FRIDAY CLASSES

There are several Friday Classes to choose from.  These classes are included in the price of the Gathering.

Wild Appalachian Botanical Walkabout
​​Led by Abby Artemesia
​9:00AM- 11:00AM

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Wildcrafting, or wild harvesting your own food and herbs is a way to connect with the plants you're working with, while knowing more about their purity and freshness. Wildcrafting can seem daunting, when learning from books. Having an experienced guide can be extremely helpful. Botanist, Herbalist, and Professional Forager, Abby Artemisia will talk about how to identify Appalachian and common eastern wild plants, which ones can be worked with edibly and therapeutically, how to prepare them, the best tools for the job, and how to wildcraft safely and ethically to support proliferation and healthy habitats. We’ll talk about which plants grow when and what their favorite habitats are. Resources will be provided for more information. Bring your questions, knowledge to share, and field guides that you'd like to learn how to use.

Permaculture 101
​Led by Wade Burley 
9:00AM - 11:00AM

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Permaculture is an ecological design system for the creation of landscapes that are not only beautiful, but also functional. They also conserve energy, water and resources while producing abundant yields of food. Wade Burley will share permaculture principles for newcomers to the idea, along with fresh and practical techniques for veterans. The presentation will include “real living” examples of how our culture  is growing a post-petroleum economy by seed and deed.

Permaculture Identifying Families of Trees in the Southern Blue Ridge
Led by Rob Messick 
9:00AM - 11:00AM

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Learn techniques for clarifying names and characteristics of the wealth of trees found in our mountain region with Rob Messick, a practitioner who has two decades of experience.  From the complexities of tree botany, to learning tricks that speed up the identification process, to the simple pleasures of knowing the smells and shapes of parts of these great canopy dwellers - come see what's behind some of the forest's green.