How to Start an Herb Garden Business

I have been a caseworker for the Welfare Department for over 27 years. I want to get out of my cubicle forever. I would love to have a small herb farm or herbal business. I would be growing herbs to sell, but also would like to incorporate creative herbal products such as teas, soaps, dream pillows, etc. I want this because as I have reached my mid fifties, I simply want to feel more connected to nature and that creative and spiritual part of myself that I put aside many years ago.

Ah, I know how you feel. Early in my career I was a caseworker at the Bureau of Child Welfare in New York City. Getting out of the cubicle and into nature would be a wonderful change and making a business from it even better.

photo: http://www.flickr.com/photos/madcitycat/509446481/

What you can investigate from home ...

The desire and the dream to restore one's soul through contact with nature is a strong one.

The belief in the healing powers of herb, psychic, physical and spiritual; how they impact your well being, is no longer a New Age, some would say 'woo-woo,' belief.

Herbs have long had poetic allusions and have been cited for healing powers around the world.

The increasing popularity and vast array of Ayurvedic medicines attest to the continuing interest and belief in the power of herbs. The dream of restoring the capacity to wish, to hope and to daydream can be accomplished by following what your heart tells you it needs.

And how lucky can you get? With your long term interest and living in Pennsylvania, check out what's going on at the 11th annual Pennsylvania Herb Festival, coming up, April 17th, 2009 in York, Pa. A near-to-home opportunity to network, learn and schmooze; you never know what opportunities will become available. Last year, in an article on the Festival, the vice-president and organizer, Susan Eggleston, explained that she offered demonstrations of crafting with herbs, led an herb and flower wreath workshop, and talked about how to make herbal potpourri.

And how you can get started

And there's a Web site dedicated to helping folks start up all sorts of businesses, Entrepreneur.com has a special section for budding herb gardeners and farmers.

Using a Bibliography from the USDA on Herb and Herb Gardening, you should get an idea just how involved you want to be. It includes a special section on the regional aspects of herb gardening and on marketing herbs.

A few organization dedicated to the same interests should engage your dream and move you along; whether you want to be a hobby gardener, herb farmer, or incorporate your creative side by selling herbal based products and crafts. Contacting these organization may help focus your wishes.

American Herbal Products Association

8630 Fenton St., Ste. 918
Silver Spring, MD 20910-5606

Phone: (301) 588-1171

Email: ahpa@ahpa.org

Michael McGuffin, Pres.

The Association represents all aspects of the industry to legislators, regulating agencies and media. It conducts trade promotion and research activities; compiles statistics. Publishes resource documents and provides educational programs. Maintains New Dietary Ingredient Database, based on FDA dockets, other databases under development. It publishes the AHPA Report, a newsletter and the Botanical Safety Handbook and a Membership Directory.

American Herb Association

PO Box 1673
Nevada City, CA 95959

Phone: (530) 265-9552

Kathi Keville, Dir./Ed.

It is an organization of fans and experts in medicinal herbs and herbal products. Seeks to increase knowledge and provide up-to-date scientific and experiential information on herbs. Offers a network to exchange data and resources among members nationwide.

Herb Growing and Marketing Network

PO Box 245
Silver Spring, PA 17575-0245

Phone: (717) 393-3295

Email: herbworld@aol.com

Maureen Rogers, Dir.

This is a for profit organization of retailers, wholesalers, and growers and serious hobbyists. It emphasizes the marketing end of the industry. The Network publishes a bimonthly journal, an online Herbal Green Pages and a starter kit on "The Business of Herbs." It promotes itself as the source for information on starting an herb business. If you haven't got a clue how too begin - or - have an herb business and are looking for information to help improve sales and keep on track with new information and products? Or you're looking for new markets and production information...."Then the Business of Herbs is exactly what you're looking for. They offer...a complete packet of information for those interested in starting their own herb businesses...all for only $10..."

Herb Society of America

9019 Kirtland Chardon Rd.
Kirtland, OH 44094

Phone: (440) 256-0514

Ms. Wendy Daugherty, Exec. Admin.

The Society represents scientists, educators, and others interested in botanical and horticultural research on herbs and the culinary, economic, decorative, fragrant, and historic use of herbs. Maintains herb gardens in arboreta and other public sites. It promotes the knowledge, use and delight of herbs through educational programs, research, and sharing the experience of its members with the community It holds an annual conference. This year - 2009 June 4 - 6, Grand Rapids, MI,

HerbNet bills itself as the most comprehensive site on the Web for those seeking information on herbs, herb products and remedies, and herb publications.

photo: http://www.flickr.com/photos/denisdefreyne/1224527043/

Herbs are being touted as a positive ingredient in so many areas of our lives:

In fabrics: there's a line of organic herb infused garments, Yoga apparel, Bed linen, Towels and Soaps. Who knew?

In home decor, beauty and spa items: there are diffusers, a wide array of aromatherapy applications, bath salts, sachets, soaks, creams and candles. There's even an herb infused oil designed to be rubbed on pregnant bellies, Earth Mama Stretch Oil.

And of course...

Foods: herb infused vinegars and olive oils among the most frequently encountered products that are enhanced with herbs.

An easy guide to making your own flavorful oils:

Infusing Fresh Herbs in Oil - Hot Infusion

• Herbs are best picked early in the day, before the sun has a chance to deplete some of those wonderful oils from the leaves. Ensure they are sand and grub free, and then place them somewhere inside on a clean cloth until slightly wilted. This ensures that there is no surface water on the herbs when you infuse them
• Place the herbs into a Crockpot or saucepan
• Pour in enough olive oil to cover the herbs plus approximately 2cm more
• For Crockpot: Turn Crockpot to low and leave to infuse for 2 - 3 hours, checking periodically as you may need to turn it off and then back on again to avoid overheating. If you wish to strengthen the infusion, strain the oil from the herbs, and replace with fresh herbs and pour back the same oil and repeat the heating process to strengthen the infusion
• For Cook Top: Place a Heat Diffuser Mat (to avoid burning the mixture) on the heat source and turn to low. Check periodically to ensure the oil is not overheating and infuse for approximately 2 - 3 hours. If you wish to strengthen the infusion, strain the oil from the herbs, and replace with fresh herbs and pour back the same oil and repeat the heating process.
• I like to strain my infusions through cheesecloth or even pieces of terylene net curtain material. Place strainer over a clean bowl and line this with the cloth. Empty the herbs and oil and let it drain through. Then draw together the edges and twist to squeeze out as much oil as possible.
• Pour into a clean jar until ready for use (don't place the lid on until completely cool)

... And you can buy herb infused vodka, honey, tea and even chocolate.

When you get more involved, check out the following resources:

Pennsylvania State University - College of Agricultural Sciences

Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services offers a list of herb farms and herbal products and suppliers. http://www.vdacs.virginia.gov/food&beverage/herbs.shtml

Good luck.