Herbalist & Alchemist, Washington, NJ, was named a finalist in the NJBIZ 2014 New Jersey Manufacturing Awards in the Supply Chain Leadership category for CEO Beth Lambert’s proactive work to develop the next generation of growers to supply herbal product manufacturers with quality raw materials sustainably grown in the U.S.
 
Ms. Lambert speaks at farming association educational events, talking about opportunities for farmers in growing medicinal herbs. While the organic farming and sustainable agriculture movements have increased the opportunities in farming, they have also attracted larger growers whose economies of scale make it difficult for smaller farmers to grow vegetables economically.
 
Farmers recognize the need to diversify their crops and income stream, and Ms. Lambert has made it a mission to guide the next generation of farmers to the “right livelihood” of supplying raw materials for herbal products. 
 
“Herbs provide a good livelihood over three very long seasons, which provides opportunities many farmers didn’t know about,” Ms. Lambert said. “In very early spring, herbal companies are looking for roots and barks. Spring brings the early greens such as cleavers and perennials such as lemon balm. Summer harvests include flowers, berries and annuals like elderberry and corn silk. Fall harvests include nuts, roots and barks that herbal buyers seek.”
 
With many long-time suppliers to herbal product companies scaling back on the physically demanding work of farming, new sources for quality herbs that are sustainably grown must be cultivated. With her background in the Permaculture movement, Ms. Lambert has a deep understanding of the issues farmers face, and is using that knowledge in this endeavor.