John Kemp, an Evergreen State College alumni and creator of Alamere Herbs and Botanicals, has been bringing plant starts, infused oils, salves and other natural, plant-based products to Olympia for six years now. In 2011 he used disposable income from his day job to begin crafting products, using plants he grew or ones that were wild-harvested, and by 2016 he began selling plant starts. Since then Kemp’s business has steadily expanded to include microgreens, plant starts and a wide assortment of body care and medicinal products that are now sold at the Olympia Farmers’ Market.
Alamere Herbs and Botanicals’ production starts with their nursery. Located in Northeast Olympia, 400 square feet of greenhouse space is home to their plants. The plants grown at Alamere Herbs are healthful for both the environment and humans. They cultivate a wide variety of plants, including medicinal and culinary herbs, flowering plants and air-cleansing house plants. While Alamere Herbs is not certified organic, the business follows the protocol for organic farming and makes every effort to create products in a sustainable, healthful manner.
Alamere Herbs and Botanicals grows its plants with signature, handmade soil mixes and compost. Creating their own soil and compost allows the owner of Alamere Herbs to develop mixtures that are specific to a plant’s needs and will help it grow to its full potential. According to Kemp, Alamere Herbs and Botanicals could see a sale of its potting soil mix to the public in the future.
Alamere Herbs and Botanicals is currently creating more plants with vegetative propagations than from seeds. Kemp is working to develop successful methods of growing from seeds, while also expanding the propagations he produces. This year Alamere Herbs and Botanicals is introducing new cuttings such as grapes, kiwis, huckleberries and elderberries. Kemp puts an emphasis on growing native plants, such as ginseng, a recent addition to the nursery which has been very popular.
Plants have incredible medicinal properties as well as the potential to transform people’s health and well-being. Long before medicine was formulated in laboratories, people relied on plants to alleviate or cure their ailments. Many plants are still often used in medicine, such as aloe vera, a main ingredient in many common sunburn ointments. Alamere Herbs and Botanicals’ crop selections reflect the importance of medicinal and healing plants. Much of the harvest has medicinal value and is used to make topical ointments. The business aspires to begin producing medicinal tinctures soon, which would expand its selection of medicinal products.
Alamere Herbs also grows wheatgrass and microgreens, two edible crops known for their exceptional nutritional benefits. The term “microgreens” refers to the nutrient-dense immature greens of an edible plant, harvested less than a month after germination. Wheatgrass, another plant high in vitamins and antioxidants, is often juiced while microgreens are popular as garnishes to meals. Alamere Herbs and Botanicals offers a Microgreen/Wheatgrass CSA (Community Supported Agriculture), where participants can sign up to receive a tray of living wheatgrass or microgreens each week for a year.
At the nursery Kemp says they are constantly striving to find creative solutions to challenges. For instance, the greenhouses are currently unheated, which makes for a limited growing season. In an effort to create new, low-cost solutions, Kemp crafted new greenhouses for Alamere Herbs and Botanicals out of carport covers. He also sources his materials locally whenever possible, which reduces their environmental footprint and helps support the local economy.
After quitting his day job due to Alamere Herbs and Botanicals’ success, Kemp is in his second year of working at the nursery full-time. He says his favorite part of running his own farm business is the ability it gives him to put his creativity, innovation and skills to use. Kemp manages the nursery and production of natural body care and first-aid items along with working Alamere Herbs and Botanicals’ stand at the farmers’ market. He says that a common job at the nursery is managing the greenhouse, with tasks such as shading and ventilating the greenhouses on hot days.
When asked about the name of the business, Kemp tells me that the name “Alamere” originated from a waterfall in Marin County, California, where he grew up. The waterfall, located in Point Reyes National Seashore, goes off a cliff and into the ocean. Not knowing the meaning of it, Kemp simply liked the name and utilized it for his emerging business. Later, he found out that the term “Alamere” came from the French term “a la mere,” meaning “to the mother” or “to the sea.” He found the translation serendipitously in line with the naturalist mission of Alamere Herbs and Botanicals.
If you are looking for a new houseplant, some starts to begin an herb garden with, a natural body care product or just want to explore the options available, check out the selection of plants and products that Alamere Herbs and Botanicals offers.
Products are available seasonally at the Olympia Farmers’ Market, where Alamere Herbs and Botanicals’ stand is open from 10:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. at 700 Capitol Way N. Any edible products can be purchased with food stamps. This includes plant starts that have edible or medicinal uses. Updates are posted to Alamere Herb and Botanicals’ Farm Blog, and their website contains more information.
