The Essence of Herbalism 2008

9 Month Apprentice Program

with Michael Ford, MS, MA of Apollo Herbs
Medicinal Herbology

Herbal Preparations

Earth Awareness

Aromatherapy

Organic Gardening

Plant Identification

Herbal Therapeutics

Phytochemistry

Beverage Blends

Flower Essences

Herb Formulation

Contraindications

Natural Skincare

Plant Taxonomy

Vitamins & Minerals

Nutrition & Disease

Botany  and much more...

Schedule: Classes meet for one weekend each month, Saturday & Sunday 10 a.m. - 5 p.m., during the months of April - December at Hi-on-a-Hill Herb Farm, 840 Old Smithfield Rd., No. Smithfield, RI (off Rte 146, 15 minutes north of Providence) To visit call (401) 762-1733

Cost: $1350.00 (includes all class materials & use of facilities)

For more information contact:

Apollo Herbs P.O. Box 1885 Kingston, RI 02881

Phone: (401) 595-8722 E-mail: MichaelFord@apolloherbs.com

 


Students preparing freshly harvested wild plants for the wild food cooking class.		  
Michael teaching a lecture on botany. The indoor classroom comfortably seats 20.		  


Learning to make herbal
massage oils ... & much more
 


The Medicine Show...
Look at what I made!
 


Potluck lunches are always a welcome & savory eve

The Herb Shop provides an excellent source of herbal supplies and many dried specimens to learn from.
 
Learning plant identification, botany, taxonomy, medicinal & historical uses of  herbs on our tour of the medicinal gardens.		  

Learning about steam distillation of essential oils on our field trip to Apollo Herbs in Charlestown, RI		  
Two of our field trip destinations: (Above) URI Youngken Medicinal Plant Garden
 		  

Taking a closer look...There are hundreds of species of plants growing on the farm.		  
The Fantastic Umbrella Factory, former   home of Apollo Herbs, in Charlestown, RI.		  

 

ApolloHerbs

The Essence of Herbalism:
9 Month Herbalist Apprentice Program
One Weekend Each Month: April - December, 2008
With Herbalist Michael Ford of Apollo Herbs 
 

The Essence of Herbalism is an empowering, educational experience that enables you to connect with and honor Nature. Through studying herbalism, you are expanding your own awareness of our ecology by entering into the world of plants. Here we’ll discover all the beauty and gifts that the plants have to offer including food & nourishment, beverages, seasonings, tonics, medicines, bodycare, perfumes, dyes, flowers, crafts, folklore traditions, and the list goes on. The Essence of Herbalism invites you into this world with an open heart, following in the footsteps of our ancestors, who have used plants since the beginning of time.

The Essence of Herbalism Apprentice Program combines hands-on-experience with classroom learning, field study, independent research, and assigned home studies. This Apprentice Program is designed to teach you to identify plants in the wild, how to grow and when to harvest herbs, how to make your own herbal products & formulate your own medicine and much more. The program is oriented towards the beginner/intermediate herbalist.

Our focus is on the plants, themselves. We come to them as our teachers, the fields and forests as our classroom. We learn by seeing, touching, tasting, smelling, and experiencing. Learning the wisdom of plants opens one up to a whole, new, exciting part of life, the world of nature. These teachings instill within us the vitality of the wild, invigorating our spirits, nourishing our bodies, bringing radiant health and healing to our lives. The rewards are enriching and enlightening. Be prepared for the study of herbs to make some changes in your daily lives. For some this fascination with herbs becomes a lifelong endeavor.

 

 

The Apprentice Program includes a study of the organ systems of the body with corresponding herbal therapies, all the methods of herbal preparation, wild plant identification and plant-pressing, botany, plant chemistry, botanical nomenclature, herbal formulation, natural skin care, aromatherapy, flower essences, nutrition and disease, earth awareness, wild food cooking, and guidelines for prevention & healthy living. OUR PRIMARY FOCUS is developing a deep, loving relationship with the Earth, so that we can walk gently, in harmony & balance with all of life. The Apprentice Program is limited to 22 students and fills up quickly each year. If this is the year you wish to enter the world of herbs, register early to reserve your place.
 

Facilities

The Essence of Herbalism will be taught at  Hi-on-a-Hill Herb Farm & Gardens 840 Old Smithfield Rd. North Smithfield, RI 02896 (401) 762-1733. Hi-on-a-Hill Herb Farm & Gardens is a beautiful place to learn. The certified organic farm is home to many wildlife animals and a lush assortment of wild edible and medicinal plants. Facilities are rustic, cozy, and comfortable. Our classroom is the second house on the property. There is an herbal shoppe where you can buy decorative crafts along with herbal supplies and potted plants. Beautifully landscaped herb gardens spread across the property creating a magical herbal haven, alongside RI certified organic vegetable gardens, and a barnyard.
 

