One of the greatest gifts that I have received in life is the gift to grow up in my very own healing garden, our family mint farm. It is here where I learned to appreciate Mother Earth and realize the beauty and pain of Mother Nature’s ways.
The farmland is a rich muck soil, whose nutrients are perfect for growing what I thought were carpets of mint. My feet delighted in the way the soil slipped through my toes and my nose inhaled the hardy fragrance at every harvest. It is here that I learned the process of distilling mint and truly believed in magic as my father separated the oil from the water with a steady and patient hand. With each annual harvest my father celebrated quietly and each worry line in his face was dedicated to surviving one more year.
My great grandfather started Mint Grove Farm back in 1912, in St. Johns, Michigan. It is my grandfather, Lawrence Crosby’s tenacity to continue; my father, James E. Crosby’s determination to preserve this heritage; my Uncle Larry Crosby’s ability to renew, and my brother Jim Crosby’s dream to see this labor of love be preserved that I owe my gratitude.
The dream is still alive although the industry has forced many marketing changes. As most small farms face distinction, we also face the fear that someday this may be a former way of life. You see, the production of peppermint and spearmint hasn’t changed much over the 95 years the Crosby Family has been in business, but the market for this quality essential oil didn’t have patience. Traditional venues of selling the oil had to be developed. The broker and buyers that my family dealt with for 80 years have changed hands, or been forced out of business themselves. And the simple “hand shake” that used to feed the family and keep the farm operational, just doesn’t exist for the small farmer today.
With the introduction of synthetic oil and the dilution of oil with alcohol, there was a need to find a market that understands and appreciates the qualities that the pure essential oil of peppermint provides. The holistic community recognizes the healing properties of the essential oil contained within the leaves of the mint plant. Because the oil has been known to help migraine headaches, bee stings, sore throats, asthma, stomach problems, symptoms of common colds, aid in muscle relief, and kill bacteria, Mint Grove has decided to market and package their own pure essential oil and target this market.
The herb of mint is a marvelous one. The love affair with mint goes way back to Biblical times (Luke 11:42) and derived its name from Greek mythology. Besides being recognized for its medicinal qualities, the oil of mint lends its menthol properties to candy, sweets, mouthwash, toothpaste, potpourri, flavorings, breath mints, cigarettes, snuff, and ointments. Cooking enthusiasts use the dried mint for food and beverage preparations. It is our heart’s desire to continue to produce the highest and purest form of peppermint and spearmint oil and continue this proud heritage.
My brother Jim has developed another product called Mint Compost. The distillation process of the mint leaves produces a byproduct of steamed mint hay. Traditionally, the hay or mint cheese was disposed of or spread throughout the fields to further fertilize the soil. Now, the distilled leaves and rich muck land is mixed together to create a self composting process. This mint mixture is allowed to heat to 170 degrees F, which naturally sterilizes the compost. This Mint Compost is high in nutrients and is receiving rave reviews from the novice gardener to the master gardener. By inventing a composting method that used no chemical accelerators, Jim earned recognition as Michigan’s Recycler of the Year 2003 and the Tri County Recycling Award (Clinton, Eaton, Ingham).
Today, we continue to honor the past that has paved the way to our future by offering diversified mint products and varied services to the public. The change the farm has experienced still hasn’t changed my love of the dark soil through my toes and the fragrant filled air at harvest continues to bring back memories of the past. And now as an adult I have come to recognize each worry line in my father’s face. It is in those lines, I am able to measure my gratitude. It is on this mint farm that not only am I able to heal my body, but my soul.
For more information check out our Farm’s website at www.getmint.com or call (517) 749-4708.
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