Community Herbalism & Nutrition Program

Join a community of lifelong learners,

Inspired by nature!

Raising your quality of life through education & connection

Community Herbalism and Nutrition Program

Detailed website is under construction, launching in January 2022!

Program Details

Welcome more of the herbal world into your daily life habits and gain access to the tools and knowledge that will support your and your family’s health. Returning to the foundations beneath you and deepening your connection to community and local ecologies, the Community Herbalism and Nutrition two-year program prepares you to see and source the abundance around you while growing your herbalism practice into its next season of wisdom. From nutrition empowerment to plant identification to herbal remedies addressing root causes of symptoms and common ailments, weave a tapestry of community and herbal allies to guide you and foster your wellbeing.

In this two-year comprehensive program you will have access to:

Live and recorded online lectures and workshops
Downloadable worksheets and herbal informational guides
Optional in-person medicine-making workshops
Access to lead instructor, herbal ambassadors, and online community forum

Year 1 hosts:

Lectures series on herbal actions and energetics of Southwest plants from January - June plus companion field study work for those who interview and apply
Foundational Herbalism Course from June - October
Foundational Nutrition from September - December

Year 2 hosts:

Lectures series on the ethical use of toxic botanicals and clinical uses of common plants from February - June plus companion field study work for those who interview and apply
Clinical Herbal Formulations and Constitutional Theory from July - November

By the end of the two-year program will be able to:

Answer basic physiology questions and nutrition for optimal health
Determine organ system involvement in symptomatology
Understand herbal responses to common ailments such as colds, heartburn, skin issues, and more
Apply herbal remedies to address acute and generalized symptoms based upon the person’s need and history
Identify edible weeds and common lookalikes
Ethical and sustainable harvesting and medicine making

Who should enroll in this program?

This program is right for you if you are ready to deepen your commitment to yourself, your health, and your community.
Especially, if you

Yearn for a deeper connection with nature and plants
Have an interest in health
Are interested in herbalism
Have a desire for sourcing local medicine
Work in a herb shop or health food store
Have an interest in working clinically with your community
Are already enrolled in one class and want to expand your work with Sage Country Herbs

Then we look forward to connecting with you!

There are 3 different tiers to take advantage of this comprehensive program!

Learn more to see which one is right for you, signing up for the full program for a deep discount or joining the ourses ala carte.

Reasonable payments plans available to fit into anyones budget!

Find out more by clicking the button below!

About The Apprenticeship

First Year - Connection, Botany, Ecology, Community & Plant Medicine

Field Apprenticeship

The Sage Country Herbs Botanical Exploration Apprenticeship combines botany (the study of plants) and the ecology of diverse environments with the benefits of making and using herbal medicine, while also nurturing your relationship with nature.

Experience the magic of a two-year outdoor, small group mentorship field experience!

Two weekends a month we gather in the herbal community for plant and ecosystem

explorations, camping trips, farm days, and medicine-making workshops to experience the

abundance of the outdoors between our fingers.

Year 1 establishes the ethical and practical framework of herbal identification, harvesting, and usage.
Botany
Introduction to understanding and using the Jepson manual flora
Common Family characteristics
Ecology of numerous Southern California ecosystems
Fire Ecology
Herbal Actions and Energetics of locally abundant plants
Physiology of organ systems and corresponding local herbs
How to prepare, dose, and apply herbal remedies in the field and at home
Wilderness comfort and protection
Ethical Wildcrafting and Food Foraging
Bioregional Herbalism
Activities to Deepen Your Relationship with Nature

Year 2 deepens your connection to local ecosystems and learning about safe uses of potentially toxic

plant medicines while engaging in intimate discussion of herbal ethics.

Advanced Botany
Continued use of the Jepson manual flora
Common Family characteristics
Ecology of Southern California ecosystems
Herbal Actions and Energetics of local plants with a focus on drop dosage medicinals
Physiology of organ systems and corresponding local herbs
How to prepare, dose, and apply advanced herbal remedies in the field and at home
Wilderness comfort and protection
Deep discussions of Ethical Wildcrafting and Food Foraging
Bioregional Herbalism
Activities to Deepen Your Relationship with Nature

The Field Apprenticeship program is designed to complement the Community Herbalism and

Nutrition online education and community while maintaining small apprenticeship circles for

optimal learning and supportive mentorship. As a field apprentice, you will delve into field study and

connect with farmers, herbal practitioners, and food sovereignty advocates to strengthen your

relationship with local ecologies, the food chain, and, most importantly, your intuitive guidance

systems that illuminate a pathway of wellbeing through educational empowerment. With hands-on

opportunities to be gentle and knowledgeable stewards of the land and build your practice as an

herbal practitioner or advocate, request an interview to join our field apprenticeship today!