Field Trips

In July there will be a field trip to the Anne Hutchinson Womens' Healing Garden at Founders' Brook Park, Portsmouth, RI, which has a fine garden of medicinal herbs and many wild plants for us to explore-then we'll travel to the URI Medicinal Plant Garden in Kingston, RI, followed by a trip to the Apollo Herbs lab in Wyoming, RI..  The field trip will supplement our plant identification and medicinal plant exposure, allowing us to experience a broader diversity of plants that might not occur in one location. Since we do not have access to a bus, students will be asked to carpool together for the field trip, forming an herbal caravan of sorts. We will  have a picnic lunch in Portsmouth before heading to URI.  Class will end at the usual 5 pm at the farm.  Past field trip destinations include  The University of Rhode Island Heber W. Youngken Medicinal Plant Garden in Kingston, RI (below left) and The Fantastic Umbrella Factory Gardens in Charlestown, RI (below right), The Quintessential Gardens at Fort Hill Farms in Thompson, CT and Old Sturbridge Village in Sturbridge, MA.

 

Meals

Meals are not included in the program. However, on Saturday a potluck lunch is always a welcome event, if students are all willing to contribute. We usually choose an international theme and the food is always excellent. The remainder of the meals are prepared individually by the students as bagged lunches, etc. You are welcome to bring guests for the weekend, be it a spouse or friend or family, all we ask is that you do not bring the same person more than once and that you tell us in advance so that everyone doesn't bring a guest the same weekend.
 

Student Requirements

The Apprentice program requires a serious commitment from both students and teachers. Though it is in reality one weekend of each month, it is still a totally captivating and encompassing study. The requirements for this program are:

1. Come with an open heart. This is not a one on one program. Be willing to share and be a part of a group and to learn from one another and to honor each person in the group as a teacher and student.

2. Students are expected to make a commitment to be at EACH weekend. Dates are pre-set so that you can plan long in advance. Please, if you are considering taking the apprentice program this year, be sure that you are free and committed to come EACH AND EVERY weekend. Emergencies, of course, do come up and are viewed differently.

3. Homework will be assigned every weekend. Students have a choice of either doing the assigned homework or just attending the weekends and not doing the homework. Quizzes or tests will be given each weekend with advanced notice. Grades will be given, so that you can see how you are progressing through the course. It is not necessary to do the homework or take the tests if signing up for the Apprentice program. However, if you wish to earn a certificate, then completing the homework and passing your quizzes and tests is necessary. If you are unable to complete the homework during the program, you may still earn your certificate by completing the homework and passing the tests at a future date. Final grades will be given, and there will be a comprehensive final exam. The grades are determined in the following way:
 
Quizzes (4)

Homework assignments (6)

Plant ID Practical

Dried Plant ID Practical

Cumulative Final

 20% of grade

30% of grade

15% of grade

10% of grade

25% of grade


plant pressings made by apprentices

 

Logistics
Classes begin on Saturday at 10 a.m. and are over at 5 p.m. They resume on Sunday at 10 a.m. and end at 5 p.m. We do not wait for late comers and ask students to please arrive on time.
 
Michael Ford, M.S., Michael Ford is a herbalist, botanist, natural product chemist, and artist. He is the owner of Apollo Herbs, a herb company which he founded in 1991, after completing an apprenticeship with master herbalist, Rosemary Gladstar. Previously, Michael studied Painting & Illustration at The Rhode Island School of Design, then he began learning about herbs. In 1993 Michael began teaching about herbs. Each year he offers various herbal education programs for aspiring herbalists in Rhode Island and its surrounding communities. In 1998 Michael earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Botany & a Bachelors of Arts degree in Biology.  In 2000, he completed a Bachelor of Arts degree in Classics from URI. In 2002, he earned his Master of Science degree in Pharmacognosy & Natural Product Chemistry, and in 2007 Michael  earned his M.A. in Education, all at the University of Rhode Island.  He brings over eighteen years of experience and professional training to the program.
 

