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Basic Faire Schedule
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Friday
Intensives 9:00am-1:00pm (This can be purchased separately- you do not need to attend the whole Faire to attend an intensive) General Faire Registration 1:00pm-3:50pm Marketplace opens 3:00pm Welcome/Announcements 4:00-4:15 Opening Ceremony 4:15pm-4:45pm Keynote 4:45pm-6:00pm Dinner 6:30pm-7:45pm Friday night classes 8:00pm-9:30pm |
Saturday
Sunrise class 7:30am- 8:15am Breakfast 7:30am-8:45am Announcements- 9:00am Keynote 9:15am-10:15am Marketplace/ Silent auction/Mingling Session 1 classes 11:00am-12:30pm Lunch 12:45-2:15pm Session 2 classes 2:45pm-4:15pm Session 3 classes 4:45pm-6:15pm Dinner 6:30pm-8:00pm Musical Performance 8:30pm-10:00pm |
Sunday
Sunrise classes 7:30am- 8:15am Breakfast 7:30am-8:45am Session 4 classes 9:00am-10:30am Session 5 classes 11:00am-12:30pm Lunch 12:45pm-2:00pm Session 6 classes 2:15pm- 3:45 pm Closing Ceremony 4:00 pm – 4:30 pm |
Opening Ceremony
Embodied Mindfulness Meditation
with Richard Reven Young
Water Ceremony
with Daisy and Kelly Willis
Embodied Mindfulness Meditation
with Richard Reven Young
Water Ceremony
with Daisy and Kelly Willis
Keynote Talks
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Lyani Powers
Ritual Is Regulating: Why the Body Responds to What We Repeat Ritual is not extra — it is how the body remembers safety. Across cultures, we see a shared understanding: repetition, rhythm, and intention are used to steady the body and support resilience. In a world that pulls us away from ourselves, small, repeated acts become anchors — restoring rhythm, creating a sense of return, and rebuilding trust within the body. This keynote explores how we can both recognize and create ritual in everyday life — using consistency as care and the ordinary as a place where something sacred still lives |
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Kat Maier
Our Medicine Bag for These Times Herbalists, healers, and wise folks have always been tending and restocking their medicine bags for comfort and preparedness. These times clearly call for new skills, tools, and plant medicine to be included in this sacred act of service and resilience. |
Friday Intensives
9am - 1pm September 11th, 2026
Please Note: Intensives take place on Friday morning before the Faire officially kicks off.
They are optional, space is limited, and pre-registration is required.
Please Note: Intensives take place on Friday morning before the Faire officially kicks off.
They are optional, space is limited, and pre-registration is required.
Option One:
Client-Centered History Taking for Herbalists
with Mel Kasting
Client-Centered history taking helps us gather useful information while supporting folks in feeling safe, informed, and engaged. They create room for clients to share their health narratives, concerns, and goals, while giving the practitioner a clear structure for guiding the conversation. In this hands-on intensive, we will teach the foundations of a client-centered herbal intake with a clear focus on building health. A building-health-focused intake prioritizes understanding how someone lives, rests, eats, moves, copes with stress, and experiences their body day to day and how to use this information to co-create supportive, realistic approaches to building health over time. This class is designed for beginner and clinical herbal students, as well as anyone who works with herbs and the public. We will walk through a basic intake, from opening the conversation and setting expectations, to asking meaningful questions about stress, sleep, diet, movement, and gut health, and then closing the consult in a way that feels supportive and clear. We will demonstrate skills live, teach in short segments, and then break participants into small groups to practice. Participants will leave with scripts, language examples, and a robust folder of resources. This intensive is co-taught by Mel Kasting and Amanda Jokerst and is ideal for anyone who wants a solid, ethical, and approachable foundation for working with herbs in a client-centered way.
Option Two:
Reading the Landscape - The Heart as an Organ of Perception
with Kat Maier
Indigenous peoples have been using direct perception for sensing their environs for millennia. Today this is referred to as ‘heart literacy’ or ‘heart coherence’. Based on the teachings of the Heartmath Institute, Stephen Buhner and Joseph Chilton Pearce, this intensive will teach clear techniques for accessing this incredible center for perceiving the world around us. Many of these skills are not relegated to only the healer or shamanic realms but are meant for our everyday relationship with life. This being said, we will also share stories of how profound these skills are for practitioners in the realms of diagnosis. There will be exercises with landscapes as well as plants as part of this teaching.
Option Three:
Herbs and The Five Elements of Classical Chinese Medicine
with Erica Macrum
This class invites participants to explore the Five Elements of Classical Chinese Medicine as a living, breathing framework for understanding both the human body and the natural world. We will look at how each element expresses itself through flavor, organ systems, emotions, color, seasons, and daily rhythms, and how herbs can help restore balance when these phases shift out of harmony. Through lecture, tasting, guided meditation, and small group case study work, students will experience the Five Elements not only as a theory but as a felt understanding. The goal is for each participant to leave with a renewed sense of connection to the natural cycles within themselves, and a deeper confidence in choosing herbs in alignment with elemental energetics.
Option Four:
Something about Nervines- title and description to come...
with Rosalee de la Forêt and jim mcdonald
Adult Classes
Friday Evening Through Sunday
For Kids Tent Classes, please view the Kid's Tent page.
(Listed Alphabetically by Teachers last name and by class type)
Plant walks are listed at the bottom of the page.
Plant walks are listed at the bottom of the page.
Friday Evening Classes
Friday evenings we have historically held a session of classes that have some fun and flair to them and people have really enjoyed them.
Deepening Plant Knowledge Through Botanical Illustration and Plant Exploration
with Kristine Brown
Have you ever looked at plants and wished that you could draw them accurately? Do you wish to have a deeper understanding of plants but don’t know how to get started? Do you wish to be more familiar with plant families and their basic medicinal uses? During this evening class we will combine combine drawing, studying the wild weeds around, and discussing the medicinal uses of them. You will learn how to meet a plant and gain knowledge about that plant through your senses of sight, taste, touch, and smell while using drawing techniques to discover an understanding of the plant. Deepen your knowledge both intellectually and spiritually with the plants that grow in our environment. These exercises will encourage you to see the plants on a new level by using your intuition as well as your mental intellect to examine the plants in a whole new way. This class combines drawing, plant exploration, and guided work with plants. Bring a note/sketch book, pen and/or pencil, bottled water and dress for the weather. No drawing experience is necessary, Kristine will give you the necessary skills to be able to draw for this class and beyond.
Sustainable Sips: Herbal Mixology and Upcycled Alchemy
with Angie Jackson
Join Angie Jackson, The Traveling Elixir Fixer, for an evening where sustainability meets sophisticated flavor. In this workshop, we redefine the "mocktail" by exploring the art of zero-proof mixology through a zero-waste lens.
You’ll learn to craft complex, adult beverages that respect both your body and the planet. We’ll move beyond sugary juices to discover how "scraps"—like herb stems, citrus rinds, and fruit pits—can be transformed into potent elixirs and elegant garnishes.
What You’ll Master:
Root-to-Rim Techniques: Creating "trash" syrups and oleo-saccharums from discarded citrus peels.
Botanical Complexity: Building depth using vinegars, shrubs, and cold-brew extractions.
Circular Garnishing: Dehydrating and preserving seasonal elements to ensure nothing hits the bin.
The Art of the Pour: Mastering the balance of acidity, sweetness, and bitterness without the ethanol.
Plant Meditation
with Betzy Merbitz
This workshop will be an embodied meditative drinking of a medicinal herbal tea. It will be an opportunity to cultivate sensory awareness in a collective space by drinking tea made from one plant, and tuning into that plant’s medicine. I will lead participants through a guided meditation, offering prompts for reflection and sensory awareness as we drink tea together. Participants will then have the opportunity to reflect on their experiences individually, and there will be space for collective sharing and discussion. I will also include some information about the energetic and medicinal properties of the plant we shared, as well as stories and lore. Lastly, we will discuss the role of embodied meditative tea drinking in herbal education, and in clinical herbal practice, and how it can support the best outcomes for students and clients.
The Grandmother's Cave (Part 1 and 2- Each part will be complete on its own)
with Esstin Niganobe
Visiting with the Grandmothers: Reconnecting with the Ancestors.
Life challenges occur, as we move forward in our lives, we are searching for guidance, direction and purpose. A cleasning smudge will be used.
Through the process of our own journey, we gather our bundles and add what is needed.
The grandmothers and Ancestors are waiting to assist us with these challenges.
Visiting will assist with encouragement and guidance for what is needed.
We will visit the sacred cave where the grandmothers and ancestors reside.
We will search out the medicines needed to make life happen for us.
Bring a mat or blanket to lay on.
Story Circle
with Lea Pfeifer
One of the greatest assets of the herbal community is our collection of stories and experiences. Join the ranks of the Great Lakes Herb Fairees who have added their stories to our rich and growing collection. The theme for the evening will be “my first herbal ally.” If you wish you may come prepared to tell about this or any herbal topic you choose, or just come to listen. Priority will be given to elders. All stories will be recorded.
Friday evenings we have historically held a session of classes that have some fun and flair to them and people have really enjoyed them.
Deepening Plant Knowledge Through Botanical Illustration and Plant Exploration
with Kristine Brown
Have you ever looked at plants and wished that you could draw them accurately? Do you wish to have a deeper understanding of plants but don’t know how to get started? Do you wish to be more familiar with plant families and their basic medicinal uses? During this evening class we will combine combine drawing, studying the wild weeds around, and discussing the medicinal uses of them. You will learn how to meet a plant and gain knowledge about that plant through your senses of sight, taste, touch, and smell while using drawing techniques to discover an understanding of the plant. Deepen your knowledge both intellectually and spiritually with the plants that grow in our environment. These exercises will encourage you to see the plants on a new level by using your intuition as well as your mental intellect to examine the plants in a whole new way. This class combines drawing, plant exploration, and guided work with plants. Bring a note/sketch book, pen and/or pencil, bottled water and dress for the weather. No drawing experience is necessary, Kristine will give you the necessary skills to be able to draw for this class and beyond.
Sustainable Sips: Herbal Mixology and Upcycled Alchemy
with Angie Jackson
Join Angie Jackson, The Traveling Elixir Fixer, for an evening where sustainability meets sophisticated flavor. In this workshop, we redefine the "mocktail" by exploring the art of zero-proof mixology through a zero-waste lens.
You’ll learn to craft complex, adult beverages that respect both your body and the planet. We’ll move beyond sugary juices to discover how "scraps"—like herb stems, citrus rinds, and fruit pits—can be transformed into potent elixirs and elegant garnishes.
What You’ll Master:
Root-to-Rim Techniques: Creating "trash" syrups and oleo-saccharums from discarded citrus peels.
Botanical Complexity: Building depth using vinegars, shrubs, and cold-brew extractions.
Circular Garnishing: Dehydrating and preserving seasonal elements to ensure nothing hits the bin.
The Art of the Pour: Mastering the balance of acidity, sweetness, and bitterness without the ethanol.
Plant Meditation
with Betzy Merbitz
This workshop will be an embodied meditative drinking of a medicinal herbal tea. It will be an opportunity to cultivate sensory awareness in a collective space by drinking tea made from one plant, and tuning into that plant’s medicine. I will lead participants through a guided meditation, offering prompts for reflection and sensory awareness as we drink tea together. Participants will then have the opportunity to reflect on their experiences individually, and there will be space for collective sharing and discussion. I will also include some information about the energetic and medicinal properties of the plant we shared, as well as stories and lore. Lastly, we will discuss the role of embodied meditative tea drinking in herbal education, and in clinical herbal practice, and how it can support the best outcomes for students and clients.
The Grandmother's Cave (Part 1 and 2- Each part will be complete on its own)
with Esstin Niganobe
Visiting with the Grandmothers: Reconnecting with the Ancestors.
Life challenges occur, as we move forward in our lives, we are searching for guidance, direction and purpose. A cleasning smudge will be used.
Through the process of our own journey, we gather our bundles and add what is needed.
The grandmothers and Ancestors are waiting to assist us with these challenges.
Visiting will assist with encouragement and guidance for what is needed.
We will visit the sacred cave where the grandmothers and ancestors reside.
We will search out the medicines needed to make life happen for us.
Bring a mat or blanket to lay on.
Story Circle
with Lea Pfeifer
One of the greatest assets of the herbal community is our collection of stories and experiences. Join the ranks of the Great Lakes Herb Fairees who have added their stories to our rich and growing collection. The theme for the evening will be “my first herbal ally.” If you wish you may come prepared to tell about this or any herbal topic you choose, or just come to listen. Priority will be given to elders. All stories will be recorded.
Saturday and Sunday Classes
Clinical Approaches to Digestive Disorders
with 7Song
This class will focus on treating some of the acute and chronic digestive disorders such as irritable bowel syndrome and food poisoning. Pathophysiological and constitutional approaches will be covered, as well as preparing individual treatment protocols for patients. There will be a focus on herbal therapeutics including antiinflammatories, demulcents, bitters, and nervous system remedies. This class will be focused on herbal treatments rather than nutritional and dietary strategies.
Drop by Drop, Tincture by Tincture
with Leslie Alexander
How many times do we see labels that suggest 5-10 drops three times a day? Or 40-60 drops twice a day? What about the size of the dropper? Do we think that people count drops after the very first dose or just eyeball it? Is the math a bore? A chore? An obstacle? Together we’ll take a relaxed approach to creating clear, safe and routine dosing strategies for single doses and herbs offered over extended periods. We’ll talk about how to dispense ample volumes for 5, 10, 15 days and beyond. We’ll discuss why regular dosing can make a huge difference and we’ll explore “folk” and “scientific” or “measured” approaches to making herbal tinctures. Emphases will be on hands-on working together, with handouts to take away.
The Folkloric Uses of Wood: Ethnobotany of Things Made from Trees!
with Rebecca Beyer
The historical uses of different types of trees for making and doing things is not only fascinating, its a great way to more deeply know the incredible tree beings around us. Through examining the history of the medicinal, spiritual and practical uses of different trees we can see the deep magic of not only this continent’s native trees, but some we know and love from other lands.
Medicinal Meadows: A Medicinal Dive Into 6 Native Flowers of the Midwest
with Melissa Borer Hard
This class will focus on 6 different native flowers of the midwestern region. We’ll explore herbal actions and energetics, common formulations and uses, interesting herbal constituents, and common practices for medicine making and usage of Yarrow, Hyssop, Monarda, Goldenrod, Boneset and Blue Vervain.
Utilizing the Stages of Change in Consultations
with Christy Chambers
Have you ever tried to start a new habit or change something in your life but can’t seem to stick with it? Have you worked with a client that wants an herb to solve a problem, yet they are unable to change a core dietary or lifestyle behavior that may be critical in reaching their goal? These experiences can be disheartening, but they don’t mean change is impossible – you may just need to change the way you are trying to create change! In this class, we will cover the Transtheoretical (Stages of Change) Model, including how to identify where someone is in the process of creating change, specific strategies for each stage, and how to apply this to your herbal practice. This model empowers us as individuals and clinicians to help create lasting change in regards to the health and well-being of our clients – and ourselves. Participants will receive a tip sheet mapping out the stages, indicators, and strategies for each.
Coca: Returning to the Ancestral Wisdom of a Sacred Leaf
with Natalia Chaparro
In this class, we will reconnect with the true essence of coca, one of the most sacred plants of the Andes. Far from the stigma that has distorted its meaning, coca is a symbol of vitality, reverence, and resilience. We will explore its traditional uses, cultural significance, and the deep relationship indigenous communities have maintained with this plant for centuries. We will also reflect on how the global misrepresentation of coca has affected Colombia’s land, people, and spirit, and how today, movements across the country are working to restore its dignity and ancestral value. This is an invitation to honor coca as a bridge to memory, healing, and reconnection.
