FarmHomestead’s Ethics Statement

– One herb farmer’s ethics statement.

It is a sublime time to be an homesteader.
The trend in self reliance is rising steadily because it just makes sense.

But “with great knowledge comes great responsibility.” (from Spiderman, the movie) and we are happy to be devoted to Howie Brounstein’s wildcrafting checklist. You can find it posted (with permission) at Henriette’s Website. As growers, harvesters, and suppliers to the organic botanicals trade, we are deeply concerned about the adulterants in herbal products. We believe urgent actions are needed to address this, most fundamental, problem and reverse it. While cheating and lying have been forever with us, they need not remain. We sell you what you’re buying. If you are buying yarrow, you will get yarrow, aerial parts (leaves, some stems, and flowers flowers) We don’t cut and sift. We stuff and stuff all we can into the bag it needs to go in and send it to you as cheaply as we can find a way.

Vision

Our vision is to conduct our businesses in a way that meets the needs of the present generation without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. Isn’t that the politically correct thing to say? And isn’t it still true? I want my farm to last until the next generation of herbalists are grown up enough to take it on. I want them to craft with sustainability in mind, with purpose, like I do.

Farm Homestead Ethics Statement
tsuyugodiha – Cherokee for “honesty”

We recognize that ecology, human communities and the economy are interwoven into a seamless net of causes and effects. Therefore, we embrace the challenge to prove our worth by supplying herbs that make a difference, namely because they are what we tell you they are. There are no added “fillers” or other herb (not labeled) used to “fill in” with something cheaper. Sorry, that just makes my skin crawl. People are putting these herbs IN their bodies and ON their bodies… their children, their loved ones. I take that VERY seriously.

Principles

First and foremost our focus is self reliance, self education, food security and sustainability. Not just for ourselves, for everyone. We do follow this Code of Ethics that includes most importantly, honesty.

Partnerships

One of our partnerships is with United Plant Savers. They were formed in a spirit of hope, as a group of herbalists committed to protecting and re-planting threatened species and to raising public awareness of the plight of our wild medicinal plants. Our membership reflects the great diversity of American herbalism and includes wildcrafters, seed collectors, manufacturers, growers, botanists, practitioners, medicine-makers, educators, and plant lovers from all walks of life.
united plant savers

Our Goal is to help them reach THEIR goal… and are as follows…

  • Identify and compile information on threatened medicinal plants in each state and/or bioregion.
  • Make this information accessible to herbal organizations, communities and individuals.
  • Provide resources for obtaining seeds, roots, and plants for replanting and restoration.
  • Secure land trusts for the preservation of diversity and seed stock for future propagation efforts.
  • Raise public awareness about the tragedy of over-harvesting and the current plight of native wild herbs.
  • Identify and disseminate information on the therapeutic alternatives to threatened species.
  • Encourage more widespread cultivation of endangered medicinal plants and greater use of cultivated plants.
  • Develop programs for school systems and communities to re-plant threatened plant species back into their native habitats.

For more information see this: http://www.unitedplantsavers.org