We have some exciting herbal study opportunities lined up for you this summer! Community Herbalist Training Intensive - July 13 - 19 - Check out the full schedule for the week-long Community Herbalist Training Intensive at Blessed Maine Herb Farm in July. We have an especially well-rounded educational experience planned for aspiring and practicing community herbalists that you will not want to miss. The atmosphere is relaxing, the setting is a lush herb garden in the midst of the Maine woods, and our garden fresh meals, prepared and served by Rosa Fangboner, are sure to be a highlight! This week long intensive is open to all intermediate level herb students. Also - We will offer our annual day long Herb Gathering and Medicine Making workshop on July 11. All the details on these classes are posted below. Here is the information regarding the week long session and other courses beginning soon: Community Herbalist Training Program - July 13 – 19, 2009 Following is the schedule for the week long Community Herbalist Training session at Blessed Maine Herb Farm this July. The basic format will be as follows - mornings spent in the gardens or wildgathering with Gail and engaged in various herbal medicine making activities. Time with Gail focuses on Herbalism as Spiritual Practice - opening our wild hearts, connecting deeply with nature, cultivating our perception of plants as intelligent, living beings, practicing plant spirit communication and honing our medicine making skills and creativity. Lunch around noon, followed by the guest workshop for the rest of the afternoon. A short resting period, dinner, and then evening discussions about the learning and activities of the day, a film viewing or student presentations. Our meals are sure to be a highlight of every day and will include delightful garden fresh vegetables and fruits and mostly organic, vegetarian cuisine prepared for us by Gail's daughter, Rosa Fangboner, an absolutely amazing and creative chef. Monday, July 13 - morning arrival and camp set-up, lunch, introductions and tour of the gardens, dinner, discussion - Who is the Community Herbalist and What Does He/She Do? - with Gail, Dr. Melody Pratt, D.O., and Gerda Pilz, planning for the week ahead. Tuesday, July 14 - Morning with Gail in the gardens, lunch, guest workshop leader - 1 PM - Dr. Melody Pratt, D.O., dinner. After dinner discussion. Community Health Care - Dr. Pratt is a practicing community health care physician, with a specialization in the care of the elderly. She will share some basic diagnostic tools for assessing health and discuss facets of community health care. Melody Pratt lives in Solon with her husband and animals. She is a former cow farmer who decided to become a rural health doctor. Dr. Pratt has some interesting and radical ideas about health care which she communicates with heartfelt passion and homespun simplicity. She is extremely knowledgeable and caring. Wednesday, July 15 - Early morning in the gardens with Gail, guest workshop leader - Gerda Pilz 10 - 3, personal time, dinner. After dinner discussion. Cooking with Wild Herbs and Foods - This class will focus on the medicinal and nutritional properties of plants. You'll take a walk through Gerda's well tended herb, flower and vegetable gardens, picking fresh greens and all kinds of things along the way. Back in the kitchen you'll be thrilled with Gerda's amazing cooking expertise, and enjoy the resulting culinary delights you've all spent the afternoon gathering and preparing together. You'll return to the farm feeling very full and with plenty of inspiration and recipes for creating similarly creative nutritional meals. Gerda took an herbal apprenticeship class with Gail in 1997 and now has an established herb garden for her own use. Her interest is in the edible and nutritional properties of plants which she integrates with other foods she puts on her table. Says Gerda, "it is a good way to enjoy what Mother Earth provides for us." Thursday, July 16 - Morning in the gardens with Gail, lunch, guest workshop 1 PM - Susan Bakaley Marshall and Chris Marshall - Plant Shamanism - Using traditional shamanic practices, and with the help of nature spirits, we'll journey to meet a teacher from our own heritage as a guide for this work. Within the context of drumming and rattling we'll receive a personal plant spirit, connect to the spiritual manifestation of this plant ally and sit with it respectfully, attuning our breath and inner listening to its teachings. In addition, we'll experience the world-tree on which the universe rests, and record our journeys through art, writing, or movement. You can expect to come away with a deeper awareness of your place in the community of people, plants, and spirit, basic shamanic practice in working with a plant spirit, and a refreshed soul. Susan Bakaley Marshall is a board certified