What's New
Mystery Solved-The Herb Society of America reveals new Honorary President
The Herb Society of America, Inc. (HSA) is pleased to announce that author Susan Wittig Albert has been named as Honorary President for the term 2012 – 2014. The announcement was made at The Herb Society of America’s Educational Conference and 78th Annual Meeting of Members, held in Austin, Texas. read more...
Monarda fistulosa named as the 2013 Notable Native Herb
During the 2012 Educational Conference and Annual Meeting of the Members, May 3-5, 2012, The Herb Society of America, announced the Notable Native Herb of The Year for
2013 – Monarda fistulosa.
Recognizing the diversity of useful American herbs, the Native Herb Conservation Committee presented the 2013 selection of Monarda fistulosa as the 2013 Notable Native Herb.
Tempered with thoughts about conservation and sustainable gardening, the conference program provided tips for propagating, growing, harvesting, and using our native herbs.
HSA Members in the News
Jacqui Highton's modified four-square herb garden is featured in the Southern Living Showcase. Jacqui is a member of the South Texas Unit.
New Trade Association for the Lavender Industry
First Trade Association formed for United States Lavender Industry. Organizing members across the country are proud to announce the formation of the first trade association for the United States lavender industry.
The United States Lavender Growers Association (USLGA) was filed as a non-profit organization in Nebraska with the purpose of forming a collective voice for the many lavender growers and enthusiasts across the United States.
The Mission of the USLGA is “to support and promote the United States lavender industry through research, education, networking and marketing”. The national organization will connect growers, enthusiasts, culinary professionals, distillation experts and educators.
USLGA membership will open on April 27, 2012 in conjunction with the International Lavender Conference in Sequim, Washington. Representatives from the USLGA organizing committee will be present at the conference. Those interested may find more information, sign up for the newsletter, and fill out a membership application through the USLGA website at www.uslavender.org.
Congratulations to the 2012-2013 Research Grant Recipient
Maciej A. Pszczolkowski
Missouri State University
Darr School of Agriculture
The Research Grant Committee is pleased to announce the selection of Maciej Pszczolkowski's project-"A green alternative to an organophosphate neurotoxin: Preventing apple infestation by codling moth with extracts from a U.S. native plant-To identify insect feeding deterrents from Artemisia ludoviciana (Nutt.) a species native to North America, thereby to reduce pesticide use on apple plantations"
Dr. Pszczolkowski is a Research Associate Professor at the Missouri State University, Darr School of Agriculture.
Congratulations to the 2012-2013 Grant for Educators Recipients
North Union Farmers Market, Cleveland, OH
Donita Anderson, Executive Director
North Union Farmers Market has been cited as one of America's Top 10 Farm Markets in the "big city" category in 2010. In 2011 the Mighty Locavores program was introduced to Cleveland public schools and in 2012 the project will be expanded to rural and suburban schools. The Mighty Locavores program will be featured at the Annual Garlic Festival in the "Growin' with Garlic and Herbs area. This grant will underwrite the children's herb-growing activities of the festival.
Granny's Garden School, Loveland, OH
Roberta Paolo, Founder and Executive Director
In 2012 and 2013 the school's already successful school garden program will emphasis the herb garden by incorporating the herb garden into the garden based lesson guides that support Ohio Educational Standards. The garden based lesson guides are available on the school website-www.grannysgardenschool.org
Headquarters hours during Educational Conference and the Annual Meeting of the Members
The week of April 30-May 7, 2012, Headquarters will be open 9am-2pm, Monday-Thursday. Normal business hours 9am-5pm will resume on Tuesday, May 8, 2012.
HSA Library
The HSA Library is now OPEN! New Hours starting March 19th are 9am-2pm Monday-Thursday.
HSA welcomes, Tara Coulter, as the new HSA librarian. Tara has an MLIS from the University of Pittsburgh and comes to HSA with experience as a reference librarian. She has facilitated monthly book discussions, herb programs and taught instructional sessions on social media.
