Buffalo Boss Babes: Sarah Sorci

Photo Credit Katie Nemmer

This weeks Buffalo Boss Babe is Sarah Sorci. Sarah is a Community Herbalist at Sweet Flag Herbs. I am lucky enough to know Sarah personally and even followed in her footsteps in my first job out of college. Sarah was the gleaning project coordinator at the Chautauqua County Rural Ministry which I was lucky enough to take over the reigns of the position she made so many strides for the community in. Sarah has such a kind heart and sweet soul! She has a true passion for community and everyone that knows her im sure would say the same. We chatted with Sarah about life and all the good green wonderfulness in her life!

 

What made you start or brought you to where you are today? 

I have always loved spending time around plants and nature-- particularly in the woods, climbing trees. In college, my environmental studies degree led me to an interest in sustainable agriculture and local food systems. I worked on several natural or organic farms, including Gong Garden in Fredonia, NY. I was lucky to stumble into garden education and a Cooking and Nutrition Program while working with the Gleaning Project in Dunkirk, NY. I found that, even more than production farming, I loved facilitating the connection between people and plants. I moved to Asheville, North Carolina in 2013 to complete a Horticultural Therapy program and internship. Here, I was lucky to find a Holistic Herbal Medicine program as well.

Sarah Sorci - "Motherwort is a nervous system and cardiovascular system tonic. Westfield, NY. "

My passion is for Local Plant Medicine as an extension of the Local Food movement. While working on farms, growers would often point out the wild edible and medicinal weeds growing in and around their fields. These were plants that required no tilling, fertilizing, mulching, etc to thrive-- they were happy to grow there, as part of the local ecosystem. I have loved getting to know these plants and how to safely use them. I consider herb gardening to be a part of Local Plant Medicine too. It amazes me that I can cultivate Indian stress-supportive herbs like holy basil and ashwagandha right in my backyard.

Sarah Sorci  "Red clover is an edible flower and gentle tea to support the female reproductive system. Fredonia, NY"

Who are your favorite people to follow?  

Right now, I am working on an advanced Clinical Practitioner program through the Eclectic School of Herbal Medicine in NC. I am thrilled to be interacting with herbalists I have followed for a long time-- Matthew Wood, jim mcdonald, Thomas Easley and more.

What are your favorite things to do in the area (Buffalo and greater WNY)?

Hiking! I love Erie County Forest, Franklin Gulf, the 18 Mile Creek Angler Park in Hamburg, and more.

    I also love eating great food. I was thrilled when the Grange opened in Hamburg, with its farm-to-table mission. I loved my first visit to  the Westside Bazaar this summer!

 Finally, my parents have Shea's season tickets, and once in awhile I get to tag along.

Photo by Katie Nemmer

Tell me about your favorite collaborations or a dream collaboration?

I feel honored to be a practitioner with Creative Wellness Group in East Aurora. This center is beautiful, offering so many experienced and talented yoga instructors and practitioners. I am there every Tuesday-- stop in and say hello, or enjoy the free meditation space!

I loved partnering with Eliza Schneider of Resolve to Evolve this summer, offering plant walks at her weekend retreats. After a few days of yoga, meditation, cacao ceremony, Dancing Freedom, delicious meals and more, I felt like a new woman. 

Photo by Nancy Sorci

If you could have coffee with anyone in the world who would it be? 

I love this question!  I'll have to go with Tara Brach. She is an outstanding meditation teacher in the DC area, whose podcast I listen to whenever I need a little help feeling grounded and in touch with my priorities. 

What are your hopes, dreams, goals? Big or Small. 

My partner, Patrick and I are hoping to purchase land in the WNY area in the next year or two. Our goal is to start a permaculture farm, integrating fruit and nut trees, lots of perennial food crops and herbs, as well as bees and chickens. 

I am also dreaming of starting a Medicinal Plant Education non-profit, which would allow me to spend the bulk of my time serving communities of lower-income.

Photo By Sarah Sorci 

Tell us about your family a bit  ( 2 or 4 legged ) ?  

Patrick and I live in a cozy apartment in the village of Hamburg with Patrick's 11-year-old bearded dragon, Rigel. As luck would have it, I can walk through my backyard into my family's backyard, where I can visit my mom, dad and brother Matt. My brother Andrew does environmental consulting in San Fransisco.

Feel Good Five :) 

Color:

purple/green

 

Food: My hot chocolate concoction: nut milk, fair trade cocoa powder, honey, cinnamon, cardamom, nutmeg, ginger, and whatever other herbs I'm hankering for.

 

Super Power:  flying!

 

Animal: Anything snuggly.

 

Season of the year: fall

 

A HUGE thanks to Sarah for sharing her boss babe story with us! Be sure to follow Sarah on social media and spread those good vibes. For questions regarding Sarah's practice feel free to email her at sarah@sweetflagherbs.com

Until next time babes!

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Buffalo Boss Babes is a woman run blog that features amazing woman doing amazing things in and around the city of Buffalo N.Y. If you know someone doing amazing things for our community, past and present, young and old..... send us a message at buffalobossbabes@gmail.com 

Be kind to everyone you meet.

Here's to strong woman! May we know them. May we be them!