Embedded Files
Spring 2023
Camp Easter - July 14-23
Bring your kiddos up to enjoy some cousin time in the woods! The official camp time will be a bit shorter than last year so we hope you can make it. Bring a tent or trailer and camp out if you want. Friday 7/21-Saturday 7/22 will be the crescendo with a close-out family dinner and camp fire (weather permitting).
Seedlings in the Ground
After a couple of false starts and weather delays, the new trees are in the ground! A huge thank you to Ken and everyone who helped for the heroic effort of getting everything planted. We planted 1,440 Douglas Fir seedlings plus 60 more from the nursery (2-year olds). In addition, we planted 60 Cedar trees. There are 3 acres left unplanted, which includes the areas around the power lines that need more planting preparation. Some seedlings are struggling, most likely due to weather (high winds and a very wet April). For now we are keeping on eye on the new growth.
Clark County Farm Forestry Annual Picnic
The CCFFA Annual picnic is coming right up on June 10th. Congratulations to Tree Farmers of the Year, Michael and Mary Lou Woody. The picnic will be held at their farm in Yacolt and will include a farm tour, some wood crafting, and a scavenger hunt! Get the details on the Events page.
Catching up with Family
We are halfway through 2023 and the Easter-Taciak family is doing well.
Josephine is almost a year old and we plan to celebrate her 1st birthday at Camp Easter this summer. Josie loves to make people laugh, explore the world, and test boundaries. We expect her to walk any day.
Our house is nearing completion and we’d love to host out of town guests. It’s been a labor of love and Jasen is looking forward to pursuing long forgotten hobbies when it's done .
I’ve made a strong recovery since my health diagnosis (Cauda Equina Syndrome) and surgery in November. Although I won’t regain all my strength and sensation in my left leg, I’m fortunate I can walk. I'm forever thankful to my family who supported me during that horrible time.
We miss you all dearly and hope to see you in July (13th-26th)!
-Love Morgan, Jasen, Josie, and Niya
Family Recipe: Buttermilk Pancakes
Sift together:
1 cup flour
1/2 teaspoon sugar
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon double-acting baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
Beat until light:
1 egg
Add:
1 cup buttermilk
1 to 2 tablespoons melted butter or oil
Combine the sifted and liquid ingredients in a few swift strokes. Allow bubbles to form in batter before cooking. While cooking, wait for bubbles to pop before flipping.
*Customize: Cheryle subs 1/2 c cornmeal with the flour. Gluten free? Dairy Free?
Birthdays
Blaed 4/16
Jen 4/21
Char 4/29
Jay 5/4
Christian 5/8
Neal 5/15
Ryan 5/27
Tyler 5/29
Makayla 6/6
James 6/6
Thelma 6/6
Skylar 6/14
Izaac 6/22
Is Tree Fashion in our future?
There were many things I liked about the 2023 WFFA Annual Meeting in Olympia. If the info on the illusive carbon sequestration topic makes you wonder what your farm is worth storing carbon, we learned that there will be an app for that. There was Grandma’s impromptu prayer-on-demand for a troubled forester in the hotel bar. Linda took the Hama Hama farm tour (in Olympia, not Hawaii) and was impressed by a stand of Redwoods and how that might relate to our farm. Meanwhile, Grandma and I had breakfast at the New Moon co-op cafe where Grandma got a biz card from a tattoo artist named Splat and graciously accepted all the compliments on her coat from the young staff and diners. And that leads to my main takeaway.
A panel of next gen Small Forest Land Owners (SFLO) were asked how the WFFA can engage younger members. I raised my hand and suggested “FFF,” explaining that’s Farm Forestry Fashion. Elaine Oneil, PhD and Exec. Director of the WFFA, moderator of the forum, and holder of the mic, gave me a look that was both annoyed and blank, then quickly moved on. I whispered to Grandma, “That bombed.” I didn’t explain that it is the perfect moment in time to sell apparel and accessories that express how sacred trees and tree farmers are to our planet as a way to diversify our farms' revenue streams while educating the public. Trees are the main climate solution, as noted in Vicki Christianson’s, retired Chief of USDA, Forest Service talk. The world is ready. Adam wants a Stihl hat. Backwoods hick is still hip. Breweries, coffee, and music venues have woodsy branding. The Falkners got the FFF idea. Two of their farm’s next gen (late 20s) were running a booth selling hats, vests, and hoodies with WFFA patches. Grandma got a vest. A custom brand is the next step. As River added, it’s the “Life is Good” brand about trees. We include a mini insert that tells the TPM story with facts on tree farmers, that this purchase helps SFLOs keep the legacy alive for our grandfather, the planet, and every person. - Char
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