1.
First we find a reputable grower we can; usually recommend to us by a colleague or through seminars, trade shows and, a lot of times by accidental circumstances! We'll chat about their local growing conditions, environmental problems, methods for controlling pests and just about every challenge, expected in organic agriculture. The first things we think about are; where the plot is located. Is it near a city? Is it next to heavy development? Is it adjacent to conventional non-organic farmers? What are the soil conditions? Is the farm located in a prime growing situation?
Or is it on land that has been heavily abused for several decades? After we have tumbled these questions in our heads we make arrangements to tour the land.

2.
Now for the fun part...plot inspection and meeting with the farmer. Recently we met with a fantastic couple who have been our exclusive grower for Panax Ginseng. It was amazing to witness the absolute cleanliness of the grounds, to see firsthand the health and vitality of the soil, and to just chat on the front porch about the glories of farm labor and the occasional love affair with beneficial insects that keep harmful insects at bay. We put our hands deep into the soil, smelling it, feeling it and rubbing it. If it makes us feel good then we know we have met an outstanding source for quality organic botanicals. We also look at pest control methods, harvesting equipment and the maintenance of soil fertility. It's a grand experience and always has our appetites craving more.

3.
After the grounds inspection we make arrangements to come out later in the season to inspect and take part in the harvest. This is the most exciting time, because we get to see the age-old traditions and contemporary technologies work hand in hand to deliver the botanicals in a clean, acceptable, and almost undisturbed state. It is absolutely amazing to see the antiquated practice of "The Harvest".
Many people are out in the fields at dawn, with equipment roaring and ready to grab the roots before the blazing sun spoils our performance.

4.
After proper harvesting, the day's batch is washed, cleaned, sorted and left to dry. With the Ginseng roots (as shown to the right) will be left to sun-dry for about 8-12 hours. This allows optimal conditions for the ginsengocides to be exposed and aerate properly, thus producing quality roots. After the drying process they are stored in weather controlled rooms for 1-2 weeks. Here the dry, humid free environment sort of "cures" the materials and encourages it into a life of "shelf readiness". Every bulk botanical offered through the mail or at your local natural foods store undergoes this process as an act of final preparation. The smell of these rooms is incredible and the permeating scent of drying roots and botanicals in 1000+ pound quantities is enough to settle in your nose for several days.

5.
The final step is long-term storage and transportation. Usually the best quality herbs, roots and other botanicals will typically sit in food grade bins for roughly 1-3 months before being trucked to their final destination. Herbs that have been warehoused any longer then this are often considered useless. They generally are packed in large 50 gallon pressure treated cardboard cylinder bins and sometimes you will find them in burlap sacks. After proper containment and storage they will be ordered and trucked in to their final resting home. From here we package them in convenient retail packages where you can order as little as 4 ounces and as much as several hundred pounds.