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Read our 2025 Impact Report

Last week we hosted our annual Hands on the Land 7th grade field trip to Chief Joseph! It was a bright & sunny day for participants to learn how to cross-country ski, trek through the snow on snowshoes, and learn about winter wildlife and snow science & avalanche safety! A big thanks to Lara and Lindsay, two avalanche educators we're proud to have here in our community. We also couldn't pull off this event without the support of a ton of volunteers! This included some of our agency partners from the U.S. Forest Service - Salmon-Challis National Forest and Bureau of Land Management - Idaho, and friends and staff of SVS. Are you interested in renting snowshoes or ski gear? Contact us at the SVS office 208-993-9852 especially for snowshoes or child-sized gear, or stop in to The HUB of Salmon to rent gear too!

Last week we hosted our annual Hands on the Land 7th grade field trip to Chief Joseph! It was a bright & sunny day for participants to learn how to cross-country ski, trek through the snow on snowshoes, and learn about winter wildlife and snow science & avalanche safety! A big thanks to Lara and Lindsay, two avalanche educators we're proud to have here in our community. We also couldn't pull off this event without the support of a ton of volunteers! This included some of our agency partners from the U.S. Forest Service - Salmon-Challis National Forest and Bureau of Land Management - Idaho, and friends and staff of SVS. Are you interested in renting snowshoes or ski gear? Contact us at the SVS office 208-993-9852 especially for snowshoes or child-sized gear, or stop in to The HUB of Salmon to rent gear too!

SVS is hiring and applicants have a few more weeks to apply.
We're looking for 1 Botany & Restoration Specialist to join our growing Native Plants Restoration team. The deadline to apply is February 22nd.
Seasonal positions include 2 Crew Lead Technicians and multiple technicians for our ecological monitoring projects and forestry/reforestation work. The deadline to apply is March 1.
Learn more: https://www.salmonvalley.org/openpositions

SVS is hiring and applicants have a few more weeks to apply.
We're looking for 1 Botany & Restoration Specialist to join our growing Native Plants Restoration team. The deadline to apply is February 22nd.
Seasonal positions include 2 Crew Lead Technicians and multiple technicians for our ecological monitoring projects and forestry/reforestation work. The deadline to apply is March 1.
Learn more: https://www.salmonvalley.org/openpositions

Salmon Valley Stewardship is excited to announce that we are recipients of a @nationalforests Collaborative Capacity Program grant. This award supports our ongoing facilitation of the Salmon-Challis Trails Group, and allows us to maintain communications across partners who are working in trails stewardship. If you'd like to get on our trails collaborative email list, contact kateyeater@salmonvalley.org 🥾

Salmon Valley Stewardship is excited to announce that we are recipients of a @nationalforests Collaborative Capacity Program grant. This award supports our ongoing facilitation of the Salmon-Challis Trails Group, and allows us to maintain communications across partners who are working in trails stewardship. If you'd like to get on our trails collaborative email list, contact kateyeater@salmonvalley.org 🥾

It's hiring season! SVS is looking for people who are eager to support our vegetation monitoring and reforestation projects in partnership with U.S. Forest Service - Salmon-Challis National Forest and Bureau of Land Management - Idaho as well as our growing Native Plants Restoration program. We are looking for multiple seasonal forestry technicians and ecological monitoring technicians, as well as a Crew Lead. In addition, you have a few more weeks to apply for the Botany & Restoration Specialist position! To learn more and read full position descriptions go to: https://www.salmonvalley.org/openpositions

It's hiring season! SVS is looking for people who are eager to support our vegetation monitoring and reforestation projects in partnership with U.S. Forest Service - Salmon-Challis National Forest and Bureau of Land Management - Idaho as well as our growing Native Plants Restoration program. We are looking for multiple seasonal forestry technicians and ecological monitoring technicians, as well as a Crew Lead. In addition, you have a few more weeks to apply for the Botany & Restoration Specialist position! To learn more and read full position descriptions go to: https://www.salmonvalley.org/openpositions

Join @salmonvalleystewardship and @snakeriverseedcoop for Seedy Saturday!
A FREE seed starting & seed calendar planning workshop. Learn all about starting seeds, organic potting mixes, and planning your starting/transplanting schedule for our region.

Please RSVP to Garretstahl@salmonvalley.org so we know you're coming (and can plan enough lunch for participants).

Where: Salmon School Garden in the Hoophouse (entrance on Minnie St)
When: Saturday, February 21st, 10am to 1pm
Cost: Free! Light lunch provided.

Questions? Planning on coming to the workshop? Contact Garret at Salmon Valley Stewardship: Garretstahl@salmonvalley.org

#seedysaturday
#transitiontoorganic

Join @salmonvalleystewardship and @snakeriverseedcoop for Seedy Saturday!
A FREE seed starting & seed calendar planning workshop. Learn all about starting seeds, organic potting mixes, and planning your starting/transplanting schedule for our region.

Please RSVP to Garretstahl@salmonvalley.org so we know you're coming (and can plan enough lunch for participants).

Where: Salmon School Garden in the Hoophouse (entrance on Minnie St)
When: Saturday, February 21st, 10am to 1pm
Cost: Free! Light lunch provided.

Questions? Planning on coming to the workshop? Contact Garret at Salmon Valley Stewardship: Garretstahl@salmonvalley.org

#seedysaturday
#transitiontoorganic

We're hiring! We are looking for a Botany & Restoration Specialist to support our Native Plants Program. More details are available here: https://www.salmonvalley.org/openpositions

We're hiring! We are looking for a Botany & Restoration Specialist to support our Native Plants Program. More details are available here: https://www.salmonvalley.org/openpositions

Community Dinner Table is this week! Tomorrow (Tuesday) at 6pm.
Salmon Valley Stewardship is cooking the dinner this time -
Menu: Taco bowls.
This is a FREE dinner that happens once/month at the Elks Lodge. We're happy to be a part of this effort to come together as a community over good food, and connect with friends and neighbors.

Community Dinner Table is this week! Tomorrow (Tuesday) at 6pm.
Salmon Valley Stewardship is cooking the dinner this time -
Menu: Taco bowls.
This is a FREE dinner that happens once/month at the Elks Lodge. We're happy to be a part of this effort to come together as a community over good food, and connect with friends and neighbors.

Come out to the Lemhi County Farmers Market Winter Market today until 2 pm at the Salmon Grange! There are over a dozen local small businesses represented with a variety of tasty food items and one-of-a-kind handmade goods available. To add to your lunch grab fresh homemade breads, an acai bowl, microgreens, mixed smoked nuts, tea, or cookies. Shop handmade tallow products, wild rags, art prints, knitted wear, home decor, crocheted plushies, soap, herbal products, metal art, and so much more!

Come out to the Lemhi County Farmers Market Winter Market today until 2 pm at the Salmon Grange! There are over a dozen local small businesses represented with a variety of tasty food items and one-of-a-kind handmade goods available. To add to your lunch grab fresh homemade breads, an acai bowl, microgreens, mixed smoked nuts, tea, or cookies. Shop handmade tallow products, wild rags, art prints, knitted wear, home decor, crocheted plushies, soap, herbal products, metal art, and so much more!

Get ready for some fun at the Lemhi County Farmers Market's Winter Market this weekend! Join us Saturday January 24th from 10am to 2pm. We'll have 14 vendors and a fun vibe at the Salmon Grange. New vendors as well as some of your favorite faces from our summer market will be there. Stop by this Saturday and say hello, grab FREE hot chocolate, and shop local!

Get ready for some fun at the Lemhi County Farmers Market's Winter Market this weekend! Join us Saturday January 24th from 10am to 2pm. We'll have 14 vendors and a fun vibe at the Salmon Grange. New vendors as well as some of your favorite faces from our summer market will be there. Stop by this Saturday and say hello, grab FREE hot chocolate, and shop local!

