Recently, I had the incredible opportunity to visit the Tilth Alliance community garden and classroom in Seattle. This visit was more than just a work trip — it was a chance to deepen our roots in Washington, expand our reach, and build lasting connections with a community that shares our passion for sustainable and regenerative agriculture.

Every year, Mountain Rose Herbs sponsors dozens of herbal and community events that help to educate and empower the herbal community. As the Sustainability Specialist for Mountain Rose Herbs, it was a true honor to participate in the 15th Northwest Herbal Fair, held in the lush, vibrant surroundings of Quilcene, Washington. This event, the largest gathering of the herbal community in the Pacific Northwest, was a beautiful convergence of indigenous wisdom, plant medicine, and the connections that bind us to each other and to the natural world.

In the picturesque mountains of Skagit Valley, Washington, I had the opportunity to attend the inaugural Field Day of the Pacific Northwest Organic Center (formally Cascadian Farm) organized by the Rodale Institute. This event brought together a community of researchers, farmers, students, and educators—all united by a shared passion for organic agriculture. The Rodale Institute is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit researching and sharing regenerative organic farming practices that restore soil health, fight climate change, and fix the food system.

Recently, I had the incredible opportunity to visit Oshala Farm for their annual Herb Camp – a weekend brimming with educational workshops, nourishing food, and remote camping in the lush Applegate Valley of Southern Oregon. This beautiful event united plant lovers from all walks of life to delve deeper into herbalism and farming, spark inspiration, and engage in hands-on experiences with the plants. As the sun reached its peak, we gathered beneath an ancient and weathered oak tree for a powerful opening circle, where we honored the Indigenous peoples of this land, and we were reminded of the need to listen to the earth's stories and its age-old wisdom.

Nature is a powerful ally when it comes to our health and wellness. She is a vibrant living entity deserving of our respect and protection. That's why we're proud to partner with Cascadia Wildlands, an active force among environmental conservation nonprofits working to protect wild ecosystems in the Pacific Northwest. Together, we share a vision of restored old-growth forests, rivers full of wild salmon, flourishing wolf populations, and communities enriched by biodiversity and sustainable practices within the Cascadian bioregion. 

At Mountain Rose Herbs, we recognize the essential role of considering the human experience at every level of our business. Our commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion is more than just words. We understand the importance of supporting underrepresented communities and are proactively building strong partnerships with those who identify as Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC).

At Mountain Rose Herbs, we believe that nurturing our community and environment go hand in hand. This philosophy is at the heart of our partnerships with local nonprofit organizations who align with our values in land stewardship and environmental justice. One of those partners is Beyond Toxics, an Oregon-based key player dedicated to building a community-driven environmental justice movement in Oregon. Beyond Toxics empowers communities affected by pollution and climate change by working to protect our precious pollinators, restore native plants, and foster a healthier, more sustainable world.

At Mountain Rose Herbs, our commitment to sustainability goes beyond the products we provide. It extends to fostering a deep connection with our community and the environment through our employee volunteer program. This unique initiative offers each of our team members 24 paid hours annually to volunteer at local nonprofit organizations, enabling us to make a meaningful impact while fostering a culture of giving and teamwork.

Spring is in full bloom, and there’s no better time to tune up your bike, tighten your laces, or get your bus pass than in May – because May is bike Month! Here in Eugene, your vibrant city comes alive with the spirit of cycling, thanks to the fantastic efforts of the City of Eugene Transportation and their regional partners. From free rides to exciting events, and engaging classes, Bike Month is a celebration of all things cycling, designed to showcase the many benefits of biking and to encourage everyone to join in the fun.

When it comes to waste, we know the basics: reduce, reuse, recycle. But the real question is, how do we transition from these fundamentals to a truly circular system? As the Sustainability Specialist at Mountain Rose Herbs, I am deeply committed to advancing our Zero Waste Program. This means that from the office to the warehouse to the production floor, we collect and sort every piece of discarded material that would normally end up in the landfill. Along with being the first company in Oregon to be certified, achieving the highest TRUE Zero Waste certification level (Platinum) was a significant milestone in 2016, and we have maintained this standard ever since. But even as we reach this goal year after year, our dedication to waste reduction continues to grow.

At Mountain Rose Herbs, our independence allows us to keep corporate social responsibility at the heart of our values. That’s why changing our corporate charter to become an Oregon Benefit Company in 2018 was a natural step for us, formalizing our commitment to making a measurable positive impact on both our employees and our community. Not only did we formalize this change in our legal documents, but under Oregon law we are required to form goals, assess our progress, and report on our activities annually. With accountability at the forefront, we decided to choose B Lab’s rigorous Impact Assessment tool as the third-party standard by which to gauge our impact.