Botany for Foragers
A three-session class to level up your plant identification. Sundays August 2nd, 9th, and 16th at Humboldt Park. 3pm - 5pm. Scroll down for accessibility info.
Register!
A three-session class to level up your plant identification. Sundays, August 2nd, 9th, and 16th at Humboldt Park. 3pm - 5pm. There are a limited number of sliding scale spots. If you need a sliding scale price lower than the prices listed, please contact me to see if there are additional sliding scale slots available. Payment plans are available upon request. Please note sales are final and refunds are not available after purchase is completed.
I feel more equipped to try this [plant identification] on my own now, where as before I felt I had to rely more on memory. - Past student
Gain an in-depth understanding of the basic tools for plant identification
Master the use of a simple botanical key for local wildflowers and shrubs
Learn the botanical taxonomic families relevant to herbalists and foragers
You are a rock star, what a wonderful class!!! - Past student
Past students say. . .
Great quick instruction. . .. Breaking it down to the basics.
I liked the structure of the class. . Using the wildflower guide was well presented.
The handouts were helpful and concise.
Thank you so much for your expertise!
You’re a really good teacher.
Register!
A three-session class to level up your plant identification. Sundays, August 2nd, 9th, and 16th at Humboldt Park. 3pm - 5pm. There are a limited number of sliding scale spots. If you need a sliding scale price lower than the prices listed, please contact me to see if there are additional sliding scale slots available. Payment plans are available upon request. Please note sales are final and refunds are not available after purchase is completed.
This class will be a deep dive into field botany and plant identification. We will look at wildflowers and shrubs around us in Humboldt park and learn basic principles of identification. We will learn to use Newcomb’s Wildflower Guide, a dichotomous key that is designed for amateur botanists to be able to identify the plants around them. We will also talk about plant families and how plant families can help with identification and foraging safety.
Class will be held Sundays, August 2nd, 9th, and 16th. Class is outdoors. Class will happen rain or shine but we will cancel for dangerous conditions like lightning. If we have to cancel one Sunday for weather, make-up class will be August 23rd.
This class is for you if:
You want to be able to identify the plants growing around you.
You rely heavily on apps for plant ID and don’t really know if they are giving you the right answers.
You know how to identify some plants, but don’t have a systematized way to know which plant is which.
You want tools to be able to identify a plant you’ve never seen before.
You have studied plant identification on your own and want the chance to build your skills.
Register!
A three-session class to level up your plant identification. Sundays, August 2nd, 9th, and 16th at Humboldt Park. 3pm - 5pm. There are a limited number of sliding scale spots. If you need a sliding scale price lower than the prices listed, please contact me to see if there are additional sliding scale slots available. Payment plans are available upon request. Please note sales are final and refunds are not available after purchase is completed.
Accessibility Information
Please purchase a copy of Newcomb’s Wildflower Guide to participate in class. An additional optional text is Elpel’s Botany in a Day.
This class will be held outdoors at Humboldt Park. The class will include some standing, minimal sitting and some walking/moving. We may spend time in direct sun.
For walking/moving portions of class, the terrain may include both paved and non-paved surfaces. If certain types of terrain are not accessible for you, please let us know. We will let you know if we can modify the route to meet your needs.
Masks and covid testing are not required for this class. Please stay home from class if you are experiencing any symptoms of illness or are exposed to covid-19.
In the case of rain, class will still be held. In the case of dangerous conditions like lightning, we will cancel. If a class is canceled for weather, we may hold a makeup class on August 23rd.
Please reach out to violetcirclemidwifery@gmail.com with any additional accessibility needs or questions.
More about my teaching lens
I believe that as a teacher the most profound and transformational thing I can offer is for students to directly experience plants and learn from the plants themselves. I offer guidance and support, along with information, to faciliate student transformation.
My passion for herbal medicine is rooted in my belief that life is sacred. Connecting to plants is one way to reconnect to the sacredness of life
This class includes explicit discussion of how racism, capitalism, settler colonialism, and other forms of marginalization undermine the inherent sacredness of life. We will discuss on these dynamics of marginalisation impact our bodies, our relationship to herbs, and the field of herbal medicine.
My herbal training
In 2006 I attended my first herbal medicine training with the late Michael Moore,. I began my journey into holistic healing because I saw how the medical system wasn’t helping people, and I wanted to be able to offer something better.
Over the next several years I continued my herbal training, including completing community herbalist programs at the Maryland University of Integrative Medicine and the Northeast School of Botanical Medicine. I also studied with the late Frank Cook and assisted at the Green Farmacy garden of the late Jim Duke. More recently I studied online at the People’s Medicine School and in a 1:1 mentorship with herbalist Janice Marsh-Prelesnik.
I have taught herbalism classes at the Glastonbury Institute for Sustainable Living, Garret Wellness Center, Azadi Folk School, Wild Ginger Herbal Center, and Baltimore Free School.
I am also a Certified Professional Midwife and Licensed Massage Therapist. I have supported hundreds of families during pregnancy, birth, and postpartum as a midwife, labor support and postpartum doula, and childbirth educator. In my holistic healing practice I incorporate herbs and massage as integrated wellness support.
I am passionate about equity and justice in holistic healthcare and strive to be accountable for my own actions and support others in accountability. I am also a street medic and support movements by offering first aid at actions and demonstrations.
If you're interested in being first on the list for details about the next cohort, fill out this form. You’ll get an early warning for the next section of the class.