Last month we explored the rock cycle with Pioneer 4th graders. This month, we're hosting a Rocks, Geology, and Soil Friday program! These sessions are geared towards kids 6-12 years old. Please sign up in advance online: https://www.salmonvalley.org/youth-ed-activities

Last month we explored the rock cycle with Pioneer 4th graders. This month, we're hosting a Rocks, Geology, and Soil Friday program! These sessions are geared towards kids 6-12 years old. Please sign up in advance online: https://www.salmonvalley.org/youth-ed-activities

Our last team member to introduce is probably a familiar face to most of you, Cameron Rolle, Community Food Systems Manager!

Cameron has lived in Salmon for 10 years, and has worked in several local businesses, including the Salmon Public Library, Farmers Market, and Odd Fellows’ Bakery. She spent several seasons with SVS as a Natural Resources Technician, and still loves getting out in the woods to hike and botanize. Her primary passion is running Sweet Belly Farm, where she grows and wildcrafts herbs for tea, tinctures, and other healing products, and uses local fruit in tasty fruit preserves. She also loves cooking with local foods, backcountry skiing, hiking, and spending time at home with her partner and their kitties. She is looking forward to contributing to the local food and farming community in a deeper way through her role at SVS, striving for a more resilient, interconnected food system here in the Salmon River region.

In her role at SVS, Cameron manages the Lemhi County Farmers Market. She is also the project manager for the Community Commercial Kitchen Project and regularly supports TOPP and other food systems outreach efforts. Cameron's community connections and personal & professional interest in small-scale food and agriculture businesses are great assets to the SVS team! Fun fact: she makes delicious salads and local ingredient recipes that she loves to share with friends & coworkers!

Our last team member to introduce is probably a familiar face to most of you, Cameron Rolle, Community Food Systems Manager!

Cameron has lived in Salmon for 10 years, and has worked in several local businesses, including the Salmon Public Library, Farmers Market, and Odd Fellows’ Bakery. She spent several seasons with SVS as a Natural Resources Technician, and still loves getting out in the woods to hike and botanize. Her primary passion is running Sweet Belly Farm, where she grows and wildcrafts herbs for tea, tinctures, and other healing products, and uses local fruit in tasty fruit preserves. She also loves cooking with local foods, backcountry skiing, hiking, and spending time at home with her partner and their kitties. She is looking forward to contributing to the local food and farming community in a deeper way through her role at SVS, striving for a more resilient, interconnected food system here in the Salmon River region.

In her role at SVS, Cameron manages the Lemhi County Farmers Market. She is also the project manager for the Community Commercial Kitchen Project and regularly supports TOPP and other food systems outreach efforts. Cameron's community connections and personal & professional interest in small-scale food and agriculture businesses are great assets to the SVS team! Fun fact: she makes delicious salads and local ingredient recipes that she loves to share with friends & coworkers!

Applications for NRCS programs, such as the Conservation Stewardship Program, EQUIP program, and the new Regenerative Pilot Program are now available! First deadline for 2026: January 15th. If you've wanted to take the next step to implement conservation and restoration practices on your farm or ranch, consider applying. Projects could include common regenerative practices such as cover cropping, prescribed grazing, forage harvest management, or implementing pollinator plantings, season extension, and soil-building practices. NRCS will work with you to create a whole farm assessment and plan. You don't even need to own a large farm or ranch, these programs are designed to fit farms and ranches of all sizes and experience levels. Contact our local NRCS office in Salmon for more information or visit the NRCS website.

Applications for NRCS programs, such as the Conservation Stewardship Program, EQUIP program, and the new Regenerative Pilot Program are now available! First deadline for 2026: January 15th. If you've wanted to take the next step to implement conservation and restoration practices on your farm or ranch, consider applying. Projects could include common regenerative practices such as cover cropping, prescribed grazing, forage harvest management, or implementing pollinator plantings, season extension, and soil-building practices. NRCS will work with you to create a whole farm assessment and plan. You don't even need to own a large farm or ranch, these programs are designed to fit farms and ranches of all sizes and experience levels. Contact our local NRCS office in Salmon for more information or visit the NRCS website.

Another tiling project accomplished with the help of the Tool Library! @sweetbellyfarm utilized the Score and Snap Tile Cutter to tile out the nook behind their range. Got a project you're working on? We want to see! Send your photos to toollibrary@salmonvalley.org to be featured.

Another tiling project accomplished with the help of the Tool Library! @sweetbellyfarm utilized the Score and Snap Tile Cutter to tile out the nook behind their range. Got a project you're working on? We want to see! Send your photos to toollibrary@salmonvalley.org to be featured.

Say hi to Meg Super aka SuperMeg, Outdoor Education and Community Outreach Specialist!

Meg is an enthusiastic lover of life, curious about all things outside, with a particular conviction that kids can teach adults as much as we can teach them. She was born just over the pass in Hamilton, MT and likes to joke that she is returning to her natal waters, like our beloved salmon. She has worked in salmon and river conservation for the past few years, most recently on the Lemhi River as a field technician with Idaho Fish and Game. Meg grew up between Montana and North Dakota, always exploring rivers. She got her bachelors and masters degrees in molecular biology at the University of Colorado in Colorado Springs. While the medical research was interesting, she realized her true passion was in conservation. Meg has now worked with howler monkeys in Costa Rica and river/salmon conservation in Oregon, Washington, and Idaho. She believes that strengthening communities and kids' connection to the land and its creatures should be at the forefront of all conservation efforts. Meg is continually in awe of this community, its beautiful ecosystems and resiliency. Salmon is an incredibly unique place, and she is honored to get to work directly in and with the community through Salmon Valley Stewardship.

Meg joined SVS in October 2024 as an AmeriCorps member, but when her position was cut overnight in April 2025, we were fortunately able to bring her on as a permanent staff member. You can find Meg developing engaging & unique hands-on environmental education activities for youth, leading the high school Envirothon team that she started, getting her hands dirty at the School Garden (her other job!), volunteering across the community, and maybe, if you know where to look, at her special reflection spots along the Salmon River. Meg brings so much passion to the SVS team and we're lucky to have her, especially after the difficulties with AmeriCorps.

Say hi to Meg Super aka SuperMeg, Outdoor Education and Community Outreach Specialist!

Meg is an enthusiastic lover of life, curious about all things outside, with a particular conviction that kids can teach adults as much as we can teach them. She was born just over the pass in Hamilton, MT and likes to joke that she is returning to her natal waters, like our beloved salmon. She has worked in salmon and river conservation for the past few years, most recently on the Lemhi River as a field technician with Idaho Fish and Game. Meg grew up between Montana and North Dakota, always exploring rivers. She got her bachelors and masters degrees in molecular biology at the University of Colorado in Colorado Springs. While the medical research was interesting, she realized her true passion was in conservation. Meg has now worked with howler monkeys in Costa Rica and river/salmon conservation in Oregon, Washington, and Idaho. She believes that strengthening communities and kids' connection to the land and its creatures should be at the forefront of all conservation efforts. Meg is continually in awe of this community, its beautiful ecosystems and resiliency. Salmon is an incredibly unique place, and she is honored to get to work directly in and with the community through Salmon Valley Stewardship.

Meg joined SVS in October 2024 as an AmeriCorps member, but when her position was cut overnight in April 2025, we were fortunately able to bring her on as a permanent staff member. You can find Meg developing engaging & unique hands-on environmental education activities for youth, leading the high school Envirothon team that she started, getting her hands dirty at the School Garden (her other job!), volunteering across the community, and maybe, if you know where to look, at her special reflection spots along the Salmon River. Meg brings so much passion to the SVS team and we're lucky to have her, especially after the difficulties with AmeriCorps.

Today meet Kate Yeater, the Director of Communications & Outreach for SVS!

Originally from the farmlands of Ohio, Kate fell in love with the Salmon River and the surrounding mountains after an internship with the Salmon-Challis National Forest in 2017. Since then she’s farmed in Alabama, learned to speak Chitumbuka in the Peace Corps in Malawi, shared Crow culture at a state park in Montana, and managed the visitor center and interpretation/education programs at City of Rocks National Reserve and Castle Rocks State Park. Kate's passionate about community engagement and getting everyone outdoors! During time off work Kate enjoys quilting and sewing for her business, Broad Vista Quilts, hiking and exploring new places, and oohing and aahing at all the incredible details found out in nature.

