2026 Class Lineup - Florida Herbal Conference

Saturday Schedule

The garden and vendor marketplace will open at 9 a.m. The first class block begins at 9:15am. Our full day of learning will conclude with a keynote presentation by jim mcdonald! Høly River will perform before the keynote presentation.

Schedule for the Day:

9 am - 4 pm: Vendor Marketplace open

9:15 am - 2:30 pm: Classes (See schedule below)

2:30 pm - 3:45 pm: Keynote presentation with jim mcdonald

3:45 pm - 4:30 pm: Concert with Holy River

Sunday Intensives Schedule

These intensives can be purchased individually or as a bundle.

Tending the Wounded Heart: Trauma-Informed Herbalism for Grief & Resilience with Emily Ruff

from 9am - 12pm

&

EEK! Using herbs for anxiety and overwhelm with jim mcdonald

from 1:00 - 4:00pm

Note: These intensives have an additional charge.

Our 2026 class schedule for Saturday and class descriptions can be found below!

Click to see the full class schedule

2026 Florida Herbal Conference Saturday Class Schedule

Note: Class descriptions are further down the page.

Check out our Parenting Track & Youth Program!

Our Parenting Track, From Seed to Fourth Trimester, provides a special selection of classes to support weaving herbal allies into your parenting life. Our Parenting Track class space will be located close to the Kids' Area -
register your kiddos age 3-12 for our special Youth Program, sponsored by Schoolhouse and Mark DeMaio!

Click this image to learn more about our Youth Program and enroll your kiddo!

Sunday Intensives Add-On: $40/each or $70/bundle

Check Out Emily's Class

Check Out jim's Class

Check Out the Bundle

Class Title	Teacher	Type	Description
The Wisdom of Traditional Postpartum Care	Michelle Isla	Class	Explore what our ancestors and traditional cultures knew about caring for women in the sacred postpartum window. Learn the ancient prescriptions that promote your optimal healing and recovery after birth and the wisdom that allows the full integration of this new version of yourself- the Mother.
Womb Wellness	Lyani Powers	Class	This workshop provides practical knowledge on herbal support for women through all stages—from menarche to menopause—covering reproductive health, hormonal balance, and care for each phase. My goal is to empower participants with tools that can be passed down to future generations, bringing this herbal knowledge back to our communities to promote ease and empowerment.
Remember Plants Weed Walk	Ralph Gunta	Class
Nurturing & Nourishing Your Pregnancy	Michelle Isla & Alejandra DeMaio	Class	Enter this sacred chapter learning how to integrate your body, mind and spirit as you navigate pregnancy changes and embrace the new being coming in to walk life with you. We will explore optimal nutrition, herbal support, psychological preparation for birth, mental-emotional wellness, meaningful ritual and more.
The Wisdom of Postpartum Care	Michelle Isla & Alejandra DeMaio	Class	Explore what our ancestors and traditional cultures knew about caring for women in the sacred postpartum window. Learn the ancient prescriptions that promote your optimal healing and recovery after birth and the wisdom that allows for a full integration of this new version of yourself - the Mother.
Herbal Care for the First Years: Babies, Toddlers & Parents	Mandy Jones & Natasha Hashwani	Class	Herbal Care for the First Years offers an accessible introduction to herbal support for babies, toddlers, and the adults nurturing them. We’ll discuss gentle herbs for common childhood experiences while honoring the developing body. This class will focus on safety, ease and intuition.
Herbal Approaches to Endometriosis, Hormonal Balance, & Pain Management	Feather Jones	Class	Explore holistic pathways for managing endometriosis through the lens of herbal medicine, nutrition, and lifestyle. This workshop dives deep into the hormonal imbalances behind chronic pelvic pain, inflammation, and fatigue. Learn how to use plant allies, nervous system support, and cycle-tracking tools to reduce flare-ups, ease pain, and reconnect with your body.
Using the Fertility Awareness Method as a Tool for Conscious Conception & Fertility	Tamara Niedermann	Class	In this introduction class we'll learn what are primary fertility signs are and how to identify them, we'll learn how fertility awareness can aid embodiment and conscious and intentional conception, and how to use herbs, gentle movement, and nourishment in a nonjudgemental way to facilitate our fertility journeys.
Herbs From the Hedge - Powerful & Magical Plants to Work With for Healing & Health	Beatrice Muhlenbruch	Class	A look at some of the herbs and others who guard, defend, protect, and reveal. These plant spirits demand respect and cautious relationship, but when approached with understanding and intention, they can be powerful and transformative allies and guardian spirits. This one-hour lecture will cover some of the history, lore, physiology, phytochemistry, and correspondences of plant allies such as elder, rue, basil and nightshades, and their place in the hedge.
Caribbean Herbal Medicine	Brandon Ruiz	Class	Join herbalist Brandon Ruiz in learning about the history, traditions and plants of Caribbean Herbal Medicine. We will learn about Caribbean history, ecology, folklore and healing practices surrounding Caribbean plants that originate from around the world. We will taste and look at some fresh plants and learn about Florida's Caribbean connection and growing some of these medicines at home.

