The Organic Medicinal Herb Farmer

July 20, 2015
The Carpenters, protégés of "Fairy Godmother of Herbalism" Rosemary Gladstar (who is also Melanie's mother), generously share knowledge gained through their now shuttered business, Sage Mountain Herbal Products, and 15 years of medicinal herb farming in Vermont. The book begins with a nuts-and-bolts manual that includes "thinking like a business manager," farming "for profit, not production," facility design, fertility needs of medicinal plants, development of value-added products, and manageable ways to integrate polycultures and permaculture principals into a commercial farming operation. Next the authors profile 50 medicinal plants, including details of each plant's life cycle, growing conditions, planting and processing considerations, medicinal uses, yields, and even the current retail price per pound, giving prospective growers information essential to determining crop viability in their own specific circumstances. Most helpfully, the Carpenters share their decision-making processes for determining the optimal number of species to grow and weighing the financial viability of hand-harvesting versus borrowing to buy harvesting equipment.

April 15, 2015

Organic herb farmers Jeff and Melanie Carpenter outline medicinal herb farming for both the new and the seasoned grower in their first book, a technical manual and business guide. With more than 20 years' experience in the field and running Zack Woods Herb Farm in Vermont, the Carpenters explain successfully all aspects of the organic medicinal herb industry in one volume, something they note has been lacking in farming literature. The book is divided into two sections: the first details how to propagate, grow, harvest, and process medicinal herbs for market. It also explores the business side of farming, such as running an office, creating value-added products, and marketing those products. Part 2 contains 50 in-depth plant profiles of herbs grown on their farm. Beautiful photographs enhance the informational value of the book. An appendix contains a list of "At Risk" and "To Watch" plants that the thoughtful wild crafter and organic grower should take into consideration when foraging and planting medicinal herbs. VERDICT Written for small-scale herb farmers, this book is also useful for the home gardener with an interest in medicinal herbs and organic gardening.--Venessa Hughes, Buffalo, NY

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