Sun Meadows Farm - Okanogans

The Sun Meadow family got started at the second Rainbow Gathering , in 1972, we all had camped in the same area, where the Sun first shown, after rising in the morning, and thus the name. Sun Meadow family. We all re-gathered in Yakima, after the Rainbow Gathering was over, and set up as a communal house in town.

About 6 months latter we bought 160 acres of land in the eWenas Valley. Mushroom Glen used some of his college funds to help cover the down payment on the land. We had two houses on the land, and bush gardens. A lot of us picked fruit in season, and several members were school teachers locally. One member was the assistant county planner for Yakima county. Glenn was the youngest member, aged 19 at the time.

We started a food co-op in Yakima, known as Hashana Foods. It is long gone. (unverified)

In 1979 the group living at Sun Meadow decided to sell the Wenas Valley land and relocate to Tonasket, WA in Okanogan county.

In 1988, Sun Meadow was down to 1 member in residence, that was Kim. Wild Flower, Kaaren, and Betsi served on the board to keep Sun Meadow running. The day came when Kim was beginning to feel disheartened and unsure about continuing to keep Sun Meadow open.

In the Summer of 1989, Betsi returned to Sun Meadow with her niece and nephew, Donelle and Jason and rejoined Sun Meadow with Kim and her son Mika. Shortly after a gentleman named Lone Turtle landed on our island.

Around 1993 after her second heart surgery Kim found that living up on the Mountain was too physically strenuous and moved into town. Kim still plays an active role as a nonresident member of Sun Meadow.

Lone Turtle and Betsi have continued to live on the farm for the last 17 years. Over the years old members have returned, new members have come and gone and, after 30 years Sun Meadows doors are still opening, and the Sun Meadow family is still growing.

In 2004 Sun Meadow had a big “Blue Moon” party and celebrated our 30 anniversary. Great fun was had by all. Friends and Family gathered for a weekend of celebration. Kim mounted and framed the articles of incorporation which we proudly displayed.

Presently, we feel like Sun Meadow is moving on to a new phase, one being this whole electronic-computer thing. Sun Meadow is enjoying an upsurge in young people and new energy, bringing life to the farm.