Mushrooms of Trinity County: Forest Ecology, Elevation, and Edible Fungi with Kyle Sipes

Trinity Chocolate, Community Energy, and Rural Entrepreneurship with Evergreen of AhHome Chocolate

In this episode of Wildcrafted: Trinity County, hosts Chris Williams and Dan Trujillo sit down with Evergreen Love, founder of AhHome Chocolate in Weaverville, California. What began as an experiment making chocolate in an RV while traveling the country has grown into a small-batch craft chocolate business rooted in Trinity County, California. Today, Evergreen is transforming a historic bakery building in downtown Weaverville into something much more than a chocolate shop. AhHome is a creative gathering space where food, music, art, and community intersect. Evergreen’s story offers a glimpse into the realities of rural entrepreneurship: navigating ingredient costs, learning chocolate through trial and error, building partnerships through farmers markets, and renovating a decades-old bakery with the help of neighbors. It’s also a story about creativity, resilience, and the unique energy that shapes life in mountain communities. What This Conversation Explores * Evergreen’s childhood connection to chocolate and the story behind the “Chocolate Team” she created at age three• Learning the craft of chocolate making while traveling the country• Why AhHome Chocolates uses maple crystals instead of refined cane sugar• The difference between craft chocolate and mass-produced chocolate• How the Trinity County farmers market helped launch and grow the business• The role of collaboration in small-town entrepreneurship• Transforming a historic Weaverville bakery into a community gathering space• Hosting local musicians, artists, and food makers inside the chocolate shop• The importance of multi-generational spaces in rural communities• Why word-of-mouth marketing still drives business in Trinity County• Advice for entrepreneurs interested in selling food at farmers markets• The balance between creative vision, business strategy, and community impact About the Guest Evergreen Love is the founder and owner of AhHome Chocolate, a small-batch craft chocolate shop in Weaverville, California. Her journey into chocolate making began while traveling the country, experimenting with cacao, honey, and maple syrup recipes in a mobile kitchen. Inspired by natural ingredients and fair-trade cacao sourcing, Evergreen developed a line of chocolates that avoid refined sugars and industrial additives while highlighting flavor and nutrition. After years of refining recipes and selling chocolate through community spaces, she began producing chocolate in the commercial kitchen at Mountain Marketplace and later expanded through the Weaverville Certified Farmers Market. Today, AhHome operates in a historic bakery building in downtown Weaverville. Beyond chocolate, Evergreen’s vision includes creating a welcoming community hub where local musicians, artists, bakers, and entrepreneurs collaborate and share space. Her work reflects a broader commitment to community connection, creativity, and rural resilience. About the Podcast Wildcrafted: Trinity County is a podcast sharing rural California stories of culture, food, art, and politics. The show amplifies small-town voices and explores the challenges and achievements shaping life in Trinity County. Episode Links, Local Community * Sunny Oak Sourdough * Instagram: @sunnyoaksourdough * Mountain Marketplace * Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100047713644469 * Catie’s Catering * Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/p/Caties-Catering-61575089413995/ * RxR Studio * https://rxrstudio.com/ * Merchant’s Mall * Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MerchantsMallTrinity * Instagram: @merchantsmalltrinity * Moon House Coffee, Games & Grub (Trinity County) * www.moonhousetrinity.com/ * Instagram: @moonhousetrinity * Sacred Botanicals * Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61554707193298 * Weaverville Farmers Market * Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/WeavervilleCAFarmersMarket/ * The North Fork Grange * Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/northforkgrange/

Mushrooms of Trinity County: Forest Ecology, Elevation, and Edible Fungi with Kyle Sipes