Since joining SVS in 2022, Kate has managed the education and trails programs. From facilitating the Salmon-Challis Trails Group to coordinating speakers and activities for education programs like Hands on the Land and Expedition in a Day, you can count on Kate for persistent communication (like sending the monthly email newsletter) and dedication to various projects!

Today meet Kate Yeater, the Director of Communications & Outreach for SVS!

Originally from the farmlands of Ohio, Kate fell in love with the Salmon River and the surrounding mountains after an internship with the Salmon-Challis National Forest in 2017. Since then she’s farmed in Alabama, learned to speak Chitumbuka in the Peace Corps in Malawi, shared Crow culture at a state park in Montana, and managed the visitor center and interpretation/education programs at City of Rocks National Reserve and Castle Rocks State Park. Kate's passionate about community engagement and getting everyone outdoors! During time off work Kate enjoys quilting and sewing for her business, Broad Vista Quilts, hiking and exploring new places, and oohing and aahing at all the incredible details found out in nature.

Since joining SVS in 2022, Kate has managed the education and trails programs. From facilitating the Salmon-Challis Trails Group to coordinating speakers and activities for education programs like Hands on the Land and Expedition in a Day, you can count on Kate for persistent communication (like sending the monthly email newsletter) and dedication to various projects!

He just made his way back from Mexico City, so get to know Ari Pepper, our Restoration Program Manager!

Ari graduated from Utah State University with a bachelor’s degree in conservation & restoration ecology. Ari grew up in Minnesota and got his start in the natural resources world after moving to Tucson, Arizona and joining the Arizona Conservation Corps in 2016. Since then, he has worked on a variety of field crews doing a wide array of work including invasive species removal, trail construction and maintenance, timber harvesting, habitat monitoring, native seed collection and native planting projects all across the western United States. Now located in Salmon, Idaho, Ari has a passion for all things outdoors and restoring our native landscapes. He spends his free time botanizing, hiking, climbing and kayaking wherever phone service is lacking.

2025 was a huge year for the Native Plants program, which Ari has been developing since he started with SVS in 2023. Last year, we hired Owen to support the Native Plants program, and between the two of them plus the help of SVS seasonal and permanent staff and a variety of volunteers, they've collected tens of thousands of native seeds and made and distributed thousands of seedballs! The Native Plants program is thriving thanks to Ari's dedicated leadership and plant nerd knowledge!

He just made his way back from Mexico City, so get to know Ari Pepper, our Restoration Program Manager!

Ari graduated from Utah State University with a bachelor’s degree in conservation & restoration ecology. Ari grew up in Minnesota and got his start in the natural resources world after moving to Tucson, Arizona and joining the Arizona Conservation Corps in 2016. Since then, he has worked on a variety of field crews doing a wide array of work including invasive species removal, trail construction and maintenance, timber harvesting, habitat monitoring, native seed collection and native planting projects all across the western United States. Now located in Salmon, Idaho, Ari has a passion for all things outdoors and restoring our native landscapes. He spends his free time botanizing, hiking, climbing and kayaking wherever phone service is lacking.

2025 was a huge year for the Native Plants program, which Ari has been developing since he started with SVS in 2023. Last year, we hired Owen to support the Native Plants program, and between the two of them plus the help of SVS seasonal and permanent staff and a variety of volunteers, they've collected tens of thousands of native seeds and made and distributed thousands of seedballs! The Native Plants program is thriving thanks to Ari's dedicated leadership and plant nerd knowledge!

Celebrating one year at SVS is Local Food & Agriculture Manager, Garret Stahl!

Before starting his role with SVS Garret managed wine-grape vineyards in Washington, Idaho and Arizona as well as worked in agriculture research in Montana and Idaho. Garret earned his Master of Science in Horticulture from Washington State University and a Bachelor of Science in Horticulture from the University of Idaho. Garret hopes to help strengthen the community by supporting local agriculture and promoting local foods utilization. Outside of work he and his wife are raising two sons and enjoy the wide range of seasonal activities that Central Idaho has to offer.

If you've attended any of the awesome TOPP workshops this year you've probably met Garret! He has many more exciting workshops planned for 2026. In addition to coordinating organic agriculture education events, Garret manages the Tool Library and spends his non-SVS time working on a local ranch. He brings a strong work ethic, high standards, and humor to the office, and we're lucky he decided to return to his hometown and work with us here at SVS!

Celebrating one year at SVS is Local Food & Agriculture Manager, Garret Stahl!

Before starting his role with SVS Garret managed wine-grape vineyards in Washington, Idaho and Arizona as well as worked in agriculture research in Montana and Idaho. Garret earned his Master of Science in Horticulture from Washington State University and a Bachelor of Science in Horticulture from the University of Idaho. Garret hopes to help strengthen the community by supporting local agriculture and promoting local foods utilization. Outside of work he and his wife are raising two sons and enjoy the wide range of seasonal activities that Central Idaho has to offer.

If you've attended any of the awesome TOPP workshops this year you've probably met Garret! He has many more exciting workshops planned for 2026. In addition to coordinating organic agriculture education events, Garret manages the Tool Library and spends his non-SVS time working on a local ranch. He brings a strong work ethic, high standards, and humor to the office, and we're lucky he decided to return to his hometown and work with us here at SVS!

Meet another new team member to join SVS in 2025, Owen Baughman - Restoration Program Coordinator

Owen Baughman is a life-long resident of the sagebrush drylands of the West, and has worked since 2004 in native plant management and research. From seasonal technician to crew lead to research leader, he has worked for The Nature Conservancy, the USDA Forest Service Rocky Mountain Research Station, and the University of Nevada Reno across the Great Basin, Colorado Plateau, and Intermountain West. His research and efforts have focused on understanding how to improve native plant restoration success in drylands, especially in the face of widespread exotic plant invasions. He was thrilled to join SVS as the Restoration Program Coordinator in Spring 2025 to continue his learning and have a tangible impact. He has a B.S. (U. of Idaho, 2010) and M.S. (U. of Nevada Reno, 2014) in Ecology. He moved to Salmon with his wife (fisheries biologist) and son (fearless toddler) in Spring 2025 to enjoy all that this region offers, and in his spare time partakes in self-propelled adventures outside, gardening, beekeeping, foraging/hunting, and sometimes traveling the West.

Owen has been a superstar addition to the SVS crew. He jumped right into a huge field season of monitoring, seed collection and processing, and seedball making. He also coordinated the seasonal crew, monitored tons of acres of milkweed, and built relationships with agency partners. Fun facts: He's an excellent baker and has a sweet childhood bug collection.

Meet another new team member to join SVS in 2025, Owen Baughman - Restoration Program Coordinator

Owen Baughman is a life-long resident of the sagebrush drylands of the West, and has worked since 2004 in native plant management and research. From seasonal technician to crew lead to research leader, he has worked for The Nature Conservancy, the USDA Forest Service Rocky Mountain Research Station, and the University of Nevada Reno across the Great Basin, Colorado Plateau, and Intermountain West. His research and efforts have focused on understanding how to improve native plant restoration success in drylands, especially in the face of widespread exotic plant invasions. He was thrilled to join SVS as the Restoration Program Coordinator in Spring 2025 to continue his learning and have a tangible impact. He has a B.S. (U. of Idaho, 2010) and M.S. (U. of Nevada Reno, 2014) in Ecology. He moved to Salmon with his wife (fisheries biologist) and son (fearless toddler) in Spring 2025 to enjoy all that this region offers, and in his spare time partakes in self-propelled adventures outside, gardening, beekeeping, foraging/hunting, and sometimes traveling the West.

Owen has been a superstar addition to the SVS crew. He jumped right into a huge field season of monitoring, seed collection and processing, and seedball making. He also coordinated the seasonal crew, monitored tons of acres of milkweed, and built relationships with agency partners. Fun facts: He's an excellent baker and has a sweet childhood bug collection.