art therapist, licensed clinical professional counselor, and shamanic healing practitioner. Chris Marshall is a professor of anthropology. They have been practicing shamanism for 21 years and have taught basic and advanced classes in core shamanism for 14 years. Organic gardening, growing and storing their own food and plant medicine have been part of their lifestyle for over 30 years. Friday, July 17, Mushrooms for Health with Greg Marley - We'll get on the road early for a drive over to Saddleback Mountain in Rangely, through some of the most beautiful scenery Maine has to offer, to go on a day-long mushroom class in the beautiful western mountains. It's a great time for summer edibles and Greg is a fascinating and knowledgeable teacher. Greg Marley operates Mushrooms for Health which connects people with mushroom information and products for optimum health and well being. He is a well respected mycologist expert who gives classes all over Maine and writes a sporadic newsletter, Coastal Mushrooming. Saturday, July 18, Morning in the garden with Gail, (third year and graduating students arrive this morning.) lunch, Hour-long presentations on a wealth of herbal healing topics by third year and graduating students will go on for the rest of the afternoon, dinner, presentations continue after dinner. Presentations so far include: Herbs for Women's Health, Making Herbal Soaps, The Chakras and Plant Spirit Medicine, Herbs for the Digestive System, Making a Healing Massage Cream,and more. Sunday, July 1, Visit to Indian Rock in the morning. (This is a sacred Native American ceremonial site on the Kennebec River where we will see ancient petroglyphs carved into the rocks.) Graduation and Group Blessing Ceremony and picnic. Departure 2-3 PM. This week long session is included in the fee for all 3 year Community Herbalist students, and attendance is a requirement for second year students. Those students who have completed the one year Herbal Medicine Correspondence course are welcome to attend, as are others with a similar background of study and/or experience. Fee for the entire week is $1,600. Fee includes primitive camping, all meals, medicinal plants used for making medicines and all instruction. A list of nearby motels will be provided to those who wish. Additionally, The Maine International Film Festival is all this week and chances are good that we will make a trip to Waterville one evening to watch one of the world's best international films. A $100 non-refundable deposit is due by June 30. Please contact Gail for more information. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Herb Gathering and Medicine Making Day - Saturday, July 11th Join us at the height of the herb gathering and medicine making season here at Blessed Maine Herb Farm. You'll spend the day gathering herbs like hyssop, St. John's wort, oatstraw, red clover, mullein, coltsfoot, and many more, from our lush certified organic gardens and the mountain meadows and woods we visit. You will learn to create your own tinctures and infused oils to take home. You'll also have the opportunity to harvest a selection of herbs for drying. This day is a wonderful opportunity to gather some of the most impeccable herbs available and prepare excellent herbal medicines that will serve you well for years to come. This is a jam packed day full to the brim with herbal information, wildgathering, hands-on medicine making and a lot of fun! You'll fill eight 4 oz. bottles with tinctures or oils, using your choice of menstrum, and take home a selection of herbs you will dry or otherwise process at home. We'll wrap smudge sticks together, participate in ceremony, and experience the spiritual aspects of herbs. All materials, (herbs, alcohol, vinegar, oil, jars, etc.) included. The day begins Saturday at 9AM and ends at 4PM. Fee is $200. A $100 non-refundable deposit will hold your place for this session. Full payment is due two weeks before the weekend begins. HERBAL MEDICINE CORRESPONDENCE COURSE Consider joining Gail for a memorable learning experiences in the world of herbal medicines. Start your studies this spring with the thoroughly enjoyable and highly praised 12 Lesson Herbal Medicine Correspondence Course. The fee for this extensive year-long herbal study program is $750 and full payment must be received before your books and materials are sent. The Herbal Medicine Correspondence Course is an intensive one year-long study of herbal medicine and consists of 12 comprehensive lessons with Gail Faith Edwards as your guide. This class has become very popular and stands alone as an excellent and exceedingly enjoyable herbal medicine educational experience. We offer two group classes of this course each year, May and November. Those students who prefer working independently may begin the course at any time that is most convenient for them. The entire 