Nisqually Indian Tribe :: Community Garden Program

Nisqually Community Garden works toward Tribal self-sufficiency, food sovereignty and overall community, family, and individual health. The Garden creates value for the Tribe by encouraging the active practice of traditional ways of healthy living & eating.We tend 5 acres of vegetables, berries, traditional plants, and fruit trees. All produce, medicinal plants, and body care products are distributed to both Tribal and community members. We also coordinate classes and workshops so that people can build skills in growing, harvesting, and preparing their own foods and medicines. Our staff provides technical knowledge and assistance about general garden related topics to tribal community, individuals, and other outside tribal gar-dens.Through all these efforts the Garden contributes to real improvements in physical, spiritual, mental, and emotional health.

Services/Program Available:

Weekly Garden Stand (June-October)
Weekly Elders Box Program
Elders Garden Bed Program
Weekly Elders Center Delivery (for elders only)
Fresh fruits and vegetables
Body care products
Preserved and dried produce
Natural Medicine and Teas
Garden tours & youth field trips
Volunteer opportunities
On-the-job training
Garden Consultation
Annual harvest party
Teach classes on and off campus

Workshops Offered:

Medicine Making
Making body care products
Gardening tips

History:
The Nisqually Tribe has a long history of Community Gardens, dating back at least to the 1970s. The current Nisqually Community Garden at the Culture Center began in 2009 on 410 acres of farmland at the mouth of the Nisqually River that was purchased by the Tribe in 1998. Hundreds of acres of this farmland were restored to estuary after being dammed for about 100 years in order to make it farmable. The Nisqually Tribe Department of Natural Resources removed the dams and planted thousands of native plants, re-storing this critical salmon habitat. The Community Garden sits on about 70 acres of uplands overlooking this restored estuary.

Staff

Janell Blacketer, Field Technician
(360) 456-5221
blacketer.janell@nisqually-nsn.gov

Grace Ann Byrd, Field Technician
(360) 456-5221
byrd.graceann@nisqually-nsn.gov

Sophia Hipp, Field Technician
(360) 456-5221 ex. 1165
hipp.sophia@nisqually-nsn.gov

Elsa Haun, Production Supervisor
(360) 456-5221 ex. 1165
haun.elsa@nisqually-nsn.gov

Chantay Anderson, Project Supervisor
(360) 456-5221 ex. 1165
anderson.chantay@nisqually-nsn.gov

The Nisqually Garden Stand will begin summer operations from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. every Thursday (except as announced) beginning June through October on the north (back side) of the Nisqually Administration Building.