West County Herb Company, 3641 Main St. Occidental (707)874-9567 No cost, it is part of the “free first Monday of the month” www.westcountyherb.com

Western and Eastern herbal medicine can only be as effective as the original plants and how they were handled. Plant genetics, how they were grown, how long in ground, harvesting, processing and drying are determining factors for herb quality. Herbalists and growers: Do you know where your herbs and seed come from? When are seed or clones best utilized?

Peg Schafer’s main endeavor is the 19 yr old Chinese Medicinal Herb Farm. An educational farm that has grown out more than 260 different Chinese herb crops and numerous Western herbs as well. Herb quality, ecological cultivation practices, conservation and other issues affecting herbs are often addressed at Oriental Medicine colleges, conferences, and community events. Peg is a founding member of the Sonoma County Herb Association and is the author of The Chinese Medicinal Herb Farm A Cultivator’s Guide to Small-Scale Organic Herb Production published by Chelsea Green.

Medicinal Plant Walk at Quarryhill Botanical Gardens in Glen Ellen, CA With Peggy Schafer & Sean Fannin. All proceeds benefit Quarryhill Botanical Garden, $20 Non Members/$15.00 Members. http://www.quarryhillbg.org

September 9, 2015, 5-6 pm – National Heirloom Exposition, Sonoma County Fairgrounds, Santa Rosa, CA

Panel presentation: Plant Medicine. Peg moderates a group of growers and practitioners. More info: theheirloomexpo.com

Chinese Medicinal Herb Farm One Day Intensive for Experienced Growers

June 27th from 9-4. Cost: $150. A one day intensive program giving an in depth look at the finer points of managing a medicinal plant nursery and/or farming operation as well as harvesting with the goal of producing efficacious medicine. Growers will garner information to build or refine their operation to produce these sought after qualities. Please note that medicinal use of the herbs will not be covered – this session addresses all aspects of cultivation. Pao zhi or processing will not be extensively addressed.

This program is for growers with experience and will be held at The Chinese Medicinal Herb Farm. The book “The Chinese Medicinal Herb Farm: A Cultivator’s Guide to Small-Scale Organic Herb Production” is a required text, and can be purchased from the farm website. I’d be more than happy to sign it for you. You may also pick it up from your local independent book seller, from Chelsea Green Publishing or your local library.

Registration and/or questions contact Peg Schafer at https://pschafer.wpengine.com/.

Chinese Medicinal Herb Farm One Day Intensive for New Growers

The date is June 20th from 9-4. Cost: $150. Where: At the Chinese Medicinal herb Farm 1 hour north of San Francisco

Besides offering seed and field grown herbs the Chinese Medicinal Herb Farm also serves as an experimental farm to explore herb cultivation as well as aid in herb conservation. This intensive allows those interested to visit with 200+ species of Asian botanicals in our gardens, nursery and field. This concise course will focus on the cultivation of efficacious medicinal herbs and will cover all aspects of growing from sowing seed, through growing and harvesting as well as addressing the relevant issues affecting herb quality and accessibility. This program is crafted for herbal practitioners and students, people new to growing plants and those interested in the industry of contemporary Asian herbal medicine. Note that this program is all about growing medicinal plants and does not cover the use of herbs. Space is limited.

“The Chinese Medicinal Herb Farm: A Cultivator’s Guide to Small-Scale Organic Herb Production” book is a required text and can be procured from the farm website. It is also available from your local independent book seller, Chelsea Green Publishing or your local public library. For registration and/or questions contact Peg Schafer at www.chinesemedicinalherbfarm.com or email Peg.

 

May 23 & 24, 2015 9:00-5:00 Victoria, BC, Canada

Domestic Production of Chinese Herbs, a workshop at Pacific Rim College. More info http://www.pacificrimcollege.com/workshops/event/domestic-production-of-chinese-herbs/.

 

April 24th, 2015 7:00 Petaluma, CA

Peg Schafer and Sean Fannin invite you to join us for an evening discussion about Chinese herbs and herbal medicine. http://www.copperfieldsbooks.com/

 

April 16, 2015 1-2:00 KPFA 94.1 FM

The Herbal Highway Show host Sarah Holmes interviews Peg Schafer of the Chinese Medicinal Herb Farm. Call in with your questions or comments.

 

January 22, 2015 3:30-5 Pacific Grove, CA

Eco Farm Conference. Presentation with Michael McCulloch of Pine Street Foundation. More info here

Medicinal Plant Walk at Quarryhill Botanical Gardens in Glen Ellen, CA With Peggy Schafer & Sean Fannin. All proceeds benefit Quarryhill Botanical Garden, $15 Non Members/$10.00 Members. http://www.quarryhillbg.org/.

September 11, 2014, 4-5pm

National Heirloom Exposition, Sonoma County Fairgrounds, Kraft Bldg, Santa Rosa, CA
Presentation: Cultivating Wild-Quality Medicine. More info: theheirloomexpo.com/general-info

July 9, 2014 7:30-9pm

CMHF hosts Merritt College Anders Vidstrandts horticulture students for a field trip.

June 20, 2014 11-3:30

CMHF hosts the California School of Herbal Studies students for a walk and talk on the cultivation of medicinal herbs.

April 26-27, 2014 in Stanwood, Washington

The Northwest Asian Medicinal Herb Network is pleased to announce an upcoming workshop Continuing our partnership with the Northwest Agricultural Business Center: Chinese Medicinal Herbs: Descriptive Sensory Analysis and Organoleptic Evaluation

As growers and practitioners move forward together with our project to develop domestic production of East Asian medicinal herbs, we find the need for more specific information about how cultivation, harvest, and processing contribute to the potency of individual herbs, and what markers reveal those qualities. While it is an ongoing journey, this workshop will provide essential knowledge to advance our learning, and enhance the products we grow. Christopher Hafner, L.Ac. and Craig Hassel, Ph.D. are thought leaders in the development of an assessment tool to standardize organoleptic evaluation of Chinese herbs. Andrew Ellis, author of Fundamentals of Chinese Medicine and Notes from South Mountain, and owner of Spring Wind Herbs, is known for import and distribution of high quality Chinese herbs for over 30 years. We are grateful that they have agreed to share their valuable knowledge and experience with us here in the Northwest. Hope to see you there!

Practitioners: 14 PDA’s have been applied for through the NCCAOM.

Registration and information at http://www.agbizcenter.org/business-services/classes-and-workshops/event/61/Chinese-Medicinal-Herbs–Descriptive-Sensory-Analysis-&-Organoleptic-Evaluation

March 21st, 2014, noon-1:30 San Jose, CA

The Future of Chinese Medicine lecture at Five Branches University.
3031 Tisch Way, San Jose, Metal Room
Sponsored by Five Branches Student Council

Feb 20, 2014, 10am-4pm, Nevada Small Farm Conference, Sparks, NV

The Business of Chinese Medicinal Herbs Workshop at the Nevada Small Farm Conference. This regionally specific workshop is a primer for commercial growers interested in diversifying their operations with an Asian medicinal herb farming and/or plant nursery component. This session will outline the pros and cons; are the opportunities of this emerging market right for your operation? Information and registration: http://nevadafarmconference.com/