The Herbalist
Sarah Tacoma, Owner of Bloem Botanicals
April - September 2021
In the spring of 2021, I joined the organization World Wide Opportunities on Organic Farms (WWOOF) and connected with Sarah Tacoma of Bloem Botanicals. Sarah is a Herbalist, Photographer, mother, and lover of all things wild. Over the course of 5 months I lived with Sarah and her family nestled in the Kimberley Valley of Grey Highlands, Ontario. Immersed in what felt like a dream, each day I crafted tonics, tinctures, oils, salves, and teas under Sarah's expert guidance. At times it felt as if my hands became intertwined with the soil, as I meticulously planted and harvested an array of flowers, herbs, and vegetables. Yet, beyond the tangible creations we made, the most profound gift of all was the opportunity to dwell in complete harmony with the land. This experience bestowed upon me invaluable wisdom—a poignant lesson with a universal language—that when we nurture and care for the land, in turn, the land nurtures and cares for us. It is a symbiotic dance of giving and receiving, fostering a harmonious relationship that resonates with the very essence of our existence.