Orchard House Farm sells a variety of edible and skincare products, but this may be the last season to purchase many of them.
The 10-year-old, Hermosa-based business is leaving behind the organic, gluten-free seasonings and teas, as well as the lip balms, vapor rubs, arnica balms and whipped body butters it produces to focus on one particular product: its healing Bear Balm, owner Kimberly George said.
Orchard House Farm, which has sold products at the Durango Farmers Market for five years, started out as a farm in Idaho where George made and grew all the different ingredients in her products. This winter she plans to refocus the business entirely on Bear Balm.
The balm is a mixture of lavender, comfrey, calendula, bee’s wax and olive oil. People use it for dry skin, chapped lips, climbing hands, bug bites, cuts and sunburns, chaffing, scratches, saddle sore and eczema, she told Adventure Pro last year.
“I’ve had people, for the last 10 years, call me and give me testimonials about how much it has helped them in a variety of different ways,” she said. “That opportunity to make something that we love that’s all-natural but that also helps others has just been a wonderful part of this business.”
As her business expands, George would like to establish it as a Durango brand. Bear Balm already ships worldwide and can be found in over two dozen stores and on Amazon.com, she said.
ngonzales@durangoherald.com