Meet the newest member of the SVS team, Project Coordinator Sarah Mallory!

Sarah grew up in Ohio and first came to Idaho in 2016, drawn by the Salmon River and a deep love of wild places. She spent a decade working as a multi-day river guide on the Salmon and Snake Rivers, where she developed a strong connection to local landscapes, community, and ecology. Off the river, she runs Kinshop, a small business focused on handcrafted leather and canvas goods. In 2022, Sarah decided to put down roots in the Salmon Valley. Since then, this small town has filled her days with powder turns at Lost Trail, pizza parties, and book club gatherings. She brings her creative spirit, background in design, and a guide’s knack for leadership and adaptability to her role as Sustainable Food Systems Program Coordinator. Sarah is excited to support local food access, regional growers, and community resource sharing through SVS’s Tool Library and food systems initiatives.

Since joining the team mid-year, Sarah has jumped into leading the pilot Produce Prescription program, supporting the Tool Library's transition to SVS (check out her handy how-to videos!), developing eye-catching social media & graphics for Harvest Fest and food systems events like Thai Night, and more! She's always willing to jump in and help out on a variety of projects, from reforestation monitoring to trails data collection to inspiring kids to work on the river.

Meet the newest member of the SVS team, Project Coordinator Sarah Mallory!

Sarah grew up in Ohio and first came to Idaho in 2016, drawn by the Salmon River and a deep love of wild places. She spent a decade working as a multi-day river guide on the Salmon and Snake Rivers, where she developed a strong connection to local landscapes, community, and ecology. Off the river, she runs Kinshop, a small business focused on handcrafted leather and canvas goods. In 2022, Sarah decided to put down roots in the Salmon Valley. Since then, this small town has filled her days with powder turns at Lost Trail, pizza parties, and book club gatherings. She brings her creative spirit, background in design, and a guide’s knack for leadership and adaptability to her role as Sustainable Food Systems Program Coordinator. Sarah is excited to support local food access, regional growers, and community resource sharing through SVS’s Tool Library and food systems initiatives.

Since joining the team mid-year, Sarah has jumped into leading the pilot Produce Prescription program, supporting the Tool Library's transition to SVS (check out her handy how-to videos!), developing eye-catching social media & graphics for Harvest Fest and food systems events like Thai Night, and more! She's always willing to jump in and help out on a variety of projects, from reforestation monitoring to trails data collection to inspiring kids to work on the river.

Meet Maggie, the Executive Director of Salmon Valley Stewardship!

Maggie arrived at SVS in summer 2023 with a professional background primarily in Natural Resource Management, having worked for the US Forest Service in Montana, Oregon and Idaho from 2004 through 2019 as a Forester, Program Manager and Environmental Planner. In the last few years, Maggie started up and managed a successful ice cream business in downtown Salmon and has served on several local non-profit boards including the Salmon Arts Council, the Salmon River Mule Deer Foundation Chapter and the FernWaters Charter School Board. Maggie, and her husband, Travis, have 3 young children and as a family they love experiencing the wide variety of outdoor recreation opportunities this amazing area provides. She also enjoys traveling, cooking, running and watching her kids learn and grow in this awesome community!

Maggie has supported SVS through tremendous growth over the past year and unpredictability with funding freezes, AmeriCorps program cuts, and lots of unknowns. She has innovative ideas and champions the creativity of staff. We're fortunate to have her leading this organization!

Meet Maggie, the Executive Director of Salmon Valley Stewardship!

Maggie arrived at SVS in summer 2023 with a professional background primarily in Natural Resource Management, having worked for the US Forest Service in Montana, Oregon and Idaho from 2004 through 2019 as a Forester, Program Manager and Environmental Planner. In the last few years, Maggie started up and managed a successful ice cream business in downtown Salmon and has served on several local non-profit boards including the Salmon Arts Council, the Salmon River Mule Deer Foundation Chapter and the FernWaters Charter School Board. Maggie, and her husband, Travis, have 3 young children and as a family they love experiencing the wide variety of outdoor recreation opportunities this amazing area provides. She also enjoys traveling, cooking, running and watching her kids learn and grow in this awesome community!

Maggie has supported SVS through tremendous growth over the past year and unpredictability with funding freezes, AmeriCorps program cuts, and lots of unknowns. She has innovative ideas and champions the creativity of staff. We're fortunate to have her leading this organization!

And snap! Knocking out home projects over the holidays can be that easy. ✨ @kinshopgoods turned leftover scrap wood into a simple (and sturdy!) shelf using tools from the Tool Library.

Tools used:

Pneumatic air gun – to blast out stubborn nails from the scrap wood
Table saw or circular saw – to cut the shelf to length
Orbital sander – to smooth rough edges
Level – for a perfectly straight install
Drill – to attach the brackets and secure the shelf to the wall

What projects are you hoping to finish before the holidays wrap up? The Tool Library will be open Wednesday, December 31 from 12:30–1:30—stop by and get started! 🛠️

And snap! Knocking out home projects over the holidays can be that easy. ✨ @kinshopgoods turned leftover scrap wood into a simple (and sturdy!) shelf using tools from the Tool Library.

Tools used:

Pneumatic air gun – to blast out stubborn nails from the scrap wood
Table saw or circular saw – to cut the shelf to length
Orbital sander – to smooth rough edges
Level – for a perfectly straight install
Drill – to attach the brackets and secure the shelf to the wall

What projects are you hoping to finish before the holidays wrap up? The Tool Library will be open Wednesday, December 31 from 12:30–1:30—stop by and get started! 🛠️

As we wrap up a challenging but big year for SVS, we want to take some time to introduce you to our staff and board. So join us here on social media over the next few weeks as we share about the faces behind the work!

Photo from our annual Harvest Fest event this past September!

As we wrap up a challenging but big year for SVS, we want to take some time to introduce you to our staff and board. So join us here on social media over the next few weeks as we share about the faces behind the work!

Photo from our annual Harvest Fest event this past September!

Winter might mean busy family and holiday time - but it's a great time for inside learning as well!
Here is a great opportunity we wanted to share through another organization's Transition to Organic Program. Starting January 14, a Transition to Organic Webinar Series—a free, 10-week program for crop producers hosted by CAFF, UC OAI & UCCE. Sign up for just a few of the webinars or all if you wish - it's free!

Each week includes farmer stories, expert guidance, and practical tools to support your transition to organic farming.
Spanish and Hmong interpretation offered.
Learn more and RSVP at
https://actionnetwork.org/events/transition-to-organic-webinar-series-for-crop-producers/
(or google Community Alliance with Family Farmers - Events)

Winter might mean busy family and holiday time - but it's a great time for inside learning as well!
Here is a great opportunity we wanted to share through another organization's Transition to Organic Program. Starting January 14, a Transition to Organic Webinar Series—a free, 10-week program for crop producers hosted by CAFF, UC OAI & UCCE. Sign up for just a few of the webinars or all if you wish - it's free!

Each week includes farmer stories, expert guidance, and practical tools to support your transition to organic farming.
Spanish and Hmong interpretation offered.
Learn more and RSVP at
https://actionnetwork.org/events/transition-to-organic-webinar-series-for-crop-producers/
(or google Community Alliance with Family Farmers - Events)

The SVS office will be closed from Friday, December 19th to January 4th. While most staff will be out of town, there may be times when the office is open and staff are working. However, don't plan on any regular office hours during this time! The Tool Library will also be closed December 23rd-January 4th. Send us an email info@salmonvalley.org or text/leave a voicemail at 208-993-9852 if you want to get ahold of us. Staff will be checking emails sporadically during this time.

See you in the new year!

The SVS office will be closed from Friday, December 19th to January 4th. While most staff will be out of town, there may be times when the office is open and staff are working. However, don't plan on any regular office hours during this time! The Tool Library will also be closed December 23rd-January 4th. Send us an email info@salmonvalley.org or text/leave a voicemail at 208-993-9852 if you want to get ahold of us. Staff will be checking emails sporadically during this time.

See you in the new year!

