frequently asked questions about my four season herbal intensive...

So, you're interested in my course, but have some questions; here's a bit of info...

overview...

What's the focus of this course?

This course is focuses on two main areas: learning the "energetics" of western herbalism, applied to the various body systems, and learning about the local flora. Because this is what we focus on, there are some things we don't do during class times: we don't collect plants as a group and do medicine making during class. These topics are covered during talks and on walks, but they're not group activities. I do have some past students who occasionally offer classes specifically on such topics, and I'd encourage you to support their teaching.

Is this a beginner, intermediate or advanced course?

I always have hard time saying. I probably wouldn't say "advanced", but as to beginner or intermediate, it depends. Maybe I'd say begintermedivanced? I've had people in class who had never taken a single herb class before. I've also had practicing herbalists and naturopaths and nurses in the course who wanted to learn to incorporate energetics into their practice. Both ends of the spectrum seem to go through the class feeling like it's a good fit. If you check out my writings and YouTube videos, you can see the way I present info and whether you jive with it.

I also very happily provide references (i.e.: you can talk to past students).

Are there requirements?

The biggest absolutes as far as requirements go are:

1.) the ability to get along with, and be kind to, other people whose opinions about politics, spirituality, culture, social issues, diet, and who knows what else may be radically different from yours. I can't and don't want to dictate what anyone interested in the class believes, but in no way is it acceptable that those beliefs negatively impact other participants. I want relationships between students with differing belief systems to exist above the level of mere "tolerance", and to aspire to kindness + integrity.

(if you have any questions or concerns about this, please do contact me.)

2.) adequate clothing to keep you warm and dry on walks. This means something to keep you protected if we're on a walk and it heavy duty rains all day long. So, not just a waterproof jacket, but also footwear and especially rain pants. My reasoning here is that if it's cold and a class participant gets wet and then cold, it affects the whole class. Adequate rain gear is essential.

Is there homework?

I do provide a lot of reading for classes, almost all of it written by me but accented by other herbalists. There's also some anatomy and physiology readings, and occasional videos to watch. Of course, collecting and making stuff, and self study. I don't, however, make you turn in projects, take tests or give grades. I hope to attract students who are immersing themselves in the study of herbalism because they're completely and utterly fascinated by it, and not because they need to pass a test.

What are your current COVID precautions?

Almost all of out "classroom days" will be held at the River Hawk Annex at Proud Lake State Recreation Area, except the first weekend in August, which will be at an open air pavillion, also at Proud Lake. Please understand that IF the pandemic flares up again, and we need to be outside, socially distanced, and in masks, participation in lindera will require following these guidelines. I will do my best to keep class locations in the vicinity of Proud Lake State Rec Area, which is North or Wixom and East of Milford. There are also shelters at Highland State Recreation Area, which is maybe 15 minutes north of Proud Lake.

If COVID flares up and we can't meet indoors for classroom days, would all the classes really be outside? What if it's raining/cold?

If it's cold or wet, it will be important to bring stuff to keep you warm and dry.

What if, due to COVID-19, there are stay at home orders or other restrictions that prevent class from occurring in person?

If this happens, we'll use online materials and discussion to replace the in person class. I will figure out those situations as they occur and get you all the particulars as soon as I am able.

What if, due to COVID-19, the state/county requires masks outdoors?

If this happens, I ask that you wear masks accordingly.

What if I do not believe in/fear COVID-19, and do not want to wear a mask/distance/not have in person classes because of the government's policies regarding it?

I understand a lot of people have different opinions/ideologies surrounding this virus, and I can make some room for that. That said, teaching is how I make a living and provide for my family and I will be following protocols to allow me to continue doing so. If this doesn't work for you, perhaps next year's course might.

What if I miss a class for some reason?

It's my hope that anyone taking the class will do their best to prioritize coming. That being said, I know that people get sick, family situations arise, travel plans or abilities may fall through and sometimes a student can miss a class. All the classes are recorded (as mp3 audio files), and everyone gets the handouts and recordings, which helps to lessen the bummer of missing a class, and provide you with the information we covered.

Really? All the classes are recorded?

Yes. I email out a link to download MP3 audio recordings of all the classes. Full disclosure: I do not always get them posted quickly. I do not promise they'll be up within so many days of the class or walk. Sometimes my recorder battery dies mid-recording (I try to use old class recordings to compensate), or there may be some other technical glitch. But pretty much all the stuff I say in class gets recorded, and these recordings will be available for download.

That said: I really hope people strive to make all the classes to the best of their ability, and it's not my intention that the recordings of the classes be incentives to not actually be there. If actually coming to the classes isn't something you're going to prioritize, it makes a lot more sense to look into the online version of my lindera herbal intensive course.

