Community Herbalism Intensive 2026
Hello Prospective Students
Before applying, please read through the information below.
This program is 3 days a week, Monday through Wednesday, plus field trips.
Classes begin May 11 and end November 11, 2026
Field Trips
There are three field trips. The first is to the Rainbow Gathering in early July. The second is to the Adirondacks in August, and the third is in West Virginia in September. There is a possibility that these may change.
Field Trip Schedule
Depending on the location, there is time to get there and back to Ithaca
- Rainbow Gathering (Allegheny National Forest, PA) July 1-7
- Adirondacks (near Paul Smith’s) August 12-19
- West Virginia (near Hillsboro) September 16-23
The Rainbow Gathering
For over 30 years, I have taken my students to the Rainbow Gathering to work in the first aid station. It will be in the Allegheny National Forest in Pennsylvania in 2026. The Rainbow Gathering presents some challenges for students, as we will be working at an off-the-grid first aid station for 1 week, but it is one of the best first-aid learning environments I have been part of.
What you can expect to learn
This program is designed to give students a comprehensive, hands-on, practical study of herbal medicine. Classes are divided between classroom teaching and time outdoors identifying, gathering, and preparing plants. The goal of the program is for students to have a well-rounded overview of herbalism and plants, and a solid foundation in clinical herbalism. Please see the write-up of the individual classes here and the syllabus below.
- Enrollment is limited to 22 students.
- For an interview, please call or write to set up a time to speak.
Weekly Schedule
- Monday, 2:00 to 8:00
- Tuesday, 10:30 to 4:30
- Wednesday, 2:00 to 8:00
Tuition: $4,200
Deposit: A $500 non-refundable deposit is due upon acceptance.
Please note, the remainder of the tuition is due April 10, 2026, unless prior arrangements have been made.
Please make out checks and money orders to 7Song and send to the below address:
7Song
P.O. Box 6626
Ithaca, NY 14851
Additional Costs: A detailed list of the items named below will be sent upon acceptance, or can be downloaded from the handouts section of this site.
Certificate: Students who successfully finish the program receive a certificate. This means completing all assignments and missing no more than 7 classes throughout the program.
For a more in-depth look at some of the tools below, please see the Wildcrafting handout (under Other Subjects).
- Tools: Wildcrafting implements such as pruners, digging fork, hori-hori, shovel, etc. I strongly suggest purchasing good-quality tools. They will last longer and be easier on your body.
- Books: Four books are required for the course. There is an endless variety of books, newsletters, magazines, herbal software programs, and other resources you may want to purchase. See Book List
- Herbal Supplies: Alcohol, oil, bottles, and other expenses necessary for medicine making
Class Syllabus 2024 (this is a link)
The 2026 syllabus will be similar, though the dates and field trip information will vary.
