BEAVER, W.Va. — The West Virginia Herb Association (WVHA) will hold its Annual Spring Gathering with nine classes focusing on using herbs and spices for health and well-being at New River Community & Technical College, 280 University Drive, Beaver, W.Va. (near Beckley), in the Rotunda on Saturday, May 18 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

The WVHA spring event features how to use herbs, spices, wild and medicinal plants, herbal soap making, as well as plant propagation, soil health, plant identification walk, beekeeping, how to fund your plant-based business and a medicinal tea tasting. Learn from local herbalists and plant experts to deepen your knowledge of herbs and spices. There will also be vendors with herbal medicines, live plants, and herbal gifts. Every attendee will receive a free packet of milkweed seeds!

Morning Classes

Lecture 1: Soil Testing, Fertilizer and Crop Improvement with David Richmond of WVU Extension-Raleigh. Lecture 2: Funding Your Flora with Sierra Cox of West Virginia Department of Agriculture. Lecture 3: Learn to Make Herbal Soap with Melissa Dennison of Garden Treasures. Lecture 4: Plant Meditations and Conversations with Barbara Volk of Spotted Horse Farm & Sierra Cox.

Afternoon Classes

Lecture 5: Herbal Medicinal Tea Tasting, in honor of Dr. Hassan Amjad hosted by the leaders of WVHA. Lecture 6: The Magic of the Moon Garden for Creatures of the Night with Jennifer Geib, certified herbalist. Lecture 7: Wild Food Foraging and Wild Food cooking (two hours) with Bette Angle, master gardener. Lecture 8: Sustainable Beekeeping to help People and Pollinators with Mark Lilly, Head beekeeper and educator of Appalachian Beekeeping Collective. Lecture 9: A Walk and Talk on Wild Medicinal Plants, Shrubs and Trees with Eve Von Deck, CH, MG, WVMN, Great Spirit Herbs and current WVHA President.

Learn more

Registration begins at 9am, $20. Register online anytime at www.wvherbassociation.org. Cash only at the door. Email for more information: info@wvherbassociation.org.

Courtesy Submission