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Ginkgo (GINKGO BILOBA)
Over 30 Ginkgo trees greet visitors as they enter the farm.
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Hawthorn (CRATAEGUS SPP.)
A grove of Hawthorn trees produces a bountiful harvest each fall.
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Echinacea (ECHINACEA PURPUREA)
A staff and customer favorite, many fields of Echinacea are grown annually.
Discover the Magic of Our Farm
We chose this 350-acre plot of land, nestled in the Blue Ridge Mountains of Western North Carolina, for its rich alluvial soil and amazing biodiversity.
A Living Laboratory
Gaia Herbs farm is a living laboratory for the latest organic planting and cultivation methods. Each year we produce over 5 million individual plants, representing 45 species of herbs. The moment you step onto the farm, Hawthorn and Ginkgo trees — symbolizing the Heart and Mind of Gaia Herbs — greet you with their beauty and wisdom. We grow fields of flowering Echinacea, fragrant Lemon Balm, and brilliant California Poppy, all nourished by the clear mountain waters flowing through the valley. We nurture and observe each plant, allowing it to flourish in the sun until the right moment to harvest. By mirroring the growing conditions of Nature, we ensure the purity, potency, and integrity of each plant.
Brevard, North Carolina
Gaia Herbs Farm
Discover the herbs that are growing on our farm in 2019:
American Skullcap, Ashwagandha, Astragalus, California Poppy, Chinese Skullcap, Echinacea angustifolia, Echinacea purpurea, Feverfew, Gotu Kola, Grindelia, Holy Basil, Lemon Balm, Nettle
Oats, Parsley, Passionflower, Valerian, and Vervain
House Field
Ginkgo Trees
Nettle, Feverfew, Chinese Skullcap & Vervain
Hawthorn Trees
Nettle, Feverfew, Chinese Skullcap & Vervain
East Field
Nettle, Feverfew, Chinese Skullcap & Vervain
Middle 1
Echinacea purpurea
Middle 2
Chinese Skullcap, Gotu Kola & California Poppy
Middle 3
Echinacea purpurea, Gotu Kola & Grindelia
Bamboo Field
Oats
Bamboo 2
Holy Basil
Eight Acres
Ashwagandha
River Bottom
Echinacea purpurea & Vegetables
West 5
Holy Basil
West 4
Holy Basil
West 3
Echinacea purpurea
West 2
Valerian
West 2 Upper
Ashwagandha
West 2 Annex
Valerian
West 1
Valerian
Woods 3
Oats, Echinacea purpurea, American Skullcap & Vegetables
Woods 1
Echinacea angustifolia & Holy Basil
Woods 2
Valerian
Cathey’s Creek Field
Vervain
Compost Field
Echinacea angustifolia & Feverfew
Compost Annex
Echinacea angustifolia
Certified Organic through Oregon Tilth
Since 1997, the Gaia Herbs farm has been certified organic through Oregon Tilth, one of the nation’s most stringent organic certifiers.
Always with the
Earth in Mind
On Gaia Herbs Farm, the soil is enriched with organic fertilizers and biodynamic compost. Additionally, Gaia’s 64,000-square-foot greenhouse in nearby Mills River allows the farm team to raise several hundred thousand seedlings during the winter months, which are planted in the fields in the spring.
Meet Our Farmers
Our passionate and experienced Farm Team follows strict standards from seed selection and soil preparation to cultivation and harvesting.
Thomas Leonard
Farm Operations Manager
As Gaia Herbs’ Farm Operations Manager, Thomas Leonard seeks to empower farmers to grow organic potent medicinal herbs and sustainable foods. He has a passion for reforestation and teaching sustainable farming methods. Thomas brings an eclectic agricultural background including experience as an independent farmer, spearheading community garden development, and managing a 300-acre commercial nursery and farm. Through hands on gardening, he has worked with youth of all ages and spent time providing horticultural therapy and vocational training to adults with disabilities. Thomas is excited to be building on the strong foundation at Gaia Herbs Farms by integrating restorative management practices and expanding community involvement on the farm.
