Upcoming Events
African American Agricultural, Botanical, Herbal and Horticultural Traditions
The Herbiary in Downtown Asheville, NC
In this class we will explore a multitude of contributions from African Americans to the farm, garden, herbal, horticultural and scientific traditions of the United States. Items of focus will include crops brought to the USA from Africa, traditional diets combining those plants with the native plants of the Americas and the food as medicine practices that have grown from this synthesis. Other aspects will include an exploration of African American garden aesthetics, innovations in plant science and landscape practices in the USA and beyond.
Tickets at link below.
https://checkout.square.site/merchant/ML29MMYVD74RD/checkout/433LUS27SQ6OQGQUFB2RBRV5?src=webqr&fbclid=IwY2xjawOT_3ZleHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETF4ZG8wVHlHcEpIS0lqUWV1c3J0YwZhcHBfaWQQMjIyMDM5MTc4ODIwMDg5MgABHsK8RjVtoapKQ-pqEITGy_OIZzi2aLw2XlNwtHnH2v_yVg6UoR2_RI6cGhe1_aem_bK_7Gqh50alnzdLygrrXVw
Fee: $40 (Scholarships may be possible if you reach out)
Winter Botany & Wild Foraged Tea
Weaverville, NC
When the lush greens and bright blooms of summer fade away, a quieter world of wonder remains. Join ethnobotanist and longtime Firefly instructor & beloved friend Marc Williams for an immersive workshop and garden walk exploring the art of winter plant identification and wild foraging.
Together, we’ll learn to recognize the subtle signatures of plants during their dormant phase—tracing patterns in bark, buds and form that reveal who’s who beneath the winter hush. Marc will guide participants in deepening their botanical literacy and relationship with local ecology, blending scientific insight with ethnobotanical wisdom and practical foraging knowledge.
As we walk the garden and surrounding landscape, we’ll:
- Practice identifying plants without their usual flowers, fruits, or leaves
- Discuss off-season plant characteristics and traditional uses
- Explore key resources for continuing your studies
- Share wild-foraged tea and connection to close the afternoon
Winter botany is a lesser-known, yet vital skill that invites us to see the natural world with new eyes. By learning to read the land in its quiet season, we strengthen our awareness, resilience, connection and capacity to live sustainably within our ecosystems—all year long
Location is a plant sanctuary located in Weaverville, NC and not generally open to the public. Directions will be given upon registration.
Register at the link below
https://www.fireflygathering.org/event/winter-botany-wild-foraged-tea-w-marc-williams
Fee: $25-65 Sliding Scale
Late Winter Ethnobotany and ID
Red Moon Herbs in Candler, NC
Join Ethnobiologist Marc Williams on a plant walk around the Red Moon Herbs gardens and forest during the end of the most challenging time to botanize during the year. When the flowers, fruits and leaves are mostly gone, we must learn to distinguish more subtle clues to determine the identification of many plants. That said by the end of February some plants are already coming out to play with their flowers in particular. We will take note of these early bloomers especially while we engage in a dialogue about off season woody plant characteristics, ethnobotanical applications and various resources available for further study.
https://redmoonherbs.com
Fee: $25 - 50 Sliding Scale
Ethnobiology and Sustainability
North Carolina State University
A lecture for the Ethnobiology class of Dr. Jillian de Gezelle at NC State and not open to the public though the hope is to also give a presentation to the Ethnobiology club as well that may be then open.
Time:Fee:
Botany by Plant Family: The Key to See
Duke Gardens in Durham, NC
Learning to notice plant family patterns can greatly aid in demystifying the “green wall” of plant species around us. Nearly 350,000 species of flowering plants are known to global science, and these species have been grouped into over 400 flowering plant families. By learning the top 30 plant families growing around you, you will begin to recognize plants everywhere you go. After an indoor presentation on the major plant families common to the Southeastern US, reinforce your plant identification skills on a walk in the Gardens to observe family patterns in leaf, flower and fruit types. Discuss edibility, medicinality, craft, wildlife support and landscape beauty as you gain a more holistic understanding of the major plants comprising Southern US flora and their potential ecological and ethnobotanical applications.
Accessibility: This will be a small group program that takes place partially seated indoors and partially outdoors traveling on a combination of paved and unpaved paths with some uneven surfaces and moderate inclines.
Register at the link below
https://gardens.duke.edu/learn/adult-programs/
Fee: $32 and 20% discount for garden members
Field Botany–Foraged Snacks & Teas
John C. Campbell Folk School
Discover the joys of botanical exploration. Walk the Folk School’s gardens, fields, and forests as you observe plants and practice a patterns method of identification. Deepen your awareness of plant life stories and their relationships to other life forms like animals and fungi. Recognize plant families and their representative members, practice sustainable plant collecting, and learn from presentations. End each day with samples of delicious snacks and teas featuring wild foraged ingredients.
https://folkschool.configio.com/pd/3686/field-botany-foraged-snacks-teas?st_t=2077&st_ti=2492&cid=2527&returncom=productlist&source=search
Time: 6p.m. 4/12 - 12p.m. 4/18Fee: $870
Wild Indigo Herb Fest
Terrapin Hill Farm, Harrodsburg, KY.
Excited to be one of the keynotes along with friend and inspiration Linda Black Elk for this inaugural iteration of a new herb conference for Kentucky. Will probably teach another class or two while in the area as well.
More details at the link below
https://wildindigoherbfest.com/about/
Time:Fee: Variable Pricing
Cullowhee Native Plant Conference
Western Carolina University
One of the oldest native plant conferences in the country having just celebrated its 40th birthday! Always a highlight of the teaching schdule every year with enough high qulaity class offerings to make ones head spin!
https://www.wcu.edu/engage/professional-enrichment/conferences-and-community-classes/the-cullowhee-native-plant-conference/
Fee: Variable Pricing
Southeastern Permaculture Gathering
The Patterson School
Come to our annual gathering at the beautiful Patterson School outside Lenoir, NC This is certainly one of my favorites of all time, even in a place and a life with many amazing events! i will most definitely be helping to facilitate a plant/mushroom walk and will also be working in the kitchen if you want to help make food for everybody. Almost all the meals are sourced locally or from participants of the gathering. Some of the best food experienced by many at any gathering bar none. An amazing outdoor sculpture park is another incredible component of this locale too. http://www.southeasternpermaculture.org/
Time: 8a.m. 7.31.26 - 4p.m. 8.2.26
Fee: Sliding Scale
Great Lakes Herb Faire
Cedar Lake Outdoor Center outside Chelsea, MI
This is one of my favorite events ever attended of the over 100 experienced over the decades. Will update info once the schedule is announced.
https://www.greatlakesherbfaire.org/
Fee: Variable Pricing
Gullah Geechee Herbal Gathering
John's Island, South Carolina
Excited to finally attend this annual gathering. For one of the few times in my career in the last fifteen years my role will be solely as a student and at least not formally as a teacher. That said excited to absorb as much as possible of the wisdom of the elders that they care to share.
https://www.gullahgeecheeherbalgathering.com/
Fee: Variable Pricing