My Story
My journey with botanicals began in 1985 with Susun Weed's book "Wise Woman Herbal For The Childbearing Year". That book was immensely useful and introduced me to the idea of herbs as allies. In 1991 on our little hobby farm in Minnesota, I grew the first bed of my greatest ally; Calendula Officinalis. From that first harvest and almost every year since, I have made Calendula ointment for myself, family, and friends. Three years ago in search of another way to use this beloved herb, I made my first batch of soap. Though I reserve the beneficial properties of calendula for infusions, a passion for soap making was ignited!
I love the challenge and discovery of using plant based colorants; many harvested from my yard and garden. Truly a one batch wonder. I started making soap for my loved ones and chose only quality ingredients that for centuries have proven to make good soap. I haven't changed my recipes and pass along to you the most luxurious soap I can make. That same year I infused beef tallow with herbs in hopes to alleviate my daughter's Raynaud's Syndrome. That process inspired me create more herb infused, chemical free, daily use products while eliminating single-use plastics.
When my decades long career as a hospice massage therapist ended and my 14 year old granddaughter died of leukemia, I submerged myself in my sewing room making quilts. I dove deep into the art of cake decorating. I needed to keep busy creating and generate an income.
Through encouragement and so much support from my family, I sold my products at a local farmer's market. In response to the resounding question " how will I find your (soap, balm, etc) when market is over?", and again, with the encouragement and support of my family, this website was born.
As I continue to grow, dry, infuse, and create with botanicals,
I hope that you find something here for you and your loves ones.
Local Matters
Beef Tallow
In line with the Herb'N Farm mission to support ethical and sustainable agriculture, we proudly source our high-quality beef tallow from small local family-owned farms. This partnership ensures the tallow comes from grass-fed cows that are raised with the utmost care and respect, reflecting our deep commitment to humanely sourced ingredients. Crucially, by utilizing this nutrient-rich beef tallow—which is a natural byproduct of local beef processing—we are contributing to a zero-waste philosophy. This practice allows us to honor the animal by utilizing as much of it as possible, transforming what might otherwise be discarded into a deeply nourishing, effective component of our handcrafted products.
Botanicals
Our products are enriched with organic botanicals cultivated in small, dedicated local gardens, ensuring they are harvested at peak potency. We infuse our formulations with only the highest quality, natural essential oils, chosen not just for their pure, beautiful scents, but for their genuine therapeutic benefits. Furthermore, the vibrant hues you see in our soaps are achieved exclusively through naturally extracted colorants, sourced from roots, bark, clays, and plant matter. It is profoundly important to us that we never use harsh chemicals, synthetic fragrances, or artificial dyes. This dedication to nature's bounty guarantees that everything we craft is clean, gentle, and effective, offering true, honest nourishment for your skin.
Lard
To further reinforce our dedication to local sourcing and minimizing waste, we incorporate premium pig lard into many of our formulations. This rich, emollient ingredient comes from a trusted small Minnesota family farm, where the pigs are raised humanely and under responsible farming practices. Like our tallow, the lard we use is a valuable byproduct of local meat processing. By consciously choosing to utilize this high-quality, locally available resource, we ensure that every part of the animal is respected and put to good use, transforming it into a moisturizing, skin-loving component. This sustainable approach is central to the Herb'N Farm mission of supporting ethical local agriculture while providing naturally nourishing skincare.
