About this Event
In the name of reciprocity, if we are called to use the plants, it is essential that we know how to grow them.
This workday series will consist of six half-day (4.5 hr + ½ hr lunch break) intensives that will follow the steps of germination, cultivation, maintenance and harvest of medicinal plants in San Francisco, CA (27 hr total).
With affordable and easy-to-learn techniques, we will dive into the basics of greenhouse management, home + community herb gardening, herbal small business operation, and land stewardship.
This educational workday series is hosted by the Friends of Alemany Farm (FOAF) at the Medicine Garden, 700 Alemany Blvd. The workdays are led by FOAF member, clinical herbalist and medicinal landscaper, Bonnie Rose Weaver.
The workdays will immerse you in the wonder and awe of plants and shift the way you interact with the natural world.
What you will gain
- Familiarity with 20+ medicinal plants and their uses
- Understand and unlock multi-cycle germination
- Common urban farming techniques
- Greenhouse flow and organization
- How to choose medicinal seeds/crops
- Botanical vocabulary
- Garden planning
- Harvest techniques
- A first-hand understanding of the growth and development of plants
- Profound appreciation for the Islais Creek watershed
- Deeper awareness of Earth’s seasonal rhythms
- A strong sense of grass-roots community
Who are the workdays for?
These hands-on, in-the-dirt work days are for the tactile learner with the desire to learn the skill of medicinal plant cultivation and herbal medicine. People of diverse backgrounds, cultures, genders, ages, income levels and abilities are welcome. Home gardeners and herbalists are encouraged to enroll, however no prior experience is necessary. Please note, due to current safety precautions, people under 18 years of age are prohibited from joining this workday series.
Outline of the Workdays
Day 1 (Feb 6) Welcome + Farm Tour. Discussion of seeds and garden site selection. Practicing germination methods, honoring the birth of Spring.
Day 2 (Feb 20) Hands-on potting up, weeding and bed preparation. Materia medica of local herbs.
Day 3 (March 6) Finish potting up, garden planning. Materia medica of local herbs.
Day 4 (March 20) Planting out, spacing, pests, asexual propagation, troubleshooting in the medicine garden. Materia medica of local herbs. Honoring Spring equinox.
Day 5 (April 3) Multi-year cycles, seasonal cycles. Garden care and maintenance. Medicine making techniques. Materia medica of local herbs.
Day 6 (May 1) Harvest methods. Materia medica of local herbs. Honoring the spirit of Summer.
When?
Select Sundays, February - May 2022
Feb 6, Feb 20, March 6, March 20, April 3, May 1.
10:00am - 3:00pm
(with a ½ hr break for lunch, please note there is no restaurant or grocery shop within walking distance of the farm).
Location
Alemany Farm! 700 Alemany Blvd. SF, CA (occupied Ramaytush Ohlone land)
Suggested Donation
$480 - 240*
Please note the donations will be distributed among workday supply cost, leadership stipend and donations to support the work of the Friends of Alemany Farm. By all of us contributing what we can afford, we can create the world we want to live in. Thank you for giving as much as you are able so that people of different economic backgrounds are able to join the workday series and learn the art and skills of seed to bottle herbalism.
*Please email brw.herbalist (at) gmail.com if you would like to join the workdays and are unable to pay within the sliding scale suggested donation.
Please note, when you buy a ticket via Eventbrite, the Feb 6 ticket is your donation and confirmation for all six workdays. You may want to make a note of the following five workdays on your calendar.
About Workday Leadership
Bonnie Rose Weaver (they/she) is a clinical herbalist and lifelong San Franciscan. Bonnie Rose is a medicinal plant cultivator, medicine maker, teacher, and the author of Deeply Rooted: Medicinal Plant Cultivation in Techtropolis.
Regarding COVID-19
As of the publication of this announcement (early January 2022), FOAF in collaboration with SFRPD has permission to gather in groups of up to 12 people for essential agricultural work. Please note, registration of the workday series will be capped at 9 participants.
Prior registration is required to participate. PPE, antiviral sanitation and social distance practices will be in effect. Any repeat disrespect of these practices will result in an immediate request to leave the workdays and the individual will be asked not to return.
As a reminder, if you are feeling sick, have a fever or sore throat, please stay home.
Thank you for your friendly participation in these group expectations to keep everyone safe.
If the class falls during a time when there is a no-gatherings ordinance in effect, classes will either be rescheduled or held online.
Event Venue & Nearby Stays
Alemany Farm, 700 Alemany Blvd, San Francisco, United States
USD 240.00 to USD 480.00