WHAT MATTERS MOST TO US
OUR CORE VALUES
REGENERATIVE
We recognize our business and bottom line is only as strong as the ecosystems and communities it depends upon. That’s why we’re committed to using regenerative and socially responsible practices on and off the farm.
COMMUNITY
We envision a future where all beings thrive. Community is at the heart of this vision, and we're committed to stewarding healing spaces that forge enduring relationships.
LOCAL
Choosing local. Vermont has a striking reputation for keeping business local. We choose to invest our dollars locally with small and independent business owners whenever possible.
ACCESSIBILITY
We refuse to believe herbal wellness is only for those who can afford it. We remain committed to ensuring that our high=quality products and herbs are accessible to all
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REGENERATIVE AGRICULTURE
We challenge the notion of “sustainability.” Rather than having less of an impact to sustain the status quo, we believe in maximizing our positive impact on the landscape and within our local communities. We see the intersections of regenerative agriculture, the tradition of herbalism, and values-driven business as a way to do just that.
But, what is regenerative agriculture? Regenerative agriculture is a holistic approach to farming that encourages an ecosystem-level perspective on the farm and community scale. Regenerative agriculture practices build soil health, sequester atmospheric carbon, improve water quality and watershed health, promote human and animal health, and encourage overall farm resiliency. As with many land stewardship practices, regenerative farming has its roots in indigenous knowledge and traditions. As White farmers, we feel it necessary to acknowledge that the techniques we utilize are borrowed with great reverence and respect from these communities.
On our hillside farm we employ the following techniques to meet these desired outcomes:
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Planting on a permanent raised bed system designed to follow the land's natural contour. This erases the need to till and prevents erosion and stormwater runoff from our hillside fields.
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Cover cropping with native medicinal flowering species to build soil health, encourage pollinators, and yield ingredients for our herb-infused products.
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Drip irrigation via a gravity-fed system that is entirely off-grid.
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Fertilizing with compost teas brewed on farm using organic approved inputs sourced from our fields and neighboring purveyors.
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A portion of our acreage is dedicated to cultivating traditional food and medicinal crops for our local Abenaki community, the indigenous peoples of so-called Vermont, via the Abenaki Land Link Project.
Regeneration must exist beyond the land if we are to achieve collective well-being. We envision a culture that is built upon trust and interdependence. A culture that is inclusive to all diversity and is able to adapt in the face of change, just like the vibrant ecosystems of nature. At Hillside Botanicals, we're committed to nurturing this culture, which is why we make an effort to practice values-driven business:
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We honor the plants as our greatest teachers and seek to share their gifts to our community in meaningful and accessible ways.
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We commit a portion of our harvests and medicine-making to offer herbal first aid supplies to BIPOC-led organizations, disaster relief efforts, and ongoing grassroots organizing.
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We strive to maintain zero waste packaging via reusable, up-cycled, or plant based materials.
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We take civic engagement seriously and communicate regularly with our local and state officials about issues impacting our community and the local agricultural industries.
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We're devoted to sharing our knowledge and experiences to encourage the evolution of a vital community of farmers, herb enthusiasts, wellness professionals, and all around happy humans.
REGENERATIVE CULTURE
