Herbal Classes & Herb Walks

The Herbal Classroom at Avena Botanicals' Gardens in Rockport, Maine

The Herbal Classroom is a non-profit, 501c(3), educational center situated on the same property as Avena Botanicals. The Herbal Classroom offers 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. Read more

2017 Herb Garden Walks at Avena Botanicals

Step into the gardens of Avena Botanicals and enjoy a delightful tour led by herbalist Deb Soule, who will speak about a variety of medicinal and pollinator plants.

Held on the following Wednesdays in 2017 from 3:30 - 4:30 pm:

June 14, 28
July 12, 19
August 16

Monday, August 7 Full Moon Fairy Garden Walk  
An enchanting family event - enjoy a tour of our herb gardens guided by herbalist Deb Soule on this day of the full moon. Children are encouraged to come in costume as their favorite fairy or pollinator! Time TBA.

Our retail herbal remedy shop will be open every Monday through Friday from 12 – 5 PM. Before or after your tour of our gardens, we welcome you to visit our shop and try our testers for herbal tinctures, cremes, salves, oils, elixirs, and glycerites. We also sell several wonderful tea blends.

2017 Herbal Classroom Classes at Avena Botanicals

MOFGA Farm Training Project Workshop: Medicinal Herbs
July 6 ~ 5pm

Join herbalist and biodynamic herb gardener Deb Soule for an informative walk through Avena Botanicals' medicinal herb gardens. Deb and a crew of three gardeners collect over 1800 pounds of medicinal herbs by hand each year from 3 acres. These herbs are then immediately processed on-site into a variety of tinctures, teas, oils and salves. Avena is the first Demeter-certified biodynamic farm in Maine and Deb will include an introduction to biodynamics as part of this tour. Potluck to follow. Read more about other upcoming MOFGA Farm Training workshops, including one on Biodynamic Farming held at nearby Hope's Edge Farm in Hope, Maine.

Creating Your Home Apothecary and Biodynamic Medicine Gardens
April 8, May 20, June 17, July 15, Aug. 12, Sept. 9, Oct. 14, 2017 ~ 9:30am to 4pm ~ $695
Taught by Herbalist Deb Soule

This fun and special class will meet seven times, one day a month, April-October in 2017. We will be fully immersed in the garden through the changing seasons. Lots of garden walks and talks, plant identification, gathering and preparing different herbal medicines, introduction to biodynamic gardening, building compost, plant meditations and more. Gain skills and confidence to create and use your own apothecary and garden. This class is currently full. To be added to the waiting list, please email info@herbalclassroom.org with your name and phone number.

Biodynamic Training Program
Sept. 28 - Oct. 1, 2017, May 24 - 27, 2018, July 5 - 8, 2018, Sept 27 - 30, 2018
Starting at 4pm on Thursdays, ending at 1pm on Sundays with lunch
$1900-2600 (Sliding scale, payment plans available)
Taught by Herbalist Deb Soule and Guest Speakers

This exciting hands-on training program will meet 4 times over the year from 2017-2018. We will meet for 3 days with different guest teachers each session, sharing their biodynamic expertise and wisdom. During the winter months, a monthly teleconference call will occur with a teacher guiding a discussion on the study material students will be reading. Topics include: Biodynamic philosophy and the anthroposophical roots of biodynamics, making and using biodynamic preparations, building compost, soil health, medicinal herbs, water research, cows, honeybees, elemental beings, using the BD calendar, Goethe’s plant observation method, and more. Guests will include Thea Maria Carlson, Laura Riccardi Lyvers, Gunther Hauk, Sherry Wildfeuer, Claudia Ford, Bruno Follador, and more. Tuition includes nine organic, biodynamic meals per session, campsite with bathroom access, & supplies. Non-refundable deposit to register is $150. Send your deposit check made out to The Herbal Classroom to The Herbal Classroom at Avena Botanicals, 219 Mill Street, Rockport, ME 04856. Be sure to include your phone number and email address when you register. Full payment or payment plan contract is due by Sept. 1, 2017. Note that this special program will most likely only be offered in this format once and space is very limited - early registration is encouraged. Keep checking our website for more detailed information about this course.

Herbal Retreat for Women
July 21 - 23, 2017 ~ $325
Opening circle starts Friday at 2pm, ending at 2:30pm on Sunday
Taught by Deb Soule and Suzanna Stone (www.owlcrafthealingways.com)

Deepen your knowledge of the ancient art of herbal healing through plant meditations, garden walks and talks, flower medicines, and sharing sacred space with other women. Includes camping, six organic meals, and supplies. Non-refundable deposit to register is $50. Send your deposit check made out to The Herbal Classroom to The Herbal Classroom at Avena Botanicals, 219 Mill Street, Rockport, ME 04856. Please include your phone number and email address with your deposit. If you have already registered successfully, your payment is currently due in full.

2017 Workshops & Events (Off-Site)

Maine YogaFest
July 7-9th, Portland, Maine

The mission of Maine YogaFest (www.maineyogafest.com) is to create a premiere wellness event for the Maine community to come together, celebrate the healing powers of yoga, and encourage a healthy, peaceful, and compassionate way of living. The three day event includes over 50 yoga workshops, vendors from all over Maine, and live music throughout the event. Avena Botanicals will be on-site July 8th and July 9th with a variety of our wonderful products with the Yogi in mind.

30th New England Woman’s Herbal Conference
August 25-27, Newfound Lake, New Hampshire

Workshops offered by Deb Soule: Herbs For Calming the Mind and Strengthening the Heart; and Creating A Woman’s Healing Garden

https://www.womensherbalconference.com
Avena Botanicals will be on site with products for sale.

Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens
August 30, 1-4pm, Boothbay, Maine

Join herbalist Deb Soule at the Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens for a workshop on making herbal teas for optimal health and wellness.

Common Ground Country Fair
September 22-24, Unity, Maine

Workshops offered by Deb Soule:

Herbs for Easing Anxiety, Despair, and Grief
Herbs for Supporting Mental Clarity and Memory

http://www.mofga.org/thefair
Avena Botanicals will be at on site with products for sale.

Maine Harvest Festival
November 11-12, Cross Insurance Arena, Bangor, Maine

http://www.maineharvestfestival.com
Avena Botanicals will be on site with products for sale.

Registration

To obtain pricing information or register for an Herbal Classroom class held at Avena Botanicals, please call 207-370-4775 or email info@herbalclassroom.org. Include your name, phone number, and email address.

Unless otherwise specified, all classes and herb walks will be held at:

Avena Botanicals' Gardens
219 Mill Street
Rockport, Maine 04856

Please note:
We require a non-refundable deposit for each class. We do offer refunds if the class is cancelled or fills up. Deposits are not required for tours or herb walks. If you need to cancel, please contact us and a refund (less the non-refundable deposit) will be given up until 7 calendar days before the class begins. A week's notice for cancellation allows us to offer your space to another student.

Partner Schools & Programs

Living Wisdom - The Foundations of Ayurveda ~ Taught by Anne McIntyre and Gina Mastroluca