Appalachian Herbs Retreat June 2023

2023 Retreat Schedule (Subject to minor changes)

 

Our retreat begins on Sunday at 7:00 pm and ends on Friday at noon. We’re meeting at the Gatehouse at Parker Ranch, 95 Parker Lane, Clayton, GA 30525.

 

The schedule for the week may vary a bit if the weather requires some flexibility. Most days we’ll meet at 9 am at the Gatehouse. You’ll either pack a lunch for picnics on the trail or we may stop somewhere to grab something to go. Dinners will be on your own, though we may decide to meet up for meals in town if there is interest. 

 

Sunday:

7 to 8:30 pm: Introductions, an overview of the week, with some herbal snacks. Meet at the Gatehouse at Parker Ranch.

 

Monday: 

Morning – Introduction to field botany with Cara-Lee. Afternoon – Overview of herbal therapeutics, regional herb traditions & preparations with Patricia at the Gatehouse. Evening – Free

 

Tuesday: 

Morning Field Trip – Highlands Biological Station, Highlands, NC, for a guided tour. A quick stop at a local sandwich shop for to-go lunches followed by a short hike to Sunset Rock for a picnic and a discussion of the herbs we were introduced to at HBS with Patricia.

Evening – Free

 

Wednesday: 

Morning Field Trip – Visit a privately owned, botanically rich cove forest to identify early summer herbs and wild foods with Cara. 

Afternoon – Free time to explore or hang out on your own.

Evening – Fire circle and possible shared meal (to be decided) at Parker Ranch. Discussion of herbal energetics and herb tastings with Patricia.

 

Thursday:

Morning Field Trip – Hands-on wildcrafting. Overview of various sustainable harvesting methods, drying, and processing of fresh herbs with Cara and Patricia

Afternoon – Hands-on medicine-making  workshop at the Gatehouse with Patricia

Evening: Free 

 

Friday:

Morning – Meet at the Gatehouse to review the herbs we’ve seen, and time for questions with Cara and Patricia. 

Noon – Goodbyes!