Join us as we plant seeds of knowledge with a vibrant bouquet of experts from the medicinal herb industry. Our panel blossoms with discussions on cultivating a thriving, sustainable herb supply chain right in our own domestic backyard! From farm to shelf, we’ll dig into the rich soil of domestic, organic, and regenerative practices to grow a greener future. Whether you’re a curious consumer or a rooted retailer, come nurture your understanding of the essential herbal supply chain that enhances our daily lives and ecosystems.
Cameron Stearns discovered her love for all things organic and sustainable in the 1990s working shifts at the Olympia Food Coop as part of her volunteer/membership responsibilities. For her it has always been crucial to work somewhere that holds up the highest ideals and stays true to its values. After getting her degree in International Relations from American University in Washington, DC and forging that into a career as a Certified Public Accountant she found her forever home at Mountain Rose Herbs, an independently-owned, core organic, native ecommerce herbal supplier. Mountain Rose Herbs, an Oregon Benefit Company, is renowned for its sustainable practices including being the first Zero-Waste certified company in Oregon. She has been with the company for a decade and serves as CEO/CFO.
Catherine Hunziker is a master herbalist, trained midwife, environmental activist and sustainability expert. After many years of learning plants through personal study, back-to-the-land communities, local herbalists, midwives and master teachers like Michael Moore, she purchased WishGarden Herbs in 1987 from a midwife in Boulder, Colorado. At the time, WishGarden fit in a closet and Catherine has since grown it into a nationally recognized and deeply loved brand. Catherine still owns WishGarden with her family but has stepped away from day to day operations to focus on the HerbiCulture Project. Her mission with this non-profit organization is to support the growth of regenerative, climate-mitigating & diverse medicinal herbs and bring domestic sourcing of botanical raw material home to the US for the blossoming & fast growing natural health & wellness movement.
Lauren Ann Nichols-Sheffler attended The Colorado School of Clinical Herbalism and received her certificate in medical herbalism. She is the owner of Blue Yarrow Herbs , a mini-urban botanical farm company practicing bioregional herbalism by cultivating plants and sourcing locally. Lauren loves educating and advocating for plant sustainability. She is the Senior Sourcing & Purchasing Manager for WishGarden Herbs.
Danielle has been an integral part of Amway’s Trout Lake Farm for 15 years. She is responsible for all farming and finished good warehouse daily operations at Trout Lake Farm West, focused on growing 25+ organic botanicals for Amway and 3rd party entities. From seed to harvest, farming never stops! Danielle focuses on crop planning through budgeting, preparing the ground, composting, planting, cultivating, harvesting, root washing, and dehydration. She has a passion for organics and regenerative agriculture and spends much of her energy focusing on how to continuously improve the soil as well as life for her employees.
With a background in biology, Danielle appreciates the research side of farming and is always looking for continuous improvements through research. She has been a leading force in the implementation of Good Agricultural Practices, Organic, and Regenerative Systems and has helped Trout Lake Farm become an industry leader in these areas. Born and raised in Cape Cod, Massachusetts Danielle enjoys the water and the lush land. She has a true passion for regenerative systems, sustainability, and a healthy environment. Other activities that keep her busy are hiking with her pups, hunting for wildflowers, foraging mushrooms, camping, fly fishing, and cross-country skiing.
Panel Moderator, Steven, is Vice President of Quality and Regulatory at Mountain Rose Herbs. He serves on the board of directors for the American Herbal Products Association, AHPA’s Foundation for Education and Research on Botanicals, United Plant Savers, and the Native Plant Society of Oregon. Steven Yeager has been studying Oregon’s flora and ecology since 1995. He enjoys botanizing, wildcrafting, and exploring the Pacific Northwest. Steven is the former co-owner and a primary instructor at the Columbines School of Botanical Studies where he worked with Howie Brounstein his mentor for over 20 years. He believes cultivating a relationship with plants and the natural world is vital for a healthy existence on this planet.