By Chrissy Moore

Recently, I attended the annual conference of The Herb Society of America outside of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. It’s always an enjoyable experience interacting with old “herbie” friends from around the country, while also making connections with new-found kindred spirits.

A recurring theme for the event was “finding your people,” and in this case, the people were herb enthusiasts from all walks of life and from myriad backgrounds. The diversity within the herb community is as broad as the plants themselves. As soon as you think you know something about anything in the herb world, you quickly find out you don’t know as much as you thought. Since herbal knowledge has been building for millennia, the information we have today is clearly just a steppingstone along the journey. This is what makes herbs even more intriguing; they are everywhere around us, and yet it’s pretty much guaranteed that what you never noticed before, someone has become an expert on it—and most of those people are willing to share their knowledge with you and me!

For those who know me well, it’s no secret that one of my favorite herbal topics is what we, in the National Herb Garden, call “industrial herbs.” These are plants used in major industries, such as biofuels, textiles, even beverages, and they often impact national economies or commodity markets. I know, I know…a huge snore for many of you. Yet, this exactly represents what I have stated above. The herb community is big enough for everyone to find their niche. What excites you about plants might not excite me or vice versa, but my personal joy often comes when I am able to find that link between your herbs and mine.

I can wax on about industrial herbs all day long, but don’t ask me to sit behind an easel or make some jewelry (at least, not without a lot of coercion). Thankfully, there are many herbal artists that produce some incredibly beautiful or unique works of art that I can appreciate from my vantage point. While not creatively inclined, I do love science, but even then, I can’t possibly grasp everything in the more “science-y” areas of herbal knowledge. For example, I only know a smattering about Pelargoniums (scented geraniums), a plant collection we highlight in the National Herb Garden. So, I consult with those more educated than I, gleaning what information I can from their years of experience. My background does not include a ton of medicinal plant knowledge either—just what I’ve learned on the job. But for my garden assistant/co-blogmaster, this is her area of expertise. I’m certainly not too proud to kick those kinds of questions to her whenever appropriate. If you’re lucky enough to have any of these types of people—artistic, science-oriented, culinary wonders, or otherwise—in your circle, it is a gift.

“Finding your people” isn’t just a quaint saying—it’s a way to stay engaged, to keep learning, to find new friends, to share the herbal wealth with others. During what’s left of the summer, we encourage you to join us in exploring those myriad areas of interest. Break out of your comfort zone a little bit. Yes, it’s scary, but you can do it! Reach out to someone you think could help you find your niche. Are you interested in medicinal plants and want to know how to incorporate them into your life? Do you like to cook with herbs, but wish to try new flavor profiles? Are you eager to learn a new art form that has an herbal component to it? Perhaps you’re someone who loves the scent of herbs and wants to make your own blends. Or, perish the thought, you’re like me and enjoy learning about herbs on a far-reaching scale. Is there a place for you? Absolutely! The Herb Society of America has people, places, and tons of resources for all that intrigues you in the herb world. The National Herb Garden is a useful resource as well. Don’t be shy. Come find your people!

Photo Credits: 1) Member of the South Jersey Unit, HSA, at the National Herb Garden Chile Celebration (USNA); 2) Cover and inside spread of The Herbarist, annual journal of The Herb Society of America (HSA); 3) National Herb Garden volunteers touring Dr. Jim Duke’s “Green Farmacy Garden” (C. Moore); 4) Botanical dyes workshop using herbs (C. Moore); 5) Aerial view of the National Herb Garden (USNA).

Chrissy Moore is the curator of the National Herb Garden at the U.S. National Arboretum in Washington, DC. Aside from garden maintenance in the NHG, Chrissy lectures, provides tours, and writes on various herbal topics. She serves as co-blogmaster of The Herb Society’s blog, is a member of the Potomac Unit of The Herb Society of America, and is an International Society of Arboriculture Certified Arborist. When not doing herbie things, she can be found looking after many horses.