Oregon Educators Learn Traditional Foods Curriculum Through 10-Month Indigenous Plant Teaching Cohort

Oregon school garden educators are embracing a transformative approach to farm to school programming by learning to incorporate traditional and indigenous foods in respectful, authentic ways. The Oregon Farm to School Network (OFSN) and Tahoma Peak Solutions has launched an innovative 10-month teaching cohort that connects educators with indigenous plant knowledge and culturally responsive curriculum.

Growing Demand for Traditional Foods Education

Over the last few years, OFSN has received numerous requests and growing interest from educators wanting to incorporate traditional and indigenous foods in farm to school programs. Teachers are seeking guidance on how to approach this work respectfully and authentically, even when they might not represent native communities themselves.
This professional development need became particularly urgent after Oregon’s Tribal History, Shared History bill passed in 2017 (SB 13). Educators are actively looking for support in incorporating lessons and activities that connect students with the essential understandings established in Tribal History, Shared History, as well as lessons and activities that connect to school gardens, plants and foods.

Partnership with Tahoma Peak Solutions

As a result, OFSN partnered with Tahoma Peak Solutions, a Native women-owned organization doing remarkable work in support of native food sovereignty, to provide the guidance, resources, and wisdom they’d been seeking. Among their programs, Tahoma Peaks Solutions offers the Native Plant and Food Institute, an in-depth educational resource that weaves Native knowledge and educational tools for various ages, cultures, abilities, and learning environments.
With Native Plant and Food educators, Mariana Harvey and Kim Gaffi, we created this comprehensive 10-month cohort specifically for school garden educators. The program provides a deep-dive into the Tend, Gather, Grow Curriculum and includes both in-person workshops and virtual training and coaching sessions.

Immersive Learning at Tel-tvm’ Farm

The cohort launched this August with a powerful two-day training at Tel-tvm’, the Siletz Tribe’s Farm. During this intensive workshop, educators explored curriculum focused on traditional foods including berries, dandelion, plantain, rose, camas and more.
Beyond learning about indigenous uses and the cultural significance of these plants, educators discovered how to connect indigenous plants to social-emotional teachings. This holistic approach helps students develop deeper connections with the natural world while honoring traditional knowledge systems.

Year-Long Professional Development Journey

Throughout the school year, participating educators will explore bringing the Tend, Gather, Grow Curriculum into their diverse programs, whether they work in classrooms, gardens, farms, forests or coastal environments. The cohort structure includes regular opportunities for teachers to debrief their activities together, learning from each other while receiving ongoing coaching and support from Tahoma Peak Solutions staff.
The collaborative learning model ensures educators across Oregon can share successes, navigate challenges, and build confidence in integrating traditional plants and foods into their programs. Whether students are making rose hip jam or brewing thimbleberry leaf tea, learners of all ages will be enriched by this culturally grounded curriculum.
OFSN eagerly anticipates learning how educators across the state will implement these traditional food teachings, creating more inclusive and culturally responsive farm to school programming that honors Oregon’s indigenous heritage.

Written by Melina Barker, Director, Oregon Farm to School Network

To learn more about Native plants and the Tend, Gather, Grow curriculum, visit Tahoma Peaks Solutions or the Native Plants & Food Institute.