12 lesson correspondence course lesson plan is outlined here. Your materials will be sent as soon as full payment is received. The Herbal Medicine Correspondence Course is a prerequisite for the 3 year Community Herbalist Program and successful completion counts as the first year of study for those wishing to pursue the 3 year Community Herbalist Program. "In an unassuming and gentle presentation, Gail Faith Edwards has taught me more practical and hands on knowledge about herbs than I would have thought possible from a correspondence course. She captures the true essence of herbal medicine with her knowledge of folklore, scientific facts, and her wise spirit. Thank you, Gail, for giving me the foundation to make herbal nutrition and medicine a part of my daily life." "I can't believe how much I have grown personally and spiritually. Your herbal medicine class was a wonderful enrichment. You taught me patience and opened my eyes to the wonderful local herbs available right under my nose. I just wanted to thank you, thank you, thank you!" Herbal Medicine Correspondence Course - "Gail Faith Edwards has been a wonderful teacher and mentor. Always available to answer questions and give great feedback. She has encouraged, praised and challenged me. Most importantly, as a true wise woman, she has passed on to me the deep, spiritual respect for the earth and all that grows here. My wild heart sings with the knowledge I've gained through this course and the memories that have been awakened. Thank you, Gail." This herbal medicine home study course has been designed to provide you with a strong foundation of herbal knowledge that you can build upon for the rest of your life. Its purpose is to empower you to use herbs safely and with confidence to nourish and heal yourself, family and friends. The course offers the serious herbology student an excellent springboard from which to build a well grounded career as an herbalist. Nurses, healers and health care providers find this course to be especially inspiring and fruitful for their work. The Herbal Medicine Correspondence Course is an excellent science based curriculum with an emphasis on hands on learning and appropriate for home schooled students with an interest in the uses of medicinal plants. The herbal medicine correspondence course package includes the spiral bound Course Book, a signed copy of Opening Our Wild Hearts to the Healing Herbs, which will serve as a work and reference book, suggested & required reading lists, the opportunity for unlimited email discussion with Gail to answer questions and offer clarifications, one 15 minute phone conversation per lesson and several dried herb samples and other herbal goodies. Although the lessons are designed to flow along with the seasons and are paced for approximately a month's duration, you may take longer, or less than, one month to complete each project and up to 18 months to complete the entire 12 lesson home study course. Each herbal medicine correspondence course student will have plenty of individual attention, and each course will be tailored specifically to the needs of the student. A certificate of completion will be awarded to you when you've finished the course. Herbal Medicine Correspondence Course fee is $750. A non-refundable deposit of $100 is due upon registration and the remaining $650 due before the first lesson is sent. "I've searched all over the internet for an herbal medicine home-study course and yours seems to be by far the most extensive and reasonably priced course offered anywhere." "I am amazed by the transformation that has occurred in me over the last year since beginning your course. This is a profound, completely unexpected, and much appreciated effect your course has had on me. Thank you so much." "This was my first introduction to herbs. I knew I had a LOT to learn, but was so amazed at how my knowledge of herbal uses and the body and its systems had soared by the end of the class." Herbal Medicine Correspondence Course - Lesson Progression: Lesson 1 - Foundation - Wise Woman Tradition, Opening Our Wild Hearts to the Healing Herbs, Choosing an Herbal Ally, Sacred Plant Medicine, Earth Awareness, Great Goddess, Shamanism Lesson 2 - Nourishing Ourselves to Optimum Health & Vitality, Vitamins & Minerals � well developed information on each vitamin and mineral, the importance of each, what they do, where to find them, specific herbs and foods that offer them, how to recognize and overcome deficiencies, plant chemistry and constituents of the healing herbs. Lesson 3 - Herbs for Women�s Health, Herbs for Men�s Health, nourishing the reproductive and endocrine systems, fertility, PMS, menopause/andropause, hormonal chemistry, herbs that effect, nourish, strengthen and tone these systems, delivery methods, dosages, contraindications. Lesson 4 - Water Based Medicines � making