Recap of the Queer Wildflower Walk!

This weekend, Big Oak Flower Farm hosted its very first Queer Wildflower Walk and it was a huge success! So many queer folks and allies joined me for a two-mile walk through the wildflower fields at Champoeg State Park, where we saw camas, lupine, and checkermallow in their natural habitat.

We made new friends. We learned about the Kalapuya people, the original stewards of this land. And we ended the day with a picnic by the river, soaking in sunshine and connection.

This land holds so much meaning for me. My family settled in Champoeg in the 1850s, and I’m now the sixth generation living and farming here. As far as I know, I’m also the first out queer person so to share space with other queer people was so special.

Community is Power

Right now, the need for real, in-person connection feels urgent. Like many of you, I’ve felt scared, overwhelmed, and unsure of what to do in the face of increasing hostility toward queer and trans people.

So I’ve decided, my quiet act of resistance is creating space for joy, beauty, and togetherness. Nature walks. Flower picking. Honest conversation. These small gatherings matter, they remind us we’re not alone.

I want to keep building that sense of belonging, one walk, one bouquet, one moment at a time.

Join Us Again!

Let’s do this again! Here are a few upcoming events I’m hosting where we can connect in nature and community:

Sunset Nature Walk at Champoeg - July 18th

Join other queer folks for a peaceful evening walk through the park as the sun sets. This event is free, just RSVP here so I can send you meetup details.

U-Pick at Big Oak Flower Farm

Come walk the flower rows, harvest your own bouquet, and meet others in a beautiful, welcoming space. I’ll have more details soon on when these will scheduled!

Let’s keep showing up for each other - in real life, in full bloom.