Recently, members of our Banyan team attended the Sustainable Herbs Program Experiential Learning Journey in Southern Oregon. It was truly an extraordinary event of 44 passionate herb industry professionals from around the world!
We visited southern Oregon's herb farms including BanyanFarm, Herb Pharm, Oshala Farm, and toured Pacific Botanicals with their founder and legendary herb farmer, Mark Wheeler. We hiked to Bigelow lakes with local wild-crafters and heard their stories, passions, and challenges.
And we heard heart-breaking and heart-warming stories from migrant farm workers, and then had the honor to work few hours alongside them (in the hot sun) harvesting the most beautiful chamomile flowers at Oshala Farms.
We had a stunning farm-to-table dinner and CEO/Founder Roundtable discussion to discuss what a future of a more sustainable herb industry looks like with Kevin Casey of Banyan Botanicals (Cofounder & CEO), Mark Allen, Herb Pharm (Former CEO, Board Member), Mark Wheeler, Pacific Botanicals (Founder), Ed Smith, Herb Pharm (Cofounder), Daniel Marple, Herb Pharm (CEO), and Cameron Stearns, Mountain Rose Herbs (CEO/CFO) sharing stories and insight into the industry.
And while at Banyan Farm, we sat in circle with an Indigenous community member and professor of Indigenous Studies at SOU, Brook Colley, and listened to her share stories of the past, and visions for the future, including ideas around how best to partner with indigenous communities.
The mission of the learning journeys was to approach seemingly intractable challenges in a different, more systematic way by listening to the voices of those we don’t always listen to: the people at the edges of the system, the places we visit, and especially listening to the plants. Beyond sales, analytics, and industry interests, we open our hearts and connect with the earth and each other. In this way, we tap into the inspiration and courage needed to act to create change.
"This was an extraordinary event for our team and the industry, there were tears, laughter, and difficult conversations, among old friends and new friends. The work that Ann is leading and co-creating with Sustainable Herbs Initiative members is certainly the most inspiring and impactful work happening in the botanical industry. " Erin Douglas, Banyan Botanicals Director of Social and Environmental Responsibility
The week was full of moments to remember and inspiration leading to new working groups designed to take action.
We are grateful to Ann Armbrecht for her heart, leadership, and vision, and to all our fellow herbal industry adventurers, collaboration (and some fun!) is the magic needed for making positive and lasting change.
@thesynergycompany Pacific Botanicals Herb Pharm LLC
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