Access to affordable farmland is one of the biggest challenges facing new and small-scale farmers. At the same time, many parcels throughout Central Vermont are underutilized due to steep slopes, awkward lot sizes, invasive species, or other limitations that make them difficult to develop.

Tilia Tea Company partners with landowners to transform these overlooked spaces into productive microfarms that grow medicinal herbs, teas, and pollinator habitat. By working together, we can make better use of existing green space, increase local food and herb production, improve ecological health, and create beautiful places that benefit the community.

We’re collaborative, honest, and straightforward. We believe the best projects begin with listening. Every property, landowner, and growing space is different, so we start by learning about your goals, concerns, and vision for the site.

Our approach is collaborative, transparent, and low-pressure. We'll walk the property with you, discuss possibilities and limitations, and develop a plan that fits both the site and your comfort level. Throughout the process, we communicate clearly about what work is happening, when it will occur, and what changes you can expect to see over time.

Because we focus on regenerative, low-impact practices, site transformations happen gradually rather than overnight. The first year often involves invasive species management, soil building, cover crops, and pollinator-friendly plantings. As the space develops, perennial herbs and tea plants become established and the site evolves into a productive and beautiful microfarm.

Many landowners tell us they enjoy watching a neglected parcel become an asset for the neighborhood – a space that supports pollinators, improves ecological health, and produces locally grown herbs and teas.

Whether you're interested in hosting a microfarm, purchasing tea, carrying our products wholesale, or volunteering, our goal is to make the experience welcoming, educational, and beneficial for both people and the land.

Transforming a site takes time, and we intentionally use low-impact methods that prioritize long-term soil health.

The first step is usually site preparation. We use occultation (dark, opaque tarps) and manual removal to suppress existing invasive vegetation and prepare the area for planting. This approach minimizes soil disturbance while helping us manage invasive species.

Many of the sites we work with have compacted or otherwise suboptimal soils. Because of this, the first growing season is often dedicated to soil-building cover crops such as peas, oats, and clovers, along with ornamental flower borders that support pollinators and beautify the space.

During the second year, we begin establishing perennial herbs and tea plants. As these plants mature, they fill in the space, improve soil conditions, support beneficial insects, and require less disturbance over time.

The transformation of a healthy perennial microfarm takes several years, but the result is a resilient growing space that supports both people and pollinators for years to come.

We are committed to regenerative growing practices that improve ecological health over time. We prioritize soil-building cover crops, perennial plantings, pollinator habitat, biodiversity, and minimal soil disturbance whenever possible.

Our goal is not simply to grow herbs, but to create thriving landscapes that provide long-term benefits for the environment and our community.

As we continue to grow, we’re excited to pursue organic certification at all of our microfarms.

We specialize in medicinal herbs, herbal teas, and edible flowers that thrive in Vermont's climate. Depending on the season, we grow a diverse range of herbs including chamomile, calendula, tulsi, lemon balm, catnip, skullcap, red raspberry leaf, yarrow, monarda, nettle, linden, feverfew, echinacea, and many others.

We focus on plants that can be used for teas, wellness products, and pollinator support. Our growing spaces are designed to be both productive and beautiful, providing habitat for beneficial insects while stabilizing soil and producing high-quality herbs for our community.

One question we receive occasionally is whether we grow cannabis. The answer is no. Tilia Tea Company does not grow cannabis. We focus exclusively on non-cannabis botanicals.

There are several ways to support Tilia Tea Company's mission:

Are you a landowner in Barre, Vermont? We'd love to hear from you. If you have an underutilized parcel that may be suitable for a microfarm, send us a note to start the conversation.

Interested in carrying our products? We offer wholesale opportunities for retailers, cafés, and other businesses interested in featuring locally grown herbal teas and medicinal herbs.

Purchase our products. Every tea purchase helps support local herb production and the continued transformation of underutilized spaces into productive microfarms.

Make a donation. Donations directly support our efforts to establish new growing sites, improve existing microfarms, and expand access to locally grown medicinal plants and teas.

Yes! We welcome volunteers of all ages and experience levels. You don't need any gardening or farming experience to participate.

Volunteer activities may include planting, weeding, harvesting, spreading mulch, preparing garden beds, building habitat for pollinators, or helping with special projects throughout the season. We provide guidance and instruction, and we're always happy to share what we're learning about growing medicinal herbs and teas.

We simply ask that volunteers are able to participate safely and responsibly in an outdoor working environment. Children are welcome when accompanied and supervised by an adult.

Volunteering is a great way to learn about medicinal plants, connect with your community, and help transform underutilized spaces into thriving microfarms.