Healthy Traditions Garden

Sonoma County Indian Health Project - Healthy Traditions Wellness Department

The Healthy Traditions Garden is a component of the Healthy Traditions Wellness Program of SCIHP. Because a healthy diet of wholesome foods and regular exercise are the best paths toward wellness, we have created a garden site to provide our Native population with access to wholesome food grown on Native land as well as Native Medicinal Plants and Cultural Craft Materials.

The gardening techniques used are a combination of Grow Biointensive! techniques with Permaculture design principles. These two methods are the combination of native and indigenous practices from around the world that respect the land and steward it to preserve its ability to provide us with a healthy way of being. Hand tools are used to keep our bodies healthy and active without causing pollution and sickness. The seeds we plant are heirloom varieties that have been cared for and saved for generations by Native peoples from around the world.

The Healthy Traditions Garden is located at Ya-Ka-Ama and is available for any Native person to come visit, volunteer to work in the garden preparing beds, planting or harvesting. Anyone interested in any of these activities, or in having a bed of their own in the garden, is encouraged to call Lupe Banuelos at (707) 521-4502 or email Garden Manager Stefan Stehling at stefan.stehling@ihs.gov to make arrangements. We look forward to seeing you in the garden to work with the earth.

Sonoma County Indian Health Project
The Sonoma County Indian Health Project, Inc. (SCIHP) was established in 1971 by a group of visionary leaders from the Indian communities of Sonoma County. Their goals were to have a health center that would afford easy access to high quality care for all Indians of Sonoma County, and to provide such services in a sensitive manner to the culture and traditions of the local Indian people. Call (707) 521-4545 for more information.

Youth Projects

Youth come to the Garden and are active making bird houses, earth and straw benches, planting and harvesting fresh fruits and vegetables.

Tribal Gatherings

Meet at the Garden to pick fresh strawberries, learn about native medicines, and gather native plant materials for baskets and other crafts.

Nutritional Education

Learn which foods have which vitamins and minerals, and get recipe ideas for preparing everything you gather.

Grow Biointensive!

Learn about the gardening technique used at the Garden and how you can use it in your own backyard.

Permaculture

This design principle applies to more than just gardening- learn how to live with the earth rather than out of it.

Exercise

Enjoy sun and fresh air while working in the Garden- 30 minutes of exercise a day is vital to preventing diabetes.

Container Gardening

We have dozens of half-barrel planters and many other container gardening examples. Come to the Healthy Traditions office at SCIHP to see the Salmonberries and Huckleberries at the rooftop container garden there.