teas, infusions, decoctions, syrups, meads and fermented beverages, the healing properties of honey & yeasts, herbal water baths. Lesson 5 - The Immune System, physiology, herbs to nourish our immunity, herbal antibiotics, lichens, fungus, and mushrooms that enhance immunity, methods of delivery, dosages, contraindications Lesson 6 - The Nervous System & Brain, physiology, herbs to nourish, strengthen and tone, herbs to alleviate stress, anxiety, depression, addiction, brain chemistry imbalances, herbal antidepressants as alternatives to Prozac, etc. Herbs for Mind and Spirit, Chronic and Acute Pain, physiology, pharmacology, herbs that relieve pain, applications, dosages and contraindications Lesson 7 - Introduction to Organic Herb Gardening - nourishing the soil, seed planting and plant harvesting according to phases of the moon, permaculture, compost, sheet mulching, weeding and cultivation, Spring Tonics, Basic Botany for Herbalists Lesson 8 - Harvesting and Processing Herbs - wildgathering with reverence and respect, ground rules, techniques for drying herbs, proper storage, using dried herbs, making herbal medicines with dried herbs such as pills, powders, capsules, suppositories, baths, poultices and compresses. Lesson 9 - Spirit Based Medicines � Making herbal tinctures in alcohol, vinegar and glycerin, using both fresh and dried pant material and different preparation methods, how to choose the menstrum according to what you are treating, what constituents you are looking for, decanting and storage, dosages, delivery methods, contraindications. Lesson 10 - Oil Based Medicines � making infused oils from fresh and dried plant material, safe use of essential oils, aromatherapy, making salves, waxes, lotions and creams. Lesson 11 - Digestion, Bones, Heart & Circulation, Physiology and pharmacology, herbs to nourish, strengthen and heal these systems, delivery methods, dosages, contraindications. Lesson 12 - Council of the Herbal Allies - Earth Songs Heal Her - Initiation and Commencement Correspondence Course Refund Policy: If after receiving the course you decide you do not want to continue, simply return all materials sent to you within one week and we will refund $600 - your payment less the $100 non-refundable deposit and $50 cancellation fee. "I have learned so much from you this year Gail. You are truly a wonderful teacher and healer. Thank you so much for being in my life this past year. You are doing great things for others and have truly put your mark on Mother Earth. Many Blessing to you." 3 Year Community Herbalist Program: The first year of study for the Community Herbalist Program is the herbal medicine foundation work which consists of the 12 lesson Herbal Medicine Correspondence Course. (Details and complete lesson plan are outlined above.) This course takes one full year to complete and serves as the first of three years of intense herbal study with Gail Faith Edwards. This first year of study can be initiated at any time and you may register for the first year only. The second year/phase of the 3 year Community Herbalist program focuses on the work of deepening our knowledge and connection with the plants, and the wise use of the medicines made from them, and applying this knowledge directly within a community context. A major focus of the second year of study will be on broadening your herbal and healing experience, knowledge and confidence in such ways that include being able to share it in meaningful ways in schools, clinics, hospitals, prisons, learning centers, holistic healing centers, community groups, your own organized classes and doing personal work with individuals seeking herbal education and support (consultations). In May of your second year, you will receive an extensive reading list with both suggested and required reading that will keep you inspired and diligently engaged during the rest of the year. Each month you will choose at least one book from the various sections of the list, keep detailed notes on the reading material and compose a report which will be emailed to me. You are required to submit 10-12 book reports of at least 1,000 words in length duing the second year of study. I will respond with comments and notes. Monthly reports and student-teacher interaction are required. The work you began during year one of the program with case studies will continue during this second year of study. The week-long on-site session is also required for second year students in the Community Herbalist Program. There will be several (at least five) other guest herbalist/instructors during this session. All meals during your stay, as well as all plants used in making medicine are included in the fee. You will need to bring your own jars and medicine making supplies, tent and camping gear. On site study dates for second year students in 2009 are July 13 through July 