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Peak Summer

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As the last week of Crest Summer Camps draw to a close, garlic and flowers are hung to dry, and the hay loft is filled for the year ahead, we find ourselves looking forward to fall.

Seasonal chores and celebrations provide continuity: the work and play we return to year after year reminds us where we’ve been and what we have to look forward to.

In this peak summer moment, we invite you to explore the land, grab some goat milk, hike the trails, and enjoy the summer sun. See you soon!

Upcoming Events

Introduction to Milky Way Photography with Tim Hallam
Friday, August 7, 8:30-11:30pm
Tim Hallam is a lifelong resident of our bioregion and has spent the past ten years working as a professional nature photographer. Whether you’re looking to sharpen your night photography skills or trying astrophotography for the first time, this one-night class has something for everyone. Set beneath the dark skies of Willow-Witt Ranch, it’s the perfect opportunity to see and photograph the summer Milky Way in all its splendor. Contact Tim directly to sign up for the course. Attendees will receive a discount code for booking overnight accommodations upon sign-up!

Moth Night with Pollinator Project Rogue Valley
Saturday, August 8, 7-11PM
It’s not too late to catch this unique, family-friendly opportunity to experience nature after dark and learn about moth diversity. The original event got postponed due to smoke. Want to make a night of it? Sleep over in one of the Crest tents.

OLLI at SOU Fall Term Priority Registration Opens
Monday, August 10, 9am
The Osher Lifelong Learning Institute brings together more than 1,700 adults with courses, activities, events, and excursions. Participants engage with others in a welcoming environment while broadening their knowledge of the world. Course topics range broadly, check out The Forest’s course on natural burial while you’re browsing the catalogue!

Who’s Flying

Over 90 species of odonates (dragonflies and damselflies) have been documented in Oregon, and 68 of them have been documented in Jackson county!

This is the time of year that odonates transform: shifting from water-dwelling nymphs to high-flying dragons.They are indicators of good habitat and water quality.

Come up to the ranch anytime or join the 7/31 sunset hike with Friends of the Cascade-Siskiyou National Monument to see them fly!

Photo: Norm Barrett’s Blue-Eyed Darner for the Southern Oregon Land Conservancy.

Organic garlic grown at Willow-Witt Ranch hanging from a drying wire

What’s Blooming

We just harvested and hung our famous “Nida” garlic, a hardneck varietal developed by friend of the farm Dave Baldwin. Dave named this special strain after a beloved grandmother.

Over the years, our Nida garlic has evolved to thrive in the challenging growing conditions here on the ranch.

Read the full story, see more photos, and find a recipe for garlic confit here.

…and don’t forget!

Contact Tim Hallam directly to learn more about the photography workshop!