Classes & Events

We live in a bountiful and beautiful environment near the coast of Maine. Nature's abundance calls us to reconnect with all of our senses and to develop our skills as gardeners and healers. The Herbal Classroom, located on Avena's 3-acre certified organic and biodynamic, invites you to renew your relationship with nature's rhythms and wisdom. Come celebrate and deepen your connection to the green plants and to your inner spiritual resources by attending one or more of our classes and herb walks. 

2013 Medicinal Herb Garden Walks with Deb Soule   

June 12, 2013, Wednesday, 3:30-4:30 pm

June 26, 2013 Pollinator Walk in celebration of National Pollinator Week, Wednesday, 3:30-4:30 pm

July 10, 2013, Wednesday, 3:30-4:30 pm

July 24 2013, Wednesday, 3:30-4:30 pm

August 7, 2013, Wednesday, 3:30-4:30 pm

August 14, 2013, Wednesday, 3:30-4:30 pm

Other Events

"Growing, Gathering and Using Medicinal Herbs" A talk by herbalist Deb Soule at the McLaughlin Gardens
July 13th at 3:00pm at 97 Main Street, South Paris, Maine
http://www.mclaughlingarden.org/
Join Deb Soule, originally from South Paris, for an informative and colorful slide show on medicinal herbs followed by a garden walk led by Kristin. Deb was inspired by Bernard McLaughlin while growing up in South Paris which she briefly describes in her newly released book How To Move Like a Gardener: Planting and Preparing Medicines from Plants.

 "Medicinal Uses of Herbs" A talk by Deb Soule, will be offered at Merry Springs July 23rd at noon http://www.merryspring.org/

Deb Soule will be teaching at the Internation Herb Symposium. July 28th-30th http://www.internationalherbsymposium.com/
 Introduction to Biodynamic Herb Gardening w/Deb Soule. This fun and informative class will cover a basic introduction to the principles of Biodynamic Agriculture along with practical instructions on how to use the biodynamic planting calendar and the biodynamic soil and compost preparations. A hands-on demonstration with class participants stirring and spraying a biodynamic soil preparation will occur in the later part of this class. Beginner/Intermediate
Designing, Planting and Tending an Apothecary Garden w/Deb Soule.  Through a colorful slide presentation, Deb will cover several important elements for gardeners and herbalists to consider when designing or expanding a medicinal herb garden such as what is the main purpose of the garden; a production garden, teaching garden, sanctuary garden or combination; quality of soil, access to water, compost, wildlife, pollinators, perennials, annuals, native plants and more. 

Deb Soule will be teaching at the 26th Annual New England Women's Herb Conference. http://www.womensherbalconference.com/
Women’s Materia Medica w/Deb Soule. We will begin with the energetic and elemental associations of roots, leaves, flowers and seeds and then delve more deeply into the therapeutic properties and uses of several herbs specific for women. Some of the herbs covered include Ashwagandha roots, blessed thistle leaves, blue vervain flowers, burdock root, chasteberry seeds, lady’s mantle leaf and flower, oat seeds, rose petals and sacred basil leaf and flower. We will share a special flower meditation with flowers from Deb’s garden.
Hedgerow Medicine for People and Pollinators w/Deb Soule. Through a colorful and inspiring slide show, Deb will share her experiences of growing, collecting and using several
different medicinal herbs and flowers that grow well as hedgerows. Hedgerows create beautiful and protective places for pollinators, birds and elemental beings. Some of the herbs and flowers discussed include Hawthorn, Elder, Rose, Bee balm, Catmint, Calendula, Greek Mullein, Hyssop, Lavender, Marshmallow and Tithonia.
Fall’s Medicinal Fruits and Roots w/Deb Soule. Come learn about growing, collecting, preparing and using some of the most useful medicinal fruits and roots that can be grown in New England. All of the herbs discussed grow well in Avena’s gardens (zone 5) and include Schisandra berries, elder berries, hawthorn berries, hardy kiwi fruit, and the roots of ashwagandha, astragalus, black cohosh, codonopsis, echinacea, goldenseal and true Solomon’s Seal.

Karyn Sanders (Offering a weekend class 8/31-9/1 listed below) is offering an introductory talk about working with medicinal plants from and Native American perspective on Friday, August 30 at 7pm here at Avena Botanicals $15

Deb Soule is a key note speaker at this year's Common Ground Fair!
http://www.mofga.org/theFair
Deb will also be offering a talk on "Women's Herbs and Women's Health" in the Herb Tent at the fair!
Learn about a variety of herbs specific to supporting the health and wellness of women of all ages. From teas to tinctures, to flower essences and healing baths, herbs offer women nourishment, inspiration and inner peace.

