By Malinda Geisler, content specialist, Ag Marketing Resource Center, and Mona Othman, graduate student, Iowa State University.

Profile updated April 2010.

Herbs are aromatic, fresh or dried leaves used for food flavoring and aroma purposes. Culinary herbs may be sold as live plants, fresh or in dried form.

Many herbs are perennials while some are annuals. Herbs can grow in a field, in raised beds and in a greenhouse. Production is labor intensive since herbs are planted and harvested by hand. Once herbs are hand picked, they are washed, weighed and packaged. Herbs can also be dried.

Possible marketing outlets include direct marketing through roadside stands and farmers' markets. Herbs may also be sold to restaurants, grocery stores, gift shops and natural food stores. Other value-added herb products may be produced such as herbal teas, butters and sauces.
 

Source
Culinary Herbs, University of Kentucky, 2006.

Links to common herbs

• Anise
• Basil
• Borage
• Caraway
• Chervil
• Chives
• Coriander
• Dill
• Fennel
• Garlic Chives
• Lemon Balm
• Lovage
• Mints: Peppermint, Spearmint, Wild Mint, Corn Mint, Wild Water Mint, Curled Mint, Bergamot Mint, Round-Leaved Mint, Horsemint, America Horsemint.
• Oregano
• Parsley
• Rosemary
• Sage
• Sweet Marjoram
• Summer Savory
• Tarragon
• Thyme

Links to culinary herbs

• American Herbal Product Association - The national trade association and voice of the herbal products industry.
• Census of Horticultural Specialties (2009), National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS), USDA, 2010 - The census provides the only comprehensive, detailed data on U.S. floriculture, nursery and specialty crop production at the national and state levels.
• Crop Profile for Basil in New Jersey, 2008.
• Culinary and Aromatic Herbs, North Carolina State University - This links to several how-to herb sites available through this university.
• Culinary Herbs, University of Kentucky, 2006.
• Earth Elements Farm, Lexington, Oklahoma - On 3/4 acre of her five-acre farm, April Harrington organically grows the culinary and medicinal herbs she uses in her body care products as well as in her breads and homemade canned soups. She sells her food products, body care products and herbs at a local farmers' market. She also retails her body care products by mail and through two area health food stores.
• Easy-To-Grow Herbs for the Landscape, Mississippi State University Extension Service, 2010.
• Essential Oils and Culinary Herbs, Purdue University.
• Field Grown Herbs, Centre for Alternative Land Use, Bangor University, U.K., 2006.
• Great Lakes Herb Business Association - Represents those who grow, wholesale or retail herbs in Michigan, Ohio and Indiana.
• Healthy Cooking with Fresh Herbs, University of Nebraska - This guide reviews when to pick, wash, store, and freeze herbs.
• Herb Production in Organic Systems, National Sustainable Agriculture Information Service, 2007 - This publication addresses organic production of herbs and harvesting wild herbs.
• The Herb Society of America - This organization educates people on the cultivation of herbs and their uses. The Web site features herbal profiles and guides.
• Herbs: Organic Greenhouse Production, National Sustainable Agriculture Information Service, 2005 - This guide reviews marketing channels for fresh-cut organic herb production.
• Herb World Online - This herb growing and marketing network is an informational service for the herb industry.
• International Herb Association - A professional trade association providing educational, service and development opportunities for those involved in herbs.
• Mountain Rose Herbs, Eugene, Oregon – This business offers certified organic bulk, dried herbs and other products.
• Oberle Botanical, Fort Collins, Colorado - Run by Matt and Sue Oberle, this diversified operation blends a variety of horticulture ventures with a commitment to keeping things local and using sustainable agriculture methods.
• Ohio Vegetable Production Guide: 2010, Ohio State University - This online guide provides quantities of selected herbs chefs might want to purchase and cash values at a sample farmers' market.
• Organic Price Report, Rodale Institute - This online tool tracks selected prices from the fruit, vegetable, herbs and grain sectors, comparing organic prices to conventional prices in markets across the country.
• Yes, There IS Life After Dairy....The Story of Healing Spirits Herb Farm, Small Farm Quarterly, 2004 - This herb farm annually produces over a ton of dried herbs and a half ton of fresh herbs, and ships throughout the United States.

Links checked April 2011.