Grow, Forage and Press Your Own Seed and Nut Oils.
with Bevin Cohen
Let's explore why pressing our own oils is a beneficial practice for any herbal medicine maker! This informative session will cover a number of oilseed crops that can easily be grown or foraged for small-scale oil production. Bevin will discuss growing, foraging, harvesting and processing various seeds and nuts and will also explore equipment needs, proper storage as well as various uses for the freshly pressed oils. In this class we’ll talk about the equipment and processes of cold pressing seed and nut oils at home.
Class Title and Description to Come....
with Alex Crofoot
Michigan’s Medicinal Mushrooms
with Tyler Davidson
Michigan's Medicinal Mushrooms is an interactive workshop guided by Certified Michigan Mushroom Expert Tyler Davidson exploring the healing power of fungi native to Michigan. You will dive into the high potential of fungi for our modern health epidemics, safe use, and research-backed medicinal benefits. Foraging guidance is given on each mushroom covered paired with field samples to enhance learning. Bonus topics include insights into traditional indigenous uses, survival, and bushcraft. Resources are provided for further study, and plenty of time is offered for Q&A. If you are wanting to begin your natural medicine journey with fungi and learn how to forage for your own needs, this is your perfect opportunity!
Demystify Fungi: Foundations of Taxonomy and Identification
with Tyler Davidson
Demystify fungi is a class that teaches the foundations of fungi taxonomical classification and the basics of identification. Students will learn the framework that will allow them to walk out in the woods and much more easily identify and proficiently learn the mycobiome. Field samples will be utilized throughout the class to enhance the learning experience for all kinds of fungi explored. This class serves to dispel mycophobia, and is excellent for those seeking to learn to confidently identify medicinal, edible, and toxic fungi.
Oh My Aching Back
Rosalee de la Forêt
Chronic back pain isn’t just about tight muscles or weak cores. It’s a complex, whole-body experience shaped by inflammation, nervous system signaling, past injury, stress, and how the body learns to protect itself over time. In this class, we’ll explore chronic back pain through an herbalist’s and systems-based lens— looking beyond quick fixes to understand why pain persists even when nothing appears “wrong.” We’ll discuss inflammation that lingers quietly, protective tension patterns, and the role of the nervous system in keeping pain on repeat. This class is about making sense of chronic pain in a way that feels relieving rather than discouraging—and offering gentle, practical ways to support the body without forcing it to “power through.”
Elemental Dental Herbalism
with Kyle Denton
The mouth has been a blind spot for holistically minded, and maybe because it is dark and not so easy to see in there, but the general assumption when faced with a tooth pain, bleeding gums, jaw tension or cavities is “this is a dental problem, I need a dental solution.” In the vitalist view, all of these are signals pointing to whole body health. Let’s examine the mouth as a gateway for digestion, communication, and the breath, through the examination of tissue states by using herbs, and their defined actions for a whole body smile.
Elemental Nervines - 5 elements in herbs and the nerves
with Kyle Denton
This class explores the expressions and conditions of nervous system through the lens of the five elements: earth, water, air, fire and ether. By examining foundational constitutional patterns and the shift within the seasons of life, stress or illness, we learn how to pair herbal remedies with the elemental imbalance rather than surface signals. This class offers a practical, qualitative approach to nervous system care.
Understanding Extraction: Phytochemistry and Solubility in Practice
with Lindsey Feldpaush
Understanding how to extract the right compounds from a plant is essential to making
effective herbal medicine. In this class, we’ll break down the basics of phytochemistry and
solubility and apply them directly to common preparation methods. You’ll learn how to match
plant constituents with appropriate solvents, avoid common mistakes, and refine your
approach. This session is designed to strengthen your foundation and support more
intentional, skillful medicine making.
Reading the Body skills ~ Heart and Kidneys, Liver and Lungs (In 2 parts)
with Margi Flint
Love and fear rule the heart and kidneys. Anger and sorrow rule the liver and Lungs. Learn to read the indications of these organs’ facial lines, colors, body locations, thought patterns and warning signs to guide the body to balance once more. Our friends the herbs will be sharing their gifts.
Balance your Moon Cycle
with Lisa Fouladbash
What is your period telling you? Now considered the fifth vital sign, your menstrual cycle is an indicator of balance in the body. That means that irregular or painful cycles are a sign that something is out of balance in our bodies. It also means - we don’t need to suffer each month! By paying attention to our menstrual cycles, we can discover and address issues early on for improved health and a much more pleasant period.In this class, you’ll learn how to naturally support your menstrual cycle with holistic approaches and herbal medicine. You’ll learn:
- What a healthy period looks like and signs of an imbalance
- Common causes of irregular and heavy cycles
- Holistic approaches for a balanced cycle (such as nutrition, digestion, stress management)- Herbal support for hormonal balance, PMS and menstrual cramps (herbs covered may include motherwort, blue vervain, black haw, Jamaican dogwood, black cohosh, ginger, dong quai, vitex, and more)
Herbs for Menopause
with Lisa Fouladbash
I’ve had a lot of requests for herbal support for menopause, so I created this class! In this class, we’ll discuss holistic approaches and herbal medicine to naturally soothe menopausal discomforts (like insomnia, night sweats, hot flashes, low libido, vaginal dryness). We’ll discuss herbs such as shatavari, black cohosh, sage, motherwort, blue vervain, hops, damiana and more! We'll also discuss the stages of menopause, and some of the hormonal, physical and emotional changes that occur in this transition. We'll end with a community discussion about how we can reframe and reclaim menopause as an empowering and freeing time for women*. I hope this class helps women have a better understanding of the changes occurring in this powerful transition, and how to support these naturally with herbs and holistic care.
Aphrodisiac Herbs for Sensual and Sexual Empowerment
with Kimberly Gallagher
In this workshop we will explore ways people can bring herbs into their everyday life to help create a flow of sensual erotic energy to help fuel creativity, confidence, and vitality. This will be an interactive class highlighting the fact that aphrodisiac herbs are best used in our own bodies for our own sexual health and empowerment. I will bring herbal aphrodisiac treats like damiana chocolate love liqueur and schisandra mocha truffles to share. There will be small group discussions among participants, and interactive whole group discussion.
Rhythms and Relationships: A Feminine Way into Herbalism
with Kimberly Gallagher
This class will be an exploration of how we can come into relationship with plants through sensual connection, dreaming with the plants, and bringing them into our daily lives. We will talk about the seasonality of herbalism and other daily, monthly, and yearly rhythms associated with herbalism. Participants will do a meditation with a plant in order to begin developing a relationship with that plant. We will work in small groups and also in whole group discussion.
A Terpene Tutorial - Trees, Thieves, and Trichomes
with Heather Irvine
When terpenes telegraph signals to humans, messages range from fleeting perfume whispers to deafening delirium. Terpenes exist in plants as warning signs, come-ons, communication molecules, and plant hormones. They can please, tease, and taze. Terpenes include many but not all of the flavors and aromatic scents breathed in, from flowers, fruits, leaves, saps, and so on. Terpenes can attract pollinators, perturb pests, and serve antiinfective functions in plants. To humans, terpenes produce a range of subtle nervous system effects, many desirable. Influences also include decongestant and aperient. Specific terpenes have hormonal effects, and a few are psychoactive. Terpenes range from the faint floral to the hallucinogenic. We’ll step through the smallest and demure, fruity, floral, and aromatic, to the middle-sized terpenes, sticky, tricky, and resinous, to the largest and arguably most complex neuroendocrine modulators and also some entheogen terpenes, terpenoids, and terpenophenolics. Think of plants like thyme, pines, peppermint, citrus, frankincense, licorice, salvia, and cannabis.