Flower Essences of Power Plants	Michele Bumbier	Class	In this class we will go on a journey through the plant realm to learn about the potent healing qualities found in the flower essences of Power Plants. These are plants also known as “Master Plants”, as they contain powerful alkaloids that can shift human consciousness. Flower Essences are subtle plant preparations, so working with these plants in this gentle way is safe, accessible, integratabtle, and sustainable. In the class we will briefly talk about 13-15 “power plants”, botanically, culturally, and spiritually, and then explore their flower essence profiles.
Medicinal Mushroom Broths, Soups, & Drinks	Ruth Glass	Class	Join Ruthie for an herbal culinary and medicinal experience. We will make a medicinal mushroom broth which will then be transformed into soup! We will then create a mushroom tea for wellness and digestion. Enjoy samples and recipes are provided!
How to Set Up a Home-Based Natural Business	Aurora Lacska-Tommerdahl	Class	In this class we will discuss the basics of how to start a business sin the state of Florida including getting a business license, insurance, and paying taxes. If we have time I will go into the basics of setting up a GMP space to make herbal bends in to comply with Florida regulations.
Herbal Kitchen Witchin'	Juliane Miklos	Class	Learn how to incorporate easy to grow herbs into your everyday cooking. We’ll discuss herbal infusions, herbal vinegars, herbal oils, and herbal sprinkles or gomasio blends. Also in this immersive class, we will make a simple meal: herbal infused Florida grown rice, a herbal vinegarette to toss onto a homegrown green salad topped by a savory gomasio herbal sprinkle. We’ll wrap up class by enjoying a taste of our creation.
Fungi & Plant Ally Synergies	Andrew Johnson	Class	A description of more commonly used medicinal mushrooms and plant based herbs that work well together
Planting a Medicinal Herb Garden	Phoenix Fermin	Class	Learn about designing a medicinal herb garden. When to plant, soil amendments, inviting pollinators and ideas will be discussed.
Herbal Smoking Mixes	Stephen Kane	Class	Learn how to make herbal smoking mixes with and without tobacco. Smoking blends for smoking, medicine and ceremony. Learn about herbal and bioregional plants for medicine and daily smoking mixes.
Fighting the Fire Inside	Leann Hill	Class	Inflammation is a normal, healthy immune response to stimuli in the body. However, just like fire, when inflammation gets out of control it can cause some pretty negative outcomes. In this session, we will discuss healthy vs. unhealthy inflammation and learn how to help keep the fire to a minimum to promote a healthy life.
Blooming Through Perimenopause	Tricia Perez	Class	Perimenopause is a natural transition—but it doesn’t have to be a struggle. Join us for Blooming Through Perimenopause, an empowering and educational class that will help you navigate this stage of life with confidence, clarity, and resilience. What You’ll Learn Common Symptoms: Hot flashes, night sweats, mood swings, sleep disturbances, vaginal dryness, brain fog, fatigue, and more. Your Body’s Signals: How reproductive health acts as a barometer for overall wellness, and why sleep, stress, and nutrition have such a profound impact on hormones. Lifestyle Foundations: Simple but powerful practices—balanced diet, restorative sleep, stress management, movement, and time in nature—that help restore hormonal harmony. Herbal Allies for Perimenopause: Adaptogens, Nervines, and Female Reproductive Herbs
Adaptation Gardening: Letting Nature Lead the Way	Kelli Varon	Class	Plants can evolve right in your own garden! This talk explores how landrace and adaptation gardening put nature in charge of plant breeding and seed saving. Learn how to grow diverse crops, save seeds from your best performers, and let your soil, climate, and cultural practices guide plant evolution in place over time through this traditional way of growing. Season after season, your plants become tougher, tastier, and more resilient to local pests, diseases, and weather extremes. Perfect for gardeners ready to explore seed saving as a pathway toward resilience and food sovereignty.
Stacking Functions with Herbs	Marlo Weekley	Class	Discover the hidden potential of herbs in this exploration of their many uses beyond the apothecary or kitchen. We’ll dive into how common and uncommon herbs can become powerful allies in ecological garden design. Herbs can serve as living mulches, low-maintenance ornamentals, pest-deterring companions, and fast-growing “chop-and-drop” support species. You’ll also learn how herbs can enrich pollinator habitats, flavor honey in unique ways, and bring beauty, depth, and resilience to any landscape.
Emotional Herbalism: A Caribbean Indigenous Perspective	Jessica Ewing	Class	In this class, herbalist and educator Jessica Ewing, founder of High Vibe Herbals, invites participants to explore the intersection of emotional healing, ancestral connection, and herbal medicine. Rooted in her Caribbean and Indigenous lineage, Jessica teaches how emotional energy moves through the body, how it manifests as physical imbalance, and how specific herbs can help restore harmony between the emotional and spiritual bodies. Through guided reflection, discussion, and tasting, participants will learn to identify the emotional signatures of herbs and how to pair them for emotional transformation, what Jessica calls Emotional Alchemy. This class blends ancestral remembrance with practical herbal wisdom, offering a grounded and nurturing space to reconnect with the emotional intelligence of the plants and the wisdom within yourself.
Sustainable Medicinal Gardening Basics: Florida Edition	Johana Castillo	Class	Florida’s unique climate and biodiversity make it both a challenge and a blessing for herbal gardeners. In this class, participants will learn how to cultivate a sustainable, low-maintenance medicinal garden adapted to Florida’s tropical and subtropical regions. We’ll explore native and well-adapted medicinal plants, including culantro, lemongrass, gotu kola, Spanish needle, turmeric, and moringa, while emphasizing ecological balance, pollinator support, and soil health. Through practical demonstrations and ecological insight, students will gain a deeper understanding of how to create resilient herbal systems that regenerate rather than deplete. This class bridges traditional Caribbean and Latin American plant knowledge with modern permaculture principles, empowering herbalists, families, and community gardeners to grow medicine with respect for the land.
Edible and Medicinal Wild Plants of Florida, and Supporting Our Immune System	Ellen Kamhi PhD, RN, AHN-BC, RH(AHG)	Class	Explore edible and medicinal wild plants of Florida. Edible and Medicinal Plants are EVERYWHERE-Did ancient people live where you live now? Were there grocery stores on every corner? People lived by eating the local plants and using them as natural remedies! Those plants are still there, you