Past Events

Eco Farm Conference. Chinese Medicinal herbs: A Unique Opportunity for Farmers. Presentation with David Melly, LAc and President of Lilium Initiative: American Grown Asian Herbs. Meet the Experts consultations Jan. 24, sign up at https://eco-farm.org/conference

Chinese medicinal herbs are steadily becoming an emerging market — with few growers to satiate demand for these high-value botanicals.  Compelling environmental reasons and the over-harvesting of wild herbs to the brink of extinction in Asia are only amplifying the call for more farmers to get involved in this market.  We will discuss what makes this market different and what skills and processes are required to succeed that are unique from growing other crops.

2019 INTERNATIONAL SYMPOSIUM
Connecting Plants and People
An Ethnobotanical Conversation
Friday, October 11 & Saturday, October 12

The Garden is pleased to announce Connecting Plants and People: An Ethnobotanical Conversation, a two-day international symposium. The first day, hosted at International House, will feature prominent speakers from around the globe and the Bay Area. The second day will include hands-on workshops and tours of the UC Botanical Garden exploring culinary, medicinal, dye, and many other uses of plants. We hope you’ll join us for this important conversation and celebration of plants in human culture. Tickets are limited, so secure your place today by clicking on the link below.

Register HERE

Friday, October 11
International House

Lectures moderated by Dr. Tom Carlson

From Pristine Nature to Blasted Landscapes: The Storied Trail of Ethnobotany Dr. Gary Martin

Tortillas, Mescal and Lipstick behind a Monastery Dr. Alejandro de Avila

Abbatte: Weaving and Dye Plants Dr. Elena Goded & Miguel Cerezales

Contributions of Ethnobotany to Human Health Dr. Tom Carlson

California Perspectives on Ethnobotany Dr. Judith Larner Lowry & Dr. Kent Lightfoot

Future of Ethnobotany Dr. Gary Nabhan

Saturday, October 12
UC Botanical Garden

Participants will attend 4 workshops or tours from the selection below

The Spicy Story of Ras Al Hanout Gary Martin

Red: A Color to Dye For Elena Goded & Miguel Cerezales

Mayan and Aztec Medicinal Plants Tour Eric Schulz

California Ethnobotany Kent Lightfoot

Food Plants of the World Tour Tom Carlson

Chiles Gary Nabhan & Christine Hastorf

Indigo and Cochineal Dyeing Yoshiko Wada & A. de Avila

Chinese Medicinal Herbs Tour Peg Schafer

Speaker Spotlight: Gary Paul Nabhan

Gary Paul Nabhan is an Agricultural Ecologist, Ethnobotanist, Ecumenical Franciscan Brother, and author whose work has focused primarily on the interaction of biodiversity and cultural diversity of the arid binational Southwest. He is considered a pioneer in the local food movement and the heirloom seed saving movement. He co-founded Native Seeds/SEARCH, served as Director of Conservation, Research and Collections at both the Desert Botanical Garden and Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum, became the founding director of the Center for Sustainable Environments at Northern Arizona University, and founded the Center for Regional Food Studies.

In his latest book, Mesquite, Gary Paul Nabhan employs humor and contemplative reflection to convince readers that they have never really glimpsed the essence of what he calls “arboreality.” In desert regions that cover more than a third of our continent, mesquite trees have become the staff of life, not just for indigenous cultures, but for myriad creatures, many of which respond to these “nurse plants” in wildly intelligent and symbiotic ways.

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. www.quarryhillbg.org.

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. www.quarryhillbg.org.

All Things Herbal Faire & Plant Sale at the Farmers Market in the Sebastopol Town Plaza

•  Unique Plants: Medicinal, Culinary, Native
• Tinctures, Cordial, Syrups, Dried Herbs
• Herbal Health & Skincare Products

Seminar on the Cultivation of Asian Medicinal Plants

Synopsis: A practical course on the cultivation and topics concerning Chinese medicinal plants.

Seminar goal: To cultivate efficacious medicinal herbs as well as know the issues involved in the Chinese medicinal plant trade which together make a viable agricultural operation.

Who will be interested: Experienced or new growers wishing to diversify their operations and herbal practitioners and students interested in domestically grown Chinese botanicals.

Details: 8 sessions March-October at the Chinese Medicinal Herb farm in Petaluma California. $800.

