On the Farm
Purple people healers. We offer an array of gifts under $20. Holiday purchases help keep us on the farm during the winter months. Thank you!Spicy Seasonal Special
This week’s shop special is three of our herb/spice blends for $15. Choose from Tzatziki Seasoning, Smoked Sea Salt with Rosemary & Garlic, Roasted Cumin Seed Powder, Svanetian Salt, Apple Pie Spice Blend and Berebere Spice Blend.
Rod’s House
Menu: Nona made baguettes to go with our main of chicken fettuccine Alfredo made with Farmer Wren’s garlic and our herbs. For dessert we made pumpkin chocolate chip bread from our eggs, apple pie spice mix, and pumpkins donated by the outstanding clients of High Desert Composting. We finished it off with cranraspberry lemonade from Groc-Out.
Many donated pumpkins are just right for baking so we’re doing that, then pureeing and freezing them to use all winter. Thanks composters!
Pumpkin loaves with mini chocolate chips, waiting to be wrapped up for the clients at Rod’s House. Want to participate? Consider donating something from your garden, signing up to make dessert, or even a whole meal for 18.
Local
Winter Solstice Sound Healing Ceremony, 2:30PM on Dec 21, by donation. Square Dance Center in Moxee. Kititas Environmental Education Network Winter Camp: December 22-23, 20-30
“Keep your kids active and curious over the holiday break! Join KEEN for two fun-filled winter sessions at the Yakima Canyon Interpretive Center. Campers in grades 1–5 will explore the outdoors, play winter games, make crafts, enjoy hot cocoa by the fire, and learn how animals adapt to the cold. A perfect way to spend winter days while school’s out!”
Collaborative Conservation: Working Toward Safe Salmon Passage with Yakama Nation
“As these projects progress, the data collected will be vital in shaping future management decisions and policies aimed at safeguarding native salmon populations and the broader aquatic ecosystem. The work being done now sets the stage for long-term environmental health benefits and supports the sustainability of the region’s fishery resources.“
(Source: Western Fisheries Research Center, Dec 2)
State
Washington Native Plant Society 2026 Conservation Grants, Deadline Feb 1
“Grants up to $2000 will be considered. Partial funding may be offered at the discretion of WNPS. Funds are awarded based on our determination of which projects bring the most benefit to Washington’s native plants and native plant habitats. Preference may be given to students, first time recipient team projects, or chapters and organizations with limited financial resources. Underserved communities and geographic distribution will be considered.”
Washington’s AI Task Force delivers policy recommendations to promote innovation and protect individual rights
“This report provides sensible policy recommendations for the legislature and the governor that strive to balance innovation and economic growth with the protection of individual rights, particularly the rights of historically marginalized or disadvantaged groups.” —Attorney General Nick Brown
(Source: WA State Office of the Attorney General, Dec 2)
National & Beyond
Innovative Water Management and Regenerative Farming Insights from RAD and Cedar Springs Farms
“Detailed discussions on swale systems, water management techniques, and the ecological benefits of these practices. Mark shares insights into RAD’s work and the importance of integrating appropriate tree plantings and managing water runoff effectively. The episode underscores the impact of regenerative agriculture on cattle stocking density, land productivity, and environmental restoration.”
(Source: Acres USA Podcast, Nov 17)
UW Center for Human Rights Annual Report 2024-2025
“Our researchers are working on some of the most enduring challenges in our state, region, and world, many of which were inscribed in the state legislation that founded our center sixteen years ago. While none of these problems have easy answers, I’m inspired by the way our research teams are building new strategies for advancing the work in these times. This spring […] we welcomed a new initiative studying the nature and causes of gaps in the juvenile parole process and ways of mitigating inequities, thus expanding the positive impact of recent resentencing decisions in Washington state.” –Director Angelina Snodgrass Godoy (Source: UW Center for Human Rights, Dec 3)
Soil Microbes & Desert Plant Restoration
“Deserts present a unique set of challenges to plants, especially when you are trying to restore them to the landscape. Drought, heat, soil salinity and more can make desert plant restoration seriously challenging. Luckily, Ali Schuessler and her colleagues at the Desert Botanical Garden are working hard to understand if soil microbes like fungi can help put ecosystems back together.”
(Source: In Defense of Plants Podcast, Nov 23)
Stephanie Rearick on Building Social Wealth through Mutual Aid
“As the capitalist economy grows more expensive and predatory, Stephanie Rearick and her colleagues are building an alternative social economy that meets people’s needs through care and cooperation. As founder of the Madison Mutual Aid Network Cooperative and Dane County Timebank in Wisconsin, Rearick is a leading champion of mutual aid projects as a force for building the “real wealth” of community. She also works internationally through Humans United in Mutual Aid Networks (HUMAN), a global network of networks dedicated to building the mutual aid economy.”
(Source: Frontiers of Commoning Podcast, Dec 4)
Groundtruth: Sustaining State Environmental Justice Programs in a Changed Policy Environment
“New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection Commissioner Shawn LaTourette joins Beveridge & Diamond’s Hilary Jacobs and Justin Smith to discuss how the state is operationalizing EJ, measuring progress, and adapting to the major changes in federal policy and funding with the new Administration. Commissioner LaTourette outlines how New Jersey incorporates environmental justice into decision-making, the practical work of translating EJ principles into concrete, data-driven actions, and the challenges of aligning state and federal roles. The conversation also explores support for community-based organizations, funding constraints, and how businesses can navigate evolving EJ frameworks.”
(Source: People Places Planet Podcast from Environmental Law Institute, Dec 3)
The Power of Doublespeak
“Students can learn about how metaphor is used as a language power technique in the online booklet Doublespeak, or as a module in the online book Critical Language Awareness: Language Power Techniques and English Grammar. Both are freely available as open educational resources. In addition, a video introducing the concept, a list of key points, and additional resources are available.”
(Source: The Clarify Initiative, Jan. 2023)
Jólabókaflód: Flood of Books
Participating in the cozy Iclandic tradition of Jólabókaflód this holiday season? Stop by the Six Buck Book Shelf at Cūriōsitās in Glenwood Square to peruse a curated selection of books related to permaculture and human rights.
Proceeds help us buy butter.
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Happy holiday prepping! Don’t forget to give yourself a little hug too.
Till next time,
Maria