Katherine Renner
Farm Operations Assistant Manager
The opportunity to be the Farm Operations Assistant Manager at Gaia Herbs is the culmination of Kate’s life journey thus far, as her earliest memories are of playing in the dirt in a home garden. Intrigue of living things led her to pursue a Bachelor’s Degree in Biological Sciences. Kate served as a Peace Corps Volunteer for three years in El Salvador and emerged with a conscience towards the global impact of conventional farming systems, health and nutrition, and cultural sensitivity. Bringing these learnings home, Kate worked as an apprentice on an organic farm and connected the dots from soil health to nutrition, leading her to pursue a Master’s Degree in Nutrition Sciences with a focus on Sustainable Agriculture. At Gaia, Kate combines all facets, from migrant farmworker health and awareness, organic and regenerative agriculture practices, local community relations, and working with fellow Gaians to provide the freshest, purest, quality herbs for the natural wellness of our bodies and world.
Jorge Mendez
Farm Crew Manager
Jorge, also known as “George”, manages Gaia's Farm Crew. His roots go back to the start of the farm in 1997 and he’s essential to the successful operation of Gaia Herbs. Jorge assigns farm tasks to the crew to ensure an efficient herb harvest. He also provides grandfatherly advice and support to the crew in times of need. His favorite crops are the Gingko and Hawthorn trees because they remind him of some of his favorite people, like his father, whom he feels could have benefited from the medicine of the trees. He feels good about the products we provide here in hopes that they will help many people. Jorge made the United States his home in 1981, making seasonal farming rounds between North Carolina (vegetables), New York (Christmas decorations) and Florida (oranges) before settling down here in Brevard, N.C. full time. He says, “It feels like home here” where he lives with his wife, Martha, who was born just down the road from the farm. In his free time he likes to take his two grandchildren to the park, on walks in the nearby National Forest. His friendly smile and dedication to Gaia are really appreciated.
Gaia Herbs Farm Crew
Helping us tend to the 30 to 40 crops that represent approximately 25% of our raw materials each year, the workers on our 250-acre western North Carolina farm follow strict Certified Organic standards from seed selection and soil preparation to cultivation and harvesting. Their dedication to our Principles of Purity and furthering the bonds between plants and people is more than a commitment—it’s a passion.
Sustainability at Gaia Herbs
Our business decisions continue to be guided by our values and our commitment to people, planet and purpose — not by profits alone.
News From the Farm
the farm
Medicinal Herb Growing & Sourcing: The Effects of Climate Change
Growing and sourcing organic herbs is a complex, fascinating, and eye-opening experience. At Gaia Herbs, we are fortunate to have cultivated deep relationshi...
the farm
Our Commitment to Sustainability: How Gaia Herbs Works to Keep Our Planet Healthy
At Gaia Herbs, we're committed to cultivating health and well-being by stewarding the sustainable relationship between plants and people. We take many steps ...
the farm
Beyond Organic: Gaia’s Commitment To Regenerative Agriculture
This is the first in a series of blogs focusing on various aspects of the Regenerative Movement: from soil and farming, to leadership, and personal growth. W...
the farm
What's Happens at the Gaia Farm in the Winter?
The Gaia Farm Year-round Our fields may not be full of pink flowering Echinacea or the bold orange of blossoming California Poppy, but the work continues yea...
the farm
Climate Change: Paris Agreement and Gaia's Commitment
Without nature, nothing is possible. If we stop heeding her wisdom, we cannot thrive in this world - nothing and no one can. Right now, Mother Nature is hurt...
the farm
Why We Created an Official Monarch Waystation on Gaia Farm
At Gaia Herbs, we are always striving to do more to help people, plants - and the planet - as a way to uphold our core values. While our organic and sustaina...
the farm
5 Ways to Encourage Pollinators
If it seems the world is abuzz about pollinators, it's for good reason: Pollinators do hugely important work that is irreplaceable, as we recently shared wit...
the farm
Pollinators 101: What Are Pollinators and Why Do They Matter?
In celebration of National Pollinator Week June 19-25, we are publishing a series of blogs that highlight our efforts to protect the creatures that help poll...
