In the beginning: at the Touret farm, 1979
L’Herbier du Diois used to be an ordinary farm started by the Wartena and Vink families, Dutch friends, who were making their return to earth. Implanted in Vachères en Quint in the Drôme the Touret farm thus became the first organic aromatic herb farm in the Diois. Its plants came from wild herb cuttings, initiating the transition from traditional harvesting areas to cultivated fields. Immediately this small farm refused monoculture and began at the same time goat breeding. A method we still encourage producers to practice. Today: at the heart of an organic and sustainable farming
Over the years not being able to provide our customers enough herbs, little by little, the Touret farm became a wholesaler offering a large range of dried herbs only from organic farming. We are also specialized in processing plants, cutting ways, spraying, grinding) debacterization, packaging. Our customers: herbalists, medical or cosmetic groups and the food industry in France and abroad.
Thanks to our close and lasting relationships with local and international producers, our expertise and long experience, l’Herbier du Diois has become a vital link concerning dried organic plants.
The company has also become a reference in terms of sustainable development not only for farmers in southern countries but also for small French farmers. We have also taken part in a new label (Bio solidaire) in 2007, with a first main product: local lime. Our willing to be concerned by people is also significant in the management of our employees. We try to offer them the best working conditions in a healthy environment in our green building) harmony between private and professional life (35 hours weekly, 4 days are possible), diploma courses languages, management, driver license) , complementary health or the organization of external activities ( concerts, sports) .
Finally, l’Herbier du Diois is from now on, at the forefront of ecology, thanks to its wood frame building, and straw insulation with positive energy. Tomorrow: take part in the organic farming and sustainable development beam.
Through our farm “La Croix” l’Herbier du Diois carries out its know-how on the Diois lands. Objective: become a knowledge hub on herbs and seek for the best farming methods. But also reconnect with our roots...In the long term this structure will become a means to stimulate and help local and national producers wishing to begin the organic farming of aromatic plants. Thus, l’Herbier du Diois intends to take part in the organic farming beam, still peddling the fundamentals of sustainable development.
In addition, within l’Herbier du Diois we tirelessly try to improve transformation procedures and are increasingly demanding quality products. New certifications (in particular IFS for 2012) are going to be obtained. Many projects with local and international producers also allow us to widen our plant range.
We are not targeting profitability at any cost; we are constantly seeking harmony between our economic development, necessary to continue our business and provide employment, and sustainable development. Thus, we build stable partnerships based on multiannual commitments with producers so they are not too uncertain and can develop. We never ask for exclusivity and encourage multi-activity. As regards ecology, we are very concerned by the transportation of our goods and really encourage (through bonuses) our employees to use soft transport. We remain very attentive to the development of new clean technology projects and in the future want to install terminals on our parking for electric vehicles. We recycle all our waste papers and eliminate little by little unnecessary packaging adopting reusable ones.
Lastly, we are creating a true haven of biodiversity all around our building through a variety of plantations and water supply points. |
