Four Elements Herbals:

Organic Before Organic Was Cool

Environmental issues are finally on the national stage, but there is a woman in Wisconsin who has been quietly living and working to promote organic, sustainable farming for two decades, long before organic was considered cool. Jane Hawley Stevens, founder and owner of Four Elements Herbals, a 130-acre organic farm and product producer in the pristine Baraboo Bluffs of central Wisconsin celebrates 20 years this year of doing what she always thought was right - growing herbs, fruits and vegetables with a genuine respect for the earth.

What started out in 1987 as a pursuit of a dream to establish a family farm and continue a horticulture career turned into so much more for Jane Hawley Stevens and her husband David Stevens. They started out small, supplying potted herbs to local stores and food co-ops in nearby Madison. Before long, the herbs became the focal point of the farm, from cooking and crafts to body care products and natural healing. Today the farm, with its abundance of prairies and woodlands, is the setting for diverse and hand-selected species of herbs. Everything is hand-harvested at peak potency and blended in small batches. Local women are the loyal workforce.

Taking the step to be certified as an organic farm in 1990 was no small task, as master herbalist Hawley Stevens explains, but it was an important way to demonstrate to customers and retailers that her products are among the purest around. "We are certified by the Organic Crop Improvement Association and undergo an annual inspection," said Hawley Stevens. "To qualify, farmers must practice organic growing techniques in areas such as soil fertility and pest control."

Hawley Stevens didn't stop there. All her products are packaged in recyclable containers using recycled packing materials. Oils used in the products are expeller pressed, an ancient Japanese method that does not use chemicals for extraction. Vitamin E oil is derived from the natural source - soybeans.

Four Elements Herbals products are available in the Wedge Health and Body Care Department. Come to the Wedge and elevate your body, mind, and spirit with these luxurious local products!