Ethics

A potluck spread featuring cultural foods and community member with a shirt that reads Destroy white supremacy
A potluck spread featuring cultural foods and community member with a shirt that reads Destroy white supremacy

We are a grassroots community driven by these values.

BY US, FOR US

Our organization exists primarily to support communities of genderqueer people of culture.

Our work is:

  • Grounded in Ancestral & cultural wisdom. We honor the resources we have access to and get permission from appropriate stewards when necessary.
  • Rooted in liberation. We identify beyond the confines of race and gender, therefore naming ourselves and creating our own narratives.
  • A collaboration in Nature. Every participant has agency in the creative process. We hold space for people to recognize what they have to offer within themselves and encourage them bring it to the collective.
Zero Waste is circled by 5 leaves with one word; rot, refuse, reduce, recycle, reuse.
Zero Waste is circled by 5 leaves each with one word; rot, refuse, reduce, recycle, reuse.

ZERO WASTE

In our work, we live by the five R’s:

Refuse – We actively abstain from trash generating activities. Straws, plastic bags, plastic ware, plastic bottles, and styrofoam, for instance, are rarely used in our work.

Rot – Through composting, we return food, plant material, and paper back to the soil whenever possible.

Reduce – We use the minimum amount of materials possible to get the job done including electricity and Water.

Reuse – We use materials multiple times in a myriad of ways to cut down on waste.

Recycle – Once a material like plastic, glass, or metal, has no more functionality, we recycle it.

3 folks pose in the garden
3 folks pose in the mid summer garden

Ethical Harvesting

  • We ask the Plant(s) and any other species actively living or using the area for permission to harvest. We inform all the creatures of our intention for use.
  • We only harvest what we need, and will use. if there are multiple plants in the area.
  • We give gratitude to the Plant(s), the nearby Creatures, and leave an offering to all including the landscape.
  • The majority of Plants and Seeds we use are harvested by us, People Of Culture, or urban small farmers.
13 people of heritage cuddle while napping in bright blankets
13 people of culture cuddle while napping in bright blankets

REST

  • We understand rest as necessary and vital to the human body. We encourage folks to have clear boundaries around their personal capacity and in all of our work we are flexible to meet people in rest.
Wellness and Play collage featured brown skin drummer and youth playing in park. Words down middle experience, support, nature, reconnect, come curious leave inspired with magical memories. Created for you.
Wellness and Play collage featured brown skin drummer and youth playing in park. Words down middle experience, support, nature, reconnect, come curious leave inspired with magical memories. Created for you.

PLAY

  • We aspire to create a joyful experience that engages curiosity, fosters creativity and fun!

OPEN SOURCE SEEDS

  • Re-establish Seeds as free and available to all.
  • We educate folks on Seed Companies that patent some of their varieties, thereby laying claim to living organisms and stealing traditional teachings. We recommend avoiding these companies: Territorial Seeds, High Mowing Seeds, Vitalis, Bejo and Johnnys Seeds.
  • We recommend supporting others with better ethics
9 folks pose during a Leaders Networking Luncheon against a yellowish wall.
9 folks pose during a Leaders Networking Luncheon against a yellowish wall.

An organization with such passion and energy is rare to find! I wish Artistic Apothecary all the best in winning these grants, the world will be a better place for their efforts!

–Matthew, Grant Proposal Editor Volunteer