Oh, so... What’s a Low Dose Botanical?
with Heather Irvine
“Looowwww dose botanical” you’ve heard the herbal teachers and other boastful folks say. So what does that mean, and what are included in “low dose botanicals”. You might have caught on that there are terms in herbalism that have multiple meanings, or a range of meaning. We’ll cover some of the reasons a plant has been called a low dose botanical. When can you possibly use one of these (for specific applications once or twice at a time with care) and when does this term convey the very extreme meaning, which would be use never or close to never. We’ll also convey some phytochemistry foundations in this class. We’ll talk about alkaloids, but also other constituent types that can make a medicinal plant a low-dose botanical. Think of plants like Lobelia inflata, Bloodroot, Pokeweed, Ghost pipe, and many others, including some pain relievers, entheogens, and outliers.
Recognizing Red Flags: Practicing Herbalism with Both Eyes Open
with Brittney Jergovich
As herbalists, we have the unique privilege of listening to clients share their symptoms and body experiences. Herbs provide the foundation for good health and help support many chronic conditions, but sometimes further evaluation by a medical professional is needed. Join family physician Dr. Brittney Jergovich for a look at common symptoms that warrant more urgent medical evaluation. Learn what symptoms can be observed and when to act quickly to ensure a client receives the appropriate evaluation. Help clients advocate for the care they need.
Understanding the Vaginal Microbiome for Herbal Practitioners
with Amanda Jokerst
This class offers a primer on the vaginal microbiome and practical holistic approaches for supporting optimal vaginal health. Students will learn how healthy vaginal ecology functions as a dynamic defense system, understanding the roles of lactobacilli species, pH regulation, and the factors that maintain or disrupt this vaginal microbiome balance. We'll review common patterns of dysbiosis including bacterial vaginosis, vulvovaginal candidiasis, aerobic vaginitis, and cytolytic vaginitis, while discussing ways to assess vaginal health through client intake, symptom patterns, and menstrual cycle tracking. The class emphasizes understanding the interconnections between gut health, hormonal cycles, lifestyle factors, and vaginal ecology, providing students with the knowledge to address vaginal dysbiosis from a holistic perspective. We will also discuss options for integrating vaginal microbiome testing into clinical practice and understanding appropriate referral guidelines and collaborative care approaches.
Supporting Clients with HPV & Cervical Dysplasia
with Amanda Jokerst
This class explores holistic approaches for supporting clients navigating cervical dysplasia and HPV infections. Students will learn about the progression from HPV infection to cervical changes, constitutional patterns that influence immune response and tissue health, and targeted protocols combining immune-modulating and local tissue supportive herbs, vaginal microbiome restoration, nutritional support, and stress management strategies. We'll examine specific botanicals for their roles in supporting immune system resilience and cervical tissue health, discussing applications for teas, tinctures, and vaginal suppositories. This class provides essential tools for supporting clients through what can be an emotionally challenging health journey while maintaining appropriate scope of practice and emphasizing the importance of collaborative care with medical providers.
Understanding Alpha-Gal: An Herbalist’s Approach
with Mel Kasting
Alpha-gal syndrome can be confusing, disruptive, and deeply impactful for the people living with it. In this 1.5-hour class, we’ll build a clear, accessible understanding of what alpha-gal is, how it develops, and the many ways it can show up in the body, with the goal of helping herbalists offer thoughtful, appropriate support. We’ll focus on how herbs can be used to support the systems most commonly affected, including digestion, immune regulation, inflammation, skin and mucosal tissues, and nervous system resilience. Emphasis will be placed on choosing herbs based on how symptoms are experienced rather than relying on a single protocol, with practical discussion of herb categories, actions, and strategies that can be used when working with clients or the public. By the end of class, you’ll have greater confidence in talking about alpha-gal and clearer ways to use herbs to support symptom management and longer-term healing.
Holistic Protocols for Blood Sugar: Hyperinsulinemia, PreDiabetes and Diabetes
with Logan Keister
This class will cover some basic physiological concepts to help us understand how we digest sugars and carbohydrates, and how insulin functions in the body. We will use this understanding to help us know how we can help ourselves and our clients better with issues surrounding blood sugar. We will cover protocols that look towards lifestyle, exercise, diet, nutrition, and herbal medicine. These protocols are holistic and easy to follow, and you don’t have to give up eating all of your favorite foods to help maintain better health and blood sugar regulation.
The Most Ubiquitous and Underrated Medicinal Mushroom: Red Belted Polypore
with Logan Keister
Most folks have heard of Reishi (Ganoderma spp.) but it is not common to encounter Reshi when foraging in most places. Yet we have another medicinal polypore mushroom that is found in nearly every country, is quite prolific, and is easy to identify, yet most people just pass it by! Fomitopis pinicola or the Red Belted Conk is an incredible medicinal mushroom with very unique roles it plays out in the environments it inhabits. Let us take a deep dive into exploring my favorite medicinal mushroom and gain a deeper understanding of fungi as a whole.
Uncontainable Night: Herbs for the Stages of Grief
with Janet Kent
There is so much to grieve in this world, from the personal to the global, it can be easy to get mired in the process. Herbs can provide support for all of the phases of grief, if we learn to recognize the energetic patterns that accompany these phases. In this class we discuss the nonlinear phases of grief, how they appear and which herbs can support us as we move through them.
Mental Health Energetics
with Janet Kent
While community and clinical herbalists are trained to see energetic patterns in the body, too often we rely on this-for-that indications for mental states. In this class we will discuss energetic patterns for mental health. We will learn to recognize various patterns and discuss herbs that help ease or balance those states.
East Meets West: Applying Chinese Medicine Theory to Western Plants
with Erica Macrum
This class offers an accessible yet in-depth exploration of how Western herbs can be understood and applied through the foundational principles of Chinese Medicine. We will examine Yin and Yang theory, the Eight Principles, and the Zang-Fu organ system to see how plants express temperature, direction, flavor, and function in the body. Instead of relying solely on the traditional Chinese materia medica, we will work with familiar Western herbs such as burdock, dandelion, hawthorn, motherwort, and others to understand how to assess patterns This class builds a bridge between two herbal traditions, helping practitioners deepen their energetic intuition, expand their herbal toolkit, and strengthen confidence in pattern-based herbal assessment.
Cholesterol – Getting to the Heart of the Matter
with Kat Maier
Many folks today are faced with challenging questions about their cardiovascular health. The medicalization of our hearts is taking away our confidence in our ability to sustain our own health. This class looks at the myths surrounding cholesterol. We will talk about this endogenous anti-oxidant for dealing with stress and look at the deep reaches stress plays in our world today.
Bitters Beyond the Gut
with Betsy Miller
Bitter herbs are incredible at supporting our gut, from stimulating the release of digestive secretions to regulating peristalsis. The presence of bitter receptors throughout the body, however, means that their range of therapeutics extends far beyond improving digestive function. This class will dive into the communication mechanisms between bitters and their receptors, and explore how bitters on a physiological level impact numerous body systems,including the nervous system, respiratory system and cardiovascular system.
Demystifying Detoxification
with Betsy Miller
Detox is such a controversial term in the health care landscape- it seems like all health problems can be solved by simply doing a detox using a super expensive, complicated kit or program. This class will focus on the physiology of detoxification and herbs/nutrients that can be helpful to support the key organs and pathways of detoxification. We will also explore indications for including detoxification support for our clients, or when detoxification support
might be contraindicated.
Crafting Basic Herbal Preparations
with Jessicka Nebesni
Have you ever wanted to make your own herbal wellness preparations but don’t know wherevto start? In this hands-on class, we will go over the different kinds of herbal preparations and how to make them for daily wellness support. We will discuss herbal teas, tinctures, oils, vinegars, electuaries, and more. Participants will also make two herbal preparations to take home.
The Grandmother's Cave (Part 2)
with Esstin Niganobe
description to come....
Exploring Carrier Oils
Lea Pfeifer
When do you want an oil to absorb quickly, when do you want it to linger on the skin? Is it worth investing in a more expensive oil? When does it make the most sense to pick up EVOO from the grocery? We’ll talk about the things to look for in a carrier oil, including the smell, feel, comedogenic rating and nutrients, and we’ll engage in a sensory exploration of sample oils.
