A Blossoming Passion
Building the Buzz
Back in Vermont, Mackenzie resumed her career in education as a Family and Consumer Sciences teacher at Wilmington High School. It was during this pivotal period that her path took an unexpected turn toward herbalism and natural skincare. Inspired by an encounter with local herbalist Isabelle Hadley, Mackenzie vividly recalls the transformative moment:“ She brought dried herbs and tiny vials of essential oils into the classroom, and I was instantly hooked. It was an epiphany— I knew right then I needed to learn more.” Mackenzie’ s passion swiftly transitioned from education to dedicated exploration of herbal wellness.
A Blossoming Passion
Fueled by newfound curiosity, Mackenzie enrolled in Isabelle Hadley’ s herbalism classes, immersing herself in a rigorous study program. Further inspired by the lush, perennial gardens at her own family farmhouse in Peacham, Vermont, she deepened her connection with plants and their medicinal properties. Mackenzie recalls,“ We moved into a house with gardens running the entire length of the farmhouse, and suddenly I had to learn. It was trial by fire and passion.”
That lead to Meadow Bee’ s origins in 2003, when Mackenzie began crafting handmade salves and lip balms using herbs harvested from her own flourishing Vermont gardens. Initially, the product line was modest, reflecting Mackenzie’ s commitment to quality and personal touch. Mackenzie shares:“ I loved making salves— it was such a natural starting point for me. It was simple, effective, and deeply connected to the plants I was learning about.”
As Mackenzie’ s passion grew, an internship at Zack Woods Herb Farm in Morrisville, Vermont provided practical experience, further solidifiying her approach to wellness through plantbased remedies. Subsequently, Mackenzie’ s deepening interest led her to Rosemary Gladstar at Sage Mountain, a renowned figure often referred to as“ the Fairy Godmother of the herbal world.” Her learning intensified as she studied directly with Gladstar, greatly shaping her philosophy on herbalism
Wendy Mackenzie, founder and owner of Everlasting Herb Farm stands with her award-winning products.
and sustainability. Mackenzie adds:“ Working outside in unpredictable Vermont weather taught me quickly that my true passion was in formulating herbal products indoors rather than battling the elements in the fields.”
These formative experiences became the cornerstone of Meadow Bee, guiding Mackenzie’ s development of salves, lip balms, and eventually a comprehensive range of natural skincare products. Her path illustrates a powerful blend of traditional wisdom and contemporary sustainability, deeply influenced by Vermont’ s progressive environmental culture.
A significant turning point for Meadow Bee came unexpectedly in 2012. Encouraged by a friend, Mackenzie submitted a selection of her handmade products to the Vermont Country Store. Despite her initial hesitation due to her busy life as a teacher and mother of three, Mackenzie found herself with an unplanned day off due to icy Vermont weather.“ I took every product I made, put them in a box, and sent it off without knowing who exactly would receive it,” says Mackenzie.“ Four days later, I received a call saying,‘ The stars have lined up for you.’” This pivotal moment established an ongoing partnership with the Vermont Country Store, significantly expanding Meadow Bee’ s reach and visibility.
As the business flourished, the Mackenzies quickly realized the need for expanded space. By 2017, their home was overflowing with products and packaging materials, prompting Mackenzie’ s husband, Matthew, to build a dedicated barn workshop in their backyard.“ For two years, Matthew single-handedly built the barn,” says Mackenzie.“ It symbolizes our growth and my deep gratitude for his support and dedication. It also allows us to remain committed to small-batch, sustainable manufacturing practices.”
Building the Buzz
Today, Meadow Bee offers a diverse and thoughtfully curated range of natural skincare products, each formulated with meticulous care and attention to sustainability. Their best-selling line includes natural deodorants, notably free from aluminum, baking soda,
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