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.
Oshala Farm is not just any farm. Founded in 2013 and spanning 290 acres, this sanctuary is certified organic, using sustainable cultivation practices to grow over 80 varieties of medicinal and culinary herbs. These herbs find their way into the hands of home medicine makers, retail apothecaries, clinical herbalists, naturopaths, and herbal manufacturers. Mountain Rose Herbs makes many of our fresh-plant extracts using Oshala material, as well as offering a variety of dried herbs. The commitment to cultivating with consciousness ensures that every herb is grown with care, dedication, and a profound love for the land. Oshala Farm considers it an honor to be stewards of the earth, growing herbs that support community health and well-being.
This year, Mountain Rose Herbs is thrilled to partner with Oshala Farm to support its journey toward becoming Regenerative Organic Certified. The term "regenerative agriculture," coined decades ago by the founder of Rodale Institute, represents the philosophy that we can elevate agricultural sustainability initiatives from baseline stability to restorative growth. While the USDA Certified Organic seal is undoubtedly rigorous, it can be made stronger by specifically addressing and more comprehensively measuring soil health, animal welfare, and the fair treatment of farmers.
Regenerative organic agriculture focuses on rehabilitating soil, sequestering carbon, compensating farmers fairly, building healthier communities, and producing more nutritious and abundant yields. To truly embrace regenerative practices, we must think holistically, considering all components in the system—from the soil to plants to people; this is the essence of conscious cultivation. It was a reminder of the importance of coming together to share knowledge, support each other, and celebrate the beauty of nature.
Looking Ahead
We look forward to supporting more domestic farmers in this practice as we continue our ROC journey. The path to regenerative organic agriculture is a collaborative effort that requires dedication, education, and a shared vision for a healthier planet. By embracing conscious cultivation, we can create a sustainable future where the land, the plants, and the people all thrive.
You may also be interested in:
The Mountain Rose Herbs Seed Stewardship Project
Organic Sourcing from the Pacific Northwest
Benefit and Beyond: Company-Supported Agriculture
Topics: Sustainability
Ashley Bonn is the Sustainability Communications Specialist for Mountain Rose Herbs. She is deeply passionate about social and ecological justice and has several years of experience in community building. Her sustainability journey began after completing an International Business program and studying abroad in South America, where she became inspired to learn more about equitable practices for regenerative living. In 2016, Ashley moved to Portland, Oregon where she completed a Master’s Degree in Sustainability Leadership and worked for several nonprofit organizations. After living in Portland for seven years, she left the busy city and moved to Eugene to deepen her connection with the land. Ashley enjoys hiking, snowboarding, exploring new places, and seeing live music in her free time.
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.
Oshala Farm is not just any farm. Founded in 2013 and spanning 290 acres, this sanctuary is certified organic, using sustainable cultivation practices to grow over 80 varieties of medicinal and culinary herbs. These herbs find their way into the hands of home medicine makers, retail apothecaries, clinical herbalists, naturopaths, and herbal manufacturers. Mountain Rose Herbs makes many of our fresh-plant extracts using Oshala material, as well as offering a variety of dried herbs. The commitment to cultivating with consciousness ensures that every herb is grown with care, dedication, and a profound love for the land. Oshala Farm considers it an honor to be stewards of the earth, growing herbs that support community health and well-being.
This year, Mountain Rose Herbs is thrilled to partner with Oshala Farm to support its journey toward becoming Regenerative Organic Certified. The term "regenerative agriculture," coined decades ago by the founder of Rodale Institute, represents the philosophy that we can elevate agricultural sustainability initiatives from baseline stability to restorative growth. While the USDA Certified Organic seal is undoubtedly rigorous, it can be made stronger by specifically addressing and more comprehensively measuring soil health, animal welfare, and the fair treatment of farmers.
Regenerative organic agriculture focuses on rehabilitating soil, sequestering carbon, compensating farmers fairly, building healthier communities, and producing more nutritious and abundant yields. To truly embrace regenerative practices, we must think holistically, considering all components in the system—from the soil to plants to people; this is the essence of conscious cultivation. It was a reminder of the importance of coming together to share knowledge, support each other, and celebrate the beauty of nature.
Looking Ahead
We look forward to supporting more domestic farmers in this practice as we continue our ROC journey. The path to regenerative organic agriculture is a collaborative effort that requires dedication, education, and a shared vision for a healthier planet. By embracing conscious cultivation, we can create a sustainable future where the land, the plants, and the people all thrive.
You may also be interested in:
The Mountain Rose Herbs Seed Stewardship Project
Organic Sourcing from the Pacific Northwest
Benefit and Beyond: Company-Supported Agriculture
Topics: Sustainability
Ashley Bonn is the Sustainability Communications Specialist for Mountain Rose Herbs. She is deeply passionate about social and ecological justice and has several years of experience in community building. Her sustainability journey began after completing an International Business program and studying abroad in South America, where she became inspired to learn more about equitable practices for regenerative living. In 2016, Ashley moved to Portland, Oregon where she completed a Master’s Degree in Sustainability Leadership and worked for several nonprofit organizations. After living in Portland for seven years, she left the busy city and moved to Eugene to deepen her connection with the land. Ashley enjoys hiking, snowboarding, exploring new places, and seeing live music in her free time.