What if I miss a lot of classes/need to drop out of the course? I have heard you offer credit for missed classes... if I end up missing most of the lindera course for some or another reason, do I have credit for next year's course?

Unfortunately, I can't offer that with the lindera class. While I will do my best to make things work for you, I simply can't credit the lindera intensive course in the same way I can for 2-6 hour long day classes, because space is limited and it's a significant part of my income.

To frame it more clearly, because the lindera course has limited space, for each person that I might credit from a previous year's payment, I miss out on that payment this year. If multiple people want to do this, I end up losing a LOT of the income I use to pay my bills and feed my kids. I can absolutely switch you over to my online course, which is not space limited.

If something comes up that inhibits your attendance, please contact me to talk about it as soon as possible so we can work together to find the best way to handle things.

What if you, jim, the teacher, can't teach for some reason?

Every teacher's greatest fear! It is certainly within the realm of possibility that something could prevent me from being able to teach. For example, if I had a GI bug that had me suddenly and immediately needing to expel stuff from one end or another, I probably wouldn't feel up to teaching (and you probably wouldn't want to be anywhere around me either!). Another possible reason could be that I'm stuck in some far distant land and just physically not able to get home. Family emergencies are also a possibility. If something like this happens, classes will be provided as online material.

walks...

Will we still do walks if it's raining/hailing/snowing?

Yup; most of the time. I've only ever cancelled once, because lightning was literally hitting the ground and the rain was literally a deluge... while I might still enjoy a walk in such weather, I recognize it's not really conducive to learning. But for run of the mill rain or snow, or even a short deluge, I will still hold classes. Appropriate dress to keep you warm and dry pretty much resolves most discomfort issues. Any questions the day of, of course try calling/emailing me, but be aware I may not always be immediately reachable in the hours or two before class starts. Basically, expect that I'll be there to teach.

How intense are the walks?

Well, we don't have mountains here, so not bad... but in many ways it depends on how used to walking/hiking you are. We will be walking up hills, down dales, and along narrow & uneven paths. We may need to climb over or crawl under a tree. There's poison ivy in the woods, in the fields, and sometimes along the edges of the trails. We'll see poison sumach. There are bugs; in this part of Michigan you'll find mosquitoes, spiders, bees, yellow jackets, hornets, wasps, various types of biting (or just irritating) flies, occasionally chiggers, and, possibly, ticks. We've seen a rattlesnake in class. Mountain bikers come down trails we're on and sometimes aren't friendly when they pass. It's possible that you might inadvertently step in poop. There aren't always bathrooms. Sometimes we cover a lot of ground, sometimes very little.

In a nutshell, you need to be able to and enjoy spending a day out hiking. It's important to realistically assess your ability to do so, because if you get a few hours out onto a trail and then can't keep up or continue, it affects the whole class. If you think that this might be an issue for you, please let me know.

Do you teach botany?

While I will make reference to botany, I don't teach formal botany... there are other people who teach botany better than I'd be able to, so I leave it to them. I will always, though, explain any botanical terminology I use in plain english. As with medicine making, I have some past students who have expressed an interest in teaching classes on botany. If you're super into botany and would move out of state to go to an herb school that has a strong focus on it, I recommend 7Song in Ithaca, New York or Howie Broustein in Eugene, Oregon. I'm sure there are other people who teach it well, but these are people I've seen teach it and think rock.

payment/costs...

If I make a deposit and something comes up and I can't sign up, is the deposit refundable?

Alas, no, deposits are nonrefundable. If you're not sure you can commit to the class, please hold off on sending a deposit. I do, however, apply deposits to the following year's course. I can also apply it to other classes I offer, but only if I'm the one organizing them (I can't apply credits to classes hosted by others, such as Michigan Folk School, for example).

Are there any other expenses?

I try to "require" as little as possible, but there are some extra expenses. Walks are often held at State or Metro Parks, which have entrance/parking fees. Obviously, if you start making stuff, herbs, mason jars, bottles, olive oil, beeswax, alcohol, vinegar and other supplies cost money. Herbalists always seem to find new books they know they need. But as far as what is required, I do try not to have hidden costs.

food...

Do you provide lunch at your classes?

Nope. Please bring food to tide you over during talks and food to bring along on walks - be aware we often can't stop back at cars to get our food, so stuff that can be carried along with is necessary. I let everyone know in advance if we'll have access to cars for lunch.

pets/service animals...

Can I bring my dog/cat/lizard/fish/other pet to classes/walks? They're really well behaved.

