Elderberry Wisdom Farm’s Native American Plant Nursery was formed in 2023 for the purpose of restoring populations of plants native to Oregon’s mid-Willamette Valley in partnership with a number of conservation partners. Thanks to funding from the Oregon Department of Land Conservation and Development and the Trust for Public Land, we have established a two-acre site at Elderberry Wisdom Farm’s teaching campus at 2281 Delaney Road, SE, minutes south of Salem, and three acres at Geercrest farm, 12390 Sunnyview Rd, approximately 5 minutes southwest of Silverton, OR.

With a focus on supporting local ecosystems and habitat restoration organizations, Elderberry Wisdom Farm’s Native American Plant Nursery is committed to integrating Native American perspectives and Traditional Ecological Knowledge practices with partners’ western science practices. Partners include the Institute for Applied Ecology, its Willamette Valley Native Plant Partnership, Oregon Department of Land Conservation and Development and several local native plant nurseries.

With the hiring of Native Plant Nursery Coordinator, Joaquin Ocana in 2025, the nursery fully launched by cultivating over 1,200 climate resilient disease resistant Native trees and shrubs. Support from two dozen enthusiastic TEK Interns helped EWF to cultivate multiple tree, shrub, bulb and pollinator plant species that are treasured as traditional First Foods by local tribal members. The nursery continues to cultivate these plants which are planned for use by local schools as well as by partners sites in Oregon white oak savannah, urban areas and other local ecosystems.

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Planning and consultation with partners are an essential part of the native plant nursery’s operation. Before a final selection of Native plants is made, our partners’ needs and preferences are established based on research of current and emerging climate issues and partners’ restoration needs. Some of the factors considered in the selection process includes whether they are drought tolerant, freeze and wind tolerant, disease resistant and pollinator friendly, and ease of germination, cultivation and transplant success.

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Joaquin’s team at the nursery is continuing to welcome opportunities to work with like-minded agencies, institutions and organizations that are committed to the care and stewardship of local landscapes. With his team’s enthusiasm for growing native plants, an affinity for collaboration, and the courage to work against the changing climate, Elderberry Wisdom Farm’s nursery team regards the many challenges as opportunities to restore the sacred landscapes we all love.