Farmers and Gatherers Activity Group

Throughout human history the work of gatherers has been an important part of the survival of many peoples, because people were largely dependent on what they could find in their local environments. Native peoples learned to read their surroundings skillfully and pass this knowledge down through many generations. They identified, gathered and stored what was needed to ensure that their community would not only survive but flourish with the abundance of the land. Native peoples such as the Kashia Pomo and Alaska Natives knew what work needed to be done to best prepare, sow and reap the gifts of each season. In many native cultures, gatherers traditionally sang special songs and prayed for plentiful harvests and when the harvest was in, they sang, danced and gave thanks for what they received.

While Kashia and Alaska Native peoples thrived by gathering wild foods and moving seasonally along with what the land and climate offered, other cultures developed agricultural (farming) methods that required a more settled lifestyle. When the Russian American Company came to Metini and established Fort Ross, they relied on Kashia gathering techniques and knowledge of local resources, but also implemented some of their own farming practices. In fact, one of the main objectives in establishing Settlement Ross was to grow food to feed their Alaskan settlements. Farming was so important that specialists were sent to the settlement to help increase productivity. Overseen by Russians, the labor was largely carried out by the Kashia Pomo and Coast Miwok people, some of whom lived at Settlement Ross with the Russians.

Native women at the Settlement were very skilled. They did traditional gathering work and learned to work with the wool from the sheep that were newly introduced to the area. Agriculture was expanded at Fort Ross under Manager Karl Schmidt from 1821 to 1825. Agricultural implements made under his direction were equal to the best European standards. The Russians were better supplied with farm implements than were their Spanish neighbors. Their plows surpassed those used elsewhere in Alta California for many years. The Spanish in California were impressed by the windmills used to grind grain into flour for bread.

The Farmers and Gatherers Activity Group delves into traditional seasonal gathering practices by Alaska Native peoples and those that have been practiced at Metini for thousands of years by the Kashia Pomo. You will learn to identify, gather, and prepare natural materials. And, you will learn farming techniques introduced during the Russian era (1812-1842) by planting and caring for food in the ELP garden.

Farmers & Gatherers Classroom Preparation –

• Make a Nature Journal to bring to Metini / Fort Ross
• Watch this video to learn more about the importance of coastal resources and gathering to Kashia tribe members of today
• Learn to Forage. Foraging is the process of looking for, identifying and collecting plant material that will be used for a specific purpose. Decide when and where you’ll practice foraging around your own neighborhood. Before you set out on your adventure, learn what plants you are likely to find. Keep in mind what will be available at different times throughout the year. Most importantly, learn to identify which of these plants are poisonous and which are not
• Research, plan and prepare for planting a garden plot while at Metini / Fort Ross, try to include native species and introduced foods
• Use the links below to decide if you want to do basket making, acorn processing, or the Species ID Hike at Metini / Fort Ross, and prepare accordingly
• Learn to identify various habitats
• Research the historic role of both farmers and gatherers among the Kashia, Alaska Native and Russian peoples. Who would most likely be the gatherers at Metini / Settlement Ross?
• The Kashia Pomo and Coast Miwok peoples were an integral part of the Ross settlement. Study their lifestyle. What was it like before Europeans came to California?
• Find out what crops were produced at Metini / Settlement Ross and compare Mission and Russian agriculture
• Make a banner for your role group (optional)

Critical Thinking Questions -

• Do farmers and gatherers exist today? If so, research some current examples of farmers and gatherers, and compare how their lives are similar or different to farmers and gatherers throughout history.
• What are the benefits and drawbacks of wild gathering?
• Why might you not see specific plants in an area or at different times of the year?

Farmers & Gatherers Classroom Preparation and Onsite Activities –

General Information, Rules and Expectations – Please read through this carefully

Farmers & Gatherers Onsite Task List – An essential list of your tasks and responsibilities while at Metini / Fort Ross

Farmers & Gatherers Classroom Projects – A list of classroom projects, make sure to do the required ones!

Farmers & Gatherers Planting Guide - Use this guide to learn about native and introduced foods, to select what crops to plant, and for historic background

Farmers & Gatherers Basket Project - A great option for an onsite project!

Farmers & Gatherers Acorn Project – Another more involved option for your onsite project. This requires work before you get to Metini / Fort Ross. Read and plan accordingly!

Farmers & Gatherers Species ID Hike Guide

Night Watch – Each activity group gets to experience a night watch, if your teacher chooses to include!

Items to Bring – A list of items to bring…Check it twice

Farmers & Gatherers Additional Information –

Brief History and Walking Tour – Learn about the history, buildings and grounds of Fort Ross

Identifying Different Habitats - Information about the different types of habitats, which ones do we have in Northern California?

CDFW California Native Plant Info & Guidelines - Some helpful basics about endangered plants and laws about collecting