We are so pleased to have Tara join HSA. You may reach her via e-mail library@herbsociety.org
Congratulations to the 2012 Rosemary Circle honorees
The Rosemary Circle was created to recognize those members who have belonged to The Society for 25 years or longer. To commemorate this milestone, members are given the Rosemary Circle pin during the Rosemary Circle Recognition Luncheon at the Educational Conference and Annual Meeting of the members.
The rosemary signifies remembrance and the circle is the symbol of long life. Both of these symbols are combined in the form of a wreath of rosemary-a fitting recognition to members who represent the history of our organization.
2012 Rosemary Circle honorees are:
Jacqueline Beck, Grosse Pointe Unit, Great Lakes District
Sidney F. Black, Virginia Commonwealth Unit, Mid-Atlantic District
Mrs. Fredrick G. Crane, Member at Large, Central District
Lucy W. Dean, New England Unit, Northeast District
Nealy Dickinson, Connecticut Unit, Northeast District
Mary Fromm, Grosse Point Unit, Great Lakes District
Mary Ellen Hull, Member at Large, Great Lakes District
Jane Jones, Western Reserve Unit, Great Lakes District
Joy Jung, Member at Large, Great Lakes District
Elinor Lea, New England Unit, Great Lakes District
Mary Lou McNabb, Member at Large, Southeast District
Elizabeth A. Miller, Central Ohio Unit, Great Lakes District
Joan Morton, Central Ohio Unit, Great Lakes District
Beverly J. Radford, Member at Large, Central District
Susan Rountree, Virginia Commonwealth Unit, Mid-Atlantic District
Cynthia Rugg, Member at Large, Northeast District
Marie Sampson, New England Unit, Northeast District
Laura Vincour, Member at Large, Mid-Atlantic District
Konstantina A. Zaras,
Potomac Unit, Mid-Atlantic District
2012 Spring Newsletter
The 2012 Spring Newsletter is now online
- Read more about 2012 Educational Conference
- Learn about low maintenance roses
- Discover why Austin, Texas is "Batty" for Bats
- Learn about the changes to membership dues
Enjoy San Francisco Chronicle article on Showy Herbs including Borage
Borage just one of many prolific, showy herbs
For those heading to Austin-for the Educational Conference and Annual Meeting of the Members
New Recipes available
Three recipes have been added to the HSA website from the Pioneer Unit newsletter, included is an appetizer, apple cake and an Irish stew just in time for St. Patrick's Day. Click here to view
HSA Library
The HSA library will temporarily be closed. Helen Tramte has left HSA to pursue her library career at a local university. We wish her all the best in her new position.
We are reviewing resumes and hope to have another librarian in place as soon as possible. When the library re-opens, we will let you know. Thank you for your patience.
2012 Herb of the Year: Rose
The 2012 Rose Guide is now available online.
Printed copies are now available from Headquarters
Click here to purchase online
USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map
The 2012 USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map is the standard by which gardeners and growers can determine which plants are most likely to thrive at a location. The map is based on the average annual minimum winter temperature, divided into 10-degree F zones.
For the first time, the map is available as an interactive GIS-based map, for which a broadband Internet connection is recommended, and as static images for those with slower Internet access. Users may also simply type in a ZIP Code and find the hardiness zone for that area.
No posters of the USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map have been printed. But state, regional, and national images of the map can be downloaded and printed in a variety of sizes and resolutions.
Click here to view the updated USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map
Virginia Commonwealth Unit marks 25th Anniversary
January 17, 1987 marks the first meeting of the Virginia Commonwealth Unit. Today, 25 years later the unit members maintain three garden projects.
Installed and maintain an herb garden at the Thomas Marshall House in Richmond, Virginia
In 2007, in commemoration of the 400th anniversary of the Jamestown landing, unit members planted a physic (herb) garden at the Citie of Henricus. The second English settlement in 1611, after Jamestown. Members also published booklets with illustrations and descriptions of the herbs.
