Class Descriptions & Teacher Bios
Saturday, August 17, 2024
Garden Talk
with Sarah Holden & Kelly Hill
Join Kelly Hill, Mountains of the Moon Farm, and Sarah Holden, MSU Missoula county extension horticulturalist, for a tour around the new Rocky Mountain Gardens. We’ll share about our favorite pollinator plants, native and medicinals and answer all your questions. Learn about the gardens and the community driven project to share the wonder of plants with you!
After two decades of delving into organic agriculture, Kelly Hill combined her love for growing plants and her passion for holistic medicine and began growing medicinal herbs. She manages the herbal side of things, which includes culinary and medicinal herbs, at Mountains of the Moon Farm in Dixon, Montana. She believes the root of healing with herbal medicine begins with a heart connection. Her deepest way of connecting with plants begins with the seed. You can find her out foraging for native medicinal seed in the mountains of Montana, as her specialty is growing our native medicinals.
Originally from the Midwest, Sarah Holden was in search of a wilder place! She came to MT in 1999 and graduated from the University of MT in 2001. Montana quickly showed her the diversity of the plant world and she was hooked. Fast forward two decades and she is now creating new programming for Missoula County and MSU Extension as the new Horticulture Extension Agent! Sarah loves connecting people to plants and seeing the inspiration that a good harvest can bring! Herbal concoctions and medicinal plants are her specialty, and she loves spending time roaming around in the woods! Sarah is one of the founders of the MT Herbal Festival. Hiking, skiing, and hot springs soaking are some activities she enjoys doing with her two girls!!
Tea and It's Many Benefits
with Heather Kreilick
Owner of Lake Missoula Tea Company
All true tea comes from Camellia Sinensis (Evergreen from China) and is classified by color types based on oxidation levels. We'll discuss the origins of tea, their chemical attributes, and health benefits. We'll taste samples of each type. Come learn more about the world's most popular beverage after water.
Heather Kreilick is a native Montanan who grew up in the Bitterroot Valley before leaving to attend college in Arizona. She was a hotshot forest firefighter before teaching on the Navajo Reservation. She returned to Montana, completed a Geography masters, and worked in the GIS field before opening Lake Missoula Tea Company with her husband, Jake, in 2012. Heather is an avid hiker, occasional climber, and full time adventurer, and likes to spend time with family and close friends.
Getting Herbs from Garden to Table
with Lori Elliott
Owner & Operator of Big Sky Herbs
There has been a lot of learning over my years of sustainably growing and sharing my culinary and wellness tea herbs. I'll take you from harvesting for continued regrowth, using fresh herbs, then natural drying how-tos, storing and processing for small batches and pinching products that will last at their optimum potency and flavor. I'll also share on compostable and reusable packaging to keep our environment thriving.
Big Sky Herbs: Formally Urban Herbs, these culinary and wellness tea herbs were grown in my home garden with care and learning. We grow plants from Northwest certified sources suited to our climate. Dried herbs are stored whole immediately to give the richest aroma, flavor and potency. Our products can be seen at local fairs, festivals, markets and online. We love to continue to learn and share our knowledge. Our vision is to make herbs a part of all everyday quality lifestyles…and fun to use! Grow with us and enjoy the fruits of our labor!
Garden Project
with Sarah Holden
Meet in front of the greenhouse for a community service project in the gardens! Details TBA.
Originally from the Midwest, Sarah Holden was in search of a wilder place! She came to MT in 1999 and graduated from the University of MT in 2001. Montana quickly showed her the diversity of the plant world and she was hooked. Fast forward two decades and she is now creating new programming for Missoula County and MSU Extension as the new Horticulture Extension Agent! Sarah loves connecting people to plants and seeing the inspiration that a good harvest can bring! Herbal concoctions and medicinal plants are her specialty, and she loves spending time roaming around in the woods! Sarah is one of the founders of the MT Herbal Festival. Hiking, skiing, and hot springs soaking are some activities she enjoys doing with her two girls!!
Meet the Parsley Family
with Robyn Klein, MSc., Medical Botanist
The parsley family contains edible, medicinal, and poisonous species. How does one tell them apart? In this visual presentation, you’ll learn the distinguishing characteristics that are needed to key out medicinal, edible, and poisonous members of this family. Compound umbel, umbellets, rays, bracts, stylopodium, commissure, and carpophore are some of the terms used. Learn the common terms that are used by botanists and learn the main characteristics of water and poison hemlock.
