2025 Acorn Granary Challenge (Alameda)

Acorn Granaries are traditional Native American storage devices that hold acorns overwinter after the fall acorn harvest. They have been used for thousands of years to safely and effectively store acorns safe from rain, snow, and provide easy access to the most important food in California: acorns.

The Acorn Granary Challenge is an invitation to join us in community to create this traditional structure as a symbol of resilience. The challenge is not against each other, it is a challenge to fully realize that survival is a group effort, and that survival in community comes from building resilience together through mutual support.

We want you to experience this through a once-in-a-lifetime hands on experience. Through using natural materials to build real, tangible capacity, and awaken our sense of community through grounding ourselves in place and belonging.

This event is free, and open to all. All ages are welcome with adult supervision.

This is a clean & sober event. Please do not come under the influence of drugs or alcohol because these are sacred things we are creating together. And please abstain from the use of drugs or alcohol while you are with us.

Most importantly: you don't have to be Native kick it. But please respect this Indigenous Space you are being invited into.

This event will consist of two sessions:

Session 1:

Learn about willow and begin to build the structure of the Acorn Granary. Use natural materials for construction. Learn a little about Indigenous Integrated Pest Management using bay leaves as an inner jack, to keep pests away from the acorns as they overwinter.

Session 2:

Apply finishing touches to the basic structure, and install the acorn granary. Possibly weave pine boughs around the granary to protect it from rain.

What will we do with the acorns?

Our goal is to reopen Indigenous Foodways by harvesting acorns for food, and producing Acorn Flour (at scale) for the first time in 300 years. This Acorn Flour will be offered to the Muwekma Ohlone Tribe of the San Francisco Bay Area, to provide a tangible tribal benefit.

By participating in these events, you are helping to heal the damage done by centuries of colonization through the return of traditional, culturally appropriate, nutritious food in California.

Beyond the Acorn Granary Challenge:

• Join us for the Second Annual Acorn Harvest!

• Acorn Harvest starts in August - Stay tuned for more info as dates and locations become available.

• Acorn Processing begins in Late Fall - Acorn Processing Workshops will be announced soon!

• Acorn Flour Production begins in the Winter - Acorn Flour Production Volunteer Days will be announced to those who sign up to volunteer through acorns.nativehistoryproject.org

• ACORNS! Culinary Series - Every Sunday in April, sign up for our mailing list and get access to pre-registration!

Can't wait to see you!