Bioregional Herbalism

Learn how to identify and use abundant local plants. 

Saturday, May 11, 1-4 pm
    Optional Sunday work party

Earthaven Ecovillage
Near Asheville, NC

Walk through the valley with Rachel learning about the food and medicine plants that are abundant in our region, whether endemic, naturalized, or “invasive.” She’ll share harvest guidelines, how to prepare the plants, and an introduction to herbal energetics, which is an indicator of how and when to use a particular plant medicine.

Knowing the beings that we live with and working with them as food and a primary materia medica is to take a step closer into harmonious relationship with the natural world and our role as stewards and active participants in the ecology of a place. We will use our sight, touch, smell, and taste to assess the properties of the plants organoleptically, and we will discuss harvest and use as a way of managing invasive species.

And because of Rachel’s definition of bioregionally appropriate herbalism also includes robust, but not invasive, perennial plants that can be cultivated here in WNC with little tending, you can choose join us on Sunday morning for an herbal work party! Late spring is often overwhelming for an herbalist with so much to harvest and process. Rachel would love to invite you to continue your learning while helping her harvest and prepare medicines for the year, as well as tending her wild garden spaces.

Herbs drying
Rachel introducing a plant

Program

Saturday, May 11

  • 10 am – noon: Earthaven Ecovillage tour
  • Noon – 1 pm: Lunch – bring your own
  • 1 – 4 pm: Presentation

Sunday, May 12

  • 10 – noon: Optional herbal work party

Late spring is often overwhelming for an herbalist with so much to harvest and process. Rachel would love to invite you to continue your learning while helping her harvest and prepare medicines for the year, as well as tending her wild garden spaces.

 

Elderberry flowers with tools

Sliding Scale Tuition

Because some people have more financial means than others, we have created a sliding scale fee system to accommodate a range of economic realities. The high-end of the scale reflects the value we believe the program holds, and the low-end offers a more accessible entry point.

By choosing a higher price point, you are helping make the program more accessible to others for whom the low-end may be cost-prohibitive. Please consider your needs and resources to determine what might be a stretch, but not a strain.

Cost

Earthaven tour and program: $55 – 85 sliding scale

Program only: $35 – $55 sliding scale

Optional camping is extra. No food is provided.

Logistics

Food

No food is provided for the program. Please bring food that you will need.

Cancellation & Refunds

If you cancel your registration, you may:

  • Donate your tuition to support our continued work
  • Request a refund per our policy:
    • 90% refund for cancellations prior to 30 days before the start of the program
    • 50% refund for cancellations prior to 10 days before the start of the program

If SOIL cancels this program for any reason whatsoever, you would receive a 100% refund.

Contact us at [email protected] with registration questions.

Lodging

Several accommodation options are available at Earthaven Ecovillage and in the surrounding area. No indoor lodging is available at Earthaven for this program.

Camping
Cost per person: 1 or 2 nights $50
Cost per person: 3 nights $75

Campground Cabin Shared Lodging
Cost per person: 1 or 2 nights $70
Cost per person: 3 nights $85

Off-Site Options
Various options in Bat Cave, Black Mountain, and Asheville.

Read More About Accommodations

Location

This program takes place at Earthaven Ecovillage. This permaculture-based community offers a unique living classroom where participants will engage with the natural world, eco-infrastructure, and the intimate experience of rural community living.

What to Expect at Earthaven

Instructor

Rachel Fee

Rachel Fee

Instructor

Rachel is a clinical herbalist, farmer, and mother of four nearly grown children. She was in clinical practice for fifteen years, practicing her own system of “mutt” herbalism that synthesizes her background in Traditional Western Herbalism, Ayurveda, and Southern Folk Medicine. These days her greatest joy and purpose is found in tending the land collaboratively, raising animals for food, as well as herb and vegetable gardening. She’s especially passionate about building soil and creating diverse ecosystems of year-round forage for her animals, resilience of all kinds, and being of service to this wild experiment that is Earthaven.

Registration

Complete the registration form for one or two adult participants. It takes 5-10 minutes, and you will complete your enrollment with a credit card authorization.

After your enrollment is processed, you will receive several confirmations…

  1. An automatic confirmation of receiving your registration form
  2. A payment confirmation from our card processor
  3. Confirmation that your registration has been processed

Contact Info - Step 1 of 3
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