Herbalism and Ecosystems:
The Apprenticeship Program
This Program consists of 10 weekend classes, from the verdant shoots of March to the first fungal visitors in October. The classes will be held approximately every third weekend, allowing for consistency, while leaving sufficient time available for other pursuits.

Each weekend we will spend Saturday in the field visiting a new Northwest ecosystem and interacting with the plants that live there. Along our journey, we will develop the basic botanical skills necessary not only to identify the plants that we encounter in class, but will also leave the student with skills to identify plants found in the future. We will discuss ethical harvesting and use these practices to collect plants from the wild. Each student will make wildcrafted medicine and harvest and prepare wild foods. Most importantly in our quest for self-sufficiency, we will learn to have a relationship with the land and deepen our sense of place.

Sunday will be spent in the classroom and the garden in Southeast Portland. We will learn the basics of Western medicinal herbalism, covering major body systems, plant constituents, and magical connections with herbs. Our materia medica will focus on classic garden medicinals, weeds, and the plants of the Pacific Northwest. We’ll harvest and process plants from the garden, making tinctures, teas, syrups, flower essences, salves, honeys, and more. Formulating and contraindications will be discussed, as well as herbs for children. At the completion of the term, students will have the skills to create their own plant medicines and to herbally support their community through health and illness.

“The pace and scope of the teaching met my needs perfectly. Most importantly, I was given skills that will carry me through a lifetime of herbal education.”

2008 Apprenticeship Program Dates
March 29th and 30th
April 19th and 20th
May 10th and 11th
May 31st and June 1st
June 21st and 22nd
July 12th and 13th
July 26th and 27th
August 16th and 17th
September 13th and 14th
October 4th and 5th

Cost
The Apprenticeship Program is $1100 for 120 Hours. Special discount for payment in full by March 15th: $975. Payment plans may be arranged; please speak with the instructors for details.

Registration
Contact Gradey and Missy to set up an interview. We’ll tell you more about the program’s scope and content, and answer any questions you may have.

Upon successful completion of the interview, a $100 non-refundable deposit will guarantee your place in the program. Early registration is encouraged. Space in the program is limited to ensure quality instruction.

“Arctos’s combination of field trips and in-class lecture and medicine-making strikes a perfect balance.... [The Apprenticeship Program] provides a great foundation to continue learning on my own and trusting myself to do so.”