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.
The fair was an interconnected web of wellness, with over 60 workshops led by 40 teachers, spread across 12 gathering spaces that featured educational presentations, plant walks, a lively herbal marketplace, and demonstrations of valuable ethnobotanical information. We explored everything from herbal crafting and wildcrafting to natural wellness and sustainable living. It was a reminder of the deep-rooted herbal traditions that guide us and the importance of understanding the plants that heal and sustain us.
One of the highlights of the NW Herbal Fair was the keynote talk by Dr. Nancy Turner, an ethnobotanist and distinguished Professor in Environmental Studies at the University of Victoria. Dr. Turner has worked with Indigenous elders and cultural specialists in western Canada for over 50 years, sharing her vast knowledge of traditional plant use and environmental stewardship. Her keynote insights were profound, reminding us of the intricate relationships between plants, people, and the land.
We were also graced with the presence of Paul Chiyokten Wagner, an award-winning Coast Salish flutist, storyteller, and founder of Protectors of the Salish Sea. Chiyokten’s talk was a powerful call to action, weaving together indigenous wisdom with contemporary issues. His music, inspired by dreams and visions, resonated deeply with everyone present, serving as a reminder of our sacred responsibility to the Earth and to each other.
As the event drew to a close, the weather took a dramatic turn. The sky darkened, the wind picked up, and rain began to fall—a reminder of nature’s power and grace to nourish the soil and clear the wildfire smoke. Lightning flashed, thunder rolled, and as the full moon rose, we stood together, united in our shared purpose for natural healing. It was a fitting end to a weekend that had been so deeply nourishing for the body, mind, and spirit.
At Mountain Rose Herbs, we are dedicated to fostering a world where plants are respected, cherished, and used sustainably. The 15th Northwest Herbal Fair was a beautiful affirmation of this mission, and we are grateful to have been a part of it. Together, with the herbal community, we are strengthening our web of wellness. one connection at a time. Here’s to the next gathering, and to the continued growth of this incredible community!
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