The Native Plants season is winding down and Ari and Owen had a busy year. Here are some fun numbers to quantify the work this season: This season, the program collected seed from nearly 200 populations of over 65 species of native plants across over 110 sites, all of them within ~50 mile radius of Salmon. This resulted in collections of nearly 20 million seeds from over 60,000 individual plants.

Can you identify any of the species in this diverse native wildflower seed mix?

The Native Plants season is winding down and Ari and Owen had a busy year. Here are some fun numbers to quantify the work this season: This season, the program collected seed from nearly 200 populations of over 65 species of native plants across over 110 sites, all of them within ~50 mile radius of Salmon. This resulted in collections of nearly 20 million seeds from over 60,000 individual plants.

Can you identify any of the species in this diverse native wildflower seed mix?

Are you looking to give back to your community more in 2026? We have a volunteer opportunity for you! There are several openings on the Central Idaho Resource Advisory Committee. What is CIRAC?

The Secure Rural Schools and Community Self-Determination Act of 2000 was passed by Congress to restore stability and predictability to the annual payments made to states and counties containing National Forest System lands. The Act established Resource Advisory Committees, appointed by the Secretary of Agriculture, and consisting of fifteen local citizens, to improve collaborative relationships and to provide advice and recommendations to the land management agencies consistent with the purposes of the Act. Members of the Central Idaho Resource Advisory Committee represent a variety of interests ranging from dispersed recreation, organized labor, mining, grazing and timber interests, nationally and locally recognized environmental organizations, school officials, and local or county government officials.

Here at SVS we have benefited from the CIRAC funding over the past few years, for projects related to trails stewardship, reforestation, and aquatic invasive species education.

If you or someone you know is interested in learning more or filling out an application to become a RAC member, contact Amy Baumer amy.baumer@usda.gov or Jonathan LeBlanc Jonathan.Leblanc@usda.gov! We'd be happy to share how CIRAC funds have supported our work if you want to chat with us too.

Are you looking to give back to your community more in 2026? We have a volunteer opportunity for you! There are several openings on the Central Idaho Resource Advisory Committee. What is CIRAC?

The Secure Rural Schools and Community Self-Determination Act of 2000 was passed by Congress to restore stability and predictability to the annual payments made to states and counties containing National Forest System lands. The Act established Resource Advisory Committees, appointed by the Secretary of Agriculture, and consisting of fifteen local citizens, to improve collaborative relationships and to provide advice and recommendations to the land management agencies consistent with the purposes of the Act. Members of the Central Idaho Resource Advisory Committee represent a variety of interests ranging from dispersed recreation, organized labor, mining, grazing and timber interests, nationally and locally recognized environmental organizations, school officials, and local or county government officials.

Here at SVS we have benefited from the CIRAC funding over the past few years, for projects related to trails stewardship, reforestation, and aquatic invasive species education.

If you or someone you know is interested in learning more or filling out an application to become a RAC member, contact Amy Baumer amy.baumer@usda.gov or Jonathan LeBlanc Jonathan.Leblanc@usda.gov! We'd be happy to share how CIRAC funds have supported our work if you want to chat with us too.

Knowing when to start seeds isn’t always easy—it depends on both what you’re planting and where you’re growing. Here in Lemhi County, we span zones 4-5, and conditions can vary widely from one farm or garden to the next.

That’s where Snake River Seed Cooperative comes in. This collective of family farmers across the Intermountain West grows a wide variety of regionally adapted, organic seeds—including varieties from our very own Swift River Farm. Their website is full of helpful resources, from planting schedule guides to organic growing best practices.

While you’re there, consider a last-minute Christmas gift for the green thumb in your life: a Seed of the Month Club membership. Each month, recipients receive thoughtfully selected seeds timed perfectly for the growing season, plus an info-packed newsletter with planting tips, fun seed facts, seasonal inspiration, and even recipes when applicable.

Still feeling unsure about when to plant? Don’t worry—Salmon Valley Stewardship will be offering a workshop on seed starting on February 21. Stay tuned!
#snakeriverseedcoop #Topp #TransitiontoOrganic

Knowing when to start seeds isn’t always easy—it depends on both what you’re planting and where you’re growing. Here in Lemhi County, we span zones 4-5, and conditions can vary widely from one farm or garden to the next.

That’s where Snake River Seed Cooperative comes in. This collective of family farmers across the Intermountain West grows a wide variety of regionally adapted, organic seeds—including varieties from our very own Swift River Farm. Their website is full of helpful resources, from planting schedule guides to organic growing best practices.

While you’re there, consider a last-minute Christmas gift for the green thumb in your life: a Seed of the Month Club membership. Each month, recipients receive thoughtfully selected seeds timed perfectly for the growing season, plus an info-packed newsletter with planting tips, fun seed facts, seasonal inspiration, and even recipes when applicable.

Still feeling unsure about when to plant? Don’t worry—Salmon Valley Stewardship will be offering a workshop on seed starting on February 21. Stay tuned!
#snakeriverseedcoop #Topp #TransitiontoOrganic

Last Friday's program was all about "light in winter." This theme had us exploring how the earth's rotation and revolution creates night and day and the seasons. We also stretched our STEM skills to make flashlights with a simple circuit! We attempted to play shadow tag in the park but on a cloudy day our shadows were hard to find, and our cyanotype sun print art experiments didn't turn out too great without strong direct sunlight either. However, we wrapped up the fun morning with a solstice storytelling session over an imaginary campfire.

Our next Friday program will be January 23rd and you can register your child online here: https://www.salmonvalley.org/youth-ed-activities - the January theme is rocks, geology, and soil!

Last Friday's program was all about "light in winter." This theme had us exploring how the earth's rotation and revolution creates night and day and the seasons. We also stretched our STEM skills to make flashlights with a simple circuit! We attempted to play shadow tag in the park but on a cloudy day our shadows were hard to find, and our cyanotype sun print art experiments didn't turn out too great without strong direct sunlight either. However, we wrapped up the fun morning with a solstice storytelling session over an imaginary campfire.

Our next Friday program will be January 23rd and you can register your child online here: https://www.salmonvalley.org/youth-ed-activities - the January theme is rocks, geology, and soil!

A gifted one-year membership to the Creative Confluence Tool Library is perfect for makers, DIYers, gardeners, farmers, artists, and anyone who loves to build or fix things.

A gifted membership provides the recipient with one full year of access to our shared tool library, allowing them to borrow a wide variety of tools and equipment without the cost, maintenance, or storage of ownership. From home repairs and woodworking projects to gardening, food production, and creative endeavors, this membership helps turn ideas into action.

Head on over to the Creative Confluence Tool Library website to purchase this stocking stuffer that will last throughout the year!

www.salmonconfluence.org

A gifted one-year membership to the Creative Confluence Tool Library is perfect for makers, DIYers, gardeners, farmers, artists, and anyone who loves to build or fix things.

A gifted membership provides the recipient with one full year of access to our shared tool library, allowing them to borrow a wide variety of tools and equipment without the cost, maintenance, or storage of ownership. From home repairs and woodworking projects to gardening, food production, and creative endeavors, this membership helps turn ideas into action.

Head on over to the Creative Confluence Tool Library website to purchase this stocking stuffer that will last throughout the year!

www.salmonconfluence.org

Still need the perfect Christmas present? Buy a cozy zip-up hoodie sweatshirt with a one-of-a-kind Salmon Valley Stewardship design! These sweatshirts are comfy and stylish, with a one-of-a-kind design made just for us by @caylainthecurrent! You can purchase one of these sweatshirts for $45 from us at SVS - just come by during our office hours (Monday through Thursday 9 am to 4 pm); we can take payment via cash, check, or credit card. If you want, give us a heads up or ask about sizing availability by texting us at 208-993-9852. We are out of size small, but have sizes medium to 2XL available! Give a unique gift while also supporting one of your favorite community orgs!

