Farming Forever: Regenerative Farming with Schoppee Farm
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In celebration of Earth Month, we’re sharing more about how we LIVE OUT our commitment to caring for the planet we call home.
As a company, we are dedicated to nurturing your health but we strive to do it in a way that is beneficial to the earth. Through our partnership with Schoppee Farm, we’ve taken significant strides in our sustainability as a business with a focus on regenerative farming practices. We are passionate about making effective supplements for people of all ages. And we are equally committed to making supplements that are beneficial to the earth as well. In this post, we'll explore why we believe regenerative farming is the only TRULY sustainable farming practice and the foundation of our business as we move forward.
The Roots of our Sustainability
Seattle Elderberry's devotion to the environment is as steady as our commitment to sustainable practices. In our early days, we made the deliberate decision to only use glass containers for our products. We were motivated by the two-fold benefits: to safeguard our consumers from toxic chemicals found in plastic packaging, and to protect the environment from non-recyclable waste. Most plastics ARE recyclable, but they are not INFINITELY recyclable. Plastic degrades over time and eventually becomes unsuitable to recycle. Glass, on the other hand, can be reused again and again.
Our commitment to protect the environment also extends to our shipping packaging. From our paper tape to our “box-in-box” protective packaging, our customers are able to reuse or recycle all of our materials. Even our printed materials are made with post-consumer recycled materials and are fully recyclable!
Moreover, our decision to stick with fully recyclable product & shipping packaging from the outset helped shape our sustainability promise to our customers. This commitment extends to our ingredient sourcing as well. We take pride in partnering with farmers who not only grow organic, but also engage in sustainable, regenerative farming practices.
Our Partnership with Schoppee Farm
Seattle Elderberry was headquartered in Seattle, Washington from 2017-2022. A move took Holly's family away from Washington, and that is when Seattle Elderberry and Schoppee Farm officially joined forces. Ben and Allie Edwards of Schoppee Farm joined the Seattle Elderberry leadership team and the trio stepped into a new era of business clarity and growth.
Ben and Allie run an 8th generation regenerative farm dreamily nestled in rural Maine. You may be asking “why partner with folks clear across the country?” In short, the Ben and Allie of Schoppee Farm and Holly of Seattle Elderberry had such harmonious business models and values, and the owners all came to the table with complementary strengths. Through this partnership with Ben and Allie Edwards, we further bolstered our commitment to sustainability and excellence, while crafting a shared vision for the future.
Legacy of Schoppee Farm
The history of Schoppee Farm is as rich as the soil they cultivate.The farm was founded in the early 1800s and was a small town dairy for over a century and then provided organic hay for neighboring farms for six decades until 2019. Owner Ben Edwards spent his childhood on the farm (his mother was a Schoppee).
After grinding his gears in big cities across the world, Ben returned to the farm to build a legacy for his family with the values he held close. He could have approached farming like many others do- but the legacy of the farm and it's regenerative practices helped to guide Ben to bringing the farm to life again in a way that gave back to the land and people around them.
As the 8th generation takes the reins, the farm has transitioned to growing organic hemp. The farm carries numerous certifications including: USDA Organic, Real Organic and Regenerative Organic Certified. All of Seattle Elderberry's beyond-organic products are now proudly made and shipped directly from Schoppee Farm. The farm has native elderberries, wild nettles and plenty of space for us to start harvesting some of our own ingredients in the coming years!
What is Regenerative Farming?
Regenerative farming is the pinnacle of organic agriculture practice, centred on preserving soil health, ensuring animal welfare, and promoting social equity. It's a holistic approach that aims to leave our land, waters, and climate better for the generations to come.
Schoppee Farm is proudly Regenerative Organic Certified®. This is a revolutionary new certification for food, fiber, and personal care ingredients that represents the highest standard for organic agriculture in the world, with stringent requirements for soil health, animal welfare, and social fairness.
Aerial view of Schoppee Farm, located in Machias, Maine.
The Impact of Regenerative Farming
Regenerative farming is a self-sustaining farming system and is the key to reversing the impact of land degradation. It's "forever farming". With soil erosion and depletion leading to a growing number of "unfarmable" lands, switching to regenerative farming is crucial for our food security, water supply, and overall ecological balance.
With regenerative organic agriculture , we can rehabilitate soil, respect animal welfare, and improve the lives of farmers. We can sequester carbon, build healthier communities, and reap more nutritious and abundant yields. It's farming that gives back to the land in our generation, and for all generations ahead.
Embracing Forever Practices
At Seattle Elderberry and Schoppee Farm, we understand that Mother Nature is the ultimate guide. We prioritize soil health by using natural compost fertilizers, planting cover crops to prevent soil erosion, and promoting maximum biodiversity. Rotational grazing allows for a balanced ecosystem, and we are staunchly committed to using zero synthetic pesticides or chemicals.
Our partnership with Schoppee Farm is building upon the foundation of sustainability that Seattle Elderberry has always held. We are committed to sourcing ingredients from other farms that practice regenerative farming, ensuring our commitment to sustainability extends far beyond our immediate operation. We've also achieved USDA Organic certification for all of our products and are in the process of incorporating Regenerative Certified Organic ingredients into all products.
Impact Beyond the Farm
When founder Holly Cooper began Seattle Elderberry, she wanted a simple way to keep her family healthy. That vision has extended to keeping people of all ages healthy. And now, we're committed to keeping the earth healthy for generations to come. As family owned and operated businesses, the impact of our actions today directly impact our children- the next generation.
While we know that a single regenerative farm can't change the world, we are committed to doing our part to make a positive impact. By choosing Seattle Elderberry's effective and delicious organic immune support, you're also supporting our mission to make the world a better place for future generations.
Stay tuned as we continue to unveil new regenerative farm partners, as we highlight our own farm and business practices and as we step into the next era of Seattle Elderberry's sustainability journey.
