The American Botanical Council (ABC) announced that herbalist and educator, Sara Katz, was selected as the second recipient of the Mark Blumenthal Herbal Community Builder award. The award is given to individuals in the herbal medicine community who play a significant role in creating a sense of community among herbalists, researchers, members of the herb and natural product communities and related groups who work in the are of medicinal plants. It was created in 2013 and named after ABC's found and executive director, Mark Blumenthal.
Katz is the co-founder of Herbal Pharm, a founding member of the American Herbalists Guild and board president of United Plant Savers (UpS), a non-profit organization dedicated to the conservation and sustainable production of indigenous American medicinal plants. She served on the American Herbal Products Association and organized five UpS conferences. Katz received the nomination from the recipient of the inaugural Mark Blumenthal Herbal Community Builder award, author Rosemary Gladstar.
“I am so humbled, floored, and surprised. To be in the same teacup as Mark and Rosemary — I cannot imagine a more meaningful award. I couldn’t be happier and I am over-the-moon honored," said Katz. “The herbal community is international, ranging from scientists to herbalists to farmers. There is a spirit and a spark and an understanding that unites all of us, and that’s a lot of people."
The award will be presented to Katz at the 9th Annual American Botanical Celebration and Awards Ceremony on March 6 in Anaheim, CA. The event occurs during the NEXT Innovation Summit and Natural Products Expo West.