Saenz Family Farms sows hope into locally grown remedies

Moving through the deep pain of losing a child, Amanada Saenz found an avenue for her suffering when an early spring fell upon the Flathead Valley.  

She felt a call to plant something, and out of that seed came Saenz Family Farms, which sells herbal remedies, baked goods and eggs online and at farmers markets.  

Saenz in 2020 was pregnant with her fifth child. But with the joy of welcoming a new baby into the world came grief beyond measure when, after birth, Saenz received the news that there was no heartbeat.  

While the pandemic shutdowns might have kept them inside anyway, the Saenz family took refuge inside their home to mourn the loss of their baby. 

“We emerged out of the house one day right in the middle of the COVID craziness, completely unaware that any of it had been happening. We had just been in this house in deep misery for weeks,” Saenz said. “Normally people bring flowers, or meals, or just sit and cry with you, and we couldn’t have any of that.” 

In that first year, Saenz said she felt called by God to get off the couch and plant sunflowers. Despite her gung-ho attitude, and her vision of growing from the ashes, everything Saenz planted had died by the end of the season. 

Despite the failure of the garden’s first year, Saenz persisted, and realized that she wanted to specialize in holistic remedies. She started taking herbalism classes online and learned how to grow and cultivate herbs to make teas, lotions and medicine.  

“I started with elderberry syrup and tinctures, and I became totally obsessed. The herbs are grown here for almost everything I make, as long as I can grow it,” she said. 

Saenz’s farm paints a picture of optimism, and she said she stays grounded knowing that she will one day see her son again. 

“My hope is in Jesus, and I truly know that my son lived and died to bring something to me and to you and to all of my kids. None of this would be happening otherwise. I would just be working 100 hours a week, grinding away without searching for something beyond the nine to five. For me, the herbs are deeply sown in with grief and hope.” 

Saenz Family Farm products are fresh, handmade, and organic whenever possible. Calendula oil, fire cider, bath salts, bug bite salve, and turmeric and ginger glycerites are a few of the herbal remedies available through the business’ online store.  

Saenz also frequents the Market on 206 which takes place in the Silver Bullet’s parking lot, and sells products like fresh sourdough bread, bagels, baked goods, and eggs from the 300 chickens that roam the farm. 

Eventually, Saenz would like to organically grow rare medicinal herbs to offer a local option to the community as many dried herbs are imported from overseas. She hopes to receive a grant that will allow her to plant and sell certain herbs like mint, catnip, or calendula, which, according to Saenz, cannot be purchased as a locally grown product. 

“I also want to provide the know-how and education for people — how herbs work and what you can use them for,” said Saenz.  

Lavender, for example, can be used to treat earaches because it has antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties, while chamomile helps with stomach aches, and hibiscus helps with a sore throat, explained Saenz. 

“Staying busy, learning new things, and interacting with the community are all really important to me,” said Saenz.  

Saenz never saw herself growing a garden, selling herbal remedies at farmer’s markets while raising her six children and still pursuing a full-time job, but has found her passion in cultivating the earth and providing for her community. 

“Life is very hard,” she said. “I want people to know that it is possible to walk through fire without getting burned. You can arm yourself with hope and faith, however that manifests for you. For me it was plants and knowing that I am deeply loved by the creator of the universe.” 

To order products from Saenz Family Farms, visit saenzfamilyfarms.com. The farm can also be reached by email at saenzfamilyfarms@gmail.com or phone at 509-981-2248. 

    Amanda Saenz harvests calendula at Saenz Family Farms on Wednesday, July 24. (Casey Kreider/Daily Inter Lake)
 Casey Kreider   

    Amanda Saenz harvests calendula at Saenz Family Farms on Wednesday, July 24. (Casey Kreider/Daily Inter Lake)
 Casey Kreider   

    A rooster's bright red comb and wattle at Saenz Family Farms on Wednesday, July 24. (Casey Kreider/Daily Inter Lake)
 Casey Kreider   

    The family's peacock mingles with the chickens at Saenz Family Farms on Wednesday, July 24. (Casey Kreider/Daily Inter Lake)
 Casey Kreider