Vol 1 Entry 1 Botanical Student Journal

Put the kettle on and let me tell you a little about my herbalism journey!

Would you believe me if I said I’ve tried to attend an in-person herbalism program three times already? Well, I have! I’ve tried three times, and life always got in the way. My first attempt was back in 2020, right around the time the pandemic closed everything down. I had all my supplies ready to go and was eager to attend. Unfortunately, we all know how 2020 went, how it affected so many lives and caused lots of plans to fall through. Lots of big changes occurred in my life as well; the new chaos inevitably affected the program and my ability to attend. Although the school offered an online option, I was adamant about learning in a hands-on environment.

The next time I tried to enroll in an in-person herbalism program, the opportunity to complete my Master’s program arose. Completing my Masters degree was a personal goal I had for years. I decided to shelve herbalism school for a little bit and focus on my MS. Third time is a charm right? Not always! I finished my MS (whoohoo) and was still stuck on wanting to complete an in-person herbalism program, so I decided to apply to a new school. I applied, got accepted, and was eager to begin the program. Unfortunately, life had other plans, which kept me from attending..again. In a way, it ended up working out because I had a really, really bad fall during that time. I was injured to the point I had to be bedbound a bit while recovering, it was an awful time. Had I attended that semester, I would have had to miss a ton of classes and would have been upset.

Luckily, the staff at the school were incredibly accommodating, understanding, and kind. I chose to postpone my enrollment a bit and here I am one year later! This is the time, I decided that whatever curveball is thrown at me, I’ve waited long enough. I really want to attend an in-person program where I can learn right there among my peers. I want to smell all the herbs as soon as I walk in, and I want to meet people who love herbalism as much as I do.

I have so many books on my shelf, and I still have the textbooks from my original attempt to attend the in-person program. I’m working through some of these books to refresh my memory a bit. The other part I’m enjoying is picking out beautifully decorated journals and notebooks I plan to use for the program. I love shopping for school supplies! I’m going to try to restrain myself from buying all the notebooks I see but we’ll see.

My first academic exposure to herbalism was through the Herbal Academy. They have stunning products, detailed courses, and a bounty of resources for students. I learned a lot of what I needed for my small business from their online courses and books. I’m a sucker for beautiful botanically inspired art and can’t help myself when it comes to their booklets. The ones below are just some from my home library. I am really interested in herbal teas and hope to specialize a bit more through the in-person program. Herbal Academy has wonderful recipe books that I enjoy trying out. I’m happy with my decision to take their online courses first as an introduction to herbalism. Although it was nice to learn the material, I really missed the hands-on component of learning a new skill, which is why I chose to enroll in an in-person program.

I first visited the school a little over a year ago when I attended a student’s workshop. From the first moment I walked in, I knew I wanted to attend as a student. The environment wasn’t just inviting; the staff was warm and eager to help everyone get settled. The next few times I visited were for their open house and capstone presentations. It was wonderful to meet students, hear about their experiences, and see their projects. I tried some delicious samples and bought some products during their capstone presentation. During one of my visits I had a friendly staff member give me a mini tour which solidified my decision to apply for the next cohort.

The school is located in a beautiful historic downtown area with so much character and cozy vibes. I chose this school because of its location, rich history, and its commitment to providing a non-competitive learning environment. I want to grow in a community, not compete with my peers. Colorado is rich in herbalism education; it has several schools that offer programs, and many apothecaries all across the Front Range. There are many options when it comes to learning about gardening and herbalism, and several nonprofits that are committed to sharing knowledge.

Over the next few weeks, I’ll be prepping my materials, rereading books, talking with experienced herbalists asking for advice, and getting ready. I am excited for this journey and to bring this information to you and to the amazing people who have supported my botanical studio since opening.