Jillian Kelsey-Rose will be offering a talk at the Common Ground Fair on "Medicinal Herbs and the Chakras":
Explore the essence of each of the chakras and learn about which plants have an affinity for easing the imbalances and disease states associated with each. This class will focus on the relationship that herbs have with particular body systems and energetic imbalances, and will explore the ways we can work with medicinal plants to help restore balance and heal.  

Art of Healing with Herbs with Deb Soule and Jillian Rose (A summer-long class, listed below)

Our Living Earth, Living Soul Series: An Ongoing Lecture Series at Avena Botanicals
Most lectures follow our summer herb walks so that you can attend both in one day if you like! Check above for dates.

June 12, 2013, Wednesday, 5:30-7 pm: An Introduction to Biodynamics

with Hope's Edge Farmer Tom Griffin & Herbalist and Gardener Deb Soule

July 10, 2013, Wednesday, 5:30-7 pm: The Sacred Relationship of Plants and Humans: Why we love to be in the garden with Massage Therapist and Gardener Lindsey Bagley

July 24, 2013, Wednesday, 5:30-7 pm: Storytelling, Meditation and Medicinal Uses with Elderflower with Herbalist Jillian Kelsey-Rose

 August 7, 2013, Wednesday, 5:30-7 pm: Photography Slideshow: Birds and Flowers in the Garden with Photographer Michael Brown, gmbrownphotos.com

August 14, 2013, Wednesday, 5:30-7 pm: How to Move Like a Gardener: Deb Presents Her New Book with Herbalist Deb Soule (Free Event)

August 30, 2013, Friday, 7 pm: An Introduction to Working with Medicinal Plants from a Native American Perspective with Herbalist Karyn Sanders  Cost: $15

Pre-registration encouraged but not required 207.594.0694

General Admission: $10 (unless otherwise noted)

2013 Classes

The Art of Healing with Herbs

Celebrating Women's Wisdom and our Connection to the Plant World

With Deb Soule and Jillian Kelsey-Rose

A women's herbal class set in the beautiful, three-acre biodynamic gardens of Avena Botanicals.  This summer-long class takes place one weekend per month for four months, inviting students to learn about medicinal herbs in their different growth stages:  beginning in May with newly sprouting life, following through to August when the garden is overflowing with flowers and hummingbirds. 

Our teaching includes a strong emphasis on eating and preparing medicine with the seasons, moving from spring into the fullness of summer towards autumn.  We will explore the roots of traditional knowledge and usage, both in our daily lives and in working with illness.  We will talk about and work with the spiritual aspects of plants and scientific viewpoints, building a balanced foundation for working with medicinal plants to support daily and seasonal health and vitality.  Each weekend will include exercises and teachings on biodynamic gardening, growing, collecting and using medicinal herbs, medicine-making, flower essences, plant meditations and walking meditations. Students will gain confidence and skills in preparing and using fresh plant tinctures, glycerites, oils, salves, poultices, foot baths and facial steams for various conditions. 

Our aim is to provide direct, experiential teaching in the garden and to inspire and deepen womens connection with the plants and our inner wisdom.

Save the dates:  May 17-19, June 14-16, July 19-21, August 16-18  2013

 Registration at 2:00 each Friday and wrap up after lunch on Sunday

 Camping available on site at no added cost, there is also a limited indoor camping available, call for details

 Six vegetarian meals are provided each weekend, made on site with only local, organic ingredients

Cost:  $1500.00 ($375 per weekend)  Payment plans available. Please make checks payable to "The Herbal Classroom."

Working with Health and Herbs from a Native American Perspective
Sat-Sunday August 31st and September 1st 10a-4p

vegetarian, organic lunch provided both days and fresh herbal teas
$190

In this class we will be looking at what health, balance and medicine mean from a First Nation's perspective. What does it mean to be in balance? What are all of the factors that are needed to be healthy? We will explore seeing ourselves as energy and light. We will look at how the emotional and spiritual guide us and how they influence and lead the physical. Class time will include meditations, sitting with plants, tasting plant medicines and working with energy. This class will also talk about the energy and medicine of the plant people and growing and collecting herbs. Other topics may be covered as the spirits see fit. 

Karyn Sanders has been working with plant medicine her whole life. She is Chata (Choctaw) on one side and first generation Hungarian/Jewish on the other. Karyn started her training at seven years old and had 10 years of continuous traditional training. Beyond that she had two more years of traditional native training and attended a Western herbal school. Karyn has  been working with people and teaching herbal classes for 40 years. She co-runs the Blue Otter School of Herbal Medicine in Northern California (www.blueotterschool.com <http://www.blueotterschool.com> ). Since 1996 Karyn has produced and hosted a live radio-show, The Herbal Highway, that airs every Thursday from 1-2 PM (PST) (http://www.kpfa.org/herbal-highway).