Jo-Anne Pacheco, M.S.,  has a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Management from Bryant College and a Master of Science degree in Environmental Education from Antioch New England Graduate School in Keene, New Hampshire. Jo-Anne completed her herbal apprenticeship with Rosemary Gladstar, in 1991 and is also a graduate of Dr.Christopher’s The School of Natural Healing Master Herbalist Program.  She lives on the family farm, Hi-on-a-Hill Herb Farm & Gardens in North Smithfield, RI. The farm specializes in herbs and conservation management.  It is here that she teaches classes and workshops, and manages fruit, vegetable and educational gardens.  Celestial Offerings, Inc., an apiary, is located on the farm.  Ms. Pacheco assists their Educational Division with school programs about bees and beekeeping.  Jo-Anne hosts and assists with the program.

(left) Jo-Anne & Michael with Juliette de Bairacli-Levy, honored gypsy herbalist/author/animal advocate, who has been a guest at the program on several occasions. (right) Students harvesting herbs to be used in making herbal products

 

Dates & Itinerary
The following is a tentative schedule and gives an overview of some of what we’ll be covering during the Essence of Herbalism 2008 Apprentice Program:

APRIL 19 & 20

Saturday:                      *Introductions                                                                                      *Plant Identification & Tour of Farm                                         *Preparing Teas:  Infusions & Decoctions
*Making Fine Beverage Teas
*Herbs & Holism                             Sunday:                                                                        *Terminology of Medicinal Herbs                                                    *Plant Identification                                                         *Determining The Quality of Herbs                                          *Proper Storage of Dried Plant materials
*Herbal Therapeutics: The Nervous System 

 

 

 

MAY 17 & 18

Saturday:                                                                                *Questions & Answers                                                                         *Latin Botanical Nomenclature                                                      *Plant Identification & Herb Walk                                        *Methods of Wildcrafting                                                        *Herbal Preparation: Oils & Salves             Sunday:                                                                                                       *Regenerative Diet & Practices    EatingVideo                                                                         *Organic Growing, Starting Seeds & Planning Gardens
*Herbal Therapeutics: The Urinary System
 

JUNE 7 & 8

Saturday:                                                                                                  *Questions & Answers                                                                    *Medicinal Plant Chemistry & Herb Constituents
*Video: In Search of Botanical Drugs                             *Compresses & Poultices                                                                     *Flower Essences/Remedies
Sunday:                                                                                  *Making Flower Essences                                                                  *Herbal Therapeutics:  The Liver, Allergies & Skin Conditions *Plant Identification Walk                                                                *Wild Food Cooking & Foraging

 


Elder Berries (Sambucus nigra)

JULY 19 & 20

Saturday:                                                                                                *Field Trip to Anne Hutchinson & URI Medicinal Plant Gardens                                                                                 *Essential Oil Distillation at Apollo Herbs               *Aromatherapy                                                                   *Herbal  Extracts, Tinctures,  & Liniments                                       Sunday:                                                                                 
*Herbal Therapeutics:  The Reproductive System
*Art of Drying, Harvesting, & Storing Herbs
*Plant Identification Walk                                                       *Botany: Intro to Plant Anatomy & Morphology

 

AUGUST 23 & 24

Saturday:                                                              
*Questions & Answers                                                     *Herbal Pet Care
*Herbal Video:  Juliette of the Herbs                       
*Herbal Preparation:  Syrup & Elixirs
*Wild Plant Identification & Herb Walk
*Herbal Stimulants                                                        *Herbal Therapeutics:  The Respiratory System *Herbal Concentrates                                           *Herbs for Children                                                *Plant Identification Walk                                          

 

 

SEPTEMBER 20 & 21

Saturday:                                                                         *Questions & Answers                                                *Herbal Therapeutics:  System
*Pregnancy & Childbirth
*Menopause & Croneship
*Herbs & the Chakras                                          *Plant ID Review                                       Sunday:                                                             *Plant Identification Practical Exam
*Herb Capsules, Caplets, Pills & Powders *Understanding General Nutritional Requirements *Identifying Dried Plant/Herb Specimens 
 

OCTOBER 18 & 19

Saturday:                                                         *Questions & Answers                                        *Herbal Therapeutics: The Immune System           *Herbs for Winter Health                                  *Natural Skin Care &Cosmetics                       *Identifying Plant Skeletons               Sunday:                                                         *Medicinal Herbal Formulation                              *Nutrition & Disease: Water- & Fat-soluble Vitamins *Making Home First Aide Kit                          *Culinary Herbs: Herbs for the Kitchen           *Identifying Dried Plant Specimens  

                

 

NOVEMBER 15 & 16

Saturday:                                                                      *Question & Answers  & Review of Formulation
*Clinical Herbalism:  Case studies
*Contraindications & Herb-Drug Interactions
*Nutrition and Disease: Minerals & Trace Elements
Sunday:                                                              *Exam Review Session                                          *Herbal Therapeutics:  The Digestive System     *Identifying Dried Plant Specimens                             *Herbal Crafts
 

DECEMBER 6 & 7                                                       

Saturday:                                                                              *Final Exam                                                            *Dried Plant Identification Practical Exam
*Wild Plant Identification: Plant Skeletons                 *Herbal Therapeutics: Circulatory System
 Sunday:                                                                               *Herbal Folklore                                                    *Legal Issues of Herbalism
*Medicine Show
*Graduation Party!

  
 

 

Further information on what to bring is sent out about two weeks before the first Weekend. Car-pooling is encouraged. We will be sending a list of fellow students with your map so you can contact one another for rides.

Registration Information

 The cost of the 9 Month Apprentice Program is $1350.00 This fee also includes all classroom materials and use of facilities, as well as 126 hours of in-class learning. It does not include books, meals, or homework supplies. Please make your commitment to learn with us this year ONLY if you are certain you can attend. If you do enroll, and you learn, for any reason, that you can not continue to attend, please notify us IMMEDIATELY, so we can try to fill your space. The refund policy is as follows:

 75% tuition refund minus your deposit if you withdraw BEFORE THE END OF THE FIRST WEEKEND.
Sorry, no other refunds will be granted.  NO EXCEPTIONS!  PLEASE DO NOT REGISTER IF YOU ARE NOT COMMITTED TO COMPLETING THE COURSE.

A $200.00 NON REFUNDABLE deposit is required to hold your place. Please register early as not to be disappointed. The remainder of the tuition is due IN FULL by April 19, 2008.
Visa/Mastercard/Discover/American Express are accepted. If paying IN FULL by credit card, please add a $50 credit card processing fee due to the high percentage-based merchant account charges. ($1400 if paying in full by credit card). This does not apply if making a $200 non-refundable deposit by credit card.  Make checks payable to:

Make your deposit or payment Online Now!

Apollo Herbs and mail to:
P. O. Box 1885 Kingston, RI 02881
Phone (401) 595-8722
E-mail
 

 

DIRECTIONS TO:
Hi-on-a-Hill Herb Farm & Gardens
840 Old Smithfield Rd.
North Smithfield, RI 02896
(401) 762-1733

Directions to Hi-on-a-Hill Herb Farm (from the South):
Take 95N to 295N. Follow 295N to exit 9B (146N Woonsocket) Follow Rte. 146 North. As you follow it north, The Rustic Drive-in will be on your left and a Mobil gas station will be on your right. When you come to the first traffic light take a right onto Sayles Hill Rd. (Mongeon’s Auto Repair is on the corner on your right and there is a green sign pointing right toward Manville hanging with the traffic light.) Follow this road 1/2 mile or so. Take your first left onto Old Smithfield Rd. Follow for 8/10ths of a mile. The driveway is on the right. There is a sign at the bottom of the driveway that says Hi-on-a-Hill Herb Farm. (Pole 24) The driveway goes up a hill. Parking is on the grass. We’ll show you where to park. Our classroom is the second building you’ll come to, on your left.

(from the East): Take 195W to 95N to 146N. Follow directions as above.

(from Providence): (about 15 minutes from Providence) Take 95N to 146N then follow directions as above.

(from the North): Take 95S to 295S. Follow 295S to exit 9B (146N Woonsocket). Follow directions as above.

(from Worcester): Take 146S into R.I. When you come to the first traffic light take a left onto Sayles Hill Rd. (Mongeon’s Auto Repair is on the corner on your left and there is a green sign pointing left toward Manville hanging with the traffic light.) Follow this road 1/2 mile or so. Take your first left onto Old Smithfield Rd. Follow for 8/10ths of a mile. The driveway is on the right. There is a sign at the bottom of the driveway that says Hi-on-a-Hill Herb Farm. (Pole 24) The driveway goes up a hill. Parking is on the grass. We’ll show you where to park. Our classroom is the second building you’ll come to, on your left.
 

 
Apollo,herbs,herbal,herbalism, alternative,medicine,botanical, apprentice program, essence, extracts, oils, syrups, salves, herbalist, natural, remedies, supplements, dietary, nutritional, holistic, health, prevention, pharmacognosy 

 
Apollo Herbs
P.O. Box 1885
Kingston, RI 02881 
Phone (401) 595-8722
Email: MichaelFord@apolloherbs.com

  
 

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