Ethics Propels Frontier Well Earth Botanical Sourcing

Is it possible the supply spectrum between conventional and certified organic crops is narrowing? In some aspect, this may be achievable.  

Ask the folks at Frontier Natural Products Co-op of Norway, Iowa, who reported for 2010 that 67% of total pounds purchased in its culinary and aromatherapy products are from sustainable sources. The driving force for its’ botanical sourcing is Frontier’s Well Earth^TM certification program.

Leony and Bertrand’s herb farm in central Argentina is one of Frontier’s Well Earth sustainable botanical sourcing program partners.  

Picture nearly 250 acres of blossoming lavender, lemon verbena, thyme, and sage, among several other organic aromatic herbs. With help from Frontier, ongoing sustainable and organic practices improve Leony and Bertrand's product (see picture) quality and yields.

Frontier’s Well Earth program started in 2005 and grew out of its values and commitment to sustainable agriculture and ethical sourcing. 

“Based on earlier research in the 90’s,” according to Kathy Larson, Frontier’s Vice President of Sustainability, “we had many farmers approaching us who wanted to grow organic herbs but didn’t know how and we undertook doing research to meet that need.”  Ms. Larson added, “While we no longer are directly involved in research, we support organizations who are involved in organic production research.”

Emergence of fair trade practices, concern for worker safety from hazardous pesticides, and environmental protection measures and certifications is providing a springboard for agricultural production to commit to sustainability and ethics programs.

Addressing core sustainability criteria, Frontier’s Well Earth certification program requires vendors to provide a statement of ethical production.  Well Earth is stringent on multiple compliance factors including federal, state, and local labor laws, environmental laws including use and disposal of chemicals, wastes, conservation of endangered or threatened species, air and water quality, and resource use.

 “Organic is an important element in having a sustainable food supply,” says Ms. Larson, whose company mantra is helping farmers transition to sustainable practices. She added, “Our goal is to convince current suppliers to invest in the organic certification of their farming practices, although it can be quite expensive for some of our international partners.”

Frontier’s Well Earth program is open to all suppliers. In the United States, Well Earth has three partners who provide organic alfalfa, organic goldenseal leaf and root, organic peppermint, and organic spearmint.