ON THE FARM
Starts are Back
Strawberry starts are now available in 210 Ehler Rd farm stand. $1 each or $5 for a six pack.
To pay, drop cash in the cash box or request an invoice.
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Plant of the Month: Cottonwood
February is the best month to gather cottonwood (or balsam poplar) buds to make a pain relieving salve called Balm of Gilead. Not sure how to find the them? join me for a winter foraging walk. (12:00 on Sunday, 2/15. Meet at Eschbach park by the chained entrance.) We’ll identify and gather cottonwood buds so you can take them home and dry them out. Then we’ll get together on the last Thursday of the month (location TBD) to make an antimicrobial, pain relieving salve for the medicine cabinet. Want to attend? Shoot me an email to make sure you receive the location and time .
(Plant walk is free; $5 suggested donation to cover salve supplies.)
P.S. Prefer to purchase rather than DIY? You can do that here.
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Rod’s House
Last week we served up chicken picatta over pasta with oatmeal cookies. Nona made two kinds of bread–focaccia and sandwich–and we threw in our Blackberry & Oregon Grape Jam. This week it’s Marry Me Chicken, bread and mulberry jam, and valentine’s cookies donated by a generous local baker.
LOCAL
Wandering Central Washington: Discovering somewhere new at home
“Contrary to ill-perceived belief, the shrub steppe is anything but a barren wasteland – it’s home to sand dunes, desert waterfalls, diverse species and creeks teeming with life, and there are many extraordinary hikes to choose from to discover the magic that lies within the shrub steppe. Winter is a special time in Central Washington, and autumn through spring is when our landscape truly shines and is ripe for exploration.“
(Source: Yakima Herald Republic, Jan 16)
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Araceli Jaime: Fire Keeper
“The firekeeper is among those who offer advice to the leaders of the group. They are essential in many ways. ‘The sahumadora is the only one who can never be absent because without her, there is no fire,’ Araceli says. ‘The fire is the heart of the group and of the altar.'”
(Source: Humanities WA, Feb 3)
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Pond to Pines Summer Day Camp
“Nestled in a ponderosa grove right outside Ellensburg, Camp Pond to Pines provides amazing nature-based experiences and true outdoor immersive exploration! Located at the Yakima Canyon Interpretive Center, camp has a wonderful rustic feel that encourages exploration.
Campers learn through inquisitive and creative activities utilizing science, math, critical-thinking skills, and a great deal of imagination.”
(Source: Kittitas Environmental Education Network)
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Join the KEEN Habitat Team
“Help restore and care for local habitats while learning about native plants, wildlife, and ecosystems in the Kittitas Valley. Volunteers of all experience levels are welcome—whether you’re ready to get your hands dirty or just want to learn more.
The KEEN Habitat Team supports hands-on restoration projects primarily at the Yakima Canyon Interpretive Center @Helen McCabe Park—from planting native species and removing invasives to trail work and habitat monitoring. These projects directly support healthy ecosystems, outdoor education, and access to nature for all.
No prior experience is needed. KEEN provides guidance, tools, and training—just bring sturdy shoes, curiosity, and a willingness to help. Projects are family-friendly when noted and are a great way to give back while spending time outdoors.”
(Source: Kittitas Environmental Education Network)
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Yakima Free Clinic
Yakima Free Clinic’s doors are now open to help our medically underserved community members who are uninsured, cannot afford copays, prefer languages other than English, and/or have other barriers to accessing healthcare.
Donations Needed:
Medical Supplies
Medications in sealed containers
Medical Equipment
Grant Writing
Office Supplies
IT Support
Utilities
Furnishings
Volunteers Needed:
Medical Profession Students
Medical Clinicians (All specialties)
Interpreters
Front desk assistance
Facilities assistance
Administrative assistance
(Source: Yakima Free Clinic)
WA STATE
Regenerative Ag and Co-Ops Offer a Profitable Path for a Washington Ranch
“Bowdish said he began attending webinars about regenerative practices during COVID, but they were geared toward farmers in the Midwest. ‘I started thinking about how I could adapt that here. I have no rain from April to October.'”
(Source: Successful Farming, Jan 31)
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Building Coastal Climate Change Resilience
“Our report highlights the remarkable results that occur when state agencies work hand in hand with local partners, find ways together to empower community voices, and support locally led efforts. To help strengthen Washington’s climate readiness, the COHORT is helping build networks to share information and the lessons they have learned, support workforce development, and improve interagency coordination.