The Common Denominators - What postpartum traditions across cultures agree on
with Lyani Powers
Description to come....
Energetic Alignment and Core Stability Workshop Connecting and Balancing All Layers of the Self — with the Support of Herbal Allies
with Stacey and Joseph Quade
A powerful integration of energy awareness, postural alignment, and plant wisdom to help you strengthen your body, balance your energy field, and deepen your intuitive connection to the natural world. This immersive experience blends lecture, hands-on practice, and fun interactive activities to help you: Part 1: Energetic Biofields and Intuitive Connection Sense and explore the energetic biofields of yourself, others, and herbs. Practice intuitive listening to the energy of plants and people. Learn how your physical reality is shaped by subtle energy patterns. Part 2: Postural Stability and Core Alignment - Learn principles of musculoskeletal alignment. Discover how energetic imbalances manifest in posture and movement. Practice techniques to support physical core alignment through subtle energy.
Traditional Folk Remedies: The Fire Cider Experience
with Queen KJ
In this hands-on session, she will introduce attendees to the timeless, classic fire cider — a staple herbal tonic used for generations to support immunity and vitality. Watch the preparation process, learn about the traditional herbs and their benefits, and taste the tonic for yourself. This demo is designed for everyone from curious newcomers to seasoned herbalists, offering insights, inspiration, and practical tips for exploring the use of herbs in everyday life and homesteading.
Respiratory Infections: Herbs and Cases
with Paul Richard Saunders
Paul will present the most commonly used botanical medicines for URTI their indications, their constituents. He will include cases and organoleptics of the herbs used.
You Planted an Herb Garden-Now What?
with Patti Travioli
You’ve successfully grown an herb garden—but harvesting and preserving herbs requires just as much care as growing them. Knowing when to harvest, which plant parts to use, and how to dry herbs properly can make all the difference in flavor, potency, and storage life. In this presentation, Patti will cover best practices for harvesting and drying herbs, including optimal timing, proper plant parts, effective drying methods, garbling, and storage tips. She’ll also address common questions, such as whether oven-drying herbs is a good idea. By the end, you’ll have the knowledge and confidence to preserve your harvest and build a well-stocked home apothecary.
Birthing Wisdom: Stories That Shaped Us
Raquel Washington and Queen KJ
Every birth has a story — powerful, emotional, and uniquely our own. This gathering is a safe space for parents, doulas, and birth workers to share and listen to real experiences of bringing life into the world. Whether your story was calm or chaotic, hospital or home, natural or assisted, this circle honors the beauty and truth of every path to motherhood. Come connect, release, and be reminded of the strength within our shared birthing journeys.
Class Title and Description to come...
with Shana Weddington
The Science and Diversity of Ethnomycology
Marc Williams
Ethnomycology is a wide area for potential study. It is a combination of the two sciences of Ethnology, which explores the traditions of human cultures, and Mycology which focuses on the organisms within the fungal kingdom. It includes both the exploration of fungi uses fit for the table and the medicine chest. Some examples include decoctions, jerkies, pates, teas, tinctures, and more. Various fungi are also used for arts, crafts and industry which serve as an area of interest as well. Choice species of edible, medicinal and craft mushrooms will be featured as part of this presentation and discussion.
Basic Herbal Safety
with Cal Wolfpack
Frequently I come across the assumption that just because something is natural, it is safe. Herbal medicines and herbal products, while being generally safer than pharmaceutical medicines, do have safety considerations. First, we will place plants used for medicine on a spectrum from those that are most food-like and most safe to those that are more toxic and therefore more likely to carry risk. Next, we will discuss specific herbal actions and plant chemicals that carry safety concerns and contraindications. Finally, we will shift our focus to discuss different health situations that warrant caution regarding the use of herbal medicine. Participants will leave class with a better understanding of herbal medicines that are generally safe as well as a better idea of when and how to be cautious when using herbal remedies. References for further research on safety concerns and herb-drug interactions will be provided.
Class Title and Description to Come...
with Nathan Wright
with 7Song
This class will focus on treating some of the acute and chronic digestive disorders such as irritable bowel syndrome and food poisoning. Pathophysiological and constitutional approaches will be covered, as well as preparing individual treatment protocols for patients. There will be a focus on herbal therapeutics including antiinflammatories, demulcents, bitters, and nervous system remedies. This class will be focused on herbal treatments rather than nutritional and dietary strategies.
Drop by Drop, Tincture by Tincture
with Leslie Alexander
How many times do we see labels that suggest 5-10 drops three times a day? Or 40-60 drops twice a day? What about the size of the dropper? Do we think that people count drops after the very first dose or just eyeball it? Is the math a bore? A chore? An obstacle? Together we’ll take a relaxed approach to creating clear, safe and routine dosing strategies for single doses and herbs offered over extended periods. We’ll talk about how to dispense ample volumes for 5, 10, 15 days and beyond. We’ll discuss why regular dosing can make a huge difference and we’ll explore “folk” and “scientific” or “measured” approaches to making herbal tinctures. Emphases will be on hands-on working together, with handouts to take away.
The Folkloric Uses of Wood: Ethnobotany of Things Made from Trees!
with Rebecca Beyer
The historical uses of different types of trees for making and doing things is not only fascinating, its a great way to more deeply know the incredible tree beings around us. Through examining the history of the medicinal, spiritual and practical uses of different trees we can see the deep magic of not only this continent’s native trees, but some we know and love from other lands.
Medicinal Meadows: A Medicinal Dive Into 6 Native Flowers of the Midwest
with Melissa Borer Hard
This class will focus on 6 different native flowers of the midwestern region. We’ll explore herbal actions and energetics, common formulations and uses, interesting herbal constituents, and common practices for medicine making and usage of Yarrow, Hyssop, Monarda, Goldenrod, Boneset and Blue Vervain.
Utilizing the Stages of Change in Consultations
with Christy Chambers
Have you ever tried to start a new habit or change something in your life but can’t seem to stick with it? Have you worked with a client that wants an herb to solve a problem, yet they are unable to change a core dietary or lifestyle behavior that may be critical in reaching their goal? These experiences can be disheartening, but they don’t mean change is impossible – you may just need to change the way you are trying to create change! In this class, we will cover the Transtheoretical (Stages of Change) Model, including how to identify where someone is in the process of creating change, specific strategies for each stage, and how to apply this to your herbal practice. This model empowers us as individuals and clinicians to help create lasting change in regards to the health and well-being of our clients – and ourselves. Participants will receive a tip sheet mapping out the stages, indicators, and strategies for each.
Coca: Returning to the Ancestral Wisdom of a Sacred Leaf
with Natalia Chaparro
In this class, we will reconnect with the true essence of coca, one of the most sacred plants of the Andes. Far from the stigma that has distorted its meaning, coca is a symbol of vitality, reverence, and resilience. We will explore its traditional uses, cultural significance, and the deep relationship indigenous communities have maintained with this plant for centuries. We will also reflect on how the global misrepresentation of coca has affected Colombia’s land, people, and spirit, and how today, movements across the country are working to restore its dignity and ancestral value. This is an invitation to honor coca as a bridge to memory, healing, and reconnection.
Grow, Forage and Press Your Own Seed and Nut Oils.
with Bevin Cohen
Let's explore why pressing our own oils is a beneficial practice for any herbal medicine maker! This informative session will cover a number of oilseed crops that can easily be grown or foraged for small-scale oil production. Bevin will discuss growing, foraging, harvesting and processing various seeds and nuts and will also explore equipment needs, proper storage as well as various uses for the freshly pressed oils. In this class we’ll talk about the equipment and processes of cold pressing seed and nut oils at home.