What can mushrooms teach us about forest health, wildfire, elevation, and rural life in Northern California? In this episode of Wildcrafted: Trinity County, hosts Chris Williams and Dan Trujillo sit down with environmental specialist and mycological enthusiast Kyle Sipes to explore the hidden fungal networks shaping Trinity County’s rivers, mountains, and oak woodlands. From black trumpets and chanterelles to tanoak - matsutake, Kyle explains how tree species, snowmelt, watershed dynamics, and forest management all influence where — and when — mushrooms appear. The conversation moves beyond foraging tips into something deeper: how learning fungi can reconnect us to place, ecological stewardship, and the rhythms of rural California. Whether you live in Trinity County or simply love the forests of the greater Redwood Coast, this episode is a field guide to seeing the land differently. In this episode of Wildcrafted: Trinity County, we sit down with environmental engineer, river restoration specialist, and mycological educator Kyle Sipes to explore the hidden fungal networks shaping life across Trinity County’s mountains, rivers, and forests. From the river corridors of the Trinity River to the high elevations of the Scott Mountains, Kyle helps us see rural Northern California through a different lens — one rooted in fungi, watershed science, and land stewardship. What begins as a conversation about mushroom hunting quickly unfolds into something deeper: how to read a forest, how to understand fire and forest management, and how rural landscapes demand patience before revealing their secrets. If you’ve ever wondered how mushrooms relate to elevation, tree species, wildfire, microclimates, or Indigenous land management practices — this episode offers both practical insight and philosophical reflection on living well in rural California. What This Conversation Explores * Kyle’s journey from Southern California to Humboldt State and Northern California forests * The relationship between trees and mushrooms in Trinity County * Mycorrhizal fungi vs. decomposers vs. parasitic species * Elevation gradients: from river bottom to subalpine forest * How snowmelt influences spring mushroom seasons * Why learning trees is the first step to learning mushrooms * Forest management, thinning, and prescribed fire in oak woodlands * Indigenous ecological stewardship and fire regimes * Edible mushrooms of Trinity County: * Black trumpets * Chanterelles * Tanoak “matsutake” (pine mushrooms) * Hedgehogs * Chicken of the Woods * Mushroom smell as an identification tool * DNA sequencing and the evolving science of fungal taxonomy * Microclimates and why Trinity County is uniquely challenging — and rewarding — for mushroom hunters Foraging and building connection to place About the Guest: Kyle Sipes is an environmental engineer and river restoration specialist working throughout Northern California, including projects connected to the Trinity River Restoration Program. His professional work focuses on watershed-scale ecological restoration and long-term river health. Kyle helped refound the Humboldt State Mycological Club and is a member of the Humboldt Bay Mycological Society. He also hosts the edible mushroom table at the annual Humboldt Mushroom Fair and leads community science events such as Science on Tap at Trinity County Brewing Company. With more than a decade of experience foraging and teaching across Humboldt and Trinity counties, Kyle bridges citizen science platforms like iNaturalist with hands-on ecological education. His work reflects a broader philosophy: mushrooms are not just food — they are teachers. They reveal forest health, microclimate variation, elevation dynamics, and the complex relationships between humans and land. About the Podcast Wildcrafted: Trinity County is a podcast sharing rural California stories of culture, food, art, and politics. The show amplifies small-town voices and explores the challenges and achievements shaping life in Trinity County.

From TikTok to Trinity: How Megan Hays-Reid is Rebuilding a Historic Weaverville Motel

