Spring Alaska Olson
Owner and Principal Ecologist-Indigenous Agriculturalist, Sakari Botanicals
My name is Upingakraq (time when the ice breaks). Spring Alaska Schreiner is the owner and principal ecologist-indigenous agriculturalist managing all things glorious on Sakari Farms related to growing, giving, teaching, and keeping the beautiful farm in order. Sakari Farms is in Tumalo, the heart of Central Oregon. The farm works in collaboration with the Central Oregon Seed Exchange as a unique Deschutes County based cold climate seed bank, offering free seed and agricultural education to the public. Sakari Farms also host Sakari Botanicals, our value-added product culinary and healing tribal business. The farm houses a unique NW Tribal Seed Bank dedicated to our regional and national Tribal Members only. Sakari Farms is unique in that we grow Native American Tribal foods, offer on-farm technical assistance through on-farm classes, and implement research-based tribal seed production, contract and wholesale growing. Our current products consist of specialty tribal peppers, tomatoes, herbs, and one-of-a-kind native flowers. Our farm practices organic and biodynamic growing practices and holds the Intertribal Agricultural Council’s “Made by Native American” patent certification. Spring was born and raised in Valdez, Alaska and the daughter of Chief Helmer J. Olson of the Valdez Native Tribe. Inupiaq lineage allows a unique/diverse cultural perspective of use of historical food systems ranging from Alaska to Oregon and regional tribal lands on Turtle Island. Spring serves on multiple regional and national agricultural boards and educational committees and serves as an advocate for local farmers and tribal members. Spring was the recent recipient of the 2019 NASDA Women Farm to Food Award, honoring her achievements regionally in value-added food production and small farm education. She participates in the USDA Indian Agricultural Council, Made by Native American Export Food Program, Indigenous Seed Keepers Network, First Nations Development Institute, Native American Food Sovereignty Alliance, American Indian Housing Authority, Warm Springs Indian Tribe Community Garden, High Desert Food and Farm Alliance, Deschutes County Noxious Weed Advisory Board, and many other regional educational assistance programs.