Plants are living, breathing organisms that, which during their lifetime, store and release energy, beneficial not only to us, but to the planet. They are vital to the air we breathe, the food we eat and the way we feel. When our fresh, naturally grown herbs have reached their full potential, we gather and dry them for year-round use. Quality dried flowers, leaves, stems and roots should maintain their color, smell and spirit, as they do in nature.
We are a proud small batch grower of over 75 medicinal and culinary herbs, specializing in the traditional to rare varieties. These herbs are first grown for our apothecary products then offered to you in limited quantity, as availability allows. Each herb is hand harvested and minimally processed in small batches, never cut and sifted. Why? Cut and sifted herbs are a standard manufacturing practice, that allows a grower to mechanically harvest, dry and process a plant. This is typical for large scale farming, both conventional and organic. It means that if you order 'leaf' you may also be receiving other aerial parts including stem and flower (all chopped up beyond recognition), as it all gets cut, sifted and processed together. So how much leaf are you actually paying for? Essentially it is not garbled prior to processing. We clearly note what you will receive, based on each plants active parts. Sure our herbs may cost a bit more than the bigger brand herb shops, but it is a small price to pay for the love, care and attention that went into growing each of these beautiful herbs for you. They also have a tiny carbon footprint, as they were grown and processed sustainably, right here in Maine.
At October Fields, we grow 100% of these plants naturally, without the use of herbicides, pesticides, chemicals and animal amendments. Our veganic farming practices begin with certified NON-GMO/Organic seed, that are sown into our own nutrient-rich composted soil, then irrigated with rain water and finally warmed by the sun. By seasons end, our solar powered studio and drying room is bursting with life and color. It is a simple reward, met with gratitude by our certified herbalist and small family team. We hope you feel the love in every spoonful.
