Framtidens örter odlas lokalt i Uppsala
Läs originalartikeln på svenska i Hela Staden Uppsala | September 1, 2024
Original text and photo by Signe Strand written by Öfre Slotts media AB
Translated in English by Agnès Brosset
The Herbs of the Future Are Grown Locally in Uppsala
"No dried herbs sold in Sweden are produced here. So I decided to do it—I want to create the first production of dried herbs in Sweden."
It’s early morning in the Hospital Garden. Since June, Agnès Brosset, who runs Nordiska Örter, has been cultivating here. In the late 1800s, the same land belonged to and was maintained by the mental hospital in Ulleråker. “Cultivation and gardening were a way to help the patients in their recovery. The hospital was actually self-sufficient through the garden,” says Agnès.
The idea of becoming self-sufficient was what inspired Agnès to start foraging and working with herbs six years ago. At that time, she was living in Finland and pursuing her PhD in plant ecology. “I was trying to live a zero-waste lifestyle and reduce my carbon footprint, including eating vegetarian. But it was hard to find foods that weren’t grown in other parts of the world.
Buying avocados and cashew nuts couldn’t be the only option. Agnès wanted to eat a diet based on locally produced food. “The thought struck me—people have survived here before. Generation after generation has lived off the land,” says Agnès.
Many of the dried herbs and teas sold in Sweden are imported from Poland, Egypt, and China. The long transport distances degrade both the quality and environmental impact. “The same questions we ask about where our vegetables come from and how they’re grown should be asked about the spices we use to flavor our food or the tea we drink,” says Agnès.
In France, where Agnès is from, there are many local herb growers. Teaching people about foraging, permaculture, and how to grow their own herbs is one of the ambitions of Nordiska Örter. Agnès offers longer courses, workshops, and lectures. “There are various themes. I’ve noticed that interest in growing your own food is increasing,” says Agnès.
At One of Agnès' Lectures
At a lecture Agnès gave at Biotopia, Roxana Summers was in the audience. She is studying a gardening course through Boländerna Jobs and Education and is now doing her internship at Nordiska Örter. “I was very impressed by Agnès and what she said,” says Roxana.
For Roxana, gardening is also about the benefits it brings for well-being and the social aspect. “People say Swedes aren’t very talkative, but when we work in the garden, many stop by and start chatting with us,” says Roxana.
Anyone is welcome to visit the garden and see the cultivation. “I really encourage people to do that—join a workshop, learn about foraging, or come volunteer and help out. This is just the beginning,” says Roxana.
In the future, Agnès hopes that Nordiska Örter in Uppsala will become a center where future herb growers can learn. “I also hope that locally grown herbs and teas will be part of the selection when you go for coffee or tea,” says Agnès.