Meet the Farmer

Hi, I’m Natalie — the farmer, grower, and maker behind Pink Tree Farm here in Glenns Ferry, Idaho.

I’m a Native American woman from the Yuki and Nomlaki tribes of Northern California. I wasn’t raised closely in our traditions, but my dad often talked about our Native history, and as an adult I’ve spent time reconnecting with my roots — especially through food, because food was central to both tribes’ way of life.

The Yuki lived closely with the land through hunting, fishing, and gathering wild plant foods. Nomlaki ate salmon, deer, and elk; gathered acorns and pine nuts; dried nuts and seeds for the year; collected fruits, berries, mushrooms, and natural salt from streams. Clover was eaten fresh, like a simple salad straight from the earth.

It’s interesting how much of that echoes in my life now. Growing, harvesting, experimenting with plants, and creating simple food has become my place of comfort and peace. Without planning it, I circled back to the same rhythms my ancestors lived by — nourishing myself from what the land provides.

On my mom’s side, my grandparents lived much like homesteaders today — gardening, farming, canning, and making their own food. My grandpa always told me how important it was to know where your food comes from and to know your local farmers. He worried that if we didn’t pay attention — if we didn’t know when or how our food arrived — big corporations would end up with too much control. “What happens if the food truck doesn’t arrive?” he’d ask.
I didn’t fully understand it then. I do now.

Living with rheumatoid arthritis deepened my belief in the healing power of food. When you’re dealing with inflammation, you learn quickly which foods harm and which foods heal. Plants, herbs, nutrient-dense power foods, and natural remedies became part of how I care for myself every day. That’s why food is medicine isn’t just a saying to me — it’s personal.

Pink Tree Farm may be a one-woman operation, but I’m grateful for the help and encouragement I’ve had along the way.

And then there’s Nala, my loyal four-legged farm supervisor, always close by and keeping me company through the long days. She takes her morale-support job very seriously.

Everything at Pink Tree Farm is created in small, intentional batches — from microgreens at their freshest to freeze-dried fruits and greens meant to nourish long after harvest.

This farm is where heritage, healing, family wisdom, and real food all come together.
Thank you for being here — I’m grateful to share this piece of my story with you. 🌱💛🐾