Herbalist and educator Alex Queathem Payne joins us for an in-person interview after she toured the Mountain Rose Herbs facilities this past spring. Thomas and Alex discuss her naturalist upbringing, the ‘green’ lineage in her family, and her educational path, including her studies at the Columbines School of Botanical Studies. Alex tells us about her childhood connection with mint and her adulthood connection with skullcap. Learn some of the virtues of skullcap and how Alex loves to connect with this special plant and others.   Alex Queathem Payne is an herbalist and educator with a passion for living a natural and sustainable life. Alex attended a three-year program through the Columbines School of Botanical Studies. In 2016, Alex became the administrator for the school, completed educator training, and became an instructor for the school. Currently, she is the production manager at Cheryl’s Herb Shop in St. Louis, Missouri, as well as creating a botanical sanctuary called Tending the Wildflowers Sanctuary in the foothills of the Ozarks. The sanctuary, co-founded with her husband, is recognized through the United Plant Savers Botanical Sanctuary Network. They grow a myriad of medicinal herbs, native and at-risk plants, and are beekeepers.  Alex’s mission is to inspire others and encourage all to be good stewards of the Earth. Visit Alex at: www.tendingthewildflowers.com https://www.instagram.com/tendingthewildflowerssanctuary   Join our community! Subscribe to the Mountain Rose Herbs newsletter Subscribe to Mountain Rose Herbs on YouTube Follow on Instagram Like on Facebook Follow on Pinterest Read the Mountain Rose Herbs blog Follow on TikTok Strengthening the bonds between people and plants for a healthier world. Mountain Rose Herbs www.mountainroseherbs.com