Bioregional Herbalism
Learn how to identify and use abundant local plants.
TBD 2025
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.
Program
Saturday, May 11
- 10 am – noon: Earthaven Ecovillage tour (FULL)
- 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.
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 (Tour FULL)
Program only: $35 – $55 sliding scale
Optional camping is extra. No food is provided.
Logistics
Instructor
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.
Rachel Fee
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…
- An automatic confirmation of receiving your registration form
- A payment confirmation from our card processor
- Confirmation that your registration has been processed