Happy Spring Relatives!  

2021 Herbal Apprenticeship Dates
www.nathanielwhitmore.com/herbal-apprenticeship

Friday afternoon/evening through Sunday afternoon, each weekend.

May 21st - 23rd
June 18th - 20th
July 23rd - 25th
August 27th - 29th
September 10th - 12th
October 8th - 10th

Usually by this point in the year I already have many programs booked for summer and into the fall.  However, like last year, this year I have very few programs scheduled.  The Herbal Apprenticeship dates were simply selected based on my and our cook's (Fumiha Tanaka fumihatanaka.com) availability.  Since my schedule is more lax than normal there is still time to adjust these dates.  I don't foresee doing so, but if any scheduling conflicts arise during sign-up we might consider changing the weekend of one or two of these months.  So, feel free to check in with me if you are considering joining for the full program but are not available on the scheduled weekend.  We will finalize these dates by the end of next month (April).

Registration  I am not doing the normal registration, which includes a pay-in-full discount.  The discount still applies for those intending to do the full 6 months, but payment is simply due monthly before each weekend.  Although it is encouraged, it is not necessary to do the full program.  You are welcome to attend any number of weekends.  Sometimes people just come for the day on Saturday.
A simple phone call will allow us to decide if the program is right for you and to get you signed up; and we can discuss all the necessary details about the program, location, food, camping, etc.  My house phone is 570 224 0264

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Log Cabin

Cabin construction is underway!  The log walls have been raised in preparation for the second floor, and the deck is near completion.  I will soon be cutting the timbers for the second floor, which will be Japanese-style timber framed, rather than log construction.  I work little-by-little, every chance I get, but I have talked with friends about some "barn-raising" gatherings.  So if you are interested in getting involved with this building project, keep alert for a "work day" notice.  I will probably try to get a crew together for later in April and/or for early in May.  Also, maybe again in the summer.

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Herb Garden

Speaking of "work days", I am also happy to announce that we have begun preparing to get back to the herb garden (in Damascus, PA).  If you are interested in getting your hands dirty and learning about medicinal herbs, keep your eyes out for notices for garden work days.  We will be inviting folks to come enjoy helping in the garden on occasion through the year.  

Also, I will be leading plant walks in the garden and around the farm probably about once a month.  I might actually start very soon.  There are lots of wild edibles growing already!

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Plant Walks and other Programs

I have a few programs being scheduled, such as at Lacawac Sanctuary on June 8th and with North Pocono CARE on August 14th, which I will soon announce on my website schedule: nathanielwhitmore.com/schedule  I will be adding more programs as spring unfurls, so check online anytime for schedule updates.  You can also sign up for my e-mail list by sending me a note.  I also try to announce things on Facebook and Instagram.
wathakes@gmail.com

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Thank you!   Thanks for checking out these notes and for your interest.  
Enjoy the spring!  This is a very exciting time of the year... especially for plant people.  I hope you all get out and enjoy the Miracle of Life as is found in the green growing things of the springtime.


--
Nathaniel Whitmore
1 (845) 418-6257
Worker Bee Community Acupuncture in Milford, PA   www.workerbeeca.com   

The Catskill Herbal Apprenticeship is now in Glen Spey, NY


Looking for a special way to celebrate the solstice and the onset of summer?  Consider joining the Catskill Herbal Apprenticeship.

  -  The apprenticeship is 6 months.  We completed the first weekend (in May), but the program can accommodate people for any number of sessions.  It is also designed to accommodate the pure beginner as well as the experienced herbalist (with two options for classes, participants can choose beginner classes, advanced classes, or both.

  -  June's session begins Friday, June 21st (the summer solstice) and goes through Sunday, June 23rd.  See full schedule: www.nathanielwhitmore.com/catskill-apprenticeship

The apprenticeship is no longer in Big Indian, NY.  It is now just south of the Catskill park in Glen Spey, NY.


  -  The new location is closer to NYC.  Instead of 3 + hours of travel, Glen Spey, NY is about 2 hours from New York City.  Our location is about 10 miles / 15 minutes from the Port Jervis train (NJ Transit from Manhattan).  Bus options include to Port Jervis and to Monticello, NY.  Carpooling options also exist.

  -  Will be releasing details about the new location for registrants.  It is an off-grid location, fully equipped for camping and outdoor cooking.  Outdoor kitchen includes grills and wok stand for campfire and charcoal cooking as well as propane burners.  Stainless, stoneware, and cast iron cooking vessels on location.  Several sources of spring water.  (Meals are included with the program, cooked with local organic and wild vegetables.  Except Friday night is pot-luck.)

  -  The new location gives us increased access to spots for both cultivated and wildcrafted herbs.  We are working with neighboring farms and landowners to source a wild-variety of herbs.

  -  We will be a short distance from the herbal clinic at Worker Bee Community Acupuncture, which offers increased opportunities to study the Chinese medicine apothecary.  The clinic remains an option if plant walks or other activities are affected by the weather.  The apothecary is stocked with bulk herbs, granulars, tinctures, and other herbal products.  

See website for more information:

http://www.nathanielwhitmore.com/catskill-apprenticeship.html

The Materia Medica and class outline for the Catskill Herbal Apprenticeship is here:

Big Indian, NY

May 24th - 26th
June 21st - 23rd
July 19th - 21st
August 23rd - 24th
September 27th -29th
October 18th - 20th

(Friday evenings through Sunday afternoons.)
​

Milford, PA  -  Each month at Worker Bee Community Acupuncture on route 6 / 209 herbalist Nathaniel Whitmore will be offering an introductory class on herbalism and Chinese medicine.  The class will cover some basics of Chinese medicine geared toward to those taking Chinese herbs, those interested in do-it-at-home herbalism, for those new to herbal medicine, and for the student of herbal medicine looking for tips or to pose questions.  By donation: suggested $20

​Next class is Sunday, January 13th 2019

This weekend (October 19th through 21st) we will have this season's last Catskill Herbal Apprenticeship.  We gather Friday night for settling in, a pot luck, and some evening (campfire, weather-permitting... or perhaps woodstove inside).  The remaining weekend will be plant walks, medicine-making, and classes on Chinese medicine and Native American medicine, with meals are included with tuition.

Traditionally, springtime is associated with "spring cleaning" - of the house and of the body.  The liver is often a focus point when attempting to remove toxins from the body and clean the blood, and especially in traditional Chinese medicine the liver is associated with spring and the wood element of the five element theory.  Here are some links to articles and references related to Chinese medicine's wood element: