Isla Botanica Teas and Bath Salts

Amanda Smith began Isla Botanica to provide the San Juan Islands with quality, local herbal medicines.

Amanda earned a Bachelor of Arts in Herbal Medicine in Cultural and Ecological Contexts from Western Washington University (WWU) in 2008. She believes that herbal medicines are best understood when looked at within the cultural context of the health system that traditionally uses them and within an ecological context that sees them as integral to the health of their environment.

Amanda has developed invaluable practical skills as an herbalist during her employment at two herb stores, mentorship from several community herbalists, 2-year position as coordinator of WWU’s Herb Garden, and by teaching classes and workshops  about herbal health at WWU and in the community. 

Amanda finds great joy in sharing her knowledge and enthusiasm for plants with others as well as encouraging holistic health for people, plants and the planet.

To try Amanda's Bath Salts, click here!
To try Amanda's Tea's, click here!

HERBAL TEAS

Delicious, medicinal, loose-leaf tea blends

• Cold Ease—supports respiratory health

• Dream Catcher—encourages memorable dreams

• Herbal Energizer—supports physical endurance & mental clarity

• Mama To Be—supports healthy pregnancy

• Quiet Time–relaxing to body & mind

• Springtime—cleansing yet nourishing

• Throat Coat—soothes sore throat & cough

• Tummy Tamer—supports healthy digestion

• Winter Chai—immunity-boosting spices & herbs

2nd Annual San Juan Island Chicken Coop Tour

Visit the hidden world of island poultry.  See the Coop de Ville at Heritage Farm (See Farmer Jim, right) and other ingenious poultry abodes, big and small.  Learn how islanders keep their birds healthy, safe, and productive.

Day and time: Sunday, 1:30 - 3:30 pm
No. of participants: 15 spaces in the van or bring your own vehicle.
Cost: $10
Location: Meet at Compost It, 65 Nichols Street, Friday Harbor
Reservations for van: 6 (updated every few days)

We're starting a new project in the San Juan Islands.  We are interested in raising and preserving heritage breeds of chickens so we've started the Broody Hen Project.  You can also read more about the specific breeds and organizations which support heritage breeds in the original email I sent to our "feed list."

Sen. Ranker's (SJI ARC originated) farm internship bill passed WA Senate 46-0

Dear Everyone,

Kevin Ranker just sponsored a bill which will help farmers on the island and throughout the state by changing inappropriate Labor and Industry restrictions for farm interns--this will be HUGELY helpful for farmers, and the local economies they're a part of. It looked at one point like it might not happen.
Kevin got it passed unanimously 46-0. It's WA SB 6349. Click on the link to read more.

Simply another politician? This is a working man!

Easy things you can do:

1. Write or call Kevin Ranker and thank him & his Senate colleagues! Our county's lucky to have Kevin pulling for us. Without this bill, WA farmers would face almost insurmountable obstacles passing farming skills on to a new generation of willing young farmers.

By Phone:

Olympia Office: (360) 786-7678
Anacortes Office: (360) 899-5638

By E-mail:

ranker.kevin@leg.wa.gov

2. Now the bill goes to the House for consideration. Can you contact our state representative Jeff Morris: http://housedemocrats.wa.gov/members/morris/ or whoever your WA state rep is in your district, and tell them this needs to pass?



Our local farmers provide us with food security, contribute to our local economy, and build the health of our island soil, water, and people.

WE understand the bill originated in our county's hard-working Agricultural Resources Committee (ARC). 6349 will help the local family farms that are such an important part of our economy (another reason why it is so important that our county ARC is funded).
Can you really make a difference? Many worked hard to make this happen for WA communities, including Jim Sesby, who gave compelling testimony at the Senate Hearings in Olympia. Matt Marinkovich also wrote a great letter in support of this bill.

People speaking up really makes a difference!
You can make a difference!

Photos courtesy of Becky Bolt, Heritage Farm, and Washington State

Feed Order Due By Friday, February 5, 2010 PLUS VALENTINE'S DAY!

Click here to see the latest email and information on the feed order and what you can do make someone's day!

Compost It Launches Online Shopping Site

We now have a convenient site for your online shopping needs--compost.name.  Thanks for popping by and thanks for telling your friends!

What's one more meat recall?

Click here to see source of photo

New York Firm Recalls Fresh Ground Beef Products Due To Possible E. coli O157:H7 Contamination

Anyone who reads this blog probably already knows to buy local grass-fed beef.  Michael Pollin spoke about this strain of E. coli in the movie, Food Inc.  He said that this strain of E. coli mutated in the favorable environment of the grain-fed cows' stomachs.  Once one cow developed this strain, it can then poop it all over and because these cows walk around in each other's shittola all day on those nasty feed lots, the E. coli spreads around quite effectively.  Start buying local beef.  Increase demand for pasture-fed cows and this strain of E. coli won't be a worry to anyone.  Make sure the cows you eat are not finished on corn, either.  Grass-fed all the way.  To read more about the latest recall visit this USDA website. 

Two GREAT place to get more information is Thundering Hooves and Eat Wild