Still need the perfect Christmas present? Buy a cozy zip-up hoodie sweatshirt with a one-of-a-kind Salmon Valley Stewardship design! These sweatshirts are comfy and stylish, with a one-of-a-kind design made just for us by @caylainthecurrent! You can purchase one of these sweatshirts for $45 from us at SVS - just come by during our office hours (Monday through Thursday 9 am to 4 pm); we can take payment via cash, check, or credit card. If you want, give us a heads up or ask about sizing availability by texting us at 208-993-9852. We are out of size small, but have sizes medium to 2XL available! Give a unique gift while also supporting one of your favorite community orgs!

The Salmon-Challis Trails Group will meet on Monday December 15th at 6 pm at the SVS Gathering Space 115 S. Center St. for a Trails Meeting! The primary purpose of this meeting will be to discuss some trails projects in process in the area - to inform everyone, get feedback, answer questions, etc.
We'll keep the meeting short & sweet but leave plenty of opportunity for discussion. Please come and/or invite those who might be interested in hearing about these current & upcoming trails projects:
S Hill project
Dry Gulch trailhead
CDT
& more!

As always, we'll provide meeting notes after the meeting in case you can't make it. Are you on our trails collaborative email list? Contact kateyeater@salmonvalley.org if you want to get on the list. We send sporadic emails about trails meetings, upcoming trails related volunteer events, and other related info!

The Salmon-Challis Trails Group will meet on Monday December 15th at 6 pm at the SVS Gathering Space 115 S. Center St. for a Trails Meeting! The primary purpose of this meeting will be to discuss some trails projects in process in the area - to inform everyone, get feedback, answer questions, etc.
We'll keep the meeting short & sweet but leave plenty of opportunity for discussion. Please come and/or invite those who might be interested in hearing about these current & upcoming trails projects:
S Hill project
Dry Gulch trailhead
CDT
& more!

As always, we'll provide meeting notes after the meeting in case you can't make it. Are you on our trails collaborative email list? Contact kateyeater@salmonvalley.org if you want to get on the list. We send sporadic emails about trails meetings, upcoming trails related volunteer events, and other related info!

We are excited to announce that our photo of 4th graders observing osprey at the Idaho Fish and Game (IDFG) Outdoor Classroom was selected as a Spotlight winner in the @nonprofitsinsurance 2025 photo contest! We were awarded $100 that will go back into the work we do to connect local youth to the land and resources right in our backyard! To learn more and view the other winning photographs visit https://insurancefornonprofits.org/2025-nonprofit-photo-contest-winners/

We are excited to announce that our photo of 4th graders observing osprey at the Idaho Fish and Game (IDFG) Outdoor Classroom was selected as a Spotlight winner in the @nonprofitsinsurance 2025 photo contest! We were awarded $100 that will go back into the work we do to connect local youth to the land and resources right in our backyard! To learn more and view the other winning photographs visit https://insurancefornonprofits.org/2025-nonprofit-photo-contest-winners/

Don't forget, this Friday is our next youth program: Light In Winter. We'll be exploring the scientific background of seasons and daylight/night, make our own flashlights, and learn about various cultural celebrations around the solstice. Programs are geared towards kids 6-12. We provide snacks, outside time, arts and crafts, and plenty of varied activities. Please sign up in advance here: https://www.salmonvalley.org/youth-ed-activities

Last month we talked about rivers and watersheds!

Don't forget, this Friday is our next youth program: Light In Winter. We'll be exploring the scientific background of seasons and daylight/night, make our own flashlights, and learn about various cultural celebrations around the solstice. Programs are geared towards kids 6-12. We provide snacks, outside time, arts and crafts, and plenty of varied activities. Please sign up in advance here: https://www.salmonvalley.org/youth-ed-activities

Last month we talked about rivers and watersheds!

Continuing the season of gratitude, we want to say THANK YOU to our seasonal technicians this year. We had a challenging hiring season but ended up with some of the best seasonal employees! We had five seasonal monitoring technicians this year: Diandra, Dylan, Faith, Canyon, and Chloe.
Owen, Chloe, Canyon, and Faith (pictured here) ended the season making thousands of seedballs. After a summer of monitoring milkweed and other native plants, gathering native seed, making seedballs, and distributing them downriver, these hard workers added so much capacity to our projects and accomplished so much!

Continuing the season of gratitude, we want to say THANK YOU to our seasonal technicians this year. We had a challenging hiring season but ended up with some of the best seasonal employees! We had five seasonal monitoring technicians this year: Diandra, Dylan, Faith, Canyon, and Chloe.
Owen, Chloe, Canyon, and Faith (pictured here) ended the season making thousands of seedballs. After a summer of monitoring milkweed and other native plants, gathering native seed, making seedballs, and distributing them downriver, these hard workers added so much capacity to our projects and accomplished so much!

Have you used one of these before? The pneumatic Air-Locker nail remover might be our new favorite tool. If you’ve got wood you’d love to repurpose but the nails are buried deep, this little gadget connects to an air compressor and blasts the nail backward so it pops right out. Super simple, surprisingly effective—and any leftover nail is easy to pull with a hammer.

Curious what else could make your next project easier? Browse the Tool Library’s catalog:

https://salmonconfluence.org/

Have you used one of these before? The pneumatic Air-Locker nail remover might be our new favorite tool. If you’ve got wood you’d love to repurpose but the nails are buried deep, this little gadget connects to an air compressor and blasts the nail backward so it pops right out. Super simple, surprisingly effective—and any leftover nail is easy to pull with a hammer.

Curious what else could make your next project easier? Browse the Tool Library’s catalog:

https://salmonconfluence.org/

Why organic wine growing matters — and why we're excited about it.

Organic wine isn’t just about skipping chemicals. As the folks at Oregon Tilth explain, going organic means rethinking the whole vineyard as an ecosystem — from the soil microbes underfoot, to the wildflowers at the edges, to the vines themselves.

Instead of swapping synthetic sprays for “organic” ones, many organic vineyards use cover-crop diversity, natural ground cover, and even grazing animals (like sheep) to manage weeds, build soil health, and foster biodiversity.

This holistic approach can improve vine resilience, reduce disease pressure, and — according to growers — yield grapes that make wines more “vibrant, pure, and expressive of their place.” That’s why we want to celebrate growers doing this tough, thoughtful work.

And here in Idaho, there's one we think deserves a spotlight: Holesinsky Winery, the only fully USDA-certified organic winery in the entire state. Their vines grow in rich volcanic soils, under a “no synthetic fertilizers, no glyphosate, no chemical pesticides or fungicides” philosophy.

Did you know that the organic wine market is expected to grow from $12.06 billion in 2024 to $21.48 billion by 2030? That's a compounding annual growth rate of 10.4%!

So next time you raise a glass of organic wine — maybe give a nod to the land, the soil, and the farmers who take the long view.

Want to learn more about organic wine? Check out this article: tilth.org/looking-ahead-at-the-future-of-organic-wine/

#topp #organicwine #organicfarming #oregontilthcertifiedorganic

Why organic wine growing matters — and why we're excited about it.

Organic wine isn’t just about skipping chemicals. As the folks at Oregon Tilth explain, going organic means rethinking the whole vineyard as an ecosystem — from the soil microbes underfoot, to the wildflowers at the edges, to the vines themselves.

Instead of swapping synthetic sprays for “organic” ones, many organic vineyards use cover-crop diversity, natural ground cover, and even grazing animals (like sheep) to manage weeds, build soil health, and foster biodiversity.

This holistic approach can improve vine resilience, reduce disease pressure, and — according to growers — yield grapes that make wines more “vibrant, pure, and expressive of their place.” That’s why we want to celebrate growers doing this tough, thoughtful work.

And here in Idaho, there's one we think deserves a spotlight: Holesinsky Winery, the only fully USDA-certified organic winery in the entire state. Their vines grow in rich volcanic soils, under a “no synthetic fertilizers, no glyphosate, no chemical pesticides or fungicides” philosophy.

Did you know that the organic wine market is expected to grow from $12.06 billion in 2024 to $21.48 billion by 2030? That's a compounding annual growth rate of 10.4%!

So next time you raise a glass of organic wine — maybe give a nod to the land, the soil, and the farmers who take the long view.