19. Graduation weekend for students who are finishing their third year is July 18-19, 2009. Those students who are entering their third and final year are also expected to attend this weekend. What you can expect: Our on-site time together will center around the continuing work of opening our wild hearts, and to this end we will spend time in the Blessed Maine Herb Gardens and in the wild with Gail. Your focus will be on grounding and deepening your relationship with the natural world and perfecting your herbal medicine making skills. We will actively practice techniques for Opening Our Wild Hearts, deepening awareness of and connecting to all of nature. Shamanic wisdom, the ability to connect with and listen deeply to the messages of the natural world, most specifically to the plants themselves, and confidence in applying what we have perceived, is an indispensable skill of the Community Herbalist. "All our time with you, Gail, is nourishing and informative." Remembering the axiom to "let food by thy medicine", we realize that herbs, alone or in combination with other whole foods, provide the foundation of our healing/wholesome diets, and therefore of our health. Instruction and demonstration of the preparation of nourishing and delicious meals, using an array of both wild and cultivated herbs, will be presented by Gerda Pilz. "Incredible foods and herbal teachings. I learned many things about wild herbs I had never heard before." We will take several day trips during out time together, one of which may be to the coast of Maine and the healing ocean waters to learn about and harvest seaweeds in a pristine coastal cove. "What an amazing day!" In 2009 we will take a day trip up to Saddleback Mountain where we will hike and learn about edible and medicinal mushrooms with Greg Marley. We'll learn about facets of Community Health from Dr. Melody Pratt, D.O., take Shamanic Plant Journey's with Susan and Chris Marshall, and be informed by current and graduating students during a full day of ongoing herbal medicine presentations. And at least one night, and most likely more, will be spent sharing our sacred stories and joining in joyful song, drumming and ceremony. "We created bonds during this week that I feel will last for the rest of our lives." The schedule for 2009 is posted at the top of this page. "Our week together as group meant so much to me! It meant so much to finally meet with you and have the opportunity to spend time with you and listen to your wisdom...knowledge and your life stories. I learned SOOO much!!! And also gained a bit of confidence that I really needed..in order to grow and move forward!! Thank you!" "Thank you again for the week we spent with you at the farm. It is an experience I will treasure for many years to come." "I will be nourished for the rest of my life by what I learned in this incredible week with you." The third year of the Community Herbalist Program consists of practical field work. For those beginning this year, the third year is 2011. We will work together closely by phone and email throughout the year while you work with at least 3 individuals for a total of three months each. Detailed initial case study reports and thorough follow up work will be required. During this third year you will design and implement a plan for introducing yourself to your community as a Community Herbalist. During this third year you may choose to work in a clinical setting, such as a clinic or healing center, or offer classes at a local school, help create a community healing garden, launch your own herbal business, or any number of projects that relate herbal medicine to your community at large. During the summer of the third year of study we will meet at the farm for one weekend. Summation and commencement will take place the following spring during one full day at the farm. Successful graduates of this program will be well prepared to enter the health field as a Community Herbalist. You will be awarded a Certificate of Completion stating you have completed a 3 year Community Herbalist Program at the Blessed Maine Herb Farm School of Herbal Medicine under the guidance of Gail Faith Edwards. 3 year Community Herbalist Program includes one year long, 12 lesson Herbal Medicine Correspondence Course, books and materials, extensive second year reading list, on going correspondence, feedback, mentoring and guidance from Gail for full three years, one week on-site study session, summer of second year, 1 weekend, summer of third year, one week end of third year, Certificate of Completion when you finish the 3 year program. The fee for the 3 year Community Herbalist Program is $4,500. A non-refundable deposit of $300 is required to hold your place for the 3 year Program. Payment schedules are available. gailea88@gmail.com gailea88@gmail.com |
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