Meet Karin Rutishauser of The Herb Crib in North East Georgia Mountains

Today we’d like to introduce you to Karin Rutishauser.

Karin, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
The Herb Crib started with a small terrace-like herb garden just outside my kitchen door. In 1996, my husband and I found an old little farm house in the beautiful Northeast Georgia Mountains. Growing up in Europe, from an early age, I helped my family grow vegetables, culinary and medicinal herbs. After years of traveling and finally settling down, I was delighted to see rosemary and lavender blooming amongst parsley and chives in the small garden spot in front of my kitchen. I visited the local nurseries in our area but, I could not find a selection of those wonderful versatile plants, until someone pointed me in the right direction.

While visiting the Ivy Log Farm in Young Harris, I met Jennifer. Jennifer had not only all the herbs I was looking for, but also the most beautiful herb and flower garden. A dream was born! I told my husband it was my wish to have a garden like this.

To my surprise, after picking me up from the airport, he drove up the hill on our property and there, in the moonlight, was my future herb garden. He had removed many trees and rocks to create the “spot” – many more rocks still needed to be removed (Trackrock Valley was living up to its name) and I envisioned how my beautiful garden would look one day.Growing and selling herbs can be very intense work for just a few months of the year. What could I do to continue to work in my garden the remainder of the year? Why not work with the plants to create herbal products and have a business through summer and fall months?My husband again went into action. With the help of a local carpenter, they built a little retail store right next to the herb garden. The building is a replica of a “Spycher “ or corn crib from the Berner Oberland in Switzerland, my husband’s homeland. My in-laws had the original 300 year spycher in their backyard and I loved to spend time there.
The Herb Crib was completed in 2001 and I was open for business. My original items for sale included a limited selection of vinegars, flavored oils, soaps and body lotions but mostly focused on fresh culinary herbs. My journey had begun.

Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
When I opened the Herb Crib in 2001, I had a little wood sign at the entrance of my driveway. That little sign did not bring me many customers. I had to find a way to get the word out without having to spend money on expensive advertising.

Local arts, craft shows and farmer’s markets were very helpful to get people familiar with what the Herb Crib was all about.

My biggest challenge was to find out what products or plants people want. What do they like? It does not matter if it is the plants I sell or the products I make. Many times, I got it wrong and new product ideas did not sell at all. The challenge still exists today. My love of the Herb Crib and my customers keeps me working to improve my products and being unique, natural and organic in all aspects of my business.

Alright – so let’s talk business. Tell us about The Herb Crib – what should we know?
The Herb Crib as it is today has evolved thanks to the support and help of my husband, family, friends and customers. As I always have used organic methods I became a organic grower with the State of Georgia.

From early on, I grew mostly culinary herbs. As time passed, I started growing medicinal herbs as well and making herbal teas, salves and tinctures.

I was approached by my friend Jennifer, from whom I bought my first herbs, to join a group of people to develop a local ethnobotanical garden at Georgia Mountain Research and Education Center in Blairsville. These gardens feature plants that were used by Native Americans and our area’s original settlers for food, medicine, shelter and ceremonies.

By learning to identify these plants (which some of us would call weeds) and their uses, I became aware of how important they are to our native wildlife and the environment. Once established, these plants do not need special care and can survive any weather condition we may have in our region. They are ideal for many of my customers who live part-time in the mountains and also for those who do not want to constantly tend to their plants. I offer a variety of organically grown culinary, medicinal herbs, native plants, wildflowers and old heirloom cottage garden flowers

My most important aspect of my business is and always will be my customers. Through the years, I have met many wonderful people and shared their love for nature. The one-on-one time I spend with my customers is imperative and enjoyable. I’m always giving advice on what, where, when and how to grow the plants.

By listening to my customers, I receive ideas and suggestions for new herbal products to make. My “testing” procedure involves my family, friends, co- workers, customers and even my dogs! A new pet line will be available this Spring.

For me, my greatest reward is my repeat customer visits. Their support by telling their friends and family about
the Herb Crib is invaluable.

Testimonials:
“The highlight of my sister’s vacation to the mountains is a visit to the Herb Crib.”
“I always feel so happy and inspired after spending time with your plants and products.”
“I would love to have my bed placed in your store and I could stay there forever.”
“I wish my daughter could get married in your herb garden.”

And then, there is trust. My customers move freely around my property, gardens and retail store without my interference. I want my customers to feel at ease, look around try different Herb Crib product testers. I love to see them walking in the garden, feeling and smelling the plants, flowers and watching the pollinators. If anyone has questions, I am nearby in my garden. My repeat customers tell me there is no need for me to stop my work to go up to the store – “we know our way around”. That is a good feeling to have with a business nowadays.
In the last few years, I started to give seminars and workshops on different topics once a month. It has been fun, educational and rewarding not just for my participants but for myself as well.

Any shoutouts? Who else deserves credit in this story – who has played a meaningful role?
I especially would like to thank: Craig Cameron CNL (www.cnlpcb.com) for the beautiful website; Carol Youorski (Youorski Photography) for the wonderful photos; Cindee Clohessy (Heartsease Nursery) for her terrific, healthy plants; and Jennifer Cordier (Ivy Log Farm) as my mentor and inspiration.

Pricing:

• potted plants $ 4.00 to $ 30,00
• herbal products $ 3.00 to $ 20.00

Contact Info:

• Address: The Herb Crib
  2998 Track Rock Church Rd
  Blairsville, Ga 30512
• Website: https://herbcrib.com/
• Phone: 706-781-6465
• Email: bern@windstream.net

Image Credit:
Carol Youorski

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