The HERB FARMacy
  Lexington Minuteman - For publication July 13, 2006 
By Lee Duhl & Sarah Gurley

From sun-up to sun-down, at least six days a week, Rita Wollmering and Brooke Finn are on their feet, attending to the many facets of the business surrounding their 10 acre farm in Salisbury, MA.  The HERB FARMacy, a NOFA* certified organic farm, offers more than 800 varieties of medicinal and culinary herbs, edible flowers, heirloom vegetables, garlic and chili pepper plants and produce.  Each Tuesday afternoon they transport to Lexington their very special harvest, complemented by their experience and willingness to share how to use them to improve our health.

The farm's clever name was Wollmering's creative invention, a play on words around 'herb farm' and a medical pharmacy.  It seemed appropriate given the ladies' intent to provide their customers with a wide range of plants that can heal in many ways, for both body and soul.

At The HERB FARMacy, both the medicinal and culinary aspects of what is produced are very important.  The diversity of herbs and their many uses is critical as in many cases the same plant can be utilized in multiple ways.  Take for instance lavender which can be used medicinally, ornamentally and in aromatherapy, as well as in cooking.  The Herb Companion, a magazine devoted to the use of herbs, employs the tag line: “In celebration of the useful plants.”  This is a fitting summation of the attraction of herbs to this duo.  In their world herbs are useful and beautiful at the same time.

Initially, the idea for The HERB FARMacy was somewhat of a wistful dream that Wollmering and Finn shared.  "We kept saying we'd do it 'when we retire' from our full-time, rat-race jobs." mused Wollmering.  But after a while they realized they really needed to make some changes.  It also occurred to them that they might not have the energy to take on an endeavor like this when they eventually did retire.

In 1996 they began searching in earnest for an appropriate farm site in Eastern Massachusetts , which wasn't an easy order amidst the development boom at the time.  Eventually they found an ideal spot, set on many acres of land, with an old house and barn and friendly neighbors who wanted to keep the land in cultivation.   Mission accomplished, they settled in at the farm in 1997, put up a used greenhouse then opened for business in the spring of 1998.

When asked about the origins of the partnership, Finn will tell you that Wollmering is the true farmer, having grown up on a family dairy farm in Minnesota then working as an Agricultural Extension Agent for the Peace Corps in the Philippines .  Finn herself learned about organic gardening also while serving in the Peace Corps in the Central African Republic .  Both worked in developing countries where people maintained traditional use of plants for healing, so the interest in medicinal herbs came naturally to them.  Throughout their professional careers both had specialized in training and adult education, thus the current focus on helping customers to experience firsthand the joys of growing their own herbs is an appropriate fit.

The HERB FARMacy is pleased to offer visitors to the farm a variety of educational classes and tours.  Wollmering and Finn thrive upon sharing their appreciation of herbs and organic farming with others, and want their customers to be successful and pleased with their own accomplishments in growing and using plants.  Sharing their knowledge, whether through formal classes or just being present to answer questions at the farmers markets they frequent, is a big part of what they do.  They feel it is of great importance to their customers and has played a large part in what has helped them to develop a loyal and satisfied clientele.

If you'd like to know more about the HERB FARMacy and its mission, visit the following websites.

NOFA Massachusetts Organic Food Guide-North Shore :

http://www.nofamass.org/programs/ofg/farmlist.php#location4

Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources-Mass Grown Directory

http://www.mass.gov/agr/massgrown/agritourism_farms.htm#Essex

Next Tuesday afternoon be sure to stop by the HERB FARMacy stall at the Farmers Market to say hello.  Or, better yet, make plans to visit the farm in Salisbury at some point soon.  The HERB FARMacy is open mid-March through December from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm .  Feel free to call for details on scheduling and upcoming events.

The HERB FARMacy
30 Elmwood St.
Salisbury , MA
(978) 834-7879

* Northeast Organic Farming Association

Lee Duhl is a second year LFM volunteer and owner of Fleur de Lee Designs, a custom floral design studio in Lexington . She can be reached at lee@fleurdeleedesigns.com.

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