For more information and to sign up for open house program: Peg Schafer pschafer@sonic.net

www.chinesemedicinalherbfarm.com

In this 8 month one Saturday per month seminar participants will learn topics relevant to the production of organically growing efficacious Asian herbs as well as gain understanding pertinent to the Chinese medicinal plant trade. Cost: $800.

Primarily a lecture seminar focusing on topics that include crop selection, propagation in the nursery, field management, herb conservation, ecological farming with wild qualities, harvesting, drying, quality control (GAP, GMP, certified organic rules and regs), marketing etc. There will be some hands on light agricultural activities. Reading and resource materials are integrated to support the course. One of the goals of this program is to give a comprehensive overview so participants can achieve the basic tools to grow good quality Asian medicinal plants on a small or large scale just about anywhere. To get the most out of the program growers are especially encouraged to volunteer on Mondays for hands-on work, such as harvesting, post-harvest handling, etc.

The eight session program runs from March through October, the second Saturday of the month from 9-3. Space is limited. Students are expected to be committed and to come on time. The program runs rain or shine. Children and pets are not permitted. Please note that the use of herbs will not be covered.

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 – I’d be more than happy to sign one for you. You may also pick it up from your local independent book seller or from Chelsea Green Publishing. www.chinesemedicinalherbfarm.com.

Gardening with Chinese Herbs in the Bay Area.  A one hour program on growing Chinese botanicals that grow well and make efficacious medicine here in the bay area.  Presentation followed by a one hour herb walk in the Asian medicine garden.  Registration here.

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. www.quarryhillbg.org.

Chinese Herb Cultivation Weekend Workshop August 19^th and 20^th Hosted by Casari Ranch Point Arena, CA. Poster here. Register at Casari Ranch.

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

A one day intensive program giving an in depth look at the managing a medicinal plant nursery and/or farming operation with the goal of producing efficacious medicine. This program is for both growers with some agricultural experience and experienced gardeners. 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 and harvesting. Pao zhi or processing will not be extensively addressed.

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. You may also pick it up from your local independent book seller, from Chelsea Green Publishing or your local library. For registration and/or questions contact Peg

Gardening with Chinese Herbs. Grow Chinese botanicals for beautiful and medicinal edibles, with a focus on herbs that grow well here in the bay area. Donations benefit for the Sonoma County Herb Exchange, www.sonomaherbs.org. Seed Bank, 199 Petaluma Blvd North, cross street Washington.

Growing Asian Medicinal Plants, weekend workshop
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, $20 Non Members/$15.00 Members. www.quarryhillbg.org.

“Production of Asian Medicinal Herbs in the Pacific Northwest.”
View Workshop poster(pdf) here.
Registration and details at www.kpu.ca/asianherbworkshop

Herbal Medicine Growing and Marketing program at the Permaculture Skills Center. Peg Schafer and BJ Avery, SCHE Director (sonomaherbs.org) will cover marketing risks and opportunities, the different markets, products and GMPs, as well as what is important to know to produce the best quality medicinal plants.

Chinese Medicinal Herb Farm 1- Day Intensive for Experienced Growers.
June 25th from 9-4 at the Chinese Medicinal Herb Farm. 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 with the goal of producing efficacious medicine. This program is for growers with some agricultural experience. 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 and harvesting. Pao zhi or processing will not be extensively addressed.

The Chinese Medicinal Herb Farm: A Cultivator’s Guide to Small-Scale Organic Herb Production book is a required text. It is available through this website. You may also pick it up from your local independent book seller, from Chelsea Green Publishing or your local library. For Registration and/or questions, email Peg

Chinese Medicinal Herb Farm 1- Day Intensive for New Growers.
June 18th from 9-4 at the Chinese Medicinal Herb Farm. Cost: $150.
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 topics affecting herb quality and accessibility. Come visit with 200+ species of Asian botanicals in our gardens, nursery and medicinal orchard. 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.

The Chinese Medicinal Herb Farm: A Cultivator’s Guide to Small-Scale Organic Herb Production book is a required text available through this website. It is also available from your local independent book seller, Chelsea Green Publishing or your local public library. For registration and/or questions, email Peg

Medicinal Herb Growing and Marketing Conference.
See conference poster here.

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/