Grower Stories #125: Miriam Aristy-Farer

Tia Moskalenko

Tia Moskalenko, author of the AskGrowers blog, brings a unique blend of content to her readers. She is known for conducting insightful interviews with key figures in the cannabis industry, including brand representatives, manufacturers, and experts. In addition to her interview skills, Tia has a keen focus on CBD. She expertly curates product selections and reviews, offering her readers detailed insights into the various effects and benefits of CBD. Tia's ability to combine in-depth interviews with comprehensive CBD analysis makes her a valuable asset to the cannabis community, offering a well-rounded perspective on the industry.

Published

Oct 07 2021

Updated

Nov 16 2023

Interviews

342

4 min

Grower Stories #125: Miriam Aristy-Farer

The Story of Miriam Aristy-Farer and Her Unique Brand Producing of a Handcrafted CBD Topicals

The brand creates plant-based CBD products sourced in New York. Miriam Aristy-Farer, as the brand owner, supports local organic hemp farmers and uses environmentally friendly packaging and compostable bags that are 100% bio-based. Everything is produced in small batches and in a Dominican style. #growerstories

Tia (AskGrowers) : How did you start Herbas?

Miriam Aristy-Farer : I started Herbas in my kitchen experimenting with herbs I had grown that were anti-inflammatory and calming. I added drops of CBD oil and realized it was really good. I researched and grew more varieties of herbs and started drying them and continued making salves.

Tia : How do you think your CBD brand differs from others in the industry?

Miriam : It really mattered to me when I started in 2016 that my CBD was local and made in NY even if it was illegal.

Once it became legal, supporting a local organic hemp farmer was a no-brainer, not just for quality but to have a smaller carbon footprint. I am also bilingual and have priced my products to be affordable for equity access for high quality CBD.

Tia : What things should you pay attention to when choosing a CBD brand/product?

Miriam : Is it CBD or Hemp seed oil + mg of CBD. Hemp oil is not CBD oil. The origin of the product and brand story are important. There are a lot of products labeled in this space that actually contain no CBD.

In 2021 with any product you purchase, you should pay attention to plastic use and if packaging is sustainable, or otherwise eco conscious. It all matters when purchasing a high quality product.

Tia : How do you foster sustainability?

Miriam : I am small by design and try to source and produce everything locally, in NY or at least on the East Coast. I try not to keep a lot of inventory. I also use recycled kraft paper for my labels, and my CBD oil cartons are also 100% compostable. I do not use metallic ink on any packaging or labels, and all my clear bags are compostable and 100% biobased. I used a plastic label on the CBD oil itself for easier removal, so you can reuse the glass.

My salves and salts do not have cartons and are in reusable glass. For many years I gave small plastic samples, that if returned would give the customer $5 off a full size product. Planet first is a BIG deal to us.

Tia : How do you usually test your products? What’s the process?

Miriam : On myself. The salve and salts are made in small batches with fixed measurements. The CBD oil is lab-tested & certified, as is our raw CBD concentrate which we use in the CBD salve and salts.

Tia : Next month is Hispanic Heritage month. Are you planning any special initiatives?

Miriam : Yes,we are offering a 20% off on our CBD oil, and some raffles each week of the month.

Tia : Do you have any challenges as the Latina representative of the brand?

Miriam : Yes. It is hard as a Latina in 2021, you are expected to look a certain way, and you are challenged if you do not fit that mold. For example, as a Dominican I am mixed, yet by USA standards I am white.

Therefore I can’t relate to Afro latinos. You are expected to choose your ancestors and that's not how it works. Blood and family is what it is black or white. In addition, being a woman in the cannabis/CBD male dominated space, you have to be strong, stay focused and be true to yourself and your goals.

Tia : How can we improve Social Equity in the Industry?

Miriam : Re-educate much more in more languages. People think this industry is just dispensaries and it's much more. We need grant money. BIPOC don’t have financial equity or connections to acquire loans, we need a whole new system of access to capital. It's more than Black owned businesses; It’s latino, women, asian and muslim, these are the busineses that have been in black and brown communities.

Tia : Have you faced any prejudices because of the latin-owned business?

Miriam : Subtle disses, it takes a long time to be taken seriously in this space. There is so much talk in social equity about black owned businesses, that it’s easy to forget that latinx owned businesses struggle just as hard and face the same challenges.

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Thank you so much, Herbas team, for taking the time to do the interview. To learn more about them, head on over to their website.