The COHORT approach represents a shift away from a reactive hazard response to building readiness for the growing challenges posed by worsening storms and our changing climate.”
(Source: WA State Department of Ecology, Feb 4)
NATIONAL & BEYOND
Speak Truth to Power Video Contest Deadline: May 3
“In partnership with the American Federation of Teachers and the Tribeca Festival, Robert F. Kennedy Human Rights created the annual Speak Truth to Power Video Contest, encouraging middle, high school and college students to use film as a tool to discuss human rights issues that resonate with them. In creating these short three- to five-minute videos, whether they be documentaries, narrative films, or experimental, students not only learn about human rights but also become champions of change and social justice. Students from all backgrounds can participate in the contest without needing expensive equipment or prior video editing skills.”
(Source: Robert & Ethel Kennedy Human Rights Center)
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Natural Building Essentials Workshop, July 25-29, Berea, KY
“If you’ve been inspired by natural building and need a jump start, this is the course for you. We’ll give you the solid foundation you need to take your dreams further. Join us for our 5 day introductory Natural Building Essentials Workshop. In this course, you’ll get hands-on experience building light clay straw walls, mixing and applying natural plasters, and stomping and sculpting cob. We’ll tour several beautiful natural homes in the local community and have a cob oven pizza party, too. Think of it like natural building summer camp!
Families with children are welcome.”
(Source: The Year of Mud)
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How Infrastructure and Planning Shape Human Rights in Modern Societies
“By embracing participatory design, leveraging technology responsibly, and prioritizing long-term sustainability, governments and developers can ensure that infrastructure advances human rights rather than exacerbates disparities. The intersection of planning, engineering, and human rights is no longer optional–it is a guiding principle for building cities that are equitable, resilient, and future-ready.”
(Source: StreetInsider, Jan 4)
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Youth Climate Justice Fund 2026 Grants
“The Youth Climate Justice Fund provides funding to emerging youth-led climate justice and socio-environmental groups through a participatory decision-making process. Our 2026 application round is now open. Eligible groups working at local or national levels are invited to apply for grants of up to USD 20,000 for local groups and USD 40,000 for national groups.”
(Source: Youth Climate Justice Fund)
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Rotary Peace Fellowship Master’s Degree Programs
“The ideal candidate is academically strong, has a bachelor’s degree in a related field, and has work experience in peace and development. We are looking for early-career candidates who demonstrate a commitment to peace and conflict resolution, can undertake extensive reading and research, and can participate actively within a diverse cohort of students. Successful candidates have a record of prior achievements in peacebuilding as well as the potential for future growth and impact as leaders in the field resulting from their participation in the fellowship. After the program, candidates should be willing to share their own work and experience, staying in touch with peace fellows in their region and maintaining strong connections with Rotary members.”
(Source: Rotary)
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Fruits of Their Own Labor:
Farmworker Cooperatives Empower Laborers and Anchor Communities
“Ongoing farm labor shortages and low wages underscore the urgency to establish a farm ownership model that better meets worker needs and will attract more farmworkers. Despite the dire labor market, one business managed to recruit hundreds of farmworkers within its first four months in 2018 and now employs over 1200 workers. Its secret to success? It provides generous benefits to farmworkers and treats them with respect, creating a desirable workplace that is also profitable.”
(Source: Farm Bill Law Enterprise, July 8, 2022)
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LISTEN: Planting Seeds for the Future
“In honor of Black History Month, we are bringing you two stories about people who used nature to change their environment and communities.
(Source: Atlas Obscura Podcast, Feb 8)
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FILM RECOMMENDATION: Gather (114 mins)
“GATHER follows the stories of natives on the frontlines of a growing movement to reconnect with spiritual and cultural identities that were devastated by genocide.
An indigenous chef embarks on a ambitious project to reclaim ancient food ways on the Apache reservation; in South Dakota a gifted Lakota high school student, raised on a buffalo ranch, is proving her tribes native wisdom through her passion for science; and a group of young men of the Yurok tribe in Northern California are struggling to keep their culture alive and rehabilitate the habitat of their sacred salmon.
All these stories combine to show how the reclaiming and recovery of ancient food ways is a way forward for native Americans to bring back health and vitality to their people.”
***This film can be viewed for free on Kanopy.
Use your Yakima Valley Libraries card to access the service.
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That’s it for this week, y’all.
Hope to see you out foraging!
Maria