Additional Information for Field Study Apprentices:

Companion field study apprenticeships are provided to a select number of students who
interview and apply
Class size is intentionally kept small to provide apprentices with individualized attention
Field study is based out of north county San Diego
Rain or shine, class will be held
Multiple overnight camping trips
Due to the wide range of ecosystems visited, driving is necessary
Depending on where you are coming from, you may have an additional hour or more of
driving when class is finished
Carpooling is encouraged and riders should be prepared to offer a gas stipend
Partial work-trade options are available
Payment plan is available

We are all part of nature, but our fast-paced world builds both physical and symbolic barriers to this connection. The easiest way to reconnect is by getting yourself back into nature.

This apprenticeship is primarily located in the hills of North County San Diego, CA.

Several guest teachers will join us & add their expertise with historic botanical folklore, local indigenous understanding, mycology, and more!

This is a small, committed class, that will spend 2-3 full days in the field per month, combined with weekly lectures.

Only seriously interested and dedicated participants need apply.

There are two campouts throughout the program, leaving Saturday morning and returning Sunday evening.

These are two full days in the field, this allows us to be more present in nature and connect with our fellow plant people.

Classes in the field are all-day events, due to the variety of places we go, you may have an hour or more of driving.

Program Details

Apprenticeship runs January to June
The cost of Apprenticeship is $2200 for approximately 180 field, lecture, and lab hours.
A non-refundable deposit of $400 and an interview are required to reserve your spot;
limited class size will fill up quickly!
A $180 discount is offered, if paid in full before December 1st before class starts.
Payments plans are available.
An interview is a prerequisite before your deposit will be accepted.
we can learn about you and fill you in on the details.
This also allows you to ask any questions you may have.

See below for details about lectures

What to expect in the interview process:

Interviews generally run two hours
An opportunity to learn the details, guidelines, and expectations of the program
An opportunity to ask any questions
Get to know Shana’s communication style
Explore the perspective of ethics in field study

See below for details about lectures

Lecture descriptions

Year 1 Lectures - Herbal Actions & Energetics and Introduction to Botany

1st-year field program has 2 separate lectures that alternate weeks.

Herbal Actions and Energetics of Southwest Plants
Botany Lecture

Lecture #1

Herbal Actions and Energetics of Southwest Plants Lecture Series

Immerse yourself in the ecology, history, and incredible abundance of Southwest plants in this wide-ranging lecture series. From January to June, steep yourself in the rich botanical variety, historical and medicinal uses, and methods of sourcing native and non-native plants that call the Southwest their home with rigorous study of herbal actions and energetics.

Through bi-monthly, 3-hour online talks you will be trained to:

● List the herbal actions of local Southwest plants, their medicinal uses, indications, dosage, and history of use. Actions covered include: Astringents, Bitter, Aromatic, Diuretic, Demulcent, Trophorestorative, and many more!

● Describe the energetics of southwestern herbs and how to match them to a person and their symptoms

● Understand basic organ system physiology of digestive, renal, liver, CNS, and more.

● Identify the vitality of plants and constitution of place

● Organoleptically experience the plant world

● Sustainably and safely make herbal medicine including teas, tinctures, acetums, honeys, and more

● Develop a foundation for formulating herbal products such as salves, syrups, respiratory lozenges, and more

When we deepen our relationship to the plants closest to us, understanding them on their terms, we participate in reciprocity with nature and our community that creates a win, win, win between all of us, engaging in the full circle of offering and receiving. Listening closely to what these plants have to teach us, invites us to more richly experience our own lives and the communities we share.

This is the lecture series for the Sage Country Herbs Botanical Field Apprenticeship but is also a stand-alone class. This is a great class to dive into herbal medicine!

*As a stand-alone course, Cost is $500,

Lecture #2 – Botany Lecture

Repetition is the key to mastery!

We cover a lot of information in the field. From ecosystems and the plants that represent them, to plant families and botanical terminology of individual parts. The goal of the class is to learn to turn your botanical eyes on. When your out in nature on your own, you will automatically think about what you know about the plants and environments you are experiencing. The more different ways we learn this information, the better it implants in our brains.

So much information is covered in the field portion that having a lecture to review and introduce upcoming plant families will give another layer of understanding.

This lecture series is part of the full field program and is not offered as a separate course. These lectures are 2 hours long, except for the first one which is 3 hours and mandatory to join us live online. The first botany lecture will preclude the first field class. It is an introductory overview of many botanical bits that we will be introducing and reviewing in our first field class.

Not available as a solo class, only part of the field apprenticeship

Testimonials

Amanda S.

Carolina V.