In this episode of Wildcrafted: Trinity County, we sit down with Megan Hays-Reid, owner of the historic 49er Gold Country Inn [https://www.49ergoldcountryinn.com/], to explore what it takes to build a small business, a creative life, and a sense of belonging in rural California. Megan’s story begins far from Trinity County — in suburban Seattle and later in a remote Wyoming town of 500 people — but it leads directly into the heart of Weaverville’s evolving tourism, arts, and hospitality scene. Through grit, social media savvy, and a willingness to take risks, she’s transforming a forgotten roadside motel into a storytelling-driven destination that now draws visitors from all over the country. From TikTok fame and a MasterChef appearance to small-town innovation and remodeling rooms by hand, this conversation reveals what entrepreneurship actually looks like when your business, your home, and your reputation all exist on the same Main Street. This episode is proudly sponsored by Moon House: Coffee, Games, and Grub — Weaverville’s community hub for great coffee, board games, and locally rooted food. Whether you’re meeting friends, hosting a game night, or fueling up before exploring Trinity County, Moon House is where to connect. Stop in and tell them Wildcrafted sent you. What This Conversation Explores * Moving from suburban Seattle to rural Wyoming — and finally to Weaverville * How Megan bought, fought for, and saved the historic 49er Gold Country Inn * Using TikTok and storytelling to market a small-town business * Balancing community expectations with business survival * Remodeling old buildings while honoring local history * How social media brings tourists into Trinity County * Creating community through art, theater, and hospitality * Why “your story” is your most powerful marketing tool About the Guest Megan Hays-Reid is the owner and operator of the 49er Gold Country Inn, one of Weaverville’s most recognizable historic lodging properties. A former suburban Seattle resident turned rural entrepreneur, Megan relocated first to Wyoming, where she built a large online following through cooking, storytelling, and TikTok videos that eventually led her to appear on MasterChef: United Tastes of America. After purchasing the 49er Inn in Weaverville, Megan spent more than a year fighting through a complicated legal process to secure the property — all while running, remodeling, and rebranding it in public on social media. Today, her TikTok channel @TheMotelierMegan has introduced tens of thousands of people to Trinity County, small-town hospitality, and what it really takes to keep a historic business alive. Through partnerships with musicians, artists, and community organizations like the Trinity Alps Performing Arts Center and the North Fork Grange, Megan has turned her motel into more than a place to sleep — it’s become part of Weaverville’s cultural ecosystem. About the Podcast Wildcrafted: Trinity County is a podcast sharing rural California stories of culture, food, art, and politics. The show amplifies small-town voices and explores the challenges and achievements shaping life in Trinity County. EPISODE DESCRIPTION What does it take to run a creative small business in one of California’s most remote mountain towns? In this episode of Wildcrafted: Trinity County, hosts Chris Williams and Dan Trujillo sit down with Megan Hays-Reid, owner of Weaverville’s historic 49er Gold Country Inn, to talk about hospitality, storytelling, and entrepreneurship in rural Northern California. Megan shares her journey from suburban Seattle to rural Wyoming — and finally to Trinity County — where she transformed a struggling motel into a destination known nationwide through TikTok, MasterChef, and hands-on restoration. This conversation explores how small-town businesses balance community, heritage, and survival, and why telling your story may be the most powerful economic tool rural places have.

Cannabis Regulations, Local Government, and Democracy in Rural California | Trinity County with Lisa Wright

In this episode of Wildcrafted: Trinity County, we sit down with Lisa Wright, Trinity County resident, entrepreneur, and cannabis policy expert, to unpack local government, cannabis regulation, and democracy in rural California. Lisa’s story connects federal bureaucracy, local governance, public administration, and the lived reality of small cannabis cultivators trying to survive. From her early work in federal agencies to founding Flowra, a cannabis compliance and consulting firm based in Weaverville, CA, Lisa brings a unique lens to the challenges shaping Trinity County’s future. This conversation explores how power, transparency, efficiency, and public participation shape local outcomes. Episode Sponsor This episode of Wildcrafted: Trinity County is sponsored by Moon House: Coffee, Games, and Grub — a locally owned gathering space in Trinity County supporting creativity and community connection. Stop in, grab a cup of coffee, and support the places that support local voices. What This Conversation Explores * Lisa Wright’s journey from federal public administration to Trinity County * How cannabis regulation became a defining economic issue in Trinity County * How California environmental law (CEQA) shapes local cannabis licensing caps * The real-world impacts of shifting regulations on small cultivators * The Trinity Action Alliance (TAA) lawsuit and its on going effects * Cannabis taxation, market collapse, and calls for local tax relief * Transparency, the Brown Act, and public trust in county governance The tension between efficiency and democratic participation * Practical advice for civic engagement without burnout in rural communities About the Guest: Lisa Wright Lisa Wright is the CEO and founder of Flowra, a cannabis consulting and compliance firm based in Weaverville, California. Flowra supports cannabis cultivators and businesses with licensing, regulatory compliance, bookkeeping, payroll, marketing, and operational services. Lisa holds a Bachelor’s degree in Political Science from South Dakota State University and a Master’s degree in Public Administration from Drake University. Early in her career, she worked in federal government through the Presidential Management Program before transitioning into private-sector consulting and economic development. After relocating to Trinity County nearly a decade ago, Lisa became involved in cannabis policy during California’s transition from Prop 215 medical cannabis to full legalization under Prop 64. Her work has since expanded into civic advocacy around government accountability, transparency, elections, and equitable application of county ordinances. Lisa’s perspective reflects a deep commitment to rural economic life, democratic process, and the belief that local government should work for and by the public — not against it. About the Podcast Wildcrafted: Trinity County is a podcast sharing rural California stories of culture, food, art, and politics. The show amplifies small-town voices and explores the challenges and achievements shaping life in Trinity County. EPISODE DESCRIPTION In this episode of Wildcrafted: Trinity County, hosts Dan Trujillo and Chriss Williams speak with Lisa Wright, founder of Flowra and a leading voice in Trinity County cannabis policy, about regulation, local governance, and the democratic participation shaping rural California. Drawing on her background in federal public administration and hands-on work with local cultivators, Lisa breaks down cannabis licensing caps, environmental review, taxation, and the long-term impact of the Trinity Action Alliance lawsuit. The conversation explores transparency, public participation, and why civic engagement matters most at the local level — even when it feels exhausting or ignored. This episode is an essential listen for anyone interested in rural economic development, cannabis policy, local democracy, and the future of Trinity County California.