Robyn Klein has been teaching plant identification to K-12 teachers and herbalists since 2004. A graduate of the Southwest School of Botanical Medicine (1995) and an adjunct instructor at MSU, and a member of the Montana Native Plant Society. Her gardens are a mix of native, Chinese, and European medicinal species, and the odd carrot.
Clinical Pearls from a 40-Year Practice
with Nan Dunne, ND
Naturopathic Physician,
National University of Natural Medicine
There's book-learning and then there's humans. So much to know. I will share a few fabulously effective plant medicine formulas that are time-tested, and some case management pearls gleaned fro more than 40 years of herbal practice.
Dr. Nan Dunne is a 1989 graduate of National University of Naturopathic Medicine, Portland OR, where she engaged a post-graduate year of supervised training at the Natural Childbirth and Family Clinic. She founded Bitterroot Natural Medicine and served the Missoula community as a naturopathic family physician from 1990 through 2011. With deep commitment to Nature Cure, Dr. Dunne is a passionate educator, sharing tools for self-care available through whole foods, plant-based medicines, physical movement and emotional resilience. In 2012 she joined forces with Dr. Christine White Deeble first at Black Bear Naturopathic, and then at Natura Health and Wellness. Dr. Dunne retired from clinical practice in 2021, and is now having a blast wildcrafting and growing medicinal plants for family and friends.
Wild Plant Saunter & Tasting Flight
with Cathryn Raan & Sydney Morical
Wild Food and Medicine Guides
Wild Wanders
This unique and immersive class is designed for those who crave a deeper connection to the natural environment, a heightened appreciation for flavors, and a desire to explore the diverse and delicious offerings found in the wilderness. We will begin this sensational experience with a short walk around the brand new Rocky Mountain Gardens with two enthusiastically experienced foragers and see what we find, after which we will come together for a thoughtfully curated tasting flight of various dishes and beverages all containing wild foraged ingredients. We will connect with each other and the plants while cultivating a deeper understanding of our local landscape and our responsibility to the place we are so fortunate to call home. This will be a celebration of the wild flavor and abundance that surrounds us!
Cathryn Raan and Sydney Morical of Wild Wanders are herbalists and longtime foragers of wild food and medicine that have been sharing their passion for plants and fungi with the community for over six years. They offer private excursions and land consultations as well as host a wide range of community events teaching foraging, plant connection, makery classes, and more. They also provide foraging services for restaurants and events, and wild foraged products for purchase, including an annual CSA (Community Supported Apothecary) subscription.
Herbs for Self Love; a Look at Four Local Herbs from a Holistic Perspective
with Justene Sweet
Herbalist
How can herbs help us cultivate self-love, confidence, self-compassion, better boundaries? Can plant allies assist us with more than physical ailments? In this class, herbalist Justene Sweet will discuss four local herbs and ways that we can engage with their energetic qualities for emotional support and as a compliment to other healing modalities. Justene’s hope with this class is that people will be able to see the plants, native and weedy species alike, as part of their community and begin to build new relationships with them. Join us as we explore plant spirit medicine, myth, folklore and possibly a new way to use herbs.
Justene Sweet is an herbalist, medicine maker and herbal educator. She works as a community herbalist at Meadowsweet in Missoula as well as seeing clients in a clinical setting. Having studied with herbal teachers in the U.S. and Canada, Justene credits her mentors for gifting her wisdom from an array of herbal traditions. Her approach to herbalism is evidence-based as well as intuitive. As a practitioner, Justene aims to be compassionate, accessible and empowering to clients. As a plant person by nature, walking the herbal path was inevitable. This is her work, let her be your guide.
Herbal Compliance -
Bring Back the Art of Kitchen Magic
with Natasha Clarke
Herbalist
NatashaClarke.com
Creating healing formulas, especially when addressing chronic issues, can be complex and often need to be taken over long periods of time. Adding pills or tinctures that need to be scheduled or pulsed to someone dealing with complex health issues can be overwhelming and confusing. Crafting healing teas that taste less than stellar is another reason herbs end up being shelved all resulting in a lack of complacency. In this class we address the many ways to create optimum compliancy using herbs by exploring some kitchen magic using nourishing to low dose medicinals. This is a hands on class as we will be creating our own special brew of herbal chai. Herbs only work if you take them and I am excited to share my ways of encouraging embodied methods of crafting complex formulas into tasty and easy to use medicines.
