Rooted in Community” honoring the vital role of community members play in helping our farm thrive. The menu will highlight root crops and other edible varieties that bring us together.

We’re excited to feature Guest Chef Olivia, of Live for Flavor Catering. Olivia Ford, affectionately known as Chef Liiv, is a passionate Afro-Indigenous chef who brings fresh, vibrant flavors to every dish. A 2019 graduate of South Seattle College’s culinary program,

Chef Liiv immediately immersed herself in serving her community by providing cooking and meal-prepping services during the pandemic. Chef Liiv is a proud mother to five children, balancing the demands of a bustling household with her professional endeavors. This experience has honed her multitasking abilities

Deeply inspired by the rich offerings of the Pacific Northwest, Chef Olivia Ford delights in gathering and foraging local ingredients, adding a unique Creole twist to craft memorable culinary experiences with dedication to flavor.

Enjoy a beautifully curated seated dinner, served family-style featuring:

Two Mountain Winery (Washington)

Treveri Cellars (Washington)

Lodgepole Distilling in West Seattle, will provide private-label Arboretum Gin crafted from botanicals in the Arboretum!

Musical guest: Big Dirt

Silent Auction organized by the UW Farm Team.

TIMING

Farmixology Experience (add-on only): 4:15-5:00pm
Welcome Apps and Check-in: 5:00-5:45pm
Dinner: 6:00-7:30pm

TICKETS –

Individual Ticket: $145 per person

Includes appetizers, two drink tickets, dinner and desert. No reserved seating.

Group Ticket The Farmer’s Table – $2400 per table

Table for eight. Group ticket includes appetizers, dinner, pre-event Farmixology experience, 16 drink tickets, dessert and reserved seating with one of the student farmers as your table guest. Your table will have a printed placard with your sponsor group title.

Optional Pre-event Add-On: Farmixology Experience – $75 per person

Available for individual ticket holders who would like to add-on this experience. Guests will have the opportunity to learn how to craft garden inspired elixirs and mocktails from farm produce and flowers.

Get your tickets HERE!

We are currently sold out of individual tickets. If you’d like to be added to our wait list, please email uwfarm@uw.edu and indicate how many tickets you’d like to purchase.

Make a donation to support the UW Farm!

Important Seating Info

Tables are served family-style. Bring your friends or come ready to make new ones!
No reserved seating except the Farmer’s Tables
All tables are circular with a seating cap of eight individuals

Dietary Restrictions

This is a family-style meal featuring both meat and vegetarian dishes served at every table. The menu is thoughtfully crafted using seasonal farm ingredients and is preset for all guests. If you require a vegan/dairy-free/nut-free or need an alternative entrée, please select this option when registering to ensure availability.

Due to the nature of the event and shared dining format, we are limited in our ability to accommodate all dietary requests or substitutions. Please contact uwfarm@uw.edu directly with any specific dietary requests (aside from vegan or dairy-free).

2026 Menu

Chef Olivia is actively curating this year’s Rooted in Community menu. We will post it here in the coming weeks. Check back soon!

Harvest Dinner FAQs

FAQs

I didn’t receive email confirmation after purchasing my ticket(s), how can I request a copy of my receipt?

A receipt should be sent directly from Touchnet. If you didn’t receive a receipt, please email pcihelp@uw.edu and their team can locate and re-send the receipt.

I have dietary restrictions. Who can I contact about menu alternatives?

Requests for menu alternatives should be sent to uwfarm@uw.edu. Our Farm Manager, Perry will forward requests to our events manager and the chef.

I’d like to be seated next to specific guests. Can I make a request to be seated next to someone?

This year we are not assigning seats. Seating will be available on a first-come, first-served basis. When you arrive, you’ll find place cards at check-in that you can use to reserve your seats for dinner.

Where can I park? Is parking free?

During scheduled event times, the parking lot (E16) at the Center for Urban Horticulture will be reserved for the event. You can park there for free but we recommend carpooling as spaces are limited.

Where do I go to check-in for the event?

In the event of inclement weather the check-in table will be located near the NHS Hall (fountain side). In the event of an outdoor dinner – there will be a pop up tent located by the West entrance of the UW Farm (adjacent to the Cultural Kitchen).

Where do I go for the pre-event Farm-ixology activity?

Guests will gather at the UW Farm’s World Cultural Kitchen at 4:30p.m. for this activity.

I can’t attend the event anymore. Can someone else take my spot?

If the event is two weeks out or more we can make changes to the ticket holder’s name. Please email uwfarm@uw.edu.

Is there a waitlist if the event is sold out?

Yes, please email uwfarm@uw.edu if you’d like to be added to the waitlist.

What should I wear?

Farm fancy is what we recommend! Expect that the evening will get cool – as the night advances so bring a light-weight sweater or jacket. Casual attire is welcome.

I need ADA accommodations for parking, seating, etc. Who should I contact about my ADA needs?

The event does take place on a working farm and dinner will take place on a mowed lawn. However, the farm has accessible pathways and there are accessible bathrooms and parking spots. If you have additional needs please reach out to uwfarm@uw.edu.

I don’t drive, what’s the best way to get to the event via public transportation?

Bus number 65, 75 or 32 will bring you to the corner of NE 45th St & 36th Ave NE and it is a short walk from there to the center for urban horticulture. Or visit: https://botanicgardens.uw.edu/center-for-urban-horticulture/visit/getting-here/

Will the event be cancelled in the event of inclement weather?

No, the event will be moved inside in the event of inclement weather. If heavy rain, smoke, high winds, or other inclement weather is forecasted, the event will move inside to the adjacent Northwest Horticulture Society (NHS) Hall. An email will be sent to all attendees the week of to confirm location and last minute details.

More about the UW Farm

The UW Farm is a 1.5 acre student-powered urban farm & educational facility located on the University of Washington’s Seattle Campus. We have two urban growing sites: Center for Urban Horticulture and Mercer Court.

Our mission is to be the campus center for the practice and study of urban agriculture and sustainability, and an educational, community-oriented resource for people who want to learn about building productive and sustainable urban landscapes.

Click here for more information about the UW Farm

The UW Farm strives to educate students and community volunteers about sustainable farming practices and create awareness of our local food system, while providing fresh food to the UW campus dining program and the greater Seattle community. The UW Farm regularly provides donations to food banks and food pantries, including the UW Food Pantry, Colored Girls Garden Club, Fare Start and University District Food Bank. This event will allow you to give back to the UW Farm and help support their efforts to feed and teach the community!

Donate to the UW Farm Click here to Help the Farm Grow! Every year, we have the capacity to grow more food and be a bigger educational and research resource at the UW, but not without your support. Every contribution goes to work immediately, helping us better serve students. Your support can sustain our momentum and help seed new opportunities for student internships, academic work, and future growth. Please consider making a gift to the Farm today. Help the Farm Grow!