Elderberry Wisdom Farm expands to form second Native Plant Nursery

Joaquin Ocana (Kaqchikel Peoples), Native Plant Nursery Coordinator

As we break into the new year and the plans for our native plant nursery continue to flourish, we are very excited to share our partnership and collaboration with Geercrest Farm, the historic site near Silverton, OR. Thanks to the vision and efforts of Jim and Erika Toler, owners and stewards of the historic property, Elderberry Wisdom Farm is expanding and forming our second native plant nursery on four acres shared through a lease. 

Along with the support and hard work of our new cohort of TEK Winter Interns, we have been traveling weekly to the farm to begin preparing the land for native plant nursery development. We have been deconstructing old fencing supports, falling old trees, cleaning up brush and wood piles, cleaning out the chicken coop, and repurposing fencing and post materials to build the new fenceline. 

EWF team working at Geercrest Farm

The work has been physical and demanding, but our team has worked together with enthusiasm and good energy towards what feels like the beginning of something beautiful. It has been really wonderful to see everyone connecting with this new Oregon white oak ecosystem and appreciating the many skills and leadership of Jim Toler. We offer a prayer at the start of each day, do stretching exercises together while asking each other silly questions and enjoy breaks and meals in the farmhouse prepared by Renee and others. 

Erika and Jim have expressed to us that the land feels alive thanks to our interns and their work. I very much share these sentiments and enjoy taking a step back to appreciate and have gratitude for the awesome people we work with and for the beauty of the land that feeds our spirits. Everyone is excited to see how our work and the development of the site continues as we move further with the next steps before we begin to grow native species on the land. 

Thanks again to Jim, Erika, Jesse and Rose and all our interns for their hard work and for what they have shared throughout the process. It has been amazing!