Nisqually Indian Tribe :: Community Garden Program

Nisqually Community Garden works toward Tribal self-sufficiency and overall mental, physical, and spiritual health. We grow traditional plants, vegetables, berries, and fruit trees. All produce is distributed directly to Nisqually tribal members & community. We also host classes, provide job training services to tribal members through the Tribe and SPIPA, preserve food & medicines, put on annual events, and work closely with many tribal departments. Our services are offered to Tribal and community members.

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.

Community Garden Staff:

Chantay Anderson, Project Supervisor
(360) 456-5221 ext. 1166; anderson.chantay@nisqually-nsn.gov

Elsa Haun, Production Supervisor
(360) 456-5221 ext. 1167; haun.elsa@nisqually-nsn.gov

Grace Ann Byrd, Field Tech II

(360) 456-5221 ext. 1165; byrd.graceann@nisqually-nsn.gov

Clarisse Randolph, Field Tech II
(360) 456-5221 ext. 1165; randolph.clarisse@nisqually-nsn.gov

Raye Mills, Field Tech I
(360) 456-5221 ext. 1165; mills.raye@nisqually-nsn.gov

Ellie Gunderson, Field Tech I
(360) 456-5221 ext. 1165; gunderson.elizabeth@nisqually-nsn.gov

During garden stand season, the stand will be held on Tuesday's from 12:30 - 3:00pm behind the administration building and on Fridays from 12:30 - 3:00pm outside of the new health clinic. Also, Elders produce boxes are delivered every Tuesday Morning to elders houses or the elders center no later than 10:00 am.