MENDOCINO HERB GUILD
Public attendance plentiful at Spring Herb Market
The “Old Rexall Building” parking lot has become quite the local gathering place in Willits. Due to the continuing COVID-19 pandemic, only outdoor gatherings are allowed as long as social distancing and face masks are enforced. The Mendocino County Herb Guild took advantage of the spring weather and sponsored a Spring Herb Market on March 20, this year’s Spring Equinox.
The owners of the location have made the spot freely available to many for various events, including the weekly Farmer’s Market. Claudia Wenning, of Quantum Level Health, said she appreciates that the owners are “supporting community events so consistently and generously.”
As one of the organizers of the event, Wenning said they hope to offer frequent markets through the year, even if the pandemic persists.
“We have limited options to gather, so the Market is an acceptable venue to not only provide a way for the vendors to display and vend their products, but for the community to have a safe exchange.”
After the Holiday Herb Market, which Wenning said “turned out better than they could have hoped for,” the organizers realized the event “really filled a void” in the community and started dreaming up the next event. “There are a lot of smiling faces… behind the masks… and smiling eyes.”
Vendors came from all across the County to participate in the market, which was very well attended by the community. It was a bustling space but visitors did their best to stay apart from each other in consideration for one another’s well-being. Wenning said it was her goal to see Willits “shine as the central hub in the county.”
The 24 vendors ranged from baked goods, beaded jewelry, tinctures and tonics, and much more. Those who participated includes Flying Dog Pizza, Quantum Level Health, Kathy Zimmerman Photography, Garden Alchemy, Trillium Herb Company, Kshunye Farmacy, Trillium Alchemy / Sienna, Full
Circle Wool, William Cull, Wilder Ferments, Medicinal Allies, Nine Sisters Botanicals, Tulasi Tonics/ Anna Lee, Happy Day Farms, Root Girl Herbals/ Rhys May, Mulligan Gardens, Bahia Beads, Everyday Alchemy Tonic Co., Circle of Stones, Mamawolf’s Bakery, Forget Me Not Flowers, Mendo Ferments, Ancient Vitality, Mendocino County Herb Guild, and Green Lady Herbals.
Wenning added that the market organizers are considering hosting an event three months or so in alignment with the change of the seasons, equinox and solstices. “We will see if logistics are in place for that until restrictions are lifted, and to then create other gathering venues,” said Wenning, explaining that all of the vendors offered handcrafted goods.
“It’s about artistic expression… and where do artists have an outlet since COVID? So, this is really a community service.”