Hello from Heavy Nettle Collective
We have so much to share!
We dedicate this first issue of Heavy Nettle Collective Newsletter to two farming fathers who have recently passed away. Both Mike Case-Smith (father of Elizabeth “Betty” Case-Smith and Jasmine Case-Smith Hendricks) and Charles "Wayne" Lutz (father of Kelsey Daye Lutz) passed on a love of farming to their families and believed deeply in community. We honor their legacies and wisdom they shared through our work as a Collective.
Letter from the Heavy Nettle Collective
Hello friends,
It is a true pleasure to be welcoming you into the community we are building and share our dream for the future! We are a band of farmers, community builders, small business owners, parents and caregivers, storytellers, and local leaders working to nurture the community we love—all centered around stewardship of the land and each other.
It all started in 2022 when a few of us gathered regularly at the Whidbey Island Farmers Market in Oak Harbor. By the end of the summer, we had planted the seeds to create something—a co-op or collective—to serve our community, support farmers, and share knowledge. We had no idea what we were doing and whether or not any of our big ideas would take root.
Though blood, sweat, and many tears, we have held onto the belief that we could build something that served our needs. We kept showing up for each other in small and big ways: building a propagation house, planting and harvesting, and navigating many difficult and unexpected life transitions.
With time, our small group of 5 bubbled into over 20. We meet regularly at Case Farm and in each other’s homes to expand the vision of what we are creating, lay out plans for the season and years ahead, and share soul-nourishing food and conversation. It is slow and challenging work, but all of us believe a more beautiful way is possible.
On the farm this year, we have many projects planned, spanning from infrastructure to market prep, from organizing tools to preserving the harvest. We are working to expand our volunteer days and welcome in even more community members who believe as we do.
This year we are also stepping into new territory and co-organizing, with the Whidbey Island Conservation District, our first ever event as a Collective: the Great Whidbey Seed Swap. We are beyond excited to gather with our community in Greenbank, so don’t miss all the details below.
This is sure to be a full and abundant year—and we are so grateful that you’re on this journey with us!
Written and edited by: Brenda Meier-Walma • Dacotah Ashley Cook-Juhl • Elizabeth ‘Betty’ Case-Smith • Hillarie Maddox
Seed • Join us: The Great Whidbey Seed Swap
If you love gardening, farming, and community—this is your spot!
We are excited to invite you to the Great Whidbey Seed Swap! This is going to be a swap unlike any other with fix-it booths, food trucks, kids activities, and a wellness suite.
Co-hosted by Heavy Nettle Collective and the Whidbey Island Conservation District, we are excited to gather our community for seeds, sustainability, and solidarity. On March 24, from 11am to 3pm, join us at Greenbank Farm with others to share seeds, knowledge, and a passion for living locally.
Here’s what you should know:
Seeds are not required. Bring them if you have them and want to share.
All skill levels are welcome. You could be planting your first pot, a budding farmer, or a seasoned professional—all are invited to be in community with us!
Bring a pen or marker. You’ll want to label your seeds as you collect them.
BUT WAIT, THERE’S MORE. Seeds are just the beginning! Here's a sneak peek of what else you can expect:
Kids activities: bring the kiddos and make Flower Shower seed balls to start your own wildflower garden at home!
Indoor Plant Rx Station: Has your house plant outgrown its pot? Are your plants looking sad and you’re not sure why? Stop by Arrows Aim to diagnose, re-pot them in some fine handmade pottery, or replace them.
Cycle tune-ups: Roll up for consultations, patches, and minor repairs. Get your bike back on the road this spring with Celerity Cycles!
Wellness Suite: We believe in wellness for farmers and the community that supports them, so we are excited to offer a space for recovery. Here’s what it will include:
Massages with Winding Circle Massage: Enjoy a relaxing 30-minute massage from a therapist who works closely with the local farm community. Stop by the Wellness Suite to sign up!
Tea Salon with Acknowledged Wellness: Sip a selection of Chinese medicinal teas curated for the season, browse the apothecary, or do a herbal consult. Email to pre-book an appointment!
Breathwork with Black Girl Country Living: Come rest and reset on a mat! Join the 12pm breath + yoga session with Jules of Wild Standard Botanicals (BRING YOUR OWN MAT!) or 2pm Rewilding Community Breathwork session.
Local educators and organizations: Cruising Climate regenerative garden coaching; WSU Extension; Black Seed Farm; Coupeville Farmers Market; and many more!
Blade Sharpening: Bring your pruners, scissors, and other blades to be sharpened by Frosty’s Fine Edges! Stop by for same-day sharpening services.
Food and beverages: Chef in the Black Bandana will be serving up fresh Italian food and the doors to the Greenbank Wine Shop and Old Spots Cafe will be open.
Seed Exchange: Whether you're looking for heirloom tomatoes or exotic flowers, you're sure to find something exciting to add to your garden.
Come celebrate the start of a new season on March 24 at Greenbank Farm from 11am to 3pm
For more details, follow us on Instagram or simply reply to this message with any questions. See you there!