Class Title and Description to Come....
with Alex Crofoot
Michigan’s Medicinal Mushrooms
with Tyler Davidson
Michigan's Medicinal Mushrooms is an interactive workshop guided by Certified Michigan Mushroom Expert Tyler Davidson exploring the healing power of fungi native to Michigan. You will dive into the high potential of fungi for our modern health epidemics, safe use, and research-backed medicinal benefits. Foraging guidance is given on each mushroom covered paired with field samples to enhance learning. Bonus topics include insights into traditional indigenous uses, survival, and bushcraft. Resources are provided for further study, and plenty of time is offered for Q&A. If you are wanting to begin your natural medicine journey with fungi and learn how to forage for your own needs, this is your perfect opportunity!
Demystify Fungi: Foundations of Taxonomy and Identification
with Tyler Davidson
Demystify fungi is a class that teaches the foundations of fungi taxonomical classification and the basics of identification. Students will learn the framework that will allow them to walk out in the woods and much more easily identify and proficiently learn the mycobiome. Field samples will be utilized throughout the class to enhance the learning experience for all kinds of fungi explored. This class serves to dispel mycophobia, and is excellent for those seeking to learn to confidently identify medicinal, edible, and toxic fungi.
Oh My Aching Back
Rosalee de la Forêt
Chronic back pain isn’t just about tight muscles or weak cores. It’s a complex, whole-body experience shaped by inflammation, nervous system signaling, past injury, stress, and how the body learns to protect itself over time. In this class, we’ll explore chronic back pain through an herbalist’s and systems-based lens— looking beyond quick fixes to understand why pain persists even when nothing appears “wrong.” We’ll discuss inflammation that lingers quietly, protective tension patterns, and the role of the nervous system in keeping pain on repeat. This class is about making sense of chronic pain in a way that feels relieving rather than discouraging—and offering gentle, practical ways to support the body without forcing it to “power through.”
Elemental Dental Herbalism
with Kyle Denton
The mouth has been a blind spot for holistically minded, and maybe because it is dark and not so easy to see in there, but the general assumption when faced with a tooth pain, bleeding gums, jaw tension or cavities is “this is a dental problem, I need a dental solution.” In the vitalist view, all of these are signals pointing to whole body health. Let’s examine the mouth as a gateway for digestion, communication, and the breath, through the examination of tissue states by using herbs, and their defined actions for a whole body smile.
Elemental Nervines - 5 elements in herbs and the nerves
with Kyle Denton
This class explores the expressions and conditions of nervous system through the lens of the five elements: earth, water, air, fire and ether. By examining foundational constitutional patterns and the shift within the seasons of life, stress or illness, we learn how to pair herbal remedies with the elemental imbalance rather than surface signals. This class offers a practical, qualitative approach to nervous system care.
Understanding Extraction: Phytochemistry and Solubility in Practice
with Lindsey Feldpaush
Understanding how to extract the right compounds from a plant is essential to making
effective herbal medicine. In this class, we’ll break down the basics of phytochemistry and
solubility and apply them directly to common preparation methods. You’ll learn how to match
plant constituents with appropriate solvents, avoid common mistakes, and refine your
approach. This session is designed to strengthen your foundation and support more
intentional, skillful medicine making.
Reading the Body skills ~ Heart and Kidneys, Liver and Lungs (In 2 parts)
with Margi Flint
Love and fear rule the heart and kidneys. Anger and sorrow rule the liver and Lungs. Learn to read the indications of these organs’ facial lines, colors, body locations, thought patterns and warning signs to guide the body to balance once more. Our friends the herbs will be sharing their gifts.
Balance your Moon Cycle
with Lisa Fouladbash
What is your period telling you? Now considered the fifth vital sign, your menstrual cycle is an indicator of balance in the body. That means that irregular or painful cycles are a sign that something is out of balance in our bodies. It also means - we don’t need to suffer each month! By paying attention to our menstrual cycles, we can discover and address issues early on for improved health and a much more pleasant period.In this class, you’ll learn how to naturally support your menstrual cycle with holistic approaches and herbal medicine. You’ll learn:
- What a healthy period looks like and signs of an imbalance
- Common causes of irregular and heavy cycles
- Holistic approaches for a balanced cycle (such as nutrition, digestion, stress management)- Herbal support for hormonal balance, PMS and menstrual cramps (herbs covered may include motherwort, blue vervain, black haw, Jamaican dogwood, black cohosh, ginger, dong quai, vitex, and more)
Herbs for Menopause
with Lisa Fouladbash
I’ve had a lot of requests for herbal support for menopause, so I created this class! In this class, we’ll discuss holistic approaches and herbal medicine to naturally soothe menopausal discomforts (like insomnia, night sweats, hot flashes, low libido, vaginal dryness). We’ll discuss herbs such as shatavari, black cohosh, sage, motherwort, blue vervain, hops, damiana and more! We'll also discuss the stages of menopause, and some of the hormonal, physical and emotional changes that occur in this transition. We'll end with a community discussion about how we can reframe and reclaim menopause as an empowering and freeing time for women*. I hope this class helps women have a better understanding of the changes occurring in this powerful transition, and how to support these naturally with herbs and holistic care.
Aphrodisiac Herbs for Sensual and Sexual Empowerment
with Kimberly Gallagher
In this workshop we will explore ways people can bring herbs into their everyday life to help create a flow of sensual erotic energy to help fuel creativity, confidence, and vitality. This will be an interactive class highlighting the fact that aphrodisiac herbs are best used in our own bodies for our own sexual health and empowerment. I will bring herbal aphrodisiac treats like damiana chocolate love liqueur and schisandra mocha truffles to share. There will be small group discussions among participants, and interactive whole group discussion.
Rhythms and Relationships: A Feminine Way into Herbalism
with Kimberly Gallagher
This class will be an exploration of how we can come into relationship with plants through sensual connection, dreaming with the plants, and bringing them into our daily lives. We will talk about the seasonality of herbalism and other daily, monthly, and yearly rhythms associated with herbalism. Participants will do a meditation with a plant in order to begin developing a relationship with that plant. We will work in small groups and also in whole group discussion.
A Terpene Tutorial - Trees, Thieves, and Trichomes
with Heather Irvine
When terpenes telegraph signals to humans, messages range from fleeting perfume whispers to deafening delirium. Terpenes exist in plants as warning signs, come-ons, communication molecules, and plant hormones. They can please, tease, and taze. Terpenes include many but not all of the flavors and aromatic scents breathed in, from flowers, fruits, leaves, saps, and so on. Terpenes can attract pollinators, perturb pests, and serve antiinfective functions in plants. To humans, terpenes produce a range of subtle nervous system effects, many desirable. Influences also include decongestant and aperient. Specific terpenes have hormonal effects, and a few are psychoactive. Terpenes range from the faint floral to the hallucinogenic. We’ll step through the smallest and demure, fruity, floral, and aromatic, to the middle-sized terpenes, sticky, tricky, and resinous, to the largest and arguably most complex neuroendocrine modulators and also some entheogen terpenes, terpenoids, and terpenophenolics. Think of plants like thyme, pines, peppermint, citrus, frankincense, licorice, salvia, and cannabis.
Oh, so... What’s a Low Dose Botanical?
with Heather Irvine
“Looowwww dose botanical” you’ve heard the herbal teachers and other boastful folks say. So what does that mean, and what are included in “low dose botanicals”. You might have caught on that there are terms in herbalism that have multiple meanings, or a range of meaning. We’ll cover some of the reasons a plant has been called a low dose botanical. When can you possibly use one of these (for specific applications once or twice at a time with care) and when does this term convey the very extreme meaning, which would be use never or close to never. We’ll also convey some phytochemistry foundations in this class. We’ll talk about alkaloids, but also other constituent types that can make a medicinal plant a low-dose botanical. Think of plants like Lobelia inflata, Bloodroot, Pokeweed, Ghost pipe, and many others, including some pain relievers, entheogens, and outliers.
