BIG RAPIDS — For years, Katie DuBridge was the odd lady on the market.
Katie DuBridge started Earth Weavers Farm when she moved back to Michigan and has been selling in the market for years since. DuBridge sells both products and medicinal herbs and has built a reputation as the weird lady who brings tea that can help people.
DuBridge explained that she first started learning about herbal medicine as a child. Being very ill, she found that allopathic (conventional medications prescribed by health care professionals) were not giving her the healing she needed. So in high school, she took it upon herself to learn her diet and learn how herbs could help heal themselves.
“I just got a really big passion to learn more about growing and growing good food and good medicine. I went back and forth between farming, then I also did wilderness therapy and worked with teenagers. I’ve done a lot of partial farms, partially let’s get outside and reconnect with nature. We learned survival skills by playing in the woods and stuff, and then by playing in the gardens and learning how to grow and grow food and medicine.”
DuBridge said they grow and cultivate 65 different culinary and medicinal herbs. These herbs are then dried and put into medicinal form such as oil, alcohol-based tincture and tea. In addition, they are working on making a freeze-dried powder.
“We’re trying to give people plant-based drugs because some people can’t stand the alcohol or whatever. And so we try to supply the herbs and other forms of whatever.”
Some herbs are for pain relief while some are good antifungals that kill athlete’s foot. Some are antimicrobial and antibacterial so it can help cleanse the skin and acne. Many of the herbs are planted with the products and can help raise the pH level of the body.
“So, like the milky oat tops are alkalizing for the body, so it helps to raise the pH. Then it also has what’s called a nerve, which can calm your nervous system and just relax you. So, like when you eat oatmeal? Use often folks that, if you can have oats, it’s nice to let it simmer a little bit.”
Katie DuBridge first left the state when she was 17, but returned and earned a degree in environmental education and outdoor recreation from Central Michigan University. For her graduate thesis, she was a tour guide in Joshua Tree National Park in California. She also spent time in southern Utah around Capitol Reed National Park.
“I was determined to get a college degree because my grandmother was a librarian. Before her, no one in the women’s aspect had an education at that level. So she said it’s a powerful thing to get your college degree and stand up for yourself.”
DuBridge regained ownership in Michigan eight years ago after living in Utah, California, and northern Idaho. With the plot of land next to the Muskegon River, DuBridge has been able to create a garden with various herbs and products. DuBridge chose this area to help locals learn about the many benefits of all the different naturally grown produce and how they can contribute to a healthy way of life.
“When I first went to the market, I brought kale, vegetables, tomatoes, and people didn’t know what kale was, and tomatoes that were any color other than red were very foreign to them. So it’s nice now to be like, “Okay, now I’m the weird lady bringing tea and plants that are things you probably think are weeds.” They’re there for a reason.”
DuBridge said her next goal is to educate the community more by getting kids and adults outside to explore the yard and learn more about the different farming options. She hopes to set this up in the near future.
“I’ve talked about possibly doing one of the days, it will be more focused on adults and then another day more focused on children. For the educational classes, anyone can come, we can make it where it will flow for all ages.”
For more information, visit Earth Weavers Farm at earthweaversfarm.com or at earth_weaver_farm on Instagram.