Wild Women’s Herbal Apprenticeship at Mother Hen’s Homestead

Mother Hen’s Homestead in Royalston is offering a nine month herbal apprenticeship starting March 2024 and meeting 10:00am-5:00pm one Sunday a month through November.

The Wild Women’s Herbal Apprenticeship is a 9 month herbal course designed for women where we will gain hands on experience making herbal preparations, growing, wildcrafting and foraging for herbs and other medicinals in a supportive community.

Throughout the apprenticeship, we will delve into the world of herbalism and learn about the different plants growing seasonally in our bio region, their properties, and how to use them to promote wellness. We will also gain an understanding of the spiritual and energetic qualities of plants and how to incorporate them into our wellness practice. We will get to know the herbs on an intimate level and will learn how to preserve them, incorporate them in our cooking and make herbal preparations with them that you can then take home to stock your very own home apothecary with. In addition to the practical skills, you will also have the opportunity to connect with a community of like-minded women who share your passion for herbalism and love for the natural world. You will learn from experienced herbalists and mentors who will guide you on your journey and provide support and encouragement along the way.

Some of the skills and topics covered include:

Sustainable Foraging & wildcrafting, Wild Food & Medicine, Plant and fungi Identification, Field Botany, Folk Medicine Making, Basics of Herbalism – elements, energetics, actions and history, Herbal folklore, traditional uses and modern science to build your own Materia Medica, Deep Observation and Connection, Developing a spiritual relationship with plants, Seasonal Rituals, Plant Spirit Journeys, Cultivation of herbs & Incorporating herbs into your daily life

By the end of the 9-month apprenticeship, you will have a deeper understanding of herbalism, the confidence to make your own herbal preparations, and the skills to incorporate herbs into your daily life. Whether you are interested in pursuing a career in herbalism or simply want to deepen your knowledge and connection with the natural world, this apprenticeship is the perfect opportunity to do so.

Once you’ve completed the apprenticeship you will be presented with a 63 hour certificate of completion of the Wild Women’s Herbal Apprenticeship and leave with a wealth of knowledge, meaningful connections and experience to build upon. This apprenticeship course is a great addition to any wellness practitioner’s toolbox.

REGISTRATION DETAILS

Nine month tuition is $1111 with early bird pricing for those that sign up before January 1st of $999!

Payment plans, sliding scale fees and work trades are available but a non refundable deposit of $333 must be given to hold your space by February 29th the latest. Please email Megan at motherhenshomestead@gmail.com to discuss any payment plans, sliding scale fees (based on income) and work trades that you would like to arrange.

Space is limited to 13 apprentices only.

No herbal experience necessary for this apprenticeship. This is a beginner course.

Classes meet from 10:00am to 5:00pm one Sunday per month starting in March and going through November. Dates are as follows (subject to change): 3/10, 4/7, 5/5, 6/2, 7/7, 8/4, 9/8, 10/6, & 11/3.

Our Monthly meetings will mainly take place on the homestead in Royalston MA though we may take field trips to neighboring woods and farms on occasion.

Materials are included in tuition (jars and ingredients to take home products to stock your home apothecary with)

All classes will be held outdoors regardless of the weather so dress appropriately. If there is a cancellation due to inclement weather an email will be sent out to notify you to a date change.

Please bring along a lunch, water, a notebook, pencil, yoga mat and/or folding chair.