Elderberry Wisdom Farm in the news!
- Rose High Bear
- May 14
- 2 min read
EWF’s Native American Climate Adaptation Partnership: Urban Forestry project was featured in the news last week. We became caught up in the back and forth of federal funding confusion this winter and spring as conservation grants were awarded and then frozen or cancelled.
One grant was recently unfrozen, partly thanks to U.S. Representative Andrea Salinas who sent letters to the US Department of Agriculture in February and April criticizing the wide sweeping freezes on agricultural funding, including the grant awarded to Elderberry Wisdom Farm. She called on the agency to reinstate the farm’s grant which resulted in funds that are to be released soon. In late April, an email confirmed that the grant awarded to the farm through the Oregon Department of Forestry was unfrozen and is now scheduled to fund our operations potentially extending through the end of 2028.
This experience reminded us of our adage: “The buffalo face the storm!” So when we invited her to a tour of our farm on April 23, we honored her for her support with a buffalo song.
This urban forestry project will increase tree coverage in Salem low-tree-canopy neighborhoods and train students at low-income high schools to plant and maintain native trees and shrubs. Funds being provided through the Oregon Department of Forestry which states: “(This project) engages Salem’s socially vulnerable communities through tree propagation, planting, and education. The project will add Native trees and companion plants to low-canopy neighborhoods and schoolyards while training high school students and adult interns—particularly Native American and other workers of color—in climate-adaptive urban forestry practices. By integrating workforce development, conservation career pathways, and cultural outreach, this project aims to enhance climate resilience and foster community unity.”
Click below to read articles about Rep. Sallinas’ support and her visit to Elderberry Wisdom Farm.
Brian Bull, Producer at National Native News, followed up on this news story and featured Elderberry Wisdom Farm in their Native American radio news broadcast on Monday, May 5. The 5-minute news program is available in Oregon on KBOO and Lane Community College's radio station, and online with photos below. Brian was a Segment Producer of the Elder Wisdom segment when Rose produced four series of Wisdom of the Elders Radio Programs back in 2002-2005 (at Wisdom of the Elders, Inc. the Portland-based nonprofit).
As we prepare to celebrate our sixth year of operations on May 25, we would especially like to acknowledge the positive resilience our team has exemplified since forming in 2019, including staff, board of directors, partners, donors and other funders.
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