February 2025 Newsletter
2025 Seed & Plant Exchange
Mark Saturday March 29th on your calendar and come to the fairgrounds to enjoy Seed & Plant Exchange 2025, the third year for this annual event. There is no donation necessary to participate, but if you have extra seeds or plants (vegetable fruit, or ornamental), bring them along, or check out our new office hours and drop them off by March 24th, if possible!
For more information, email: info@dnatlfoodcouncil.org
The Library has a Seed Library
The Del Norte County Library was awarded $500 from the 2024 Community Garden Mini Grant to use the funds to create a Seed Library: a place where people can take seeds and bring other seeds back, all for free.
Check it out!
Harvest Box Relaunch
We are excited to be relaunching the Harvest Box! The Harvest Box is a Multi-Producer CSA Subscription Program. When you subscribe, you'll receive local, seasonal, and fresh produce on the 1st & 3rd Thursdays of each month automatically until you pause or cancel your subscription.
What to Expect in your box:
4-6 seasonal, local produce items
Produce may include lettuce varieties, leafy greens, root vegetables, fruits, herbs, and specialty items (quinoa, beans, & jams)
Optional beef add-on
Local delivery & pickup options are available.
Ordering will open March 29th-26th, 2025 with a new, easy to use platform.
The first Harvest Box of 2025 will be ready to go out Thursday, April 3rd.
Find out more and subscribe at:
www.dnatlfoodcouncil.org/harvestbox
Check out the Harvest Box Recipes!
Farmers Market
With guidance from the Downtown Divas, the Del Norte and Tribal Lands Community Food Council (DNATL CFC) successfully learned from and ran the 2024 Farmers Market Season. DNATL CFC will be the new official market managers for the 2025 season.
Due to construction at its old location on Front Street, and the impacts on local businesses at the temporary market location on 3rd and K Street, DNATL CFC worked with the City to find a new location for the Downtown Farmers Market.
THE NEW 2025 LOCATION:
The Farmers Market will be held across from the Post Office, on the corner of H and 2nd Street in the Old Bank of America Parking Lot.
Great location with room to grow and expand our market.
The Farmers Market Season starts in June, every Wednesday from 9am-2pm.
Interested in vending at the 2025 market, please fill out this
For more information, please contact Iya Mahan @ iya@dnatlfoodcouncil.org
Food Forest
Get Ready for the Growing Season!
Our Food Forest is receiving some much-needed TLC thanks to a fantastic partnership with TPP/Workability. Twice a week, the garden crew has been hard at work, making great strides in improving accessibility by relaying the woodchip pathways and adding mulch around the plants. This is no small feat—it’s heavy, tough work, and this team has truly been rocking it!
Additionally, the hoop house has been cleaned, weeds have been cleared, and preparations are underway to seed crops for the upcoming growing season. We’re incredibly grateful for the extra hands that are helping make these vital tasks happen.
Stay tuned for more updates as we gear up for a bountiful season ahead!
School Gardens
Join Us in Growing a Brighter Future!
Our school gardens are transforming the lives of Del Norte County youth, providing vibrant outdoor classrooms where over 100 students each week connect with nature, cultivate curiosity, and take action for a better tomorrow.
We need your support to nurture this beautiful endeavor! With five active school gardens, there are countless opportunities for you to join your students in developing and maintaining thriving spaces for hands-on learning, exploration, and growth.
This spring, we are already planting the seeds—both in the soil and in young minds—and we’d love your helping hands to ensure our school gardens flourish.
For more information, please reach out to your school or contact Melanie Cross, our School Garden Coordinator, at Melanie@dnatlfoodcouncil.org.
Let’s grow together!
Community Food Council Meetings
We’re making some changes to our Community Food Council Meeting schedule this year! Instead of meeting monthly, we will now gather quarterly, allowing us to focus on deeper discussions, community action, and impactful initiatives.
Next Meeting: April 22, 2025 (Earth Day!)
Time: 5:00 PM
Location: Mason Hall
This is a great opportunity to get involved, connect with others passionate about local food systems, and learn how you can make a difference. Plus, what better way to celebrate Earth Day than by taking action and joining the fun with the Food Council and our programs?
We hope to see you there! Mark your calendars and spread the word!
Family Resource Center of the Redwoods: Food Bank
Help Support the Pacific Pantry & Mobile Market
The Family Resource Center of the Redwoods Food Bank has an ongoing commitment to combat hunger in our community. The Pacific Pantry and Mobile Markets support the most vulnerable in our community, providing local, nutritious food to families in need.
As we face these uncertain times, please consider joining us to take action against hunger. Together, our actions help ensure our community has the food needed to thrive.
Help make a difference by donating today.
Small Farm Conference
The California Small Farm Conference is a week-long event happening February 23-28, 2025, featuring over 40 online workshops as well as a dozen in-person gatherings around the state. Reserve your tickets: sliding scale admission at California Small Farm conference.
In the Garden
Have you thought about what you want to eat that you could grow yourself this year? No matter where you live in Del Norte and Tribal Lands, there is a variety of vegetables and fruits that will grow.
Play around! Experiment! Make Mistakes! Plants just wanna grow!
Learn about your particular micro-climate! Check out the growing guide on our website, for inspiration.