Recognizing Red Flags: Practicing Herbalism with Both Eyes Open
with Brittney Jergovich
As herbalists, we have the unique privilege of listening to clients share their symptoms and body experiences. Herbs provide the foundation for good health and help support many chronic conditions, but sometimes further evaluation by a medical professional is needed. Join family physician Dr. Brittney Jergovich for a look at common symptoms that warrant more urgent medical evaluation. Learn what symptoms can be observed and when to act quickly to ensure a client receives the appropriate evaluation. Help clients advocate for the care they need.
Understanding the Vaginal Microbiome for Herbal Practitioners
with Amanda Jokerst
This class offers a primer on the vaginal microbiome and practical holistic approaches for supporting optimal vaginal health. Students will learn how healthy vaginal ecology functions as a dynamic defense system, understanding the roles of lactobacilli species, pH regulation, and the factors that maintain or disrupt this vaginal microbiome balance. We'll review common patterns of dysbiosis including bacterial vaginosis, vulvovaginal candidiasis, aerobic vaginitis, and cytolytic vaginitis, while discussing ways to assess vaginal health through client intake, symptom patterns, and menstrual cycle tracking. The class emphasizes understanding the interconnections between gut health, hormonal cycles, lifestyle factors, and vaginal ecology, providing students with the knowledge to address vaginal dysbiosis from a holistic perspective. We will also discuss options for integrating vaginal microbiome testing into clinical practice and understanding appropriate referral guidelines and collaborative care approaches.
Supporting Clients with HPV & Cervical Dysplasia
with Amanda Jokerst
This class explores holistic approaches for supporting clients navigating cervical dysplasia and HPV infections. Students will learn about the progression from HPV infection to cervical changes, constitutional patterns that influence immune response and tissue health, and targeted protocols combining immune-modulating and local tissue supportive herbs, vaginal microbiome restoration, nutritional support, and stress management strategies. We'll examine specific botanicals for their roles in supporting immune system resilience and cervical tissue health, discussing applications for teas, tinctures, and vaginal suppositories. This class provides essential tools for supporting clients through what can be an emotionally challenging health journey while maintaining appropriate scope of practice and emphasizing the importance of collaborative care with medical providers.
Understanding Alpha-Gal: An Herbalist’s Approach
with Mel Kasting
Alpha-gal syndrome can be confusing, disruptive, and deeply impactful for the people living with it. In this 1.5-hour class, we’ll build a clear, accessible understanding of what alpha-gal is, how it develops, and the many ways it can show up in the body, with the goal of helping herbalists offer thoughtful, appropriate support. We’ll focus on how herbs can be used to support the systems most commonly affected, including digestion, immune regulation, inflammation, skin and mucosal tissues, and nervous system resilience. Emphasis will be placed on choosing herbs based on how symptoms are experienced rather than relying on a single protocol, with practical discussion of herb categories, actions, and strategies that can be used when working with clients or the public. By the end of class, you’ll have greater confidence in talking about alpha-gal and clearer ways to use herbs to support symptom management and longer-term healing.
Holistic Protocols for Blood Sugar: Hyperinsulinemia, PreDiabetes and Diabetes
with Logan Keister
This class will cover some basic physiological concepts to help us understand how we digest sugars and carbohydrates, and how insulin functions in the body. We will use this understanding to help us know how we can help ourselves and our clients better with issues surrounding blood sugar. We will cover protocols that look towards lifestyle, exercise, diet, nutrition, and herbal medicine. These protocols are holistic and easy to follow, and you don’t have to give up eating all of your favorite foods to help maintain better health and blood sugar regulation.
The Most Ubiquitous and Underrated Medicinal Mushroom: Red Belted Polypore
with Logan Keister
Most folks have heard of Reishi (Ganoderma spp.) but it is not common to encounter Reshi when foraging in most places. Yet we have another medicinal polypore mushroom that is found in nearly every country, is quite prolific, and is easy to identify, yet most people just pass it by! Fomitopis pinicola or the Red Belted Conk is an incredible medicinal mushroom with very unique roles it plays out in the environments it inhabits. Let us take a deep dive into exploring my favorite medicinal mushroom and gain a deeper understanding of fungi as a whole.
Uncontainable Night: Herbs for the Stages of Grief
with Janet Kent
There is so much to grieve in this world, from the personal to the global, it can be easy to get mired in the process. Herbs can provide support for all of the phases of grief, if we learn to recognize the energetic patterns that accompany these phases. In this class we discuss the nonlinear phases of grief, how they appear and which herbs can support us as we move through them.
Mental Health Energetics
with Janet Kent
While community and clinical herbalists are trained to see energetic patterns in the body, too often we rely on this-for-that indications for mental states. In this class we will discuss energetic patterns for mental health. We will learn to recognize various patterns and discuss herbs that help ease or balance those states.
East Meets West: Applying Chinese Medicine Theory to Western Plants
with Erica Macrum
This class offers an accessible yet in-depth exploration of how Western herbs can be understood and applied through the foundational principles of Chinese Medicine. We will examine Yin and Yang theory, the Eight Principles, and the Zang-Fu organ system to see how plants express temperature, direction, flavor, and function in the body. Instead of relying solely on the traditional Chinese materia medica, we will work with familiar Western herbs such as burdock, dandelion, hawthorn, motherwort, and others to understand how to assess patterns This class builds a bridge between two herbal traditions, helping practitioners deepen their energetic intuition, expand their herbal toolkit, and strengthen confidence in pattern-based herbal assessment.
Cholesterol – Getting to the Heart of the Matter
with Kat Maier
Many folks today are faced with challenging questions about their cardiovascular health. The medicalization of our hearts is taking away our confidence in our ability to sustain our own health. This class looks at the myths surrounding cholesterol. We will talk about this endogenous anti-oxidant for dealing with stress and look at the deep reaches stress plays in our world today.
Bitters Beyond the Gut
with Betsy Miller
Bitter herbs are incredible at supporting our gut, from stimulating the release of digestive secretions to regulating peristalsis. The presence of bitter receptors throughout the body, however, means that their range of therapeutics extends far beyond improving digestive function. This class will dive into the communication mechanisms between bitters and their receptors, and explore how bitters on a physiological level impact numerous body systems,including the nervous system, respiratory system and cardiovascular system.
Demystifying Detoxification
with Betsy Miller
Detox is such a controversial term in the health care landscape- it seems like all health problems can be solved by simply doing a detox using a super expensive, complicated kit or program. This class will focus on the physiology of detoxification and herbs/nutrients that can be helpful to support the key organs and pathways of detoxification. We will also explore indications for including detoxification support for our clients, or when detoxification support
might be contraindicated.
Crafting Basic Herbal Preparations
with Jessicka Nebesni
Have you ever wanted to make your own herbal wellness preparations but don’t know wherevto start? In this hands-on class, we will go over the different kinds of herbal preparations and how to make them for daily wellness support. We will discuss herbal teas, tinctures, oils, vinegars, electuaries, and more. Participants will also make two herbal preparations to take home.
The Grandmother's Cave (Part 2)
with Esstin Niganobe
description to come....
Exploring Carrier Oils
Lea Pfeifer
When do you want an oil to absorb quickly, when do you want it to linger on the skin? Is it worth investing in a more expensive oil? When does it make the most sense to pick up EVOO from the grocery? We’ll talk about the things to look for in a carrier oil, including the smell, feel, comedogenic rating and nutrients, and we’ll engage in a sensory exploration of sample oils.
The Common Denominators - What postpartum traditions across cultures agree on
with Lyani Powers
Description to come....
Energetic Alignment and Core Stability Workshop Connecting and Balancing All Layers of the Self — with the Support of Herbal Allies
with Stacey and Joseph Quade
A powerful integration of energy awareness, postural alignment, and plant wisdom to help you strengthen your body, balance your energy field, and deepen your intuitive connection to the natural world. This immersive experience blends lecture, hands-on practice, and fun interactive activities to help you: Part 1: Energetic Biofields and Intuitive Connection Sense and explore the energetic biofields of yourself, others, and herbs. Practice intuitive listening to the energy of plants and people. Learn how your physical reality is shaped by subtle energy patterns. Part 2: Postural Stability and Core Alignment - Learn principles of musculoskeletal alignment. Discover how energetic imbalances manifest in posture and movement. Practice techniques to support physical core alignment through subtle energy.
