2026 Registration opens in August
Full Payment of program comes with a FREE United Plant Savers membership!
Hands-on Approach
By “studying herbs”, we don’t mean watching a video!
Despite the rush to online classes,
we believe the most effective herbal studies occur
in person, hands-on, and in nature.
Our students learn through:
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Herb walks and field trips~ forest and creek areas
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Demo & discussion by enthusiastic professionals
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Supervised harvesting: ethically and in gratitude
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Hands-on medicine making in class
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Take-home medicine samples and assignments
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Community building and sharing experiences
"My heart and my Head are full of love for plants,
for these teachers, and for this wonderful journey!"
V. Hanson
Course & Syllabus
• 84 HOURS OF HERBAL LEARNING:
Creates your foundation in herbs with Materia Medica of 25 local herbs. Hands-on classes familiarize you with herbs to safely use with family and friends, prevent common illness, treat injury, and boost nutrition.
• FOCUS ON 25 LOCAL MEDICINALS:
Selected by our faculty for 1)safety, 2)ease of identification, and
3)usefulness, these plants will be studied in terms of scientific names/ common names, botanical identification, part of plant harvested and used, preparation/dosage, actions/indications, and safety/contraindications.
• HERBAL ENERGETICS:
We will visit the herb growing in its outdoor habitat, learn to connect with the plant’s energy, handle it, smell it, taste it, and prepare its medicine together.
• HANDS-ON MEDICINE MAKING:
Finish the course with your own home apothecary! You will take home samples of class-made herbal decoction, infusion, maceration tincture, infused oil, salve, lotion, syrup, and vinegar.
• WORLD HERBAL TRADITIONS:
Our professional staff presents these traditional herbalism introduction classes with respect and enthusiasm. We include Chinese, Ayurvedic, and Native American traditional herbalism as well as Appalachian folk traditions
• BOTANY/ PLANT IDENTIFICATION:
An important herbalist skill for safety reasons, we cover botany and taxonomy as well as plant communities and relationships with other flora/fauna.
• WILDCRAFTING & STEWARDSHIP:
The art and ethics of plant harvesting guide us so that we protect at-risk species and live in right relationship with the natural world. How do we harvest safely, effectively, and in consideration of plant life and needs of other species?
Although we all came in with varying degrees of knowledge (understanding) of the topics, there was no shortage of help with those that may have needed assistance.
—Henry Layne Jr.
HERBalachia Faculty
Our all-star faculty are the cream of the crop and get rave reviews every year!
Our team includes Master’s degree herbalists, botany professor, Native American medicine woman, mushroom and herbal propagation experts, among others.
Most of our instructors have been with us since the school's beginning in 2016.
Their enthusiasm and generosity in sharing their Wisdom is unsurpassed!
Program Schedule 2025
Weekend format: Sat & Sun, 10am - 5pm
Apr 5, 6
May 3, 4
Jun 7, 8
July 12, 13
Aug 2, 3
Sept 13, 14
Oct 4, 5
Please note: Approximately 3-4 hours per week of home projects and reading are required in addition to class hours.
If you would like to spend the weekend at Blackberry Blossom Campground,
make your reservations now!
Tent camping, cute travel campers, and a luxurious AirBnB suite are available.
COVID POLICY:
When necessary, we adapt our program to follow CDC guidelines, and our ‘COVID pivots’ have been given rave reviews by students.
We are committed to doing whatever it takes to SAFELY enjoy our time together.
2025 Herbalist Lifestyle Program
Tuition $1950
Application and payment
Option 1:
Complete your online application and PAY TUITION IN FULL $1950
OR
Option 2:
Complete your online application and PAY DEPOSIT of $650.
This holds your place in our 2025 program and our Program director will contact you to set up your payment plan.
Full tuition is due by March 29, 2025.
NOTE: Deposit is non-refundable.
No refunds will be made after the first day of class, April 5, 2025.
Please budget an additional $200 for books and class supplies.
For questions, please contact Kat Hayes: Info@HERBalachia.com
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How much experience is required to join the Herbalist Lifestyle Program?No prior experience is required to join our Herbalist Lifestyle Program! While familiarity with herbs, gardening, and cooking can be beneficial, we welcome all levels of enthusiasm and willingness to learn. Our program is designed to accommodate beginners and provide a comprehensive introduction to herbalism.
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What is the application process?Students are accepted on a first-come, first-served basis through registration and deposit, with 18 spots each year. Detailed information regarding required textbooks and tools will be emailed a couple of months before classes begin.
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How does weather impact class schedules?Weather in the mountains can be unpredictable, with rainy and cold spring days being common. We encourage students to come prepared with appropriate gear and clothing to stay comfortable. In cases of severe weather, we may adjust the schedule by swapping outdoor and indoor class times. Always check your email for any last-minute updates or changes to the schedule due to weather conditions.
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What about COVID?We adapt our program when necessary by strategically utilizing Zoom for ‘didactic’ classes ONLY if necessary to maintain CDC guidelines, as we feel the learning value of in-person classes is greatest. Should adjustments become necessary, know that we keep things lively by mailing out packets of herbs to smell and taste, and teas to prepare so you can follow along at home. Our “COVID pivots” have been met by rave reviews by our students! While occasionally inconvenient, we are committed to doing whatever it takes to SAFELY enjoy our time together.
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What should I do if I miss a class?If you miss a class, you can catch up by completing the reading assignments in your student handbook and textbooks. Additionally, you should contact your classmates to obtain any missed notes. Please note that we do not provide recorded classes at this time. Staying in touch with your classmates and instructors is crucial to ensure you don't fall behind.
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Is there homework in the Herbalist Lifestyle Program?Yes, homework is required to receive a certificate of completion. This includes maintaining attendance, reading assignments, and completing home projects such as creating various medicines, maintaining a Materia Medica journal, and presenting a final project. If certification is not your goal, you are welcome to attend classes without doing the homework. Homework is designed to enhance your learning experience and provide practical skills in herbalism.
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What materials are required?You will be sent an list of required texts and materials. We typically use 3 texts, which total about $100 and are excellent reference books for future studies. Additional supplies may include: Journal for notes, observations, sketches. Botany hand lens (jeweler’s loupe) Sharp knife for stripping bark Day pack for carrying tools, ID books, lunch, rain gear, water, sunscreen, bug spray, etc. Good hiking shoes or sandals
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Will I be able to treat patients after completing the Herbalist Lifestyle Program?Not immediately. Our Herbalist Lifestyle Program does not include training in physiology, pathology, diagnostics, or professional development necessary for professional herbalist consultations. However, it serves as an excellent foundation for those aiming to become practicing herbalists. For those interested in clinical practice, we recommend pursuing further education in advanced medical herbalism.