Natasha Clarke: Starting by walking through the hedgerows as a small child in England, collecting and creating potions I brought my love of the green world to the USA where I completed my herbal studies with Mathew Wood, Scott Kloos and Joyce Netishen. I have been a clinical herbalist for 10 years as well as co-founder of the Green Gathering herbal festival, given countless plant walks and taught many classes including the Good Medicine Confluence, Northwest Herb fair, Northwest Herb Symposium amongst others and producer of the radio show the Herb Hunter on KSER. I've lived in many places and many worlds and most of the time I've been lost. I can only give thanks to my friends and family, teachers, guides and angels, all who have loved me and supported me and stood by me while I've found my way back to belonging. Home is wilderness in Swale Canyon, Klickitat WA
The Magick of Cacao and Hawthorne: Bringing Ceremony and Herbs into your Life to Heal the Heart
with Angela Devani
Elemental Magick
The magick of ceremony has been immersed in various cultures for centuries. Join Angela Devani in a ceremony with the plant allies of Cacao and Hawthorne Berries as she talks about the history of these 2 plants, specifically, and other heart nurturing plants that will leave your body feeling full of love and self-appreciation. Angela will guide the group through a meditation to connect to the Elements, the Directions and with plant guides for a heart-warming experience of liberation and acknowledgement that what you want matters.
After leaving a successful corporate career and starting a family, Angela Devani felt the pull of the Earth and the plants to remember her Soul's calling as a Medicine Woman. The plants guided her all over the country as she studied with many teachers. Angela is now an herbal teacher, energy healing practitioner and creator of Elemental Magick, a movement to empower you to bring more magick into your life through the power of plants and awakening your inner wisdom. Learning herbalism, Reiki and the Akashic Records completely changed her life and prompted her to help others reclaim their power and reconnect with their dreams. Angela channels her inner Medicine Woman to help other women connect to the powerful pillars of strength and wisdom that is within each of us to create a Woman-Centered community that is changing the world....One Woman at a Time. You can learn more about Angela at: www.elementalmagick.net
African Cooking from Gabon
with Armelle Essomeyo
LMT and Herbalist
Tareeyo Massage
Join Armelle, Essomeyo to learn about cooking with herbs and spices from herb homeland of Gabon, Africa. Armelle will discuss cassava root and leaf, onion, garlic, red palm oil, bay leaf, cilantro, mustard, and black pepper. She will be sharing several traditional recipes.
Armelle Essomeyo is originally from Gabon, Africa. She moved to the United States in 1997. She is the mother of four beautiful children. She graduated from the Montana School of Massage in 2016 and Green Path Herb School in 2021. She owns her own massage and herbal practice called Tareyo Massage.
Lavender Sifting Demo
with Lavender Lori
Imperatrix of Lavender ;-)
After 20+ years of sifting lavender into buds using a tired outdated inefficient technique I spent the winter crafting a kit that can be easily transported to anywhere you need it. This is markedly innovative and so much more efficient; it literally brings light and ease to a chore that can be dreaded by most purveyors of lavender. The buds go into everything we make so the job must be done! It may be used for sifting other herbs as well. I will demonstrate unpacking and setting up the kit as well as show how it works. And all attendees will get a souvenir sample of buds!
Lavender Lori has been farming lavender in western Montana since 2001. She has been a fixture at regional markets for 20+ years. You will find her product line in shops from Missoula to Kalispell and beyond! If you've eaten locally made lavender cupcakes, chocolate, or ice cream you've eaten her lavender! She self published her premier book, the definitive Lavender Farming, Secrets from a Hard Row Hoed in which she dispels the mystery of growing this beneficent herb. It also includes recipes, crafting ideas, and practical do-it- yourself information whether you are a veteran lavender farmer or just starting out. She shares how she lost 90% of an 1,100 plant crop to one storm and better yet, how you can avoid and mitigate such disaster. She has a YouTube channel that is like a backstage pass to the behind-the-scenes workings of a lavender farm, and you can read her helpful blog and purchase her products and book on her website Lavenderlori.com. You can also visit her Lavender Boutique Intrinsic Trinket on her farm in St. Ignatius, Montana by appointment by texting 406.396.1514
History of Curanderismo
with Natalita
Herbalist, Artist
A class exploring the history, philosophy and herbal practices of Curanderos of the United States Southwest and Latin America. Much like an anthropologist class, we will explore the vast history that created current day Mexican and Latin American healing traditions, discuss and try to understand the energetics philosophy used to heal and create medicine in these areas and explore some plant medicine native to these people.
