I just got back from the Okanogan Barter Fair in Tonasket, Washington, where I had the privilege of representing Zaníyan’s Growing Resilience project. It was a rewarding, eye-opening experience, and I wanted to share some highlights with you!
At our booth, we gave away free seeds and educational materials on herbs and sustainable food growing. We also sold copies of my books, Eagletree Herbs Guide to Medicine Making and Circle for the Earth: A Time Travel Saga for a Sustainable Future. All proceeds from these sales support Zaníyan’s mission, which made the long trip and the effort worthwhile.
In our last newsletter, I asked for suggestions on which events we should attend, and thanks to a great recommendation from Matt Wolohan, we made a spontaneous decision to head to the Okanogan Barter Fair. Although it was over 1,000 miles round trip, we decided to go for it and hoped to sell enough leftover items from Eagletree Herbs to cover the costs.
Unfortunately, since we booked late, we ended up in the overflow area, which had much lower foot traffic. We didn’t sell as much as I’d hoped, and sadly, we didn’t raise enough to fund the wheelchair trailer I’ve been working toward. Despite that, it was an incredible experience! We gave away all the seeds, traded for some fantastic items, and had a lot of fun connecting with the barter fair community.
This wasn’t my first time at the Barter Fair—I last attended in 1975! Although the event has grown significantly, I was delighted to find that the essence and energy haven’t changed much. There’s now a larger focus on handmade goods, with fewer flea market-style items. People were selling everything from jams and herbal products to harvest foods, chickens, goats, and even pigs! It’s truly more of a Rainbow Gathering than a typical craft fair, complete with primitive camping (no showers, electricity, or cell service).
Even though I couldn’t move around much without my wheelchair and stayed close to the booth, I didn’t miss out on the bartering spirit. People came by with wagons full of trade goods, and we enjoyed the atmosphere while giving away free herbal tea. One of the biggest highlights? Watching the Northern Lights on the first night! We left the tipi’s smoke flaps open so we could enjoy the view from bed. It was a magical moment—until it got too cold, and we had to close up the next few nights!
As I transition from running an herbal business to focusing more on my writing and nonprofit work, events like this remind me of how important it is to stay connected to community. For future events, we plan to expand our Free Herbal Tea Station, offering a broader selection of herb blends and the chance for people to create their own teas. Teaching people how to make their own tea from bulk herbs is a big part of our mission—many only know tea in bag form, and we want to inspire more connection to plants for both health and pleasure.
To make this expanded tea station possible, we’re seeking donations of tea balls, strainers, teapots, air pots, and reusable cups. We’re hoping to give away mugs rather than using disposable cups, so guests can take them home as part of the experience.
If you’re local and have cups, tea-making supplies, or dried herbs to donate, please drop them off at 2740 Shirley Street, Eugene, OR 97404. Text me at 541-337-6240 for a donation receipt. And as always, cash donations are welcome—every little bit helps, and all contributions are tax-deductible. You can also check out our Amazon Wish List here.
A huge shout-out to YoSayam Sun for her incredible help with setting up the tipi, camp, and booth. And we’re thrilled to announce that YoSayam is now our new Outreach Coordinator! If you’re interested in volunteering—whether helping in the Eugene gardens or joining us on event crews—reach out to her at yosayamsun.art@gmail.com.
As always, thank you for your ongoing support of Zaníyan. Check out our social media for videos from our Barter Fair adventure, and stay tuned for more updates as we continue this journey of building resilience and community.