If you own an herb business, or have ever dreamed of having one, you must check out the International Herb Association (IHA), the trade association for herb professionals. Don’t be put off by its big-sounding name: This group is rich in everything a membership association should be—collegiality, support, usefulness and spirit.

Last weekend, I attended IHA’s annual conference (this one held in Gettysburg, Pa.). What a great meeting; what a great group. In-depth presentations covered everything from strategic planning for herb businesses to website insights to promising new plants, and much more. Tom and Madeline Wajda hosted a delicious al fresco dinner at their beautiful Willow Pond herb farm, where members exchanged ideas and had fun. Most members operate small businesses, such as hand-packaged culinary blends, all-natural herbal soaps or essential oils. Others operate large, long-established nurseries. All are welcoming and generous, happy to share ideas and lessons learned. As one attendee noted, "I just learned more from this 1-hour seminar than I did from an entire semester of a university class on the same topic."

I’ve dreamed of having my own little herb farm for at least 20 years now. Still haven’t gotten around to it … and that’s OK. I’ve just added a wealth of information to my “future” file, all gathered at the IHA meeting last week. Hope to see you there next year.

Saturday evening, my friends Chris and Dave visited for dinner. We began the evening with mojitos, made with spearmint and peppermint picked from a pot on my deck.

This refreshing cocktail is especially tasty when temps rise into the 90s. Chris asked for the recipe … I thought you might like it too. (Credit goes to Havana restaurant in Bar Harbor, Maine, where my husband Steve and I first sampled this tasty version four summers ago.)

Havana Mojito
Serves 1

• 1.5 ounces golden rum
• 12 fresh mint leaves
• ½ lime
• 2 tablespoons simple syrup (see below)
• Ice cubes
• Club soda
• Additional mint leaves for garnish

 1. In a tall glass, muddle mint leaves with lime wedges, releasing the juice.

2. Add simple syrup. Fill glass almost to top with ice cubes.

3. Add rum. Fill glass with soda.

4. Stir well. Garnish with a mint sprig.

Note: To make simple syrup, boil 2 cups sugar with 1 cup water for 5 minutes. Refrigerate to cool; use as needed.

Reading about herbs here on www.HerbCompanion.com as well as in The Herb Companion magazine is a great way to pick-up fresh ideas and inspiration. Another is to join The Herb Society of America, an organization founded 75 years ago by a group who wished to learn more about herbs and their uses, and to share what they learned with others. Today, HSA includes 2,300 members who meet in smaller, regional units.

This past weekend, HSA marked its 75th Anniversary by hosting its annual meeting in Boston. Hundreds of members attended to listen and learn from speakers, exchange knowledge and ideas, celebrate the past, and plan the future. I was happy to be among them.

One of the things I enjoy most about events like these is their spirit—an excitement in the air that goes beyond enthusiasm for the event itself. Attendees feel connected through their love for plants, nature and the “web of life.” The person who sits beside you at a workshop or dinner, or who stands next to you admiring a tour garden, instantly becomes your friend.Keynote speaker Holly Shimizu, executive director of the U.S. Botanic Garden (www.USBG.gov) in Washington, D.C., addressed the critical role plants play in sustaining all life, and asked: Why are plants not valued by our modern world? Those of us who love plants must advocate for them—by promoting the use of native plants; sustainable landscapes; organic methods; and water, soil and habitat conservation.

On Saturday evening, HSA recognized eight inspirational members—all plant advocates in some way—for their valuable contributions, many of them spanning decades. To learn more about them, The Herb Society, and how you can become an herbal advocate, visit www.HerbSociety.org. 

herb,HSA,Herb Society of America,sustainable landscape,organic,native plant,Shimizu,U.S. Botanic Garden,USBG
description: * Herb Society of America meets in Boston June 26-28 to celebrate its 75th Anniversary. Keynote speaker Holly Shimizu urges members to advocate for plants.