Traditional Folk Remedies: The Fire Cider Experience
with Queen KJ
In this hands-on session, she will introduce attendees to the timeless, classic fire cider — a staple herbal tonic used for generations to support immunity and vitality. Watch the preparation process, learn about the traditional herbs and their benefits, and taste the tonic for yourself. This demo is designed for everyone from curious newcomers to seasoned herbalists, offering insights, inspiration, and practical tips for exploring the use of herbs in everyday life and homesteading.
Respiratory Infections: Herbs and Cases
with Paul Richard Saunders
Paul will present the most commonly used botanical medicines for URTI their indications, their constituents. He will include cases and organoleptics of the herbs used.
You Planted an Herb Garden-Now What?
with Patti Travioli
You’ve successfully grown an herb garden—but harvesting and preserving herbs requires just as much care as growing them. Knowing when to harvest, which plant parts to use, and how to dry herbs properly can make all the difference in flavor, potency, and storage life. In this presentation, Patti will cover best practices for harvesting and drying herbs, including optimal timing, proper plant parts, effective drying methods, garbling, and storage tips. She’ll also address common questions, such as whether oven-drying herbs is a good idea. By the end, you’ll have the knowledge and confidence to preserve your harvest and build a well-stocked home apothecary.
Birthing Wisdom: Stories That Shaped Us
Raquel Washington and Queen KJ
Every birth has a story — powerful, emotional, and uniquely our own. This gathering is a safe space for parents, doulas, and birth workers to share and listen to real experiences of bringing life into the world. Whether your story was calm or chaotic, hospital or home, natural or assisted, this circle honors the beauty and truth of every path to motherhood. Come connect, release, and be reminded of the strength within our shared birthing journeys.
Class Title and Description to come...
with Shana Weddington
The Science and Diversity of Ethnomycology
Marc Williams
Ethnomycology is a wide area for potential study. It is a combination of the two sciences of Ethnology, which explores the traditions of human cultures, and Mycology which focuses on the organisms within the fungal kingdom. It includes both the exploration of fungi uses fit for the table and the medicine chest. Some examples include decoctions, jerkies, pates, teas, tinctures, and more. Various fungi are also used for arts, crafts and industry which serve as an area of interest as well. Choice species of edible, medicinal and craft mushrooms will be featured as part of this presentation and discussion.
Basic Herbal Safety
with Cal Wolfpack
Frequently I come across the assumption that just because something is natural, it is safe. Herbal medicines and herbal products, while being generally safer than pharmaceutical medicines, do have safety considerations. First, we will place plants used for medicine on a spectrum from those that are most food-like and most safe to those that are more toxic and therefore more likely to carry risk. Next, we will discuss specific herbal actions and plant chemicals that carry safety concerns and contraindications. Finally, we will shift our focus to discuss different health situations that warrant caution regarding the use of herbal medicine. Participants will leave class with a better understanding of herbal medicines that are generally safe as well as a better idea of when and how to be cautious when using herbal remedies. References for further research on safety concerns and herb-drug interactions will be provided.
Class Title and Description to Come...
with Nathan Wright
Plant Walks
Plant Stroll with a Botanical and Clinical Focus
with 7Song
We will take a leisurely stroll around the Faire grounds and meets some of the local plant denizens such as Skullcap, Oak, Nettles, Eastern red cedar, Sassafras, Blue vervain, Joe pyeweed, Motherwort amongst others. We will discuss their botanical characteristics, gathering, preparations, clinical uses and the occasional anecdote.
Aquatic Plants by Kayak
with Amanda Klain
This class would be a field class using personal (or Cedar Lake) boats (not provided by me) and would focus on the aquatic plants growing in Cedar Lake and the land vegetation around the edges (there’s really cool stuff to see like pitcher plant, sundew, etc!).
Some sort of Herb Walk
with jim mcdonald will be leading some sort of herb walk
Title and description to come...
Back to the Bog
with Greg Monzel
Greg will lead a bog walk and get deep into the weeds with all the botany nerds. :)
Woody Ethnobotany Plant Walk
with Marc Williams
Spend a class learning more about the food, medicine and craft uses of woody plants. We will engage in avwalk that will help one practice ways to systematically identify trees, shrubs and vines by their bark, ecotypes, flowers, fruit and growing conditions. Common and obscure sustainable uses for woody plants that may support overall health, well-being and sustenance will also be discussed. The connection between woody plants and other lifeforms such as birds, butterflies and fungal species will be an additional topic of conversation. The possible use of exotic invasive woodies as one potential means of control will round out our discussion.
Herb Walk
with Cal Wolfpack
Title and description to come...
with 7Song
We will take a leisurely stroll around the Faire grounds and meets some of the local plant denizens such as Skullcap, Oak, Nettles, Eastern red cedar, Sassafras, Blue vervain, Joe pyeweed, Motherwort amongst others. We will discuss their botanical characteristics, gathering, preparations, clinical uses and the occasional anecdote.
Aquatic Plants by Kayak
with Amanda Klain
This class would be a field class using personal (or Cedar Lake) boats (not provided by me) and would focus on the aquatic plants growing in Cedar Lake and the land vegetation around the edges (there’s really cool stuff to see like pitcher plant, sundew, etc!).
Some sort of Herb Walk
with jim mcdonald will be leading some sort of herb walk
Title and description to come...
Back to the Bog
with Greg Monzel
Greg will lead a bog walk and get deep into the weeds with all the botany nerds. :)
Woody Ethnobotany Plant Walk
with Marc Williams
Spend a class learning more about the food, medicine and craft uses of woody plants. We will engage in avwalk that will help one practice ways to systematically identify trees, shrubs and vines by their bark, ecotypes, flowers, fruit and growing conditions. Common and obscure sustainable uses for woody plants that may support overall health, well-being and sustenance will also be discussed. The connection between woody plants and other lifeforms such as birds, butterflies and fungal species will be an additional topic of conversation. The possible use of exotic invasive woodies as one potential means of control will round out our discussion.
Herb Walk
with Cal Wolfpack
Title and description to come...
Sunrise Classes
Saturday & Sunday Early Morning Classes
Sunrise Yoga
Colleen Donahoe
Sunrise Yoga brings us together in the most serene setting imaginable for a peaceful and meditative practice. Bring a towel, mat, or blanket to create a soft space for relaxation and stretching. This practice is accessible to ALL levels of experience and mobility. We will include pranayama (breath work), gentle movement, relaxation, and meditation. Sunrise yoga is a beautiful way to greet each day with a focused mind and peaceful heart.
Flower Essences Meditation and Movement
Meraiah Browning
A guided meditation based on connecting with flower essences, what they can teach you, and
how they can influence our movement practice.
Colleen Donahoe
Sunrise Yoga brings us together in the most serene setting imaginable for a peaceful and meditative practice. Bring a towel, mat, or blanket to create a soft space for relaxation and stretching. This practice is accessible to ALL levels of experience and mobility. We will include pranayama (breath work), gentle movement, relaxation, and meditation. Sunrise yoga is a beautiful way to greet each day with a focused mind and peaceful heart.
Flower Essences Meditation and Movement
Meraiah Browning
A guided meditation based on connecting with flower essences, what they can teach you, and
how they can influence our movement practice.
House of Moons
Waxing and Waning Ceremony
with Panoka Walker, Schantell Schmidt- Taylor and Cici Pfeifer
Saturday evening at the amphitheater
In this Ceremony We honor those entering puberty in the transition from Maiden to Mother, and entering menopause in the transition from Mother to Crone. The ceremony is for all who identify as women/feminine who have not had a ceremony to celebrate them, and it is not necessary to be at any specific age or stage to participate. All who wish to honor them are invited to share in the celebration.
This event will take place Saturday evening down by the lake, at the Amphitheater, lit by firelight.