New Story Spokane

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Community Gardens

Feb 22, 2026
Growing a community can be as simple as growing a garden. In this episode join Roger Hudson as he explores the wonderful process and benefits of establishing a community garden. We will hear heartfelt stories from Donna and Mary as they share their experiences with establishing a community garden and friendships that come with it. Sit back and relax as we hear from local folk that have decided to choose a path for the common good and care for planet and people.

On the Ground, A Primer For Paradigm Shift

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Mary Bishop

For this episode of On the Ground, A Primer For Paradigm Shift, please join us for a conversation with Mary Bishop of Spokane, Washington. Mary is a permaculture consultant in Spokane and is also the primary organizer for the 2026, August 22 and 23 Spokane Permaculture Symposium. We learn from Mary about the Symposium, such as what kinds of topics and issues to expect for those attending. Mary wants to bring a wide range of local food practitioners and enthusiasts together to meet each other and to elevate their working together to support creating a more robust local food system.

After the animated and informative interview with Mary, Jan explains how the Symposium and Growing Gardens, a visionary local nonprofit Mary describes, both deserve full community support because of the vital work they are doing for the community and also because they are real-life examples of paradigm shift, on the ground, in the early going.

Rocks To Root

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Mary Bishop of All Things Regenerative

June 16th, 2026

In this episode of Rocks to Roots, Hilary and Duane sit down with Mary Bishop, owner of All Things Regenerative, to explore how regenerative practices and permaculture can help homeowners, gardeners, and communities create healthier landscapes and stronger connections to the land.

Mary shares her journey from a 25-year career in education to becoming a passionate advocate for regenerative living. The conversation dives into practical ways people can improve soil health, harvest water, support pollinators, build wildlife habitat, and create productive spaces that are both beautiful and functional.

From community gardens and food forests to SpokaneScape landscaping and front-yard gardening, Mary offers approachable ideas for anyone looking to steward their property more intentionally—whether they have ten acres or a small backyard.

If you’ve ever wondered how to make your landscape more resilient, reduce maintenance, grow more food, or simply reconnect with nature, this episode is packed with inspiration and practical advice to help you get started.

Earth Matters Now! With Mike Peterson & Laura Ackerman

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This interview is a meeting of the minds between Ronald Reed and Mary Bishop. We chat about how Seven Generation Innovation is the vision and Permaculture is the method of accomplishing that vision.

Local Spokane Resources:

  • Inland Northwest Permaculture Guild Website

  • Fire-Resistant Plants, Website

  • Growing Neighbors, Website

  • Chipdrop, Free bark chips delivered, Website

  • City of Spokane Water Wise Website

  • Master Gardeners of Spokane County, Website

  • Kootenai-Shoshone Conservation District, Website

  • Spokane County Conservation District, Website

  • Stevens County Conservation District, Website

  • Bonner County Conservation District, Website

Books:

Hemenway, Toby. Gaia’s Garden: A Guide to Home-Scale Permaculture. White River Junction, Vt., Chelsea Green Pub, 2009.

Norris, Melissa K. The Family Garden Plan. HarvestHouse Publishers, 7 Jan. 2020.

Lancaster, Brad, and Andy Lipkis. Rainwater Harvesting for Drylands and Beyond, Volume 2, 2nd Edition. Rainsource Press, 17 Nov. 2020.

Richards, Huw. The Self-Sufficiency Garden: Feed Your Family and Save Money. DK, 2024.

Simard, Susan. Finding the Mother Tree: Discovering the Wisdom of the Forest. Vintage, 21 Jun. 2022

Tallamy, Douglas W, and Timber Press. Nature’s Best Hope: A New Approach to Conservation That Starts in Your Yard. Portland, Oregon: Timber Press, 2019.

Williams, Kelpie. The Biochar Handbook: A Practical Guide to Making and Using Bioactivated Charcoal. Chelsea Green Publishing, 27 Jun 2024.

Willis, Kathy. Good Nature: Why Seeing, Smelling, Hearing, and Touching Plants Is Good for Our Health. Publisher Books, 2024 

Native Species or Drought Resistant Nurseries:

  • Plants of the Wild, Local Native Plant Nursery, Website

  • Floralia, Website

  • Friends of the Trees Botanicals, Website

Video and online resources:

  • Gonzalez, H. (2026, June 12). Mary Bishop of All Things Regenerative, Rocks to Root. Link

  • Hudson, R. and Robinson, T. (2026, February 22). Community Gardens: New Story Ancient Song, New Story Spokane. Link

  • Andrew Mollison video turning suburban lot into high-yield micro farm Link

  • The Biota of North America Program, Link

  • India’s Water Revolution, by Andrew Mollison. Link

  • Brad Lancaster video explaining water harvesting Link

  • Farming Without Fertilizer, Link

  • Free Permaculture Pamphlets written by Bill Mollison Downloads

  • Low Tech Erosion Control Link

  • Tallamy’s Hub for Native Plant Resource Link

  • Temperate Climate Permaculture Link

  • USDA Plants Database  Link

  • USDA Soil Survey Link

  • Washington Native Plant Society Link

  • World Permaculture Association by David Holmgren Link