Sustainable Sage Verification Program
A transparent, practice-based approach to understanding how sage is grown, sourced, and cared for.
Program currently in pilot phase
What We Mean by Verification
Sustainable Sage Foundation’s Verification Program is designed to promote transparency, accountability, and care in the cultivation and sourcing of white sage and other native plants.
Rather than offering a blanket “certification,” our program focuses on verification — a process of reviewing and confirming specific practices related to how sage is grown, harvested, and sourced. Verification reflects what we are able to observe, document, and reasonably confirm at a given point in time.
Why Verification Matters
White sage holds ecological, cultural, and spiritual significance. At the same time, increasing demand has placed pressure on native ecosystems and has made it difficult for consumers and businesses to understand where sage comes from or how it is cared for.
Verification helps encourage responsible cultivation and harvesting practices, increase supply chain transparency, and support growers and businesses committed to ethical sourcing.
Verification is not about perfection. It is about care, intention, and accountability.
Who the Program Is For
The Sustainable Sage Verification Program is open to:
Growers and Farmers
Individuals or farms cultivating white sage or other native plants who are willing to participate in a transparent review of their cultivation and harvesting practices.
Businesses and Brands
Companies that sell sage or sage-based products and want to demonstrate responsible sourcing by tracing their supply chain and participating in verification.
How the Verification Process Works
While each case is unique, verification generally includes the following steps:
Application — Applicants submit information about their cultivation or sourcing practices.
Documentation Review — Submitted materials are reviewed for clarity and transparency.
Observation and Site Review (when applicable) — For growers, this may include a site visit or virtual walkthrough.
Assessment and Findings — Practices are evaluated in relation to verification criteria.
Verification Outcome — Verified participants may use Sustainable Sage verification language or marks in accordance with program guidelines.
Ongoing Transparency — Verification reflects practices at a point in time and may be revisited as practices evolve.
What Verification Does — and Does Not — Mean
Verification does mean:
Practices have been reviewed based on available information
Supply chains have been traced to the extent possible
Participants have demonstrated a commitment to responsible practices
Verification does not mean:
Guaranteed sustainability in all circumstances
Endorsement beyond the specific practices reviewed
Regulatory or governmental approval
We believe clarity about the limits of verification is essential to maintaining trust.
Our Values
The Verification Program is guided by the following principles:
Transparency
Respect for land, plants, cultures, and communities
Care for ecosystems and long-term stewardship
Accountability and willingness to improve
Education and public understanding