Even the smallest changes to your everyday habits can make a difference. A tweak to your purchases can make a difference. Fun and creative upcycling can make a difference. Planting a tree can make a difference. Recycling can make a difference. Every drop in the bucket makes a difference!
>We only have one planet<
We can do better…
{A handful of our makers pulled together the great news of how they’re doing their part to protect, preserve, recycle, and reuse our precious resources. Click on any of the pics to be taken to that maker’s collection on our website.}
FROM SCRATCH FARM
This is high school Amy. You can’t see all of the posters plastered on my bedroom wall. But here’s a peek. At all of the Ziggy, save the planet, save the whales things that surrounded me. No boy bands. No Hollywood heartthrobs. I was passionate about this one thing.
And I was going to become a marine biologist. Then other things got in the way.
But when I started a family, my priorities changed again. No more processed foods. I could do so much better by my kids. So I learned to really cook. And then when we moved to our land (whoa!), I pivoted again. Starting a garden, raising chickens, catching rainwater. Discovering essential oils. And researching what was in our products. All so eye-opening!
That’s how From Scratch Farm started. And I’ve spent the last nine years getting toxins out of our home, by creating the products myself, with careful formulation and packaging considerations.
And???? What does that mean for you and the environment?
1 I’m using some amazing ingredients. Doing my best to source natural, ethical, organic, quality ingredients. That means it’s all healthier for you and our planet. You’re able to pronounce everything on my labels. There are no hidden toxins, dyes, or fragrances.
2 I’m using little to no packaging, if I can. Glass, when I can. Plastic, only as my last choice. That means so much less is ending up in our landfills! You can recycle my paper labels, the glass, and plastic. The big wonderful bonus is that you can return any of the glass jars to me. I can sterilize and reuse. This is huge! And wonderful!
3 An added bonus, I’m able to offer several products as refills at Handmade on Main. (The distilled water-based ones, or easily pourable ones- room & linen spray, all-purpose cleaner, facial toner, face mist, and hand cleanser) All you have to do is bring in your old bottle (instead of recycling), and I’ll refill on the spot. Fantastic for the planet! But also, great for your pocketbook. These refills will save you money, over purchasing a new bottle. Win-win!
FOND
“Our soil is in crisis. For the past 70 years, the nutrient-density in our food has been declining as modern farming practices take from the land yet neglect to replenish what they are taking out. This in turn depletes our soil and food of critical nutrients and nutrient density declines so does our health.
But synthetic fertilizers, often used to address this issue, are not the answer as they hinder the diverse microbiology of the soil. When our soil is weakened this way, the nutrients that do exist don’t stay on land, but rather, wash away in what little topsoil exists.
There is a solution to this crisis. Regenerative farming. FOND’s Regenerative Bone Broth.
WHAT IS REGENERATIVE FARMING?
By definition, regenerative agriculture is a system of farming principles and practices that protect and enrich the soil, increase soil biodiversity, integrate livestock, and improve water retention–basically mimicking nature’s systems as closely as possible.
Regenerative agriculture goes beyond organic farming and pasture-raised and cage-free and adds conservation and rehabilitation of existing lands to create a healthier ecosystem.
PROTECTS AND ENRICHES THE SOIL
Just as the gut is the foundation of wellness in the body, our soil is the foundation of wellness in our food.
Regenerative agricultural works to prevent soil erosion via no-till farming, cover cropping, and diverse crop planting using no synthetic fertilizers or harmful chemicals. These practices increase below-ground plant matter and organisms that sequester carbon instead of releasing it into the atmosphere. The end result is soil teeming with life that absorbs water for less and runoff and erosion, and thus less flooding.
When crops are planted and harvested, nutrients are drawn from the soil. Conventional agriculture attempts at replacing these nutrients with chemical fertilizers that produce greenhouse gas emissions, is a poor practice at best. Regenerative agriculture doesn’t pillage and plunder; but rather replenishes with a rich compost of ground bone, blood, and animal manure, just as nature intended. Thereby, restoring and healing the soil so the entire ecosystem can flourish.
In addition, regenerative farmers minimize or eliminate tillage as tilling releases carbon into the atmosphere and plant cover crops to protect against erosion, capture carbon, and increase moisture retention. And of course, they do not use synthetic fertilizers that devastate the soil biology.
