Sunday, July 29, 2012

NEHA Teleconference July 2012 outline

 
July 2012
Northeast Herbal Association Teleconference
‘Walking the Talk
The Herbalist’s Responsibility as Earth Steward’  ~ with Kim Falcone

Walking Forward…


1. Emphasize that some plants are rare/endangered. Offer substitutes (eg.  Goldenseal vs. Oregon Grape) to your clients/customers.

2. Cultivate a sanctuary of at risk medicinals in your herbal gardens so that visitors can appreciate them when they walk through.  When you give a weed/garden walk always provide your attendees with information on United Plant Savers and the importance of preserving at risk species. 

3. Add an insert to your customers/clients’ shopping bags (a gently-used bag, or cloth if it is in the budget) that encourages plant preservation through green practices.  Print on both sides of paper, 100% recycled of course.

4. Purchase only organically grown seeds/plants: Horizon Herbs, FEDCO Organica Seed

5.  Choose organic farming/lawn care methods on your land or better yet, don’t even mow!

6.  Choose chemical and fragrance-free household and body products, such as shampoos, soaps, toothpastes to preserve your health and groundwater.
a.   Lose the excess paper and plastic.  Use cloth whenever possible.
b.   Buy reusable water bottles and coffee mugs.
c.    When attending daylong/weekend classes, seminars and conferences, bring reusable dishware and cutlery whenever possible.

7. Stop your engines.  Did you know that after 30 seconds of vehicle idling, you burn more gas than if you shut the car off and restart it? For more info:   http://www.consumerenergycenter.org

8. Learn the uses of invasive plants  (get Timothy Lee Scott’s book ‘Invasive Plant Medicine’) and rather than eradicate them, educate others on their important contribution then tincture them up for yourself/clients/customers.

9. Be an activist!  Whether it’s getting out on the front lines against corporate giants like Monsanto and the devious Koch Brothers regime, or signing online petitions against their web of greed, or both, make your voice heard.

10.  Learn about herbal Community Supported Agriculture. Obtain locally grown herbs from each other to decrease our carbon footprint, which results from ordering long distance.

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