Here at Mountain Rose Herbs, we work hard to do business in a way that leaves the lightest possible footprint on this earth. Each year we publish a detailed report to measure and monitor our sustainability efforts and provide our customers the transparency they deserve. We're still working on our 2017 report but couldn't help ourselves from sharing some initial results with you!

Ashwagandha is to Ayurveda what Ginseng is to Traditional Chinese Medicine. It’s a cornerstone root used through the ages as a part of daily life. A root so treasured that its popularity has spread globally and its use is common.

Earlier this summer, The Future of Ginseng and Forest Botanicals Symposium was held on the beautiful Monongahela River in Morgantown, West Virginia. This critical event was organized by Dr. Susan Leopold, Executive Director of the nonprofit United Plant Savers, and we were pleased to be in attendance.

Since our beginnings in 1987, Mountain Rose Herbs has been committed to supporting farmers who cultivate herbs without the use of synthetic chemicals. We seek out and foster relationships with farmers who operate in an ethically and environmentally responsible manner. In particular, our farmers support organic and sustainable agriculture, just like us! All of our crops are cultivated organically, without chemicals, and/or are consciously wildharvested. One of the most critically important components is ... soil!

Here at Mountain Rose Herbs, we put a lot of thought into sourcing, crafting, and delivering our customers the finest organic, non-GMO, and fair trade botanicals from across the globe. What good are consciously sourced products if they're not packaged in equally sustainable materials? We make sure we are using the best available sustainable packaging materials in order to reduce our environmental impact and leave a smaller carbon footprint.

Berries are ripe, flowers are blooming, and my vegetable garden is in full swing. I feel so blessed to live in Eugene, Oregon, especially in the summer when the sun is shining and everything is bursting with life! Everywhere I look something is growing or ready to harvest. The Native Plant Nursery, managed by the Friends of Buford Park & Mt. Pisgah, is no exception.

In late 2013, I came across an inspiring article from EarthShare about Green Teams. The idea is that a group of employees come together to have candid conservations and brainstorm creative ways to improve their sustainable business practices. I immediately saw the benefit for Mountain Rose Herbs to create our own Green Team, and in March 2014 we held our first meeting!

Buzzwords are everywhere these days and “sustainability” is right there at the top of the list. But what does it mean to use sustainable business practices? It’s often defined by the triple bottom line – people, planet, and profit – a term coined by author and entrepreneur, John Elkington, in 1994. Elkington believes in corporate responsibility, sustainable development, and looking at the full cost of doing business.

Interested in becoming an environmental champion and moving towards a zero waste lifestyle? The first step is to adopt the practices of a Master Recycler!

Here at Mountain Rose Herbs, we are so grateful for all of the pollinators in our lives, globally and locally. Our business literally exists on the backs of the bees and other lesser-known pollinators. And as suppliers of herbs, spices, and other botanical goods, we intimately understand that 75% of the world’s agricultural products depend on at least one pollinator, which is one reason why we're passionately committed to organic agriculture. June is Pollinator Month, and we’re honored to celebrate and raise awareness about the plight of the pollinators.

Earth Day is almost upon us, and I’ve already heard about all kinds of activities like tree plantings, the March for Science in D.C., river clean-ups, and community garden workdays. April 22 has become a globally-recognized holiday to celebrate the natural environment, raise eco-awareness, and create positive change for the environmental movement. Have you decided what you’re going to do for Earth Day?