Each April, the Okanogan Family Faire's Land Use Visioning (LUV) Committee hosts a free community Earth Day event at the Barter Faire site. A day dedicated to the land we all gather on. Volunteers come together for hands-on stewardship and restoration work, then stay for kids' activities, refreshments, and the Annual Plant & Seed Barter.

The Plant & Seed Barter is exactly what it sounds like: bring seeds, starts, plants, tools, or anything garden-related to share. Bartering, trading, and gifting only - no sales. It's a celebration of the season, the soil, and the community that tends both. Come join us in caring for this land we love.

The work we do

The LUV Committee and Grounds Coordinator care for the land year round with a holistic approach. Much of this work is labor intensive and depends on volunteers. At the Earth Day event, you might help with:

• Weeding. Pulling invasive weeds before they go to seed.
• Biocontrol. Supporting natural methods, like the insects we release to help manage knapweed.
• Reseeding. Spreading seed on bare and disturbed ground.
• Native plantings. Putting native plants back where they belong. 

No experience needed. We'll show you what to do.

Annual Plant & Seed Barter

The Plant & Seed Barter is exactly what it sounds like. Bring seeds, starts, plants, tools, or anything garden related to share.

Bartering, trading, and gifting only. No sales. Nothing to trade? Come anyway. Plenty of folks bring extra to give away. It's a celebration of the season, the soil, and the community that tends both.

What to bring

• Work gloves
• Sturdy closed-toe shoes
• Sun hat and sunscreen
• Reusable water bottle (water spigots are on site)
• Garden tools if you have them: shovels, trowels, weeders
• A lunch, if you'd like one. We provide refreshments
• Seeds, starts, and plants for the barter
• Containers or bags to carry home your trades

About the LUV Committee

The Land Use Visioning (LUV) Committee cares for the Faire land in keeping with Faire's values of land stewardship and ecological care. The committee creates land stewardship guidelines, recommends improvements, and does the hands-on work to make them happen.

Faire spans just three days, twice a year. Our commitment to this land lasts all year.

Earth Day every day

• Reduce. Turn off lights when not in use. Skip single-use items. Try composting.
• Reuse. Swap disposables for bags, containers, and water bottles you keep.
• Recycle. Paper, plastic, glass, and aluminum can all go to Tonasket's Green Okanogan Recycling Center.

FAQ

Does it cost anything? No. The work party and the barter are free.

Can I bring my kids? Yes. There are kids' activities, and little hands are great at planting.

Do I need to sign up? No. Just show up.

Can I camp? This is a day event. No camping.

Can I come just for the plant & seed barter? Yes. Everyone is welcome at the plant & seed barter, whether you worked that morning or not.

What if it rains? We go rain or shine. Dress for the weather.