In October 2011, members prepared, selected plants and planted an herb garden at the spinal injury unit, at Hunter Holmes McGuire Veterans Adminstration Medical Center, South of Richmond, Virginia.
What does this group do when they aren't gardening? Four times a year the Gourmet group meets, each meeting has an herbal theme, i.e. recipes must include some combination of two or three herbs specified by the host.
Congratulations on sharing the use and the delight of herb for 25 years.
HerbWire - Bulletin from the HSA Library
The January issue of HerbWire, a succinct bulletin from the HSA Library featuring tips for finding herbal information and brief reviews of websites, books, and audio visual materials, is now available. The January issue focuses on "Fluorescent Lighting for Growing Plants". HerbWire is published monthly and the current issue may be viewed by going to Members Only page. Click on Newsletters and then HerbWire. To view previous HerbWire issues start at the Herb Society of America homepage. Click on the Resources tab on the top of the page. Click on Library & Resource Center from the drop down menu. Half way down the column on the right side are links to the current and archived HerbWire issues. Enter user name and password again if a pop-up box appears.
Updated 1/3/11
2012 Herb of the Year: Rose
The 2012 Rose Guide is now available online.
Just in time for the Holidays!
Enjoy the 12 Herbal Days of Christmas, by Betty Gasaway, HSA member from the Pioneer Unit
The traditional Christmas carol with an herb twist!
The 2012 Educational Conference Raffle winners are:
1st Prize: Conference Registration and hotel accommodations for two nights Susan Cunningham from California
2nd Prize: Conference Registration Deborah Winter from Western PA
Congratulations!
The 2011 Winter Newsletter is now online:
- Read about the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center
- Check out the 2012 Award Winners
- Enter the 2012 Educational Conference Raffle
The Herb Society of America, Inc. announces its new initiative: Notable Native Herbs.
To bring attention to the vast selection of plants which can trace their origins to North America, The Herb Society of America, Inc. announces its new initiative: Notable Native Herbs. Each year The Society will choose a native herb as its focus; the selection for 2012 is spicebush (Lindera benzoin), an open-branched shrub native to the Eastern US and much of the Midwest. It’s clear yellow leaves in fall will brighten any landscape, and the scarlet fruits attract wildlife. Gardeners appreciate this adaptable shrub, which will grow further north and west than its native range. click here to view a press release and learn more
Link to the Essential Guide to a Notable Native Herb: Lindera benzoin
(PDF members only)
Link to Plant Labels
Northeast District Membership Delegate Election
The election for the Northeast district membership delegate closed November 21th. Please join the board of directors in congratulating Dava Stravinsky, the newly elected membership delegate! Dava is a member of the Long Island Unit and has served on several national committees. Her three-year terms runs from July 1, 2012 through June 30, 2015.
South Central District Membership Delegate Election
The election for the South Central district membership delegate closed November 7th. Please join the board of directors in congratulating Gloria Cabrera, the newly elected membership delegate! Gloria is a member of both the Texas Thyme and South Central Units. Her three-year terms runs from July 1, 2012 through June 30, 2015.
Fall in The Nashville Unit's Herb Garden at Cheekwood Gardens- with their Scarecrow Little Sure Shot!
photo courtesy of Sally Sissel, Colonial Triangle Unit
2012 Award Recipients Announced
Please join the awards committee and the board of directors in congratulating the recipients for their accomplishments and in thanking them for their service to The Herb Society of America!
They will be honored at the Educational Conference and Annual Meeting of the Members, May 3-5, 2012 in Austin Texas.
Please plan to join members and friends of The Society as our recipients receive their well deserved recognition. The award recipients will be highlighted in greater detail in the Spring 2012 HSA Newsletter.
Click here to view the 2012 Award Recipients
THE CIVIL WAR AND HERBAL USES VIDEO
A group of Civil War- Era women discuss the hardships of living and how they cope with home-making cooking and gardening, as well as planning a wedding.
