The American Botanical Council is proud to report that the first event ever held at the new site, the 140-year-old historic Case Mill Homestead, was a success! The debut Case Mill Site Tour and National Nutritional Foods Association (NNFA) Herb Walk was held on Tuesday, July 14, just three short weeks after moving in to the facility. Attendees of the NNFA Marketplace traveled to Austin a day prior to the San Antonio conference to enjoy a late afternoon catered Mediterranean lunch under the shade of the towering live oaks in our backyard. Participants were entertained by live acoustic music. Dr. James Duke, noted ethnobotanist and author, accopmapied himslf o guitar as he sang a poetic song that he wrote in honor of Mark Blumenthal, Founder and Executive Director of ABC.

More than 150 people attended the event. ABC treated the crowd to a luxury bus ride to and from Austin, a healthy snack, and a presentation by an herbalist. Once on the grounds, participants toured the 2.5 acre site and the recently restored 140 year-old Colonial Revival house, currently serving as the office space for 25 employees.

"We are pleased that the inaugural event was for members of industry who have supported us through the years," said Wayne Silverman, Chief Administrative Officer of ABC. "Considering where we came from, two employees in my former home, the maturation of the organization and staff is surprising and gratifying," said Mark Blumenthal. Loren Israelsen of LDI Group, Barbara Johnston, Managing Editor of HerbalGram, and Wayne Silverman all added thoughts and history to the program.

The event was concluded with an herb walk, conducted by the following herbalists: Kathryn Cox, Motherlove, LaPorte, Colorado; Steven Dentali, Ph.D., Dentali Associates Natural Products Consulting Services, Troutdale, Oregon; Daniel Gagnon, Herbs Etc., Sante Fe, New Mexico; Carlos Hernandez, Austin Health Associates, Austin, Texas; Ed Smith, Herb Pharm, Williams, Oregon; Greg Tilford, Animal's Apawthecary, Conner, Montana; Roy Upton, American Herbal Pharmacopoeia, Soquel, California; Ginger Webb, American Botanical Council, Austin; Terry Willard, Ph.D., Wild Rose College of Natural Health, Calgary, Alberta.

ABC thanks Capsugel, Nature's Way, Nutrilite (a division of Amway), and Triarco for sponsoring this event.

Article copyright American Botanical Council.