From the Garden: Mid-Winter in Southern Oregon

An epic mid-January double rainbow!

One of the things that I love most about Oregon are the four distinct seasons - and especially the transitions between them. Sometime in January-February, we get a little break from the normally long, dark and wet Winters. The storms move to the North or South of us, and we enjoy a few weeks of clear, sunny skies and unseasonably warm weather. We begin to see buds swell, the pasture thickens green and an army of robins return to forage.

Heavy December rains caught in between our sleeping food forest beds.

 This Winter was especially wonderful (and wet!). Our region was pounded with heavy rains from cold storms leaving thick blankets of snow in the mountains. After several years of extreme drought, this 'normal' Winter was a welcome change. We're currently sitting at above-average snowpack and we can only hope that this pattern continues for several years to help replenish our weakened water table.

The ducks enjoying a seasonal pond in the pasture.

 But now that we have received a slight break from the rains, we get to think ahead to the coming growing season. This year, we plan to grow more herbs for Wild Rose formulas including Burdock and (hopefully) Arnica. We had much success with our essential oil still last year and plan to extract more Apple Mint and Catnip oils from our lush herb beds.

Romanesco Broccoli harvested in January

We're excited to see what this Spring and Summer will bring for both Wild Rose and our little homestead!

Indigenous Peoples' Day Benefit for The Confederated Tribes of the Lower Rogue

Image by NACDI

Wild Rose is honoring Indigenous Peoples' Day by donating all of our retail revenue from this day, October 12th, to The Confederated Tribes of the Lower Rogue (CTLR). As an added bonus, take 10% off your order with code SUPPORTCTLR through midnight tonight!

Wild Rose is operated on a small parcel of land on occupied Lower Takelma Territory, one of the tribes represented by CTLR.

"The Confederated Tribes of the Lower Rogue (CTLR) encompasses the Chetco, Tututni, Shasta Costa and Takelma Tribes of Indians that became a community after the Rogue River War of 1856 along the southwest coast of Oregon primarily in Curry County. We are in the process of restoring the status of our sovereignty that we previously held with the United States. A political status we long held before being terminated along with 60 other tribes in Oregon by the devastating August 13,1954 Termination Act."  - CTLR

Our local history is scarred by the brutal Rogue River Indian Wars - a calculated plan by the US Military to exterminate or remove all Indigenous Peoples living in the gold-filled valleys of Southern Oregon. Survivors were forcibly marched to the Siletz/Grand Ronde Reservation 200 miles away.

"The US troops performed numerous “sweeps” through our aboriginal lands looking for escapees, many did not survive. Our ancestors either did not go to the reservation or escaped after such a short time they were never counted and returned to our aboriginal homeland to find refuge up the Rogue and Chetco Rivers where they remain today." - CTLR

Despite these attempts to erase their culture, The Confederated Tribes of the Lower Rogue was established in 1996 by the descendants of these incredible survivors. Now CTLR is working towards restoring their status of federal recognition.

"Federal recognition affords Tribes rights guarantied under Treaties with the United States. Curry County is currently considered a distressed county, with a 13% poverty rate and an 11% unemployment rate and with average population over 50 years old. The Confederated Tribes of the Lower Rogue plan to pursue a pro-active agenda with strategic partnerships with local, county, and state agencies benefiting our members and the communities with out draining valuable resources from the County and State. Our plans are to create sustainable employment opportunities, without the need of a casino for members and the communities through the building and staffing of our projects. As our history has proven, we will be here for our members and communities for support for generations to come." - CTLR

We are grateful for this opportunity to support this important campaign by donating today's retail revenue to CTLR. Please join us in honoring Indigenous Peoples' Day by sharing this story and enjoy 10% off your purchase with code SUPPORTCTLR through midnight, PST!

From the Garden: Late Spring at the Wild Rose Homestead

Spring is in full swing at the Wild Rose Homestead. Here's a few scenes from the farm:

Our Rose bushes are covered in beautiful, bright blooms! We harvest just a portion of  these for our Attunement Balancing Facial Mask and Bloom Muscle Rub. The rest are left for the bees.

Our mixed flower/herb bed of poppies, mint, borage and calendula flourished every year. We also added a young apple tree that will one day offer shade.

We started the last of our veggie seeds including this beautiful Cassiopeia popcorn offered by Siskiyou Seeds. We'll be growing this in a traditional Three Sisters bed with winter squash and beans.

The greenhouse is packed full of veggies, flowers and herbs! We used the last of our excess jar boxes from Wild Rose to start sunflowers and hollyhocks.

An early June harvest of rose petals, calendula, mulberries, strawberries, cherries and red clover! Our array of veggies, fruits and herbs grow together harmoniously, improving the soil to produce more potent herbs for Wild Rose.

Southern Oregon Battle of the Beards

Wild Rose is proud to sponsor Southern Oregon's First Annual Battle of the Beards! Join us this Saturday, June 8th between 12 and 8 at the Rocky Tonk Saloon in Medford. We'll be joining in the fun with plenty of prizes for contestants plus we'll have our full Wild Man line available for purchase.

This event is presented by The Rogue Valley Messenger and benefits The Bee Girl Foundation - an important pollinator education program!

The competition will have six facial hair categories including:
1. Gnarliest Full Natural Beard
2. Best Groomed Beard w/ Styled Mustache
3. Best Partial Natural Beard
4. Freestyle
5. Women's Freestyle
6. Best Mustache

Registration, prize and competition info is located on RogueValleyMessenger.com!

With music from Buckle Rash, The Legendary Goodtimes, and Ern Diggle & The Rattlers.  

Whether your competing, supporting or spectating - be sure to stop by our booth and say hello!

Catch Wild Rose at the Southern Oregon Beard and Stache Competition!

Beard season is upon us! The Rogue Valley Growers and Crafters Market is kicking things off with the Southern Oregon Beard and 'Stache Competition on Saturday, September 21st! They'll have loads of fun local prizes including Wild Man Beard Care and Rogue Ale brews. This event is a fundraiser for the Fresh Rewards Program which helps local families put farm-fresh food on the table. Come by the competition to say hello, win some goodies and support this important cause!