On Nature’s Time
Reconnecting with the slower, natural ways of life is at the forefront of Slow Farm’s mission based out of Cameron, NC. Owner Rachel Herrick uses sustainable practices on her farm that was formerly used for tobacco farming, stripping the soils. Now she does what she can to replenish that earth with native plants and create clean products with a focus on skincare and beauty.
“The goal is to look at what can grow here and what is already growing here. We want things that are sustainable. Then I go around and see what is growing well and do a lot of reverse research from there. I take a plant and go ‘ok what is this good for?’ I’ve been planting things like that for the last seven years,” says Rachel.
Slow Farm is a 47 acre farm, established in 2015. Slow Farm has planted nearly 400 different species of native fruit, nut and herb varieties in its lifetime. Also on the farm are chickens, dogs and Kunekune pigs, which don’t root and have an added bonus of cuteness.
Last year, she received a grant to fix up a 1934 tobacco barn on the property into an FDA compliant workshop for herbs and native plants. Stepping inside feels like walking into a fairytale cottage with dried herbs hanging from the ceiling and walls lined with jars of various sizes and fillings. “I like to ‘mad-scientist’ my way through things,” she laughs.
In the workshop, she makes goods like soaps, bug spray, skincare and her personal favorite, beauty products. She calls the products “Slow Goods,” since the farm is Slow Farm and everything made on her watch takes time. Some products can take up to six months between naturally drying the herbs and infusing them into oils.
Rachel comes from generations of farmers. “The women in my family were the type who would farm but still always rock bright red lipstick,” she says, “Beauty and skincare products that feel good are something I enjoy.” One of her favorite things is having friends come over for a “beauty day” at the farm before product launches.
Rachel also used to wear bright lipstick all the time until she found out what harmful ingredients were usually in it. “I decided to start using things I could make,” she says. “I think you do things better if you actually enjoy the products yourself.” She has since made lip tints out of rosehip and persimmons with other ideas constantly in the works—she is currently working on a dewberry lip and cheek tint.
“There’s no recipe for how to do this stuff because no one I’ve found is trying to make stuff out of these products,” says Rachel. She has also made beard balms, hair oils, moisturizers and facial products. Everything is small batch, so once its sold out, it’s gone for the season.
If you’re interested in purchasing any slow goods, locals can do a farm pick-up or you can have it shipped.