Want to learn more about organic wine? Check out this article: tilth.org/looking-ahead-at-the-future-of-organic-wine/

#topp #organicwine #organicfarming #oregontilthcertifiedorganic

Tool Highlight! 🔧 Pallet Buster

A pallet buster makes breaking down pallets a lot easier by lifting boards without splitting them—great for reclaiming lumber or quick shop cleanups. This heavy-duty lever tool slips under pallet boards and pops them free with far less effort—keeping the wood intact and your workflow smooth.

Anyone here used one before?

Or come borrow ours! Stop by the Tool Library Monday + Wednesday 12:30 - 1:30, or shoot us an email at toollibrary@salmonvalley.org to schedule a tool pick-up that aligns with your schedule.

Tool Highlight! 🔧 Pallet Buster

A pallet buster makes breaking down pallets a lot easier by lifting boards without splitting them—great for reclaiming lumber or quick shop cleanups. This heavy-duty lever tool slips under pallet boards and pops them free with far less effort—keeping the wood intact and your workflow smooth.

Anyone here used one before?

Or come borrow ours! Stop by the Tool Library Monday + Wednesday 12:30 - 1:30, or shoot us an email at toollibrary@salmonvalley.org to schedule a tool pick-up that aligns with your schedule.

🌿 What Are Preventative Practices in Organic Farming?

Preventative practices are the techniques and activities farmers use to stop pests, diseases, and weeds before they become a problem.
USDA organic regulations require farmers to use a three-tiered approach — with the first two tiers focused on prevention, not reaction.

✨ Step 1: Build Healthy Soil & Biodiversity
The first line of defense starts with crop rotation, cover crops, and good soil management.
Healthy soil takes time — often years of rotation and cover cropping — to find the right balance.
Other key practices include:
🌸 Planting companion flowers to attract beneficial insects
🐞 Providing habitat for natural predators
🌼 Maintaining good field sanitation
Even a simple flower garden helps create a thriving home for pollinators!

✨ Step 2: Use Physical & Mechanical Controls
If problems persist, farmers turn to mechanical or physical methods such as:
🌾 Row covers or greenhouses for crop protection
🔥 Flaming or mulching for weed control
🐑 Grazing livestock to manage weeds and insects
✋ Hand weeding or early-season transplanting
These techniques protect crops while keeping inputs to a minimum.

✨ Step 3: Apply Approved Inputs — As a Last Resort
Only when prevention and physical methods aren’t enough do farmers use approved organic materials (like certain sprays or soil amendments).
This final step is used sparingly, reinforcing that prevention is the heart of organic farming.

🌱 Strong prevention = resilient, thriving farms.
What other organic practices would you like to learn about?
Explore more at tilth.org — a great resource for all things organic!

#topp #organicfarming #oregontilth

🌿 What Are Preventative Practices in Organic Farming?

Preventative practices are the techniques and activities farmers use to stop pests, diseases, and weeds before they become a problem.
USDA organic regulations require farmers to use a three-tiered approach — with the first two tiers focused on prevention, not reaction.

✨ Step 1: Build Healthy Soil & Biodiversity
The first line of defense starts with crop rotation, cover crops, and good soil management.
Healthy soil takes time — often years of rotation and cover cropping — to find the right balance.
Other key practices include:
🌸 Planting companion flowers to attract beneficial insects
🐞 Providing habitat for natural predators
🌼 Maintaining good field sanitation
Even a simple flower garden helps create a thriving home for pollinators!

✨ Step 2: Use Physical & Mechanical Controls
If problems persist, farmers turn to mechanical or physical methods such as:
🌾 Row covers or greenhouses for crop protection
🔥 Flaming or mulching for weed control
🐑 Grazing livestock to manage weeds and insects
✋ Hand weeding or early-season transplanting
These techniques protect crops while keeping inputs to a minimum.

✨ Step 3: Apply Approved Inputs — As a Last Resort
Only when prevention and physical methods aren’t enough do farmers use approved organic materials (like certain sprays or soil amendments).
This final step is used sparingly, reinforcing that prevention is the heart of organic farming.

🌱 Strong prevention = resilient, thriving farms.
What other organic practices would you like to learn about?
Explore more at tilth.org — a great resource for all things organic!

#topp #organicfarming #oregontilth

Everyone should have enough to eat - and an opportunity to be together as a community. Come enjoy a FREE hot breakfast by the river at Veteran's Memorial Park this Saturday - Nov. 15th from 9am to 11am.

Community members are making breakfast sandwiches, hashbrowns, fruit, muffins, and coffee. This breakfast is open to everyone, and there will be warming fires and live music. We'll be out there serving breakfast -- Rain or Shine!
Bring your friends, family, and appetites.
Please let others know about this opportunity to come together for a free meal and community event.

Everyone should have enough to eat - and an opportunity to be together as a community. Come enjoy a FREE hot breakfast by the river at Veteran's Memorial Park this Saturday - Nov. 15th from 9am to 11am.

Community members are making breakfast sandwiches, hashbrowns, fruit, muffins, and coffee. This breakfast is open to everyone, and there will be warming fires and live music. We'll be out there serving breakfast -- Rain or Shine!
Bring your friends, family, and appetites.
Please let others know about this opportunity to come together for a free meal and community event.

We’ve entered the NIA 2025 Nonprofit Photo Contest, and your vote can help us win cash prizes and publicity!

Voting is easy – our photo is located here: https://cont.st/fuKIfc_ENXSlWp?g=1
Help us win some funding to help continue youth environmental education & fund a live-stream osprey nesting camera!

Cast your vote between November 10 and 21, 2025. Each person may vote once during the contest period. This photo contest is organized by Nonprofits Insurance Alliance.

We’ve entered the NIA 2025 Nonprofit Photo Contest, and your vote can help us win cash prizes and publicity!

Voting is easy – our photo is located here: https://cont.st/fuKIfc_ENXSlWp?g=1
Help us win some funding to help continue youth environmental education & fund a live-stream osprey nesting camera!

Cast your vote between November 10 and 21, 2025. Each person may vote once during the contest period. This photo contest is organized by Nonprofits Insurance Alliance.

Tickets are selling quickly for Thai Night Round 2 on Wednesday November 19th. You can purchase tickets online here: https://www.salmonvalley.org/event-list

Enjoy a curated, authentic Thai meal prepared by local chef Emily Seeboonruang, hosted at the beautiful Sacajawea Center. Gluten free and vegetarian options available. All proceeds support the SVS Community Commercial Kitchen project.

Tickets are selling quickly for Thai Night Round 2 on Wednesday November 19th. You can purchase tickets online here: https://www.salmonvalley.org/event-list

Enjoy a curated, authentic Thai meal prepared by local chef Emily Seeboonruang, hosted at the beautiful Sacajawea Center. Gluten free and vegetarian options available. All proceeds support the SVS Community Commercial Kitchen project.

Okay Salmon, we heard you! Our first ever Thai Night was a smashing success so we knew we wanted to get another one on the books. So here it is:

Wednesday, Nov. 19
5:30 cocktail hour, 6:00 dinner
@ The Sacajawea Center

This three course meal will feature authentic, Thai cuisine from the talented Emily Seeboonruang, with all profit going to support the new SVS Commercial Community Kitchen. Grab your friends and buy a ticket to join us for a night of community building and really delicious food.

Remember, this is a limited space event where tickets MUST be purchased before the event. Last time, we sold out in about a week so don't dally! More information can be found on our website: salmonvalley.org

Okay Salmon, we heard you! Our first ever Thai Night was a smashing success so we knew we wanted to get another one on the books. So here it is:

Wednesday, Nov. 19
5:30 cocktail hour, 6:00 dinner
@ The Sacajawea Center

This three course meal will feature authentic, Thai cuisine from the talented Emily Seeboonruang, with all profit going to support the new SVS Commercial Community Kitchen. Grab your friends and buy a ticket to join us for a night of community building and really delicious food.

