This past Saturday, September 19, New Pioneers' Executive Director, Julia Gerwe-Nicholson, and Outreach Coordinator, Olivia Smith, attended The Holistic Hippie Festival for a day full of exhibitors, vendors, and workshops covering all things health and wellness.

The event served as a community hub for "homesteaders", "hippies", and everyone in between to relax, connect, and learn from each other.

New Pioneers was thrilled to attend and highlight how sustainability in our natural world contributes to overall wellbeing of the people and planet. Our Outreach Coordinator, Olivia, hosted a workshop on native plants in our environment, the benefits of planting them at home, and wellness benefits when used medicinally. Thank you to our attendees for your participation!

New Pioneers was excited to offer free native seeds at the event to inspire more native pollinator gardens in our community. For the first year ever, we also offered native plants available for a donation provided by Dropseed Native Plant Nursery. We had Jerusalem Artichoke, Mountain Mint, Prairie Dropseed, Stiff Goldenrod, and Asters available.

We are so grateful to Beverly Smith and The Holistic Hippie Festival for hosting such an inspiring and engaging event. This was a great opportunity to engage with Marion County and beyond - and to see new and old friends!