Starring the Mason-Dixon Herb Society:
Pat Sweetman
Pat Herbert
Diane Wittig
Kim Hollens
Introduction by Candace Riddle
Script written by Candace Riddle
Filmed and edited by Andrew Fake
Click to view the YouTube Video
NATIONAL HERB GARDEN FEATURED
Fox 5 Washington, DC, morning MyFox show reporter Holly Morris visited the United States National Arboretum on Thursday, October 6th. Chrissy Moore was one of the three features, highlighting the National Herb Garden. Chrissy shared recipes from Herb Society of America members!
Click here to view Chrissy and an interview with Dr. Hefferan
When the page loads, there will be a TV screen on the left. Underneath that screen are two small windows that say "Watch this Segment" the NHG is the one on the right.
Wisconsin Unit Field Trip to Old World Wisconsin
Old World Wisconsin, a Wisconsin Historic Site, was opened in 1976. The historic buildings on its extensive grounds come from all over Wisconsin. Today, it is the world's largest museum dedicated to the history of rural life in the United States.
The HSA-WI Unit has provided financial support for the site's herb garden at Sanford House as well as other garden related projects.
To view photos of Wisconsin Unit members at Old World Wisconsin
The 2011 Fall Newsletter is now online
- See the award winners from the Educational Conference
- Read about Civil War Herbs
- Read the news from The National Herb Garden
- Learn about our newest board member
Happy Birthday HSA!
Birthday celebrations lasting a week are great fun, but all good things must come to an end!
THANK YOU to everyone who sent Birthday greetings and gifts! Your contributions to honor HSA's 78th birthday totaled $500! Click here to view HSA's Birthday Cards
Thank you to the Birthday Gift donors-
Verena Aeschbacher, Pioneer Unit
Sue "Big Sue" Arnold, Central Indiana Unit
Debbie Boutelier, Member at Large, Southeast District
Sandy de Holl, Philadelphia
Glenda Emery, Nashville Unit
Pat Greathead and Family, Wisconsin Unit
Julie Goltermann,
Member at Large, Central District
Jean Ingalls, Western Reserve Unit
Linda Lain, South Texas Unit
Margarite Peterseim, Nashville Unit
Dorothy Piner, New Orleans Unit
Bonnie Porterfield, Western Reserve Unit
Cornelia Ryan, Western Reserve Unit
Kathy Schlosser, North Carolina Unit
Riekie Sluder, NorthEast Seacoast Unit
South Jersey Unit
Lois Sutton, South Texas Unit
Frankenmuth Mid-Michigan Unit
YEAR OF THE HERB PARTNERSHIP ANNOUNCED
In partnership with The Herb Society of America, National Garden Bureau, has announced the three crops that will be featured in their 2012 "Year of the" program.
For vegetables and edibles, it will be the Year of the Herb, which will be promoted in partnership with The Herb Society of America. Click here to read more...
Announcing the return of "Each One Bring One"
Who is the best recruiter for membership in The Herb Society of America?
You! A personal invitation from you is the most effective way to introduce someone to HSA. Who knows better than you what we offer and the advantages of being a member. In fact, isn’t that how most of us learned about HSA—from a member?
We want you to share your excitement and enthusiasm for HSA with your friends, family and anyone else you meet. Think how much The Society can grow if each one brings one. There’s something in it for you, too!
For every paid member that you recruit, you will receive $10.00 off your own membership dues at your next renewal, whether you are a member at large or in a unit. Five new members is a free one-year membership for you!
It doesn’t get any better than this! For more information, please contact membership@herbsociety.org. or Click here for more information about "Each One Bring One"
Gardens of Tuscany tour has been rescheduled....
to April 15-23, 2012,this is an exclusive tour for The Herb Society of America members and friends only. In cooperation with Susan Worner Tours, join our tour guide, Caroline Holmes, 2011 HSA Award winner, well-known garden historian and past President of The British Herb Society along with fellow HSA members as we explore and further our knowledge of the origins of many herbs.
More information about the Traveling Educational Seminars will be available soon
GreenBridges...
newsletters are now available to all HSA members. Click here to view newsletters
