This year Nature Connection of West Milford is piloting a culinary and medicinal herb garden at the Wallisch Homestead. Our goal is to grow, harvest and deliver enough fresh organic herbs to support a few of our local restaurants in town. Later in the season, we hope to provide those same herbs in a dried form for both culinary and medicinal uses.
Last season, we had a chance to build a dedicated culinary herb plot at Wallisch. Thanks to the helpful hands of a few volunteers, we tested the concept and learned which herbs grow best in the plot. Organic oregano, a variety of peppermint, parsley, basil, cilantro and more were successful.
Despite a late start, we were able to provide fresh herbs to the Vreeland Store for four weeks last year. Owner, Fran Lanza, was excited to partner with Wallisch and the Organic Community Gardens and to have her chef include the herbs in a variety of recipes. We also donated 50+ jars of dried herbs with culinary and medicinal recipes to community members and local food pantries for the holidays. From peppermint tea to oregano oil, there are so many fun uses for our taste buds and our health!
At the end of the 2024 season, we plan to sell jars of dried herbs and accompanying recipes from local cooks and herbalists. Look for us at our winter market and other holiday events.
Culinary Herb Garden Program Leader: Jessica MccannDampan
We are so excited to welcome Jessica MccannDampman in this new leadership role as our Program Leader. Jessica has been with the Wallisch Community Garden and will be using her experience to lead a team of six gardeners in liaising with Friends of Wallisch Homestead leaders on this project.
During the coming season we hope to set growing goals, and adjust the existing garden as necessary to accommodate those goals. Jessica will guide volunteers, ensuring compliance with local and state regulations, tracking revenue and expenses, as well as identifying interested restaurants and growing and preparing the organic herbs they need. We are excited to have Jessica bring her own culinary and medicinal herb skills and knowledge to the table as she educates and informs the community on the benefits of organic herbs.
Thank you Jessica for bringing your talents to this role as an important member of our local community gardens.
Herbal CSA Pilot
This season (2024), the Culinary Herbs Program has piloted a sold-out herbal CSA [Community Supported Agriculture]. CSA participants make a one-time payment for their subscription “box,” and receive a mix of fresh or dried herbs, plus a rotating selection of tinctures, sprays, balms, herbal salts, baked goods, and more each month. The pilot participants are supporting the growth of our burgeoning Culinary and Medicinal Gardens, while trying different herbal uses and applications, and adding preserved herbs to their pantry, medicine cabinet, snack stash and more.
To learn more about the Culinary Herb Garden Program, or to get involved, email Cathy at cgb2673@optonline.net