Written by Chrissy Moore
Recently, I attended the annual conference of the Herb Society of America outside of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. It’s always a fun experience to interact with old “herbie” friends from all over the country, while also making connections with newly found kindred spirits.
The theme that kept coming up at the event was “finding your people,” and this time, the people were vegetarians from all walks of life and thousands of backgrounds. The diversity within the herbal community is as wide as the plants themselves. As soon as you think you know something about it anything else in the world of plants, you quickly find out that you don’t know as much as you thought. Since herbal knowledge has been built up for thousands of years, the knowledge we have today is clearly a stepping stone in the journey. This is what makes herbs even more interesting; they are all around us, and yet it is most assured that what you have never As noted earlier, someone has become an expert at it—and most of those people are willing to share their knowledge with you and me!
For those unfamiliar, it’s no secret that one of my favorite herb topics is what we, at the National Herb Garden, call “industrial herbs.” These are plants that are used in large industries, such as biofuels, textiles, and even beverages, and often have an impact on national economies or commodity markets. I know, I know…lots of snoring from many of you. However, this represents what I said above. The herbal community is large enough for everyone to find their place. What makes me happy about plants may not make me happy or vice versa, but my personal happiness often comes when I can find that connection between your herbs and mine.
I can use industrial remedies all day, but don’t ask me to sit behind an easel or make jewelry (at least, not without a lot of coercion). Fortunately, there are many herbal artists who produce amazingly beautiful or unique works of art that I can share with you from my featured perspective. Although I don’t like to do things with art, I love science, but even then, I can’t grasp everything in the “science-y” areas of medicine. For example, I just know how to hit Types of Pelargonium (scented geraniums), a collection of plants we highlight in the National Herb Garden. Therefore, I consult with those who are more educated than me, gleaning what knowledge I can from their years of experience. My background doesn’t include a ton of information on medicinal plants—what I’ve learned on the job. But for my assistant gardener/co-blogmaster, this is his area of expertise. I’m certainly not too proud to fire those kinds of questions at him whenever it’s appropriate. If you’re lucky enough to have any of these types of people — artistic, science-minded, culinary wonders, or otherwise — in your circle, it’s a gift.
“Finding your people” isn’t just a cliché—it’s a way to stay engaged, to keep learning, to make new friends, to share the wealth of medicine with others. During the rest of the summer, we encourage you to join us in exploring those many interesting places. Get out of your comfort zone a little. Yes, it’s scary, but you can do it! Contact someone who you think can help you find your niche. Are you interested in medicinal plants and want to know how to incorporate them into your life? Love cooking with herbs, but want to try new flavor profiles? Are you willing to learn a new art form that has a medicinal component to it? Maybe you’re a herbalist and want to make your own blends. Or, let the imagination run wild, you’re like me and enjoy learning about herbs on a far-reaching scale. 
Is there a place for you? Absolutely! Herb Society of America It has people, places, and tons of resources for all your concerns in the plant world. I National Herb Garden is a useful resource as well. Do not be shy. Come find your people!
Chrissy Moore is the curator of the National Herb Garden at the US National Arboretum in Washington, DC. In addition to gardening at NHG, Chrissy lectures, provides tours, and writes on a variety of medicinal topics. He serves as co-blogmaster of The Herb Society blog, is a member of the Potomac Unit of The Herb Society of America, and is an International Association of Certified Herbs. When he is not doing herbie things, he can be found taking care of many horses.