Natalita: I am a certified Herbalist and graduate of Green Path Herb School. I grew up in Los Angeles in a latino household that was home to natives of Mexican, Cuban and Salvadorian descent. Herbal medicine is the root of indigenous traditional practices of the Americas and a part of the healing rituals my abuelita and mother shared with me as a child. I am passionate about herbal medicine, reconnecting with the earth and inspiring others to find the curandera in themselves. May we all continue down the path of returning home to our native traditions and understanding our only role as humans; to protect this earth, our Mother.
Herbal Oxymels For Everyone
with Hillary Sargent
Quantum Nutritional Herbalist
Two Poppies Apothecary
We will be discussing what exactly is an oxymel and how it differs from other forms of herbal remedies, while showcasing how to create your own. We will make and take an oymel that we will create in class and discuss the many ways you can utilize the medicinal benefits of the herbs within our oxymel and other recipes you can try at home.
Hillary Sargent is a mother, quantum herbalist, holistic lifestyle and freedom advocate, and bioresonance practitioner; living in the mountains of Montana's Bitterroot Valley. She is the creator, maker and gatherer behind Two Poppies Apothecary. A Kentucky-born and Montana-made business that reconnects you to nature; through handmade skin care, herbal and vibrational remedies, native plant goods, and whole body wellness.
Devils Club - an Investigation into Boundaries
with Natasha Clarke
Herbalist
NatashaClarke.com
Join me as I weave us through the story of being in relationship with the plants that heal us and how that creates the medicine we make. In this class we will be talking about Devils club, oplopanax horridus and the many properties that we use for its healing as well as experiencing the medicine and singing its songs. Devils club is one of our most useful adaptogenic herbs as well as one of our more dominant plant allies. To find out more about the magic and use of this plant come and participate in this unique storytelling class
Natasha Clarke: Starting by walking through the hedgerows as a small child in England, collecting and creating potions I brought my love of the green world to the USA where I completed my herbal studies with Mathew Wood, Scott Kloos and Joyce Netishen. I have been a clinical herbalist for 10 years as well as co-founder of the Green Gathering herbal festival, given countless plant walks and taught many classes including the Good Medicine Confluence, Northwest Herb fair, Northwest Herb Symposium amongst others and producer of the radio show the Herb Hunter on KSER. I've lived in many places and many worlds and most of the time I've been lost. I can only give thanks to my friends and family, teachers, guides and angels, all who have loved me and supported me and stood by me while I've found my way back to belonging. Home is wilderness in Swale Canyon, Klickitat WA
Creating Connections to Place through Montana Native Plants
with Susan Teitelman
Herbalist & Plant Educator
This class will explore the ecological and cultural importance of Montana's native plants and look at the challenges our flora face. We will have a conversation about the historical and contemporary uses of plants by tribes in this region and the ways in which Western herbalists understand and use these same plants. Then, we will discuss the concept of "ethical wildcrafting" and "honorable harvest." We will dive into ethical and legal considerations of plant collection and educational resources will be provided.
Susan Teitelman has lived in Missoula for a decade and in that time she has worked as an herbalist and plant educator, spending time teaching and learning about Western Montana’s flora. Susan graduated with her MS in Environmental Studies in 2022 from the University of Montana, where she focused on ethnobotany, Traditional Ecological Knowledge, and environmental justice. Susan is currently the Climate Resilience Specialist with the organization Climate Smart Missoula, where she helps the Missoula community adapt to the impacts of climate change. In this role, she works with plants in a slightly different capacity, as her work is centered around urban forestry education and outreach. A lifelong learner, Susan continues to seek knowledge about the interconnections between Montana's history, cultures, natural environment, and political landscape.
Herbal & Energetic Alchemy for the Heart
with Bonita
Herbalist & Energy Worker
Cositas Bonitas Botanicals
This class will lay out the foundation of heart energetics, explaining its importance in providing balance and centeredness. We will also dive into guided meditation and explore relationships with a focus herb for the heart space.
Bonita (she/they) is an herbalist & energy-worker who creates herbal self-care products and offers 1:1 energy healing. They are passionate about helping you cultivate deep kinship with plants, and aligning you with earth-focused self-care to support your journey for true purpose and community liberation.
A Practical Guide to Chinese Herbs
with Dr. Zoe Linton DACM, LAc
Chinese Herbalist, Acupuncturist
Spirit Room Herbal Medicine
Chinese Herbal Medicine is a modality that has been widely practiced in China for thousands of years. In this class we'll go over the basic principles of Chinese herb identification and classification before delving into using these unique herbs and formulas in everyday life. While you should always see a Chinese Medicine practitioner for more complex health issues, there are many gentle and accessible ways to use Chinese herbs in daily life to boost energy and immunity, decrease stress, and help with sleep or simple indigestion. We'll cover these applications in class, and all participants will be sent home with a printed herbal guide with notes and recipes. We'll also touch on Chinese herbs that can be cultivated in our growing zone here in MT!