Flora • An interview with a Flower Farmer
Meet Priscilla K. Watson, a co-founder of Heavy Nettle Collective and a farmer based in Oak Harbor, WA. She grew up in Tokyo and Los Angeles, and moved to Whidbey Island 3 years ago. This is her 3rd season growing veg, flowers, dyes and medicine and her 2nd season based at Case Farm.
What have you been planting lately?
I'm starting a lot of my annuals, which include Statice, Asters and Zinnias. Tons of perennials, too, that I'm excited to keep in my beds: Delphinium, Snapdragons, and Scabiosa. And lots of hardy vegetables: Choi, Mizuna, Green onion, Radish, Spinach, Dill! Tons of pollinators/garden helpers like Nasturtium, Calendula, Phacelia and Marigold. So...you know, a little bit of everything. Currently I'm using G&B's Blue Ribbon Blend with a handful of Down to Earth's 3-3-3 Starter mix.
What are your favorite seed companies?
I wanna shout out Uprising Seeds, Second Generation Seeds, Sistah Seeds and True Love Seeds for advocating for seed-saving, the importance of culturally significant seeds and food sovereignty and farmer's rights. Seeds are not merely the physical thing, they represent so much more and I appreciate the companies who recognize that.
What new plants are you excited about this season?
I just received some bare roots of Raspberry and Snowberry from a farm friend that I'm excited to get in the ground! I'm also gonna attempt a lot of heat-loving, green house plants: ginger, melon, hot peppers! And trees. More trees!! Hazelnut, Chestnut, Oak.
How did overwintering go at the farm?
I was very surprised by the amount of flowers that overwintered on the farm. The Yarrow, Mugwort, Foxglove and Feverfew are all coming back strongly and should have a nice head start on the annuals. We just threw in some very quick veggies like radishes and spinach that we'll be able to harvest before market season kicks off on 4/20, just under 6 weeks away! They are tucked in the warm tunnel with additional frost cloth covering to help them escape the cold snaps we're still experiencing.
What is a seasonal farm meal you’re enjoying?
Indomie + sweet overwintered greens! I've been eating non-stop Indomie noodles with Glacial Tilth’s overwintered kale and leeks stir-fried with hot pepper flakes, chicken broth and spices. Throw a fresh fried egg on top and you're ready to conquer the day.
This year, Priscilla is planning to get a high tunnel, rebuild the soil, and increase local marketing—but she needs your help to make it happen! Make a donation to support her work.
Soil • What are you planting?
We asked the Heavy Nettle Collective members what they are planting in the soil right now. Here’s what’s going in the ground:
Jasmine Hendricks of Case Farm and member of the Heavy Nettle Collective said: “Strawberries; I plan on overdosing on strawberries this year :) at my house and at the farm.”
Dacotah Ashley Cook-Juhl of 1/3rd Acre Homestead and member of the Heavy Nettle Collective shared: “Peppers! I’ve got 6 different kinds going right now. I’ve also started some tomatoes, pickling cucumbers, a variety of cut flowers, and Chinese eggplant. Honestly, I’m excited about everything, but probably the most excited for the peppers.”
Brenda Meier-Walma of Pink Sink Farm and member of the Heavy Nettle Collective wrote: “I haven’t started much yet this year. I have planted some lettuce, kale, cucumbers, and loofa inside, and plan on doing more soon. Outside I've started some spring garlic for garlic grass. I started peas on President’s day, but my ultra-free range chickens completely dug them up. I will be replanting soon, and this time covering the planted area with chicken wire to prevent the chickens from scratching up the newly planted seeds.”
Hillarie Maddox of Black Girl Country Living and member of the Heavy Nettle Collective said: “I started some fava beans from Case Farm and planted a few native shrubs in the food forest.”
Food • Purple Dead Nettle Pesto from Dacotah
When you think of invasive weeds, especially ones that grow rampant on Whidbey Island, what do you visualize? More than likely one of the ones you think of first is Purple Dead Nettle, although you may not recognize it by its name.
Purple Dead Nettle is a member of the mint family (though completely different in flavor) and is one of the first plants to emerge in late Winter & early Spring. Most people know it as a noxious weed, not as a culinary plant. The truth is that Purple Dead Nettle is a nutrient dense green with a plethora of uses! Throw it in a salad, saute it in a stir fry, or create a delicious, savory spread like the one I’m sharing here from Lonely Pines Farm.
—---------------------------
Ingredients
3 Cups Purple Dead Nettle packed – leaves & flower tops
5 Cloves Garlic
1/3 Cup Nuts pecans, walnuts, pines nuts, etc.
1 Tsp Italian Seasoning
2 1/2 Tbsp Lemon Juice
2-4 Pinches Sugar
3/4 cup Parmesan Cheese
1/2-1 Cup Olive Oil
Instructions
Harvest your purple dead nettle by picking the flower & leaf tops off the plant.
Rinse and dry the dead nettles.
In a food processor, blend all ingredients except the olive oil.
After ingredients are combined, pour the olive oil in as a slow drizzle, until you've reached the desired consistency.
Some adjustments that I've personally made to this recipe:
More garlic! Instead of 5 cloves I use 8.
I use sunflower seeds, in same amount, instead of tree nuts to avoid negative effects for those with nut allergies.
I add an additional ½ cup of Thai Basil for added flavor.