Why Community Theater Matters in Rural California | Trinity County Arts with Joanne Tucker

What does community theater make possible in a rural county shaped by distance, resilience, and deep local ties? In this episode of Wildcrafted: Trinity County, hosts Chriss Williams and Dan Trujillo speak with Joanne Tucker, educator, theater director, and President of the Trinity Players, about the power of community theater in Trinity County—from Hayfork to Weaverville. This conversation explores how rural performance spaces foster belonging, educate youth, challenge assumptions, and create room for hard conversations in small towns. From inter-generational casts to unconventional venues, Joanne shares why live theater remains one of the most powerful tools for storytelling, civic connection, and cultural survival in rural California. Show Notes Wildcrafted: Trinity County — Episode with Joanne Tucker Community Theater, Rural Belonging, and the Power of Story in Trinity County What role does community theater play in holding a rural county together—especially in a place as geographically vast and socially interconnected as Trinity County, California? Recorded in downtown Weaverville, this conversation explores how community theater in rural California is far more than entertainment. It is a lifeline for youth, a gathering place for inter-generational storytelling, and a quiet but powerful engine for civic dialogue, creativity, and belonging. * Why community theater matters in rural counties beyond ticket sales or applause * The role of Mountain Actors Workshop (Hayfork) and Trinity Players (Weaverville) in sustaining local arts * How rural landscapes—mountains, rivers, weather, and limited venues—shape performance and storytelling * Theater as education, emotional literacy, and civic engagement * Taking creative risks in small towns: censorship fears, community response, and courage * Why live performance uniquely changes hearts and minds * The importance of inter-generational participation in rural arts ecosystems * Theater as a “finding your people” experience in small communities * Youth theater as a lifesaving space for confidence, voice, and belonging * Opportunities and momentum for the performing arts in Trinity County in 2026 Joanne Tucker is an educational leader and longtime advocate for the performing arts in Trinity County. She is a board member of Mountain Actors Workshop, a grassroots theater collective in Hayfork founded to bring intergenerational performance opportunities to rural residents of all experience levels. Joanne has directed, performed in, and helped organize productions ranging from comedies to historically grounded and politically reflective plays. Her work emphasizes collaboration between youth and adults, hands-on learning, and storytelling as a community-building practice. is a podcast sharing rural California stories of culture, food, art, and politics. The show amplifies small-town voices and explores the challenges and achievements shaping life in Trinity County. Episode Links, Resources, & Sponsors Organizations & Community Arts * Trinity Alps Performing Arts Association (TAPA) Learn more about community theater and performing arts in Trinity County: https://www.tapaconline.org/#/ [https://www.tapaconline.org/#/] * Hayfork Mountain Arts & Wellness (MAW) Follow MAW for updates on arts, wellness, and community programming in Hayfork:https://www.facebook.com/hayforkmaw/ [https://www.facebook.com/hayforkmaw/] Local Business & Community Space * Moon House Coffee, Games & Grub (Trinity County) A local gathering space supporting creativity, conversation, and community: https://www.moonhousetrinity.com/ [https://www.moonhousetrinity.com/] * Instagram: @moonhousetrinity