Willow harvest time has arrived! CBBG members (only) can now begin reaping the harvest in our 8th seasons growth at Our Table Cooperative. We just finished training up a new batch of Willow Harvest Leads and they are ready to lead you into this bright and shiny new 2026 willow harvest.
A FEW CHANGES THIS YEAR FOR YOU TO KNOW BEFORE YOU COME
We know that many guild members come from far and wide to help with the willow plot harvest and we want to make sure you know what to expect for the day!
In our community willow plot we are always looking for the best way to make our process work for the entire group of volunteers.
Share of harvested willow
Volunteer harvesters will get a share of the willow harvested as a group on the day you volunteer. Each variety harvested will be pooled, sorted and bundled. Half of the bundles (every other by size) will be set aside for the Guild and saved in the barn. The other half will be divided among the days harvesters who want fresh willow. For those who do not want fresh willow, you can earn willow bucks the rate of $5.00 per hour. Willow bucks can be used to either purchase dried Guild willow or toward the material fee for any Guild sponsored willow classes utilizing Our Table grown willow.
Preventing Disease
In order to try and prevent disease at the plot we are cleaning tools (Guild and personal) at the start of each harvest day with alcohol (available at the plot)
Cuttings
For members who wish to have cuttings to grow their own willow, we have three ways to do this. All three may be available each day.
1. Take your share of harvest as the longest willow bunch (this offers good size as well as a number of cuttings)
2. Take pieces from the discard pile (rod has a forked end or is branchy)
3. 3x3: Take three rods of 3 varieties
HOW TO PREPARE:
Please dress for cold and/or wet weather. Bring warm insulated gloves, rain gear, hat, sitting/kneeling pad.
Please bring pruners and loppers, if you have them. If you don’t, the Guild has several that can be used.
Bring lunch, water, any sustenance you need. The Our Table Store will be open during willow lead training and harvest.
WHERE TO GO:
Our Table is at 13390 SW Morgan Rd., Sherwood, OR 97140. As you enter their long driveway leading to the store, the road forms a “T” in front of the store. Turn right and go past the hoop houses, composting area, a few rows of blueberries, all on your left. Then you will see the plot itself which has a chain link fence and is adjacent to a red building with a small parking area, also on your left.
Harvest days for all are every weekend day from 1/3/26 - 2/1/26, from 10am-2pm:
Saturday, Jan 3
Sunday, Jan 4
Saturday, Jan 10
Sunday, Jan 11
Saturday, Jan 17
Sunday, Jan 18
Saturday, Jan 24
Sunday, Jan 25
Saturday Jan 31
Sunday, Feb 1
No RSVP is needed, just come!
For questions contact ColumbiaBasinBasketryGuild@gmail.com
