Impact
“Professionally, I would say that SHI is a really unique, amazing blending of companies that are really challenging this whole idea of being a competitor… I think that has allowed for some really profound change that I haven’t witnessed in this industry for a long time.”
– Andy Thorton
People come to this work because they envision a better path for producing herbal products made with plants sourced from around the world. Here are some stories of people doing just that.
Stories of Impact
Leadership Development
“The Learning Journeys give me insights and courage to bring these topics to the forefront of our sourcing and formulation work. When it gets tough, I feel there’s this SHI force field reminding me to do the right thing. It gives me the strength to do what’s needed.”
– Chante Wiegand, The Synergy Company
Partnerships: Aligning with Heart
This video documents a partnership between Samir Newa, founder of The Organic Valley, a Nepali company sourcing ginger from rural farmers, and Martin Bauer, Pukka Herbs, and Yogi Tea. This partnership arose because of relationships formed during the SHI Learning Labs.
Ethical Wildharvesting
The Sustainable Herbs Initiative (SHI) is reshaping ethical wild harvesting by fostering deep connections between wild harvesters, companies, and communities, focusing on dialogue, co-creation, and shared learning rather than quick scaling.
Customer Education
In a crowded marketplace, choosing the right herbal product can be overwhelming. Together with the Institute of Natural Medicine, we created this guide: 10 Questions to Help You Choose Wisely.
Link coming soon.
Partnerships and Friendship
Two tea brands make a promise they never thought they would have to keep. This video tells the incredible story of a friendship and partnership born during the first SHI Learning Journey in Oregon in the summer of 2024.
Commitments
The changes we envision begin with each of us. They continue with how we show up in our work and how we collaborate outside our individual companies and roles.
These commitments provide a framework for our work individually and together and provide a foundation from which to reflect on and learn from our progress.
By the Numbers
It’s challenging to tell the SHI story with numbers. Here are a few.
Professional Development
Hosted five virtual Learning Labs, for over 150 participants. Members learn from participating in working groups, case studies, and more.
Hosted four immersive in-person Learning Journeys, 1 in Appalachia, 1 in Nicaragua, 2 in Oregon for over 120 participants.
Working Groups
Five active working groups where SHI members meet monthly to tackle key challenges in sustainable and ethical sourcing.
Education
Organized over 40 webinars with over 50,000 viewers from around the world.
Created the SHI Toolkit 2.0
Produced over 30 short/medium videos following herbs to the source.
Industry Resources
Seven companies collaborated to get greenhouse gas emissions for 18 botanicals.
Created six case studies based on the Community Capitals framework.