Ann Arbor herb group recognized at state convention

Herb enthusiasts from throughout the state celebrated and learned about herbs as well as raised $3,000 for Michigan 4-H Children’s Gardens during the 2018 Michigan Herb Associates in Lansing, April 25.

Seven herb associations were recognized for excellence in sharing herbal knowledge through local programming. The honored associations meet in the areas of Ann Arbor, Bay City, Bloomfield Hills, Cadillac, Clarksville, Dearborn and Gowen.

“We are in a renaissance for edible gardening, and the increased attendance at MHA annual conferences echoes the rising interest in learning how to grow and use herbs," said Jeanne Hawkins, MHA president. "Fresh herbs make everything else in the garden taste better, plus they are pretty and smell wonderful.”

Several conference sessions highlighted the International Herb Association’s Herb of the YearTM – hops. Guest speakers addressed aromatic herbs for brewing beer, decorating with hops, and growing and using medicinal herbs.

There were also educational exhibits, vendor sales and a used book sale. The theme was “Every Plant is a Teacher.”

Associations recognized at the conference for excellence:

• University of Michigan Matthaei Botanical Gardens and Nichols Arboretum Evening Herb Study Group, Ann Arbor.
• Olde Thyme Herb Society of Bay County, Bay City.
• Herb Society of America - Southern Michigan Unit, Bloomfield Hills.
• Wexford County Herb Society, Cadillac.
• Midwest Michigan Herb Association, Clarksville.
• Village Herb Associates at Greenfield Village, Dearborn.
• Shoreline Herbarist, Gowen.

Shoreline Herbarist also received the People’s Choice Award for Best Educational Display among conference exhibitors.

Conference attendees raised the $3,000 donation for Michigan 4-H Children’s Gardens through a silent auction and herbal plant sale. Hawkins said she is grateful to MSU Department of Horticulture for contributing the plants for the plant sale.

Since its founding in 1987, MHA has donated more than $121,000 to the state’s 4-H Foundation in support of three specialty areas at Michigan 4-H Children’s Gardens: the Peter Rabbit Herb Garden, Garden of Delight and Herbal Tea Garden. The gardens are located at Michigan State University, East Lansing.

Information about 2018 Herb of the Year – hops – is posted on the MHA website, www.MIHerb.org/hops.html. The 2019 MHA conference is April 24 in Lansing. The 2019 Herb of the Year is anise hyssop.

Michigan Herb Associates is a statewide organization dedicated to sharing herbal knowledge. Activities include helping coordinate activities of Michigan's herb enthusiasts through working with the state’s approximate 40 local associations, presenting an annual conference, sharing program and project ideas, encouraging public herb plantings, and supporting 4-H Club herb projects and leader/teacher training. MHA works with and provides funding for Michigan 4-H Children’s Gardens at Michigan State University. For more information about MHA or a local herb association, contact MHA at nitacprn@comcast.net or 517.337.9316, visit www.MIHerb.org, or follow Michigan Herb Associates on Facebook, www.Facebook.com/pg/Michigan-Herb-Associates.

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Photo captions

1 – Conference attendees sample Michigan-made craft beers following MSU Associate Professor Norm Lownds’ presentation, “Aromatic Herbs for Brewing Beer.”

2 – Kathy Youngheim, Brownstown, takes advantage of the conference herb plant sale.

3 – Sue Harris, Williamston, left, speaks with exhibitor Susan Betz, Jonesville, author of “Neighboring With Nature: Native Herbs for Purpose & Pleasure.”

4 – Members of U-M Matthaei Botanical Gardens Evening Herb Study Group, from left, Elaine Mogerman and Madolyn Kaminski, present a ceremonial check for Michigan 4-H Foundation to Norm Lownds, curator of Michigan 4-H Children's Gardens. The group helped raise funds at the convention through participating in the silent auction and herbal plant sale.