And, you know, we were root diggers, fisherman, just lived off the land naturally.” But the community has made this farm their own, and will continue to grow it. The Nisqually were not traditionally farmers– Gracy Ann laughed, “it’s ironic because when Isaac Stevens wanted to put us on reservations they wanted to make farmers out of us. In short, the Nisqually tribal garden program is working to benefit youth, elders, people in recovery, and those in need of jobs training. In addition to tending the garden, staff has helped to set up garden beds at the youth center and at the elders building, and a rainbow garden at the Head Start where graduating kids each got to plant something. The food is also donated to the elders’ center and youth center for meals. The garden produces enough bounty for two farm stands a week (Tuesday and Thursday) at which Nisqually community members can pick up free produce (although donations are encouraged). Day Holiday March 10th Celebrate Billy Frank Jr. March 9th Cell Phone Photography Class (Requires Login) You must log-in to view information for this Nisqually Tribal Member only event. Grace Ann and Julian picking sugar snap peas. This event is open to Nisqually Tribal Members, Tribal Community, Employees and the Public. I like to feel that it was because of the love and the prayers we put in, and the laughter from working with the food in good way.” So when you go to see where our food is served– at an Nisqually Youth Center dinner, for the elders, even at the canoe journey–you’ll see everyone joking, laughing, having a good time. Grace made sure to emphasize that while working in the garden had provided her the opportunity to work through rough times in her life, “we believe in not working angrily around food because it could transfer into the food and into the community. It had a big part in me staying clean and sober” for the past 2 years. I don’t think I would’ve stayed in recovery if I didn’t work down here. But I think it’s a big part of my recovery just being down here, it’s so nice and quiet, and the people down here, you know some of them are in recovery too. As Julian stated, “I never in my life thought that I would be working on a farm, or be a gardener, and something like that. Both Grace and Julian cited the farm as an important place where they could grow as people while they were growing food for the community. Grace has a wonderful beaming smile, and speaks with great pride about her journey through recovery, and about the hard work that has gone into each of the crops on the farm. We were led on a tour of the farm by Grace Ann Byrd, a field technician who is a full time employee at the farm, and Julian who is a seasonal summer worker. Grace Ann giving us a tour through the medicines garden, where yarrow as well as lemon balm, nasturtiums, swamp tea, nettles, bee balm, Echinacea, marshmallow, and worm wood grow.
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