Upcoming BotanoLogos Classes
Registration is now open for our newest class, the Appalachian Herbs Field Study Series to begin in late May.
Subscribe to our Newsletter and we'll notify you the minute other classes are posted.
As you wait for spring to arrive, why not enjoy a copy of Patricia's new CD recording, Basic Concepts of Energetic Herbalism?
Click here for details.
2010 Herbal Studies Certification Program
The 2010 Program has begun. Dates for the 2011 Program will be posted soon. Subscribe to the Newsletter and we'll notify you when registration is open for next year's class.
Appalachian Herb Field Study Series
Starts May 29, 2010
Learn about the incredibly diverse local flora of the Appalachian Mountains in this series of five seasonal weekend classes. Day-long hikes deep into the forests of Rabun County will introduce you to a wide range of medicinal and edible plants as well the characteristics of mountain plant communities. Through hands-on harvesting, plant processing and medicine-making you’ll form an intimate relationship with individual herbs as you create your own medicines. And you’ll have the option of collecting plant specimens to create a personal herbarium.
You will learn how to:
Understand basic botanical terms.
Identify plants using your senses and plant keys.
Recognize the physical characteristics of major plant families.
Practice ethical wildcrafting.
Make herbal medicines.
Each weekend’s schedule includes a combination of field studies, trail hikes in Rabun County, Georgia, and hands-on activities. Participation in this course requires excellent physical fitness and the ability to hike 2 to 5 miles on steep or uneven terrain while carrying a pack. Outdoor activities occur rain or shine. Students must be prepared for all types of weather and have all required tools and personal items (rain gear, hiking boots, etc.) described below.
Dates: May 29 & 30; July 31 & August 1; August 28 & 29; September 25 & 26; October 9 & 10, 2010.
Class times: Saturday, 9:00 AM until sometime between 5:00 and 7:00 PM and Sunday 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM. Saturday will be devoted to day-long hikes. Due to variables like travel time and all the amazing plants we’ll see, students should not make plans to return at a specific time on Saturday. Sunday classes will end promptly at 5:00 PM.
Cost: Tuition is $1,000.00 ($200 per class). Tuition includes five weekends of instruction and a copy of Medicinal Plants of the Southern Appalachians by Patricia Kyritsi Howell. Financing is available. We accept Visa & MasterCard. See Additional Expenses for more information on books, supplies and other items students must provide.
Class Location: The Foxfire Center in Mountain City (Rabun County), Georgia. Rabun County is approximated 100 miles northeast of metro Atlanta and 90 miles southeast of Asheville, North Carolina. Onsite and nearby lodging is available but not included in the cost of the series.
To Register: Submit an application and a deposit of $100.00. Once your application is accepted, you will be sent complete details about the class. Class is limited to 10 students. Registration deadline is April 15, 2010. Payment in full is expected at the first class unless other arrangements have been made in advance. Contact us for financing options. A tuition discount of $50.00 is available if payment in full is received before April 15, 2010.
Please read our Refund and Cancellations policy.
Books: These books are required as field references and to complete monthly reading assignments: Newcomb’s Wildflower Guide by Lawrence Newcomb; Guide to the Vascular Plants of the Blue Ridge by Eugene Wofford; Botany in a Day by Thomas J. Elpel.
Hiking Supplies: You’ll need a pack large enough to hold a hearty lunch; snacks; two liters of water; field guides; plant ID kit (hand loupe, magnifying glass, razor sharp knife); harvesting tools; notebook; clothing as needed for a range of weather conditions such as waterproof boots, a serious rain coat, rain hat, pants, extra socks; a personal first aid kit; and anything else you think you might need to comfortably spend the day hiking in the mountains. Walking sticks or hiking poles are strongly recommended.
Harvesting and Medicine Making Supplies: Felco-type shears, small sturdy hand shovel, sharp knife, cutting board, measuring cup, canning jars, several 4 quart mixing bowls (unbreakable), paper bags, vegetable brush, several gallons of grain alcohol and olive oil (as needed).
Miscellaneous Expenses: Hand-loupes (magnifier for plant ID) and metric rulers will be for sale at class and are required for program activities.
Our group will carpool to hiking trails and students will share these expenses among themselves. Meals and overnight lodging are not included in the price of the class. On-site accommodations are available at the Foxfire Guest House. Additional options in the area include camping, motels, inns and B & B’s. Contact us for details about the Foxfire Guest House or see our Guide for Visitors to Rabun County for nearby options. Students interested in making a herbarium from plant specimens will need a plant press, mounting paper and other supplies. A complete list of needed supplies is available upon request.
Need More Information?
Contact us by phone at 706-746-7485, or send us an e-mail.
For information about nearby lodging,
please see our Visitor's Guide to Rabun County.
IMPORTANT! BotanoLogos Refund and Cancellation Policy
Refunds:Thirty days before first class – Full refund available upon receipt of written request, by post or e-mail.
Less than 30 days before class – Tuition credit is available upon receipt of written request (post or e-mail).
Tuition credit for the amount paid can be applied to future BotanoLogos programs and are good for 6 months.
Five days before the first class, (or after the first class in a series) – No refunds will be given.
Cancellations: In case of severe weather in the mountains or other emergencies, it may be necessary to cancel a class and reschedule for a later date. If a class is cancelled, we will contact you at the telephone
number you have provided on your registration form by 5:00 PM on the day before the class. If storms or other severe weather are forecast, please call our voicemail (706-746-5485) after 5:00 PM the day before class to confirm that class will be held. We will do our best to reschedule any cancelled classes at a time that is convenient for all enrolled students. However, we reserve the right to make the final choice of dates for all rescheduled classes.
In the event that a student cannot attend a rescheduled class, no refunds will be given. Upon request, we will issue a tuition credit to be applied to a future BotanoLogos program. Program credits are good for six months.
(Updated 1/6/10)