Service animals are always welcome in my classes; service animals are animals (usually dogs) that have received special training to maintain their behavior in all manner of settings. Many people have emotional support animals, which are different from service animals in that while they definitely provide support and comfort, they aren't necessarily trained to maintain their behavior in all situations or in the presence of other animals (perhaps a dog, or a deer, or a squirrel). This creates the potential for problems during classes, because the animal might behave differently than usual in certain circumstances. It's also hard for me to allow emotional support animals when it could mean two, four or ten animals in a class, which is just... complicating. They may be distracting, they may not interact well with students or wildlife, other students may have fears or concerns, ect. So, generally, emotional support animals aren't allowed in classes, but you can contact me if your animal has received training that might make this a possibility.

me...

How do I decide whether you're the right teacher/course/option for me to learn from?

There are oodles of good herb teachers, why learn from me? Hopefully, it’s because you find the way I share information makes it more easily to understand; I strive to use stories and analogies and humour and not uncommonly toys to make what often seem complex concepts relatable. I feel that while, sure, some health issues are confusing and complex still more yield to common sense… if you look at them the right way. I think classes should be catalysts for your learning; giving you ideas and strategies to bring forth your own unique insights and understanding and gifts.

One of the reasons I have so much info on this site, and have posted so much info online in various places is that I feel that the way I write gives a pretty clear picture of the way I teach. You'll notice that the basis for my perspective on the use of medicinal plants is rooted in traditional(ish) western herbalism, and both my direct experience and the experience of other herbalists I know and respect. My preference is that anyone signing up for the class, if at all possible, takes a class with me beforehand, to make sure that the way I teach and the way that you learn mesh well... this is advice I'd give to anyone signing up for any long course at all. Because I know that some people may be travelling a distance, and that sometimes schedules just don't work out, I have a lot of resources online that I think accurately convey how I teach. There's hours worth of videos you can watch on YouTube here, and of course my site is also rife with my writings.

Do you have a goal, as a teacher?

Yes! First and foremost, my goal is to effectively convey a model of herbalism that can help you use herbs more effectively. I focus more on teaching a method of reasoning than in trying to instill what that reasoning should make you believe. Which is to say: It's not my goal to educate students in a way that "having learned well" means that they think what I think. I believe, deeply, that there isn't one inevitable truth that proper perception leads to.

Of course, my other goal is to do a good job teaching. As much as I like and am fascinated by herbalism, I also am deeply engaged in the study of being a good teacher. I use drawings, analogies, props (like knives and big, sharp garden shears), dramatizations and other techniques to make concepts memorable and easy to learn and remember. I've found that teaching a class that's fun and entertaining can help people learn better.

certification/licensure...

How can I become a certified or licensed herbalist?

There is no certification or licensure for herbalists anywhere in the United States. Classes or courses offering certification/certificates/master herbalist degrees or whatever are simply giving you their own "certificate" that indicates you completed the class or course they offered. This type of certification has no standing independent of the course it was offered by. This is neither a good thing or a bad thing, really. Some people like certificates because it shows that you did go through a course (which is certainly something to be proud of), while some others might think that it doesn't matter at all. What does matter is what you've learned and what you can offer. Having or not having a certificate or whatever is incidental to that.

I don't have any certificates, and so I don't offer them. Sometimes students of mine will say that they studied with me, and I'm happy to offer myself as a reference for students who need them. I've written letters of recommendation for acupuncture school, nursing programs and other herb courses. Past students practice, teach in their communities and at conferences, make & sell preparations, work with chickens, have opened shops, and engage in a number of what my friend 7Song describes as "herbalistic practices".

On a side note, I hope and pray that we never start to mandate certification or licensure of herbalists. While some people feel that this would "ensure standards" I think the main thing it would do is make the study of herbalism more expensive and spell out a lot of things that we're no longer allowed to do.

Herbalism is the medicine of the people, and anyone and everyone who chooses to immerse themselves in this study should be able to do so to care for themselves, their families and communities in the way that makes sense to them, not to be mandated by a bunch of bureaucrats influenced by special interests and ignorance.

But how do you really feel about certification or licensure, jim?

heh...

Will I be able to get a job as an herbalist after I go through you course?

Herbalism isn't, on the whole, the kind of profession that you go to school for and then apply for one of a slew of herbalist jobs listed in help wanted ads. Most people who work as herbalists end up creating their jobs, which requires a lot of creativity, hard work and perseverance. Some people start practices, some people teach, some people start herb farms, some people just want to gain the knowledge to help their friends, families and communities. But although it certainly can happen, it's my observation that it's not the norm that the majority of people that go to any herb school complete the course and "get a job as an herbalist".