Zoe Linton grew up in the mountains of central Vermont before moving to Montana in 2011 to work trails for the Forest Service in Paradise Valley. Following her tenure in the FS, she apprenticed with acupuncturist and Chinese herbalist Zoe Strauss in Bozeman before attending school in San Francisco for Chinese Medicine. She graduated with her Doctorate of Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine in 2019 and worked in Berkeley before moving to Missoula in 2022. She currently practices in Missoula and recently started her own line of prepared Chinese Herbal medicines, Spirit Room Herbal Medicine.
A Tour of Italian Herbology
with Dr. Amy Leonard-Haynes, ND. , L.Ac
Full Circle Natural Medical Clinic
Centering around Florence Italy I am walking through ancient towns and villages visiting the modern masters of herbal medicine, ancient apothocaries, and established herbal farms. I'm hoping to bring back some of that age-old wisdom of the early naturalists to share with participants.
My name is Dr. Amy Leonard-Haynes. I have practiced naturopathic medicine and acupuncture in Missoula Montana since 1984. I have a large number of botanical single tinctures as I like to compound my own formulations. I have advanced training in Botanical medicine as well as homeopathy. I have taught techniques internationally which includes several years as the Clinical Director of the Canadian College of Naturopathic Medicine. Currently my practice is focused on musculoskeletal pain and joint injuries.
Fearless Fermentation
with Jessie Thomas
Nutritionist & health coach
Sustainable Wellness
In this workshop, students will learn how the art of fermentation was discovered and how they can use it in their own homes. Students will leave understanding how the simple process of fermentation can support the foundations of health. Students will learn about the trends in human health since fermenting fell out of favor and ways their health might improve if they bring it back. They will learn how this effective form of food preservation can turn seasonal foods into parts of their daily meals that support their gut microbiome year round. Students will leave understanding the process of fermenting in their own kitchens, what tools are needed, and a recipe including local, seasonal veggies and culinary herbs.
Jessie Thomas, the founder of Missoula, Montana’s Sustainable Wellness, has always loved the feeling of reaching a mountain summit with her own two feet. As a former smokejumper, skier, and mountain-adventure-seeker, Jessie knows the health of the human body over a lifespan is determined by what we eat and how we live. After 7 years as a smoke-jumper, ultra marathon runner, skier, and now mom in beautiful Missoula, Montana, Jessie switched paths to return to her roots of working with food. Her experience working on landscapes and with food creates a perspective on whole systems that lends itself well to understanding the connection between human health and how food is raised.
Adaptogenic & Longevity Herbs
with Eva Inglizian
Acupuncturist & Traditional Chinese Medicine Herbologist
Sagrada Acupuncture
In this class I will go over longevity herbs from a Traditional Chinese Medicine perspective. These herbs are adaptogenic herbs that help our bodies handle stress, restore balance and boost energy. I will introduce herbs for beautification along with some recipes and simple Qi Gong exercises. We will discuss anti-aging diet practices along with ten Chinese superfoods.
As a licensed and Board Certified Acupuncturist, Eva Inglizian L.Ac is the third generation of doctors in her family. With her family heritage, Eva has always been fascinated by the science of medicine and the way the human body, mind, and spirit functions in nature. Eva's passion is in empowering individuals to feel their own sense of harmony and vitality and tap into their spiritual higher self. Eva’s clients come to her for health maintenance and preventive care, empowering them as unique individuals rather than a disease process. Eva's intuitive understanding of healthy living can be seen in her treatment offerings. Eva has been practicing Traditional Chinese Medicine for 20 years. Born into a family of healers ranging from her Father, an Emergency Room physician and psychologist to her Mother a nurse, Eva has healing her blood. Eva is the founder of both Sagrada Wellness Yoga Retreat Center and Sagrada Acupuncture in California and Missoula, Montana. At Sagrada Acupuncture, Eva Inglizian L.Ac offers healing acupuncture and Medical Qi Gong treatments and teaches Qi Gong and self-care workshops and retreats. On her time off Eva, her husband and two kids are falling in love with Montana. She’ll be hiking, river rafting, cooking, reading, or watching her kids play ice hockey. Please welcome them into the community as they newly arrived and are thrilled and grateful to meet Montanans!
Eva Inglizian L.Ac obtained her Master’s degree in traditional Chinese medicine from Emperor’s College in Santa Monica, CA with high honors.