The 7 hands-on classes in this introductory series provide a solid background in using herbs for common family health issues.  Participants will learn practical skills such as organic cultivation of medicinal plants, plant identification, and making preparations for stocking the herbal medicine cabinet. An herbal medicine-making session is included in each class, and participants will take home herbal preparations that will be made in class. Our classes stress the importance of getting to know the plants, and a featured herb that grows locally or that is easily grown in the garden will be discussed in detail in every class.

This class will cover the basics of using herbs, including how to determine quality herbs, an overview of global herbal traditions and herbal history, and using herbs for chronic vs. acute situations.  We'll take an herb walk and discuss how to develop plant identification skills as we identify early spring edible and medicinal plants.

Herbal medicine-making: Infusions & Decoctions
Featured Herb: Nettle

Program Overview: We will meet one Saturday a month from April through October to enable participants to work with the plants through three seasons of their growing cycles.  Upon completion of course, students will have gained practical skills in identifying, growing, using, and preparing herbs.  A variety of herbal preparations will be made throughout the program providing the basics for stocking the herbal medicine cabinet.  This course is designed for the beginning or intermediate herbal studies student, and will provide a foundational base for future study of herbs and botanical medicine.  Please note: We must have a minimum of 3 participants in order to offer this course.  Deposits and fees will be refunded if course is canceled.  

Program Description: The course combines hands-on activity with lecture, discussion, and spending time outdoors on herb walks.  Emphasis is placed on getting to know the plants, for they are really our most important teachers.  There will be homework assignments and projects to complete each month, and a final project to be presented in October.  Interwoven throughout the program is the joyful spirit that working with plants brings to all who open their hearts to the journey.  

Course curriculum will include: ~~Plant Identification and Field Botany~~Organic Herb Gardening~~Proper Harvesting Techniques~~Respectful & Sustainable Wildcrafting~~Herbs for Specific Body Systems~~Actions & Energies of Medicinal Plants~~Herbal Medicine Making & Formulation~~Herbs for Men, Women, & Children~~Developing a Personal 'Materia Medica'~~Using Local Wild Plants~~Wild Foods~~Herbal History & Traditions~~Introduction to Aromatherapy~~Herbal Bath & Body Care~~Herbal First Aid~~Native Medicinal Plant Conservation~~Nature Awareness~~and more!!

A detailed class syllabus will be sent prior to our first meeting.  Participants will receive a class folder with resource lists, book lists, recommended articles, websites, and numerous handouts throughout the course.

Dates: Classes meet for 7 Saturdays from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. each day.  Dates for the 2012 program  are: April 21, May 19, June 16, July 14, August 11, September 8, and October 13. Participants should make a commitment to attend all sessions of the course.  No refunds are given for missed classes.

Tuition: Tuition for the course is $395 and includes all instruction, handouts, materials and supplies for herbal preparations made in class.  Participants will need to purchase their own  herbs and supplies for projects made outside of class.  Herbal tea and snacks are provided, participants should bring their own lunch. 

Registration information:   Pre-registration is required.  Please send a $35 non-refundable deposit to hold your place in class.  Balance of $360 may be paid in full prior to April 15, or in three payments of $120 each, paid by April 15, June 15, and June 15.  Include a note with your name, address, phone number, and email address.  Directions, detailed class syllabus, and further information will be sent upon receipt of registration.  Make check or money order payable to Hidden Hollow Farm and send to:

Hidden Hollow Farm  RR1 Box 228-D Keyser, WV 26726

A few things to note:

*Much of class time is spent outdoors, spending time in the gardens and on herb walks, which may include moderately hilly terrain.  Please contact us if you have mobility issues.

*Class is held rain or shine, bring good walking shoes and rain gear if necessary.

*We are located 1 mile down a dirt road that can have ruts and potholes and be muddy if we've had rain.  

*Participants who are traveling a distance may arrive on Friday evening or stay Saturday night and camp on our land.  Rustic indoor lodging is available in our cabin classroom (indoor space is limited).  Please contact us for details.

About the Instructor 

Andrea Koutras Lay has been studying, growing, and making herbal medicine for over 17 years. She is an herbalist in the folk tradition, one who shares information with her community on identifying and growing medicinal plants, and preparing and using herbal medicines. She enjoys the never-ending learning that is inherent in working with herbs, and witnessing the enchantment that occurs between people and plants.  Her first formal herbal studies were with renowned herbalist Rosemary Gladstar, and she is a graduate of Rosemary’s Teacher Training Program for Herbalists at Sage Mountain Herbal Retreat Center in Vermont. She teaches classes locally in WV and MD, and has taught at Sage Mountain. She has had the privilege of learning from many other prominent herbalists, and acknowledges the plants and the land on which she lives as being her most important teachers. Andrea has a BA degree with a major in psychology, and has  many years of experience working in the mental health field. She has a particular interest in plant medicines for issues such as anxiety disorders, ADD/ADHD, mild to moderate depression, and stress-related conditions.   Andrea has served on the Board of Directors of the West Virginia Herb Association since 2006.  She considers it an honor to pass along what she has learned in order to help others empower themselves to live a more healthy and joyful life.