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As I have often said, “knowledge is power” and over the years I have read more books than I can even remember. However three good books stick in my mind when it comes to raising and selling herbs for profit.
The late Bertha Roberts (1919 to 1999) is one of my favorite people having written for The Herb Quarterly, The New York Times and Organic Gardening. She was also the author of over 3 dozen books and leaflets including “Growing Your Herb Business” which I consider an essential research book. She started “The Rosemary House” in Mechanicsburg, Pa in 1968 which is still going strong. This book contains not only a wealth of her secrets for developing a broad range of all herb products, but includes chapters on hosting special events, creating effective packaging and seasonal promotions, plus an important section on how to expand your herb business though newsletters, wholesaling and mail order catalog sales.
Another essential book is “Growing and Selling Fresh-Cut Herbs” by Sandie Shores who
started “Herb’s Herbs” in 1985 in Rochester, Minnesota. Sandie says the book is the result of her efforts of going into the herb business. She says the first two years were spent on figuring out how to grow herbs for profit since there was not a lot of written information around. In 1987 she put up a green house and started growing 10,000 pots of 150 varieties of herbs. In 1994 her business was profiled in Bertha Roberts’ book mentioned above and in 1995 Sandie sold her business to a partner in order to concentrate on her writing. Her book “Growing and Selling Fresh-Cut Herbs” was published in 1999 and can be purchased in most book stores or you can get an autographed copy from her at her website. This book has great information on constructing, operating and maintaining your own greenhouse, plus how to write a professional business plan, forge business partnerships and how to identify potential markets.
The last book I would recommend is Lee Sturdivant’s “Herbs for Sale” which is a wealth of information on growing and marketing herbs, herb products and herbal know-how. If you are serious about starting an herb business and can only afford one book, then this is it! Lee writes about profiting from your backyard, greenhouse and any small patch of land with culinary herbs, potted herbs, gourmet garlic and salad greens.
He shows you which successful herbs farm to visit and where they are throughout the United States. He also lists Herbal product companies nationwide in the event you are considering adding medicinal herb teas, aromatic pillows, body care products and herbal extracts to your line of products.
There is a whole section on Wildcrafting which elaborates on collecting and selling materials from roadsides and forests.
Lee identifies other marketing possibilities such as herb shops, herb restaurants and more, plus he includes detailed references for help with supplies, contracts and much more information that will be needed in the event you decide to grow and sell herbs for profit.
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Author Bio Box: Arlene Wright Correll
 For more gardening or cooking information click http://www.learn-america.com/
To see Arlene’s Gardens and to read her gardening diaries and to take a walk through her pictorial garden or click on Arlene’s Books where you can download or buy her gardening & cook books, including her new book, “The ABC’s of Wine and Beer Making”. Remember to check out her artwork, especially of her fruits and vegetables. Arlene says, “All my royalties from the sale of my books go to the St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital and I thank you for visiting my site.”
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