LOCAL BUSINESS: THE HERBAL SCOOP

AN INTERVIEW WITH KENDRA PAYNE, OWNER OF THE HERBAL SCOOP

WELLNESS FROM THE GROUND UP

Callicoon-based business owner Kendra Payne is a herbalist and yoga teacher who is dedicated to nutrition and wellness. After facing chronic illness as a child and into adulthood, Kendra turned to her life-long interest in plants and nature, earning certification as a herbalist. She turned that passion and knowledge into a business, opening The Herbal Scoop in 2019 with the motto "Eat more plants. Drink more leaves." The Herbal Scoop store, both online and in-person, sells herbs, tinctures, and teas. Kendra also does one-on-one consultations to help individuals find their ideal herbal practice. We chatted with Kendra to learn more about her business and her connection to the Catskills.

What drew you to the Sullivan County Catskills?

I had spent so much time in Sullivan County and actually got married in Woodridge! My husband and I would use our days off in NYC to travel to Sullivan County to get away from the chaos. Gradually, we knew we wanted to make Sullivan County our home and we made that dream come true in 2019.

What does your work look like in the early spring?

My business kicks into high gear in early spring! I am growing in 2000 square feet this year so early spring is planting season. I will be living in the greenhouse this spring to get ready for planting season.

PHOTO: NOUSHA SALIMI, COURTESY OF KENDRA PAYNE

How has it been to be a small business owner (of a relatively new business) during COVID?

Being a new small business during COVID has been a rollercoaster. There are days that I made zero dollars and thought about giving up and there are days that felt like I was living my dreams. On those days I was able to spend time harvesting herbs, making herbal products and connecting with the community. I loved those days and that’s what has kept me going through this pandemic.

Have you seen a shift in how people think of wellness due to the pandemic?

I think there has been a definite shift in how people think about wellness. I think people are more open to the idea of building a wellness practice. We experienced so much over the past year and people really began to rely on their wellness practice to help them feel better. I have had many conversations with people on how to build the right herbal tea for their needs. People are getting back to basics and that feels really good.

Are there Catskills native plants that you have particularly enjoyed working with or hope to work with?

I really enjoyed working with wild rose, goldenrod, elderberry, mugwort, reishi. All of these plants made it into the shop and there are some wonderful herbal goodies from my Catskill finds.

What’s been your most exciting find while foraging locally?

My most exciting find this year was perfectly bloomed St. John’s Wort on the summer solstice. I

was able to harvest some and made the most beautiful oil I

have seen.

If you could only grow one plant, what would it be?

Oooh that’s a difficult one. I personally work with Astragalus root a lot. It makes it into a lot of my herbal blends and I incorporate it into my veggie broths as well.

What are some of your goals for the business and broader community?

There are a lot of goals for The Herbal Scoop. I want to be able to grow or forage all of the herbs in

my shop. Each year I am expanding my growing space so one day I hope to be able to complete that goal. As a Black-owned business it’s important to me to work with Black farmers and continue to build relationships and create opportunities of equity and liberation. One last goal I will share is that I hope in 2022 to host a Black Herbalist Conference at The Herbal Scoop farm!

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Photo by Lee Alexander