Tuesday would have been the 75th birthday of Dr. Lanita Witt—beloved cofounder of Willow-Witt Ranch, who died in December 2022. As we mark 40 years of life and work at this special place, we pause to honor Lanita’s laughter, her life, and her legacy of care.

Lanita was a gifted physician and healer. As a pelvic reconstructive surgeon, she established the first center dedicated to urogynecology in Southern Oregon at Providence Medford Medical Center. Her work gave dignity and independence back to women who had been living in silence and pain—some unable to leave their homes for years until her care helped them regain continence, mobility, and confidence. She delivered babies, performed life-changing surgeries, and championed the truth that women’s health deserves respect and attention at every stage of life. For countless families in the Rogue Valley, Lanita’s skill and compassion left a lasting mark.

Lanita was also a farmer, a listener, and a steward. When she and Suzanne purchased this piece of land in 1985, they had no formal farming experience—only curiosity, courage, and deep commitment. Together, they learned the language of ecosystems: how forests breathe, how wetlands heal, how meadows bloom when tended with care. Side by side, Lanita and Suzanne restored 76 acres of wetlands and meadows, planted over 15,000 willows and 4,000 trees, and nurtured habitats where western pond turtles, pollinators, and migratory birds could return and thrive.

Their shared vision extended beyond the ranch itself. Lanita helped to found The Crest, our nonprofit educational organization, whose mission is to cultivate the integral connection between people and nature—reminding us that humans are inseparable from the air, soil, food, forest, and water on which life depends.

Lanita’s legacy is woven into this land: in the turtles basking on the pond platforms, in the birdsong that greets each dawn, in every child who learns outdoors, and in every woman whose life was restored by her care. She herself now rests here, in The Forest Conservation Burial Ground she helped envision. Her life’s work—caring for people and for the earth—continues as the land holds her in return.

We remember her with love, with gratitude, and with laughter—because Lanita always knew that laughter was medicine, too. Her 75th birthday reminds us that though her time was too short, her impact is enduring. The land, the people, and the future she cared for continue to carry her spirit forward.

With reverence and joy, we honor Dr. Lanita Witt

• Seasonal Rhythm: Blooming in late spring through early summer, blue elderberry’s creamy flower clusters give way to powdery blue berries by late summer and early fall—just as birds and mammals prepare for the colder months.
• Appearance: A large native shrub (up to 20 feet tall), with pinnate leaves and umbrella-like sprays of tiny white flowers, followed by dense clusters of blue-black berries with a waxy coating.
• Habitat: Found in riparian corridors, open forests, and meadows across southern Oregon, elderberry thrives at a variety of elevations, from valleys to timberline.
• Ecological Role: A powerhouse plant, elderberry provides nectar for pollinators in spring and abundant berries for wildlife in late summer. Robins, jays, and grosbeaks feast on the fruit, while its branches provide nesting habitat. It even serves as host for specialized beetles, adding to its ecological importance.
• Human Connection: Long valued by Indigenous peoples and herbalists, elderberry flowers and ripe berries can be made into teas, syrups, and preserves (note: unripe berries can be toxic if eaten raw).

• Seasonal Rhythm & Behavior: American goldfinches arrive in early spring, filling fields and meadows with their bright plumage and musical calls. By late summer, their nesting season (one of the latest of any songbird) winds down, and in fall they circle back through southern Oregon as they migrate. Some stay year-round in valley riparian zones, but their peak presence is in these transitional seasons.
• Appearance: Males glow lemon-yellow with a black cap in spring and summer, while females are a softer olive-yellow. In winter, both sexes molt into more muted browns with pale wing bars.
• Habitat: Goldfinches favor open, weedy meadows, riparian woodlands, and edges of pastures—often perching on thistles and foraging in seed-rich fields across the ranch.
• Population & Conservation: With an estimated 44 million individuals continent-wide, they are considered Least Concern and remain a common delight in our region.
• Ecological Role: Primarily seed-eaters, they rely on thistles, sunflowers, and native wildflowers for food. Their undulating flight pattern and lively “per-chic-o-ree” or “potato-chip” calls make them easy to spot (and hear) as they flock overhead.

(Photo by John Friedman)

This September and October, we’re offering something special just for our community:

• All tent sites and furnished wall tents are 25% off stays of 2 nights or more.
• For the first time ever, furnished wall tents are available for single-night stays.

Meet the animals, explore the gardens, and learn the story of the land on a Farm Tour — or walk alongside Alpine goats through the forest on our Goat Migration Adventure.

We’d love for you to share this newsletter with anyone heading to Southern Oregon this summer. Willow-Witt Ranch is a one-of-a-kind experience — and it’s even better shared. 

Plan an off-grid, nature-based getaway in Southern Oregon! We’re just 10 miles from Ashland but a world away.

We hope to see you soon on the farm!

With gratitude,
The Willow-Witt Ranch Team