Biodiversity boosts our ecosystem’s productivity. Each species plays a role and healthy biodiversity ensures our ecosystems can better withstand and recover from a variety of disasters. Plants, animals, and animal waste, feed the soil which in turn nourishes the microbiome in the soil that feeds the plants. Rodents bore under the fields and aerate the soil which improves water retention. Bugs and worms grind organic matter from the surface soil and leave behind enriched droppings. Remove one species and you remove a major contributor to our soil’s health.
And last but certainly not least, many farmers plant trees and shrubs that attract birds and pollinators who are born to spread diversity across the land.
INTEGRATES LIVESTOCK
Regenerative offers a system that values animals as more than a commodity; they are an integral part of the earth’s natural cycles. Livestock are walking, breathing composters. They contribute to healthy soil biology by spreading manure across farms and pastures.
BENEFITS OF REGENERATIVE FARMING
Regenerative farming not only helps pastures flourish, it helps people flourish as well.
For decades, the nutrient-density in our food has been declining. The pervasive idea that the food our grandparents ate is healthier than what we’re eating today isn’t a myth; it’s scientifically proven. Multiple scientific studies show that many fruits, vegetables, and grains grown today carry less protein, calcium, phosphorus, iron, riboflavin, and vitamin C than those grown decades ago.
Regenerative farming reclaims nutrients and yields dramatically more nutrient-dense foods at a time when we couldn’t need them more.
FOND’S COMMITMENT TO REGENERATIVE SOURCING
When I started FOND I knew I wanted to do better. I was committed to using the highest quality ingredients and bones and I wanted to give back to the land that made our little jars of healing possible. This is where regenerative came in.
Taking care of the land isn’t just the responsibility of farmers and ranchers. As food manufacturers, we have the responsibility to ensure our ingredients come from a sustainable source. Our job is not to pillage and plunder, but to cultivate and restore. At FOND, our greatest joy is being a part of renewing the land. We’ve seen firsthand the changes to the land after a few years of farming regeneratively, and the results are absolutely stunning.”
NUDA BOTANICA
“Our mission is to inspire happier and healthier communities by connecting people with nature. Through our curated herbal teas and other aromatherapy products, we want to be that critical link between the environment and our hectic daily lives that is so easy to lose. We’re committed to supporting small and mid-size growers who are farming sustainably, to create blends packed with flavor and functional purposes.
Nuda Botanica makes small-batch herbal teas in Houston, Texas.
From ingredients to packaging, we strive to only use materials that have the lowest impact on the planet.”
CRAZY PLANT LOVEE
“Upcycling, also known as creative reuse, is the process of transforming by-products, waste materials, useless, or unwanted products into new materials or products perceived to be of greater quality, such as artistic value or environmental value.
Crazy Plant Lovee will upcycle anything into a planter! Check out these fun upcycled projects she has done!
Tag us (Handmade on Main and Crazy Plant Lovee) in a photo of an upcycled planter you have made for a chance to win a paint your own earth planter kit! ”
BOTANICAL FOR LIFE
“Discover the beauty of nature with our eco-friendly floral and fruit resin jewelry, crafted from locally sourced, flowers and fruits encased in resin to keep their beauty. Each piece is uniquely handcrafted, highlighting the vibrant colors and intricate details of natural elements, while promoting sustainable and ethical practices. Elevate your style with our one-of-a-kind jewelry that makes a statement for both fashion and the environment. Natural fruit earrings $32. Natural Orchids earrings $45”
In addition to From Scratch Farm taking back all jars for sterilization and reuse, so does Bear & Roo Candle Company.
And honestly, if you bring back any Mixy, Fond, or Nuda Botanica jar, I’ll use them for propagating houseplants! Frequently you’ll find a jar and pothos vine somewhere in the shop, that you can have for free when you spend $50!
Plus. I’m constantly reusing boxes that we receive in the mail, to ship orders to our customers.
Recycling is our last-ditch effort.
Hardly anything goes in the trash.
Score!
To support these makers, and more, come browse our shop or our website!
Store hours are Tuesdays to Saturdays, 11am to 5pm.
And website is up and running 24/7.