The Herbal Classroom is Avena’s non-profit, 501c(3), educational arm offering classes in herbal medicine, ayurveda, and biodynamic and organic herb gardening. Indoor and outdoor classes occur in our beautiful garden and newly built octagon-shaped classroom with a mission to encourage students to use their hearts, hands and minds to engage in learning the healing ways of plants.

The Herbal Classroom’s Mission

The Herbal Classroom’s mission is to train individuals and health care providers to work as educators, herbal practitioners, farmers, and gardeners in providing herbal knowledge and high quality herbs to their community in responsible, earth-friendly, and community-minded ways.

With several generous tax-deductible donations, we constructed a 1200 square foot community classroom on Avena’s farm in 2008. Though not completed, we have hosted several successful educational programs. With current studies showing that 36% of people living in the United States use medicinal herbs, the demand for locally grown herbs and herbal training courses is growing.

The Herbal Classroom needs to be completed so we can meet the requests of students and health care providers seeking to serve their families and communities with herbs. As the cost of health care continues to rise, nutritional and herbal knowledge is becoming ever more important for supporting healthy communities.

We are currently seeking tax-deductible donations to finish the building.

$88,000 is needed to complete the following projects:

Grey water and septic systems

Indoor bathroom 

Plumbing for the kitchen area

Materials and labor to complete the interior that includes wall covering, flooring, ceiling and window trim, as well as exterior decking at entrances

Materials and labor to complete the upstairs sleeping spaces for visiting students

Wood stove

Energy efficient refrigerator

We thank you for your tax-deductible donation!