Remember, this is a limited space event where tickets MUST be purchased before the event. Last time, we sold out in about a week so don't dally! More information can be found on our website: salmonvalley.org

https://www.salmonvalley.org/food-systems
In case you missed it on our Food Systems page- this wonderful 5-minute video with @swiftriverfarmidaho speaks to the vision of a local food system that supports food businesses and farmers who feed our community. We're working towards that at Salmon Valley Stewardship - and we need your help! https://www.gofundme.com/f/support-svss-shared-community-kitchen
Our GoFundMe page has lots more information about our mission, the kitchen project, and current funding needs - we'd love to open this resource for the community, and we need extra help to make that happen. Please consider making a donation if you can - every little bit gets us one step further to opening the kitchen.

https://www.salmonvalley.org/food-systems
In case you missed it on our Food Systems page- this wonderful 5-minute video with @swiftriverfarmidaho speaks to the vision of a local food system that supports food businesses and farmers who feed our community. We're working towards that at Salmon Valley Stewardship - and we need your help! https://www.gofundme.com/f/support-svss-shared-community-kitchen
Our GoFundMe page has lots more information about our mission, the kitchen project, and current funding needs - we'd love to open this resource for the community, and we need extra help to make that happen. Please consider making a donation if you can - every little bit gets us one step further to opening the kitchen.

Room Available to Rent in Shared, Furnished House - Salmon Valley Stewardship has an opening in our shared rental house on Courthouse Drive.
- Available November 1st
- One private bedroom, shared bathroom
- Fully furnished house with laundry facilities, storage, and off-street parking
- Easily walkable to downtown
- Flexible lease term
- All utilities included
- No pets, no smoking

Please contact maggieseaberg@salmonvalley.org or call 208-993-9852 during work hours (9 am to 4 pm, Monday-Thursday) if you are interested in renting this room. Leave a voicemail if you are calling outside our regular hours.

Room Available to Rent in Shared, Furnished House - Salmon Valley Stewardship has an opening in our shared rental house on Courthouse Drive.
- Available November 1st
- One private bedroom, shared bathroom
- Fully furnished house with laundry facilities, storage, and off-street parking
- Easily walkable to downtown
- Flexible lease term
- All utilities included
- No pets, no smoking

Please contact maggieseaberg@salmonvalley.org or call 208-993-9852 during work hours (9 am to 4 pm, Monday-Thursday) if you are interested in renting this room. Leave a voicemail if you are calling outside our regular hours.

🌱 More about milkweed: Milkweed is native perennial wildflower known for it’s unique flowers and white milky sap. It prefers consistently damp soils in our region, and it has "weed" in the name for a reason. Once established, it is hardy and can handle all kinds of conditions, and spreads by roots and airborne seeds. However, the monarch caterpillars that feed on it are sensitive to disturbance, chemicals and drought. Even chemicals that don’t harm the milkweed can damage feeding caterpillars. So, if you want your milkweed patch to help raise healthy monarchs, you must choose a place where these plants can thrive undisturbed, and as far as possible from herbicide or pesticide use.

If you want plants or seeds to plant on your own, email Owen Baughman, Restoration Program Coordinator, at owenbaughman@salmonvalley.org to coordinate drop-off/pickup. If you'd be interested in SVS staff planting them on your property for you, we can arrange that as well. We are particularly interested in people with acreage along the Salmon and Lemhi Rivers, from Elk Bend and Leadore all the way to Ebenezer.

🌱 More about milkweed: Milkweed is native perennial wildflower known for it’s unique flowers and white milky sap. It prefers consistently damp soils in our region, and it has "weed" in the name for a reason. Once established, it is hardy and can handle all kinds of conditions, and spreads by roots and airborne seeds. However, the monarch caterpillars that feed on it are sensitive to disturbance, chemicals and drought. Even chemicals that don’t harm the milkweed can damage feeding caterpillars. So, if you want your milkweed patch to help raise healthy monarchs, you must choose a place where these plants can thrive undisturbed, and as far as possible from herbicide or pesticide use.

If you want plants or seeds to plant on your own, email Owen Baughman, Restoration Program Coordinator, at owenbaughman@salmonvalley.org to coordinate drop-off/pickup. If you'd be interested in SVS staff planting them on your property for you, we can arrange that as well. We are particularly interested in people with acreage along the Salmon and Lemhi Rivers, from Elk Bend and Leadore all the way to Ebenezer.

We've compiled information in this flyer to share the food assistance resources that exist in Salmon and Lemhi County. Resources include local food pantries, low and no cost meals like at the Salmon Senior Center and monthly Community Dinners, as well as the little free pantries for kids that exist across town. If you or someone you know needs food assistance, don't hesitate to call or stop in to one of these places. Everyone deserves access to good food! For more specific information, check out https://idahofoodbank.org/get-help/getfood/

We've compiled information in this flyer to share the food assistance resources that exist in Salmon and Lemhi County. Resources include local food pantries, low and no cost meals like at the Salmon Senior Center and monthly Community Dinners, as well as the little free pantries for kids that exist across town. If you or someone you know needs food assistance, don't hesitate to call or stop in to one of these places. Everyone deserves access to good food! For more specific information, check out https://idahofoodbank.org/get-help/getfood/

🌿 Organic Meat Curing 101
Curing meat isn’t just flavor — it’s about preservation and safety! In organic curing, synthetic nitrites are replaced with plant-based sources like celery, spinach, or Swiss chard. Microbes convert these natural nitrates into nitrites to preserve meat and create that classic cured color.

🔹 Key points:
- Organic curing utilizes plant-based nitrites instead of synthetic chemicals
- Microbial conversion drives the curing process, making your food safe to eat
- Nitrite levels can vary, so careful timing & temperature matter
- Organic meats often end up with similar nitrate levels as conventional ones

Even if you’re not curing organically at home, understanding the differences shows how science, flavor, and safety come together in your food.

🥩 Fun fact: The upcoming SVS salami-making workshop with Dillon Kouf will explore curing techniques hands-on - perfect for seeing the principles in action!

🌿 Organic Meat Curing 101
Curing meat isn’t just flavor — it’s about preservation and safety! In organic curing, synthetic nitrites are replaced with plant-based sources like celery, spinach, or Swiss chard. Microbes convert these natural nitrates into nitrites to preserve meat and create that classic cured color.

🔹 Key points:
- Organic curing utilizes plant-based nitrites instead of synthetic chemicals
- Microbial conversion drives the curing process, making your food safe to eat
- Nitrite levels can vary, so careful timing & temperature matter
- Organic meats often end up with similar nitrate levels as conventional ones

Even if you’re not curing organically at home, understanding the differences shows how science, flavor, and safety come together in your food.

🥩 Fun fact: The upcoming SVS salami-making workshop with Dillon Kouf will explore curing techniques hands-on - perfect for seeing the principles in action!

Many in our community have expressed interest in donating to food pantries to support local families and individuals that may not receive their regular SNAP benefits and our furloughed federal worker neighbors. We've put together this flyer to help inform everyone on how and what to donate. For more information about local food resources, search for Salmon or Lemhi County here: https://idahofoodbank.org/get-help/getfood/

Many in our community have expressed interest in donating to food pantries to support local families and individuals that may not receive their regular SNAP benefits and our furloughed federal worker neighbors. We've put together this flyer to help inform everyone on how and what to donate. For more information about local food resources, search for Salmon or Lemhi County here: https://idahofoodbank.org/get-help/getfood/

Tool Library tool alert! We have a shiny new tile cutter ready for your next tiling project. This is an easy to use, score and snap tile cutter. Shoutout to @caylainthecurrent for using it for their kitchen backsplash project and then kindly donating it to the Tool Library. Reserve it online to use it for your next home diy project.

Tool Library tool alert! We have a shiny new tile cutter ready for your next tiling project. This is an easy to use, score and snap tile cutter. Shoutout to @caylainthecurrent for using it for their kitchen backsplash project and then kindly donating it to the Tool Library. Reserve it online to use it for your next home diy project.

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107 S Center St. | Salmon, ID. 83467 | 208-993-9852 | info@salmonvalley.org

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