Winn Homestead Events

07/29/2026

Coverage of the incredible volunteer crew who surrounded us with support last weekend. ❤️ Forever grateful!

A week after the fire was contained, about 35 people volunteered to help jumpstart the recovery process at the homestead.

07/27/2026

As of 7 PM last night, we have checked off all of the BIG work-party tasks on our wish list. What’s left is stuff we can handle on our own in the coming weeks. The relief of having the heavy lifting done is palpable around here. We’ll never be able to thank our “village” enough for all the ways they encouraged and supported us this weekend. THANK YOU!!!! I was too tired to get pictures of all the completed projects at the end of the day yesterday, but I’ll try to capture some soon. We are SO back! :)

07/26/2026

WHAT. A. DAY. ❤️

30+ volunteers, 2 tractors, 2 dump trailers, and 1 skid-steer made the fire recovery work SO much faster today than it has been going with just us. In one day, this incredible crew knocked out nearly all of the heavy work: fence tear-out, tree removal, hauling, and so much more. We are amazed, humbled, and more than a little sore.

For everyone signed up for tomorrow: we’re still on, and there’s just a short list left! We need to finish the roof on the watershed, repair one short section of fence around the barnyard, do a bit of weed-eating and raking, and some cleaning. Same time, same place: 8:00 am, check in at the barn. It should be a lighter, shorter kind of day.

THANK YOU to every single person who showed up, swung a tool, hauled a load, or pushed water and electrolytes on workers today. Thank you to Kathy and the sustenance crew for keeping us fed, to Luxury Restrooms Rentals in Walla Walla, WA and Tum-A-Lum Lumber for their generosity, and to this whole community for carrying us through the hardest week we’ve had.

We said we’d put this place back together, and today we’re feeling bouyed into believing we’ll be back better than ever in no time! See some of you tomorrow for the finishing touches! 💪

(Pictures don’t capture everyone or everything, but here are some snippets!)

07/20/2026

YOUR CHANCE TO HELP: Many hands make light work, and we have some heavy lifting to do!

So many people have asked how to help us after the Lower Dry Creek Fire, and we are humbled and grateful. In response to these generous offers to help, we’re hosting work parties here on the homestead next weekend - Saturday, July 25 and Sunday, July 26 - from 8:00 am to 4:00 pm each day. Come for an hour or come for the day!

Our homes and barn were thankfully spared, but the fire scorched the entire perimeter of our lawns, landscaping, and barnyard, took out our pumphouse, seriously damaged another outbuilding, and burned through stretches of fencing. There’s a lot to do, and we’d love to do some of it alongside you!

We’ve already put in a lot of the initial labor ourselves, and we’ll spend this week planning, prepping, and knocking out everything we can. Our goal is that when you arrive, what’s left is the work that truly needs a lot of hands, so the heavy lifting goes fast.

The work list:
• Chopping up and hauling away downed trees and shrubs
• Pulling out and rolling up barbed wire and removing fence posts
• Rebuilding/repairing short stretches of damaged fence around the barnyard
• Rebuilding our pumphouse and the small shed that protects our barnyard water valves (carpentry and construction skills are gold)
• Feeding and watering the crew, a true gift if sawing and hauling isn’t your thing

With enough hands, we might just knock it all out on Saturday! If we do, we’ll update everyone signed up for Sunday.

Especially welcome: chainsaws, trucks, dump trailers, fencing tools, loppers, and clippers.

Helping from afar: many of you who live far away have asked how you can pitch in. If you’d like to contribute toward the lunch fund, the restroom rentals we’ll need for the work party, or other supplies, send us a message and we’ll share details about how to contribute in that way. No pressure whatsoever; your kind words have already carried us!

Safety requirements (no exceptions): volunteers must be 15 or older. Everyone must wear closed-toe shoes, long pants, long sleeves, and gloves (leather if working with barbed wire). Eye and hearing protection are strongly recommended, especially near chainsaw work.

To sign up: fill out this quick form (https://forms.gle/v7xe6bqjYDwMDVDy6) so we can plan crews and tools.

Thank you for surrounding us this week! We can’t wait to put this place back together with you.

07/17/2026

Our very own Preston Winn was interviewed for this story, and much of the footage was filmed near our property.

07/16/2026

Bottom Line Up Front: This was a VERY close call, but we are ok.

Yesterday, the Lower Dry Creek Fire encircled our property. It was *really* scary. Thanks to the extraordinary work of first responders, the help of good neighbors, and the defensible green space we maintain around our homes and barn, we were spared. Our family (including pets!) and our primary buildings made it through.

We did lose our pump and pump-house, and there's a lot of damage around the edges of the property. But it could have been SO much worse.

Our hearts are heavy for our neighbors who did not fare as well. Numerous homes in our community were lost yesterday, and the grief of that is sitting right alongside our relief and gratitude.

In the days ahead, we'll be assessing what needs to be done here on the homestead, and just as importantly, how we can show up for our community members who are hurting. If you're local and know of families who need help, please reach out.

To the firefighters, first responders, and neighbors who stood with us: thank you doesn't cover it, but THANK YOU.

We're okay. We're grateful. And we're here to help our neighbors in need.

06/08/2026

We love having The Happy Wanderer Urban Mexican Food cater events here at the Homestead!

05/19/2026

After pouring down rain on Saturday, it turned into a lovely day for a group grad party on Sunday. 🙌🎓👩‍🎓👩‍🎓👩‍🎓

05/15/2026

Well, folks, as with all good things, the Winn Homestead greenhouse season is coming to an end. This is your last weekend to come claim your Proven Winners®! ❤️🪻🌼

🗓️ Saturday, May 16th from 8:00 am - noon
🗓️ Sunday, May 17th from 1:00-4:00 pm
🪴 Proven Winners® $6 each (a steal!)
💸 Cash, check, or card
📍 79566 Winn Road, Weston OR

One FINAL weekend at the greenhouse for 2026... see you here!