Sustainable action and continuous improvement are core values of ours, and we don’t just talk the talk. Not only are we committed to organic growing practices, but we also make ethical and sustainable sourcing a top priority. Our goals are to minimize our impact on the environment and support small organic farms, all while bringing you the highest quality herbs. 

You might be asking, “What does it even mean to be organic?” or “How do you source your herbs and mushrooms?” Let’s dive in. 

What is Organic? 

According to the Canada Organic Trade Association, organic production is a system of farming that replenishes and maintains soil fertility without the use of toxic pesticides and fertilizers. It encourages practices that increase biodiversity and reduce negative environmental impacts. 

The Canadian Organic Standards state that in order to be considered organic, production MUST include: 

• Rotating crops to balance and distribute nutrients in the soil. 

• Composting to add nitrogen and organic matter to the soil. 
• Keeping weeds down and preventing drought and soil erosion. 
• Using beneficial insects or manual labour to control pests. 

This system is designed to ensure vitality and diversity within the agricultural ecosystem. This includes soil organisms, plants and people. The main goal of organic production is to develop operations that are sustainable and harmonious with the environment. 

Ethical & Sustainable Sourcing 

Sourcing from Farmers 

It’s imperative that we work with growers and farmers who share our values. After all, we have endless gratitude for what Mother Nature provides. We want to do whatever we can to ensure that nourishing foods and herbs are abundant for generations to come. 

Before entering a professional relationship with a farmer or grower, we carefully review their practices.  

• Are their growing practices organic? 
• Do they use traditional cultivation methods? 
• Are the herbs harvested sustainably? 
• Are the herbs harvested at their peak potency? 
• Are workers paid a living wage? 

We will always prioritize working with farmers that have organic, sustainable, ethical and traditional growing practices. We firmly believe that these practices produce the highest quality herbs, sea-veg and mushrooms. These high standards ensure Harmonic Arts products provide you with the most potent plant medicine. 

Sourcing from the Wild 

When we can’t source from growers and farmers, we choose to harvest wild. We’re incredibly fortunate to have access to an abundant and diverse ecosystem of herbs and mushrooms right here on Vancouver Island, and we’re able to forage some of our herbs here. We also source herbs from around the world through ethical wild harvesting practices. 

We choose wild harvested herbs when an organic option isn’t available because these herbs are inherently organic. They grow in naturally nutrient-rich soil alongside symbiotic plants and other organisms. They are resilient through environmental stressors, allowing them to contain more nutrients and phytonutrients than herbs grown in a controlled environment. 

More on Medicinal Mushrooms 

We are proud to source our functional mushrooms from the pristine mountainous regions of China and the birch forests of Siberia. These regions have a long-established history of traditional mushroom cultivation. 

Our decision to source from China is made mindfully and with deep consideration of purity, potency, and quality. The organic farms we partner with pride themselves on cultivating fruiting body mushrooms on traditional mediums. Using a wood substrate for growing mushrooms is a natural method that closely resembles their wild environment.  

This method ensures the mushroom receives plenty of nourishment. It will go on to produce a fruiting body with the essential polysaccharides to support human health. Learn more here. 

The Importance of Giving Back 

As we take care of the earth, we take care of each other, and this allows each of us to live vibrantly. It's important for us to give back to the community where Harmonic Arts started. We’re also doing our best to minimize our impact on the environment. 

Our Community 

When you purchase Harmonic Arts Artisan Tea Blends, or Elixir Blends, 1% of sales goes to support The Cumberland Community Forest Society (CCFS). Our Teas and Elixirs are formulated for taste and health benefits. As we grow, we continually draw inspiration from our sweet little mountain town with a big love for nature. CCFS is an organization that protects and conserves the diverse ecosystem of the Cumberland Forest. 

The Planet 

In 2021, 80% of our packaging was either compostable or recyclable. We plan to implement more sustainable packaging for our products moving forward. Currently, our Artisan Teas and Elixirs are packaged in compostable material. Most of our other packaging is made of recyclable glass. Learn more about our packaging, along with our earth-friendly tips on how to properly dispose of it here. 

Curious to understand our impact on the environment? Click here to read our 2022 Impact Report and learn how we embody our mission and values.