Your ability to explain things with clarity and precision makes it incredibly evident that you have expertise and passion for the subject. There could be no better environment than the field and it was the best classroom I’ve ever been in!! I’ve learned so much from this class!

Carolina V.

The apprenticeship went over and beyond what I expected. I have a better understanding on how to properly key out plants, more knowledge of the chaparral and the associated communities.

Being outside and hiking. The constant review and repetition really helped. Collecting plants and making medicine in the field.

Abby E.

Carolina V.

Ellie S.

My time with Shana has honestly been life-changing. She is so passionate about what she does, she inspired me to find that passion within myself. Her attitude and perspective of liking at the body, paying attention to self-care, eating whole foods, resting, loving your liver and the fabulousness of bitters have raised my quality of life. Someday I would like to be able to explain nutrition and physiology with as much ease as Shana does.

Ellie S.

Kimberly L.

Ellie S.

I had a great experience. I feel confident in my foundational botany skills and love showing off my knowledge of plant families and local ecology to anyone that may or may not be willing to listen. Definitely inspired to continue on this path. I found Shana’s practice of teaching through oral repetition to be very effective and a great way to build trust and friendship in the group.

Kimberly L.

The depth and complexity of the subject matter you so deeply understand are amazing. I am awed by what you know.

I gained more confidence in use and application of herbs. I also gained a better understanding of the complexity of approach to use of herbs as allies due to the different constitutions of individuals. We are unique and our uniqueness needs to be a driving factor in determining what herbal allies work best.

Sama W.

Kimberly L.

I've never been so excited about physiology in my life. Thank you for making it so fun and engaging!

About The 2nd year Apprenticeship

Second Year - Deepening our Connection

This second-year program is open to graduates of the Sage Country Herbs field program only.

The second-year is designed to deepen our connection with our local ecosystems and engage in intimate discussions of herbal ethics. The first-year apprenticeship established the ethical and practical framework that is expanded upon in the second year.

We will spend time learning about our local drop dosage toxic botanicals, uses, ethics in harvesting, potential medicine making, when, and how to use them with appropriate small doses. We will also be exploring harvesting techniques and medicine making of some of the more intensive plants to gather.

These drop dosage plants are powerful medicine. Knowing how to work with them with respect, reverence and wisdom create the intention for understanding and access to their transformative healing potential. They can be profoundly effective in flower essences as well, so we will continue exploring the deeper realms of plant medicine. Some plants we will focus our botanical eyes on include but are not limited to Datura, Nicotiana, Fouquieria, and Prunus, with a deeper exploration of the Solanaceae, Asteraceae, and Apiaceae plant families.

Areas of Study

Advanced Botany
Continued use of the Jepson manual flora
Common Family characteristics
Ecology of Southern California ecosystems
Herbal Actions and Energetics of local plants, with a focus on drop dosage medicinals
Physiology of organ systems and corresponding local herbs
How to prepare, dose, and apply advanced herbal remedies in the field and at home
Wilderness comfort and protection
Deep discussions of Ethical Wildcrafting and Food Foraging
Bioregional Herbalism
Activities to Deepen Your Relationship with Nature

Program Details

The apprenticeship runs from February to June
There are multiple overnight camping trips.
Planning to join all field classes is required
The cost of Apprenticeship is $1500 for approximately 130 field, lecture, and lab hours.
A payments plan is available.
Second-year apprenticeship is only open to past Sage Country Herbs First Year Apprenticeship graduates
Limited class size will fill up quickly!

Community Herbalism & Nutrition Program

Raising your quality of life through education & connection

Community Herbalism and Nutrition Program

Community Herbalism & Nutrition Program

Herbal Actions and Energetics of Southwest Plants Lecture Series

Shana has instilled in me the eyes to see the beauty of desert blooms when before I only saw dried branches, to see medicine in weeds, to see the pulse of life in the wind as it rushes through grass on hillsides. I would recommend any and all of her classes to anyone.

Sage Country Herbs Botanical Field Apprenticeship

About The Apprenticeship

First Year - Connection, Botany, Ecology, Community & Plant Medicine

Program Details

What to expect in the interview process:

Experience the magic

Additional Information

Lecture descriptions

Year 1 Lectures - Herbal Actions & Energetics and Introduction to Botany

Testimonials

Amanda S.

Carolina V.

Carolina V.

Carolina V.

Carolina V.

Carolina V.

Abby E.

Carolina V.

Ellie S.

Ellie S.

Kimberly L.

Ellie S.

Kimberly L.

Kimberly L.

Kimberly L.

Sama W.

Kimberly L.

Kimberly L.

About The 2nd year Apprenticeship

Second Year - Deepening our Connection

Areas of Study

Program Details

Photo Gallery

Request an Interview

We look forward to hearing from you

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