Foundations of Herbalism Program
"One of the most inspiring aspects of this program was that the guest teachers were so knowledgeable AND they were graduates of the three year training. It was great to see that they have gone on to make livelihoods with the plants."
RM, Richmond
 These programs are for those wishing to help their friends and families maintain health, deepen their plant knowledge or begin the training as a community herbalist. The curriculum is dynamic, contemplative and provides a sense of community as we move through the seasons learning each step of the process. The two formats for this course of study are described below.
We will begin by learning how to listen to the landscape before we even make a change in the garden. We learn Stephen Buhner’s Deep Diagnostic work as well as other techniques for working directly with the land. We then move to permaculture & biodynamic practices to see that medicine is borne of the soil and the environment. Herbalists are synonymous with eco activists as we tend and steward all places to protect the medicines. We will learn the nature of nature – ours as well as our gardens, fields and meadows. In June we will take a field trip to Southern Virginia Herbals, home and herb farm of Robbie Wooding. We will see woods grown goldenseal, ginseng and other woodland medicinals and experience the challenges, possibilities and enchantment of living the tradition of the land.
In both programs we will study the organ systems and their anatomy, physiology and basic functioning. We will focus on Western definitions of body systems with a major focus being constitutional language of Eclectics and contemporary teachers such as Michael Moore, Matthew Wood and others. We will follow the seasons learning the language of Traditional Chinese Medicine as it relates to the changes that are affected by moving through the wheel of the year. The emphasis at SPT is Traditional Western Energetics, whole plant medicine and plants, plants and more plants. We will be mixing soil, sowing seeds, designing the garden, digging roots, and gathering medicines to begin a home apothecary.
Both Programs, Day Foundations as well as Weekend Foundations, will cover the same material. . Please see the descriptions below for differences and view sample curriculums here. Topics covered are the following:
Anatomy & Physiology
Western as well as energetic models
Field Work
Plant ID
Wildcraft (harvest) techniques and ethics
Gardening
Permaculture Basics
Sowing from Seed
Planting methods
Harvest and tending the garden
Apothecary Practices
Tincturing
Teas
Cosmetics
Compresses, poultices, fomentations
Oils, salves, creams
Nourishment Food ways
Fermentation
Bone broths
Wild foods
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Nine-Month Weekend Foundations
The tuition includes all class materials as well as herbal teas thoughout the weekend. In order to make it more accessible we have decided to lower the fee and have students bring bag lunches or eat at one of the great eateries close by. For dinner we will assign potluck groups for dinners so we can learn food as medicine with each other.
For those needing overnight accommodations for Saturday evening at The Alexander House, a local hostel/B&B there is an additional $25/night fee. For those arriving Friday night you will have to make accommodations on your own and we highly recommend the same place as their rates are very reasonable.
Tuition is $1950 and that includes all materials. An interview is needed before deposit is accepted. Deposit: $250 and is non-refundable and non-transferable after interview is completed.
Weekend Dates
for class of 2013:
March 16-17
April 20-21
May 25-26
June 22-23
July 20-21
Aug 17-18
Sept 21-22
Oct 19-20
Nov 16-17
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Online registration via Paypal now available!
Note that a 3% processing fee is added
for online registration
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Six-Month Day Foundations
 Formerly our Nine Month Day Program, this new course has many advantages over the older format. We have condensed this to focus the teachings as well as enable graduates to move onto Clinic I should they choose too without overlapping programs. We will be covering the same material and the same classroom hours as the weekend course.
Applications are being accepted for September 2012
Tuition is $2100. Deposit: $250 and is non-refundable and non-transferable.
There are limited work/study positions available and these usually go very quickly.
Dates: This program runs on Tuesdays from 9:00 am – 3pm. We will begin September 4, 2012, not meet in January and complete classes March 19, 2013.
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Online registration via Paypal now available!
Note that a 3% processing fee is added
for online registration |
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