Photo credit: Chrissy Moore
Learn more, know more.
Photo credit: John Winder
Mission & History.
The Potomac Unit of The Herb Society of America, Inc., was formed in 1964. It is a non-profit organization, located in the Washington D.C. metropolitan area. Our mission is dedicated to promoting the knowledge, use and delight of herbs through educational programs, research and sharing the experience of our members with the community.
Our dedicated group supports the National Herb Garden at the U.S. National Arboretum and the National Library of Medicine’s Herb Garden. Our fundraisers include the annual Friends of The National Arboretum (FONA) Plant Sale where much of our proceeds contribute to financing an intern to work in the National Herb Garden. We additionally support FONA at the annual plant sale by leasing space with the proceeds going to FONA.
Many of our members participate in herbal crafts workshops, botanical bead workshops, and an active herb study and culinary group, where our meetings are not only informative and creative, but culminate in a delightful herbal feast.
Guests are always welcome to attend our meetings. See our latest newsletter for the most current meeting and event information.
Leadership Team.
The Potomac Unit’s Leadership Team includes a dynamic group of members that chart the course of the organization and direct its activities. We invite you to learn more about our Board of Directors and committee chairs.
Board of Directors
Chair: Kim Labash
Vice Chairs: Pat Kenny & Kari Barrett
Recording/Corresponding Secretary: Lisa Faustlin
Treasurer: Barry Eigen
Chairs
Advertising and Publicity: Kim Labash
Botanical Beads: vacant
Botany/Horticulture: Mary Schwegler
Herb Sale: Kim Labash
Herb workshop(crafts/culinary): vacant
Herb Study: Mary Schwegler
Hospitality: Rotating
Membership: vacant
National Herb Garden: Penni St. Hillaire
National Library of Med. Herb Garden: Pat Kenny
Newsletter: Laura Anthony & Cyndie Rinek
Remembrance Committee: Kim Labash
Social Media/Website: Lisa Faustlin
Trips and Travel: Barbara Kier
Photo credit: Chrissy Moore
Photo credit: Kim Rush Lynch
Partners.
Explore the exciting world of herbs with the Potomac Unit and its business partners and other member organizations. Learn more about our valued partners with a passion for promoting herbs and their uses and benefits. We invite you to take a moment to explore their websites full of programs and products of interest to herb lovers everywhere.
Potomac Potpourri.
The Potomac Potpourri, our newsletter, is published six times a year and is available to members and to non-member subscribers. It contains current meeting information and news about unit activities, plus horticultural information and advice. Material appearing in the Potomac Potpourri may be reproduced. Potomac Potpourri should be credited as the source.
Photo credit: Kim Rush Lynch
Photo credit: Mitchel Luo
Herbs of the Year.
The International Herb Association established Herb of the Year to develop and coordinate national attention on herbs, herbal uses, herb businesses, and the IHA. Explore with us this year’s selection, Ginger.
Photo credit: Chrissy Moore
Gardens.
Our dedicated group supports the National Herb Garden at the U.S. National Arboretum, and the National Library of Medicine’s Herb Garden. Please contact us to learn more about our volunteer opportunities at these sites. Volunteering with the Potomac Unit is a wonderful way to get your hands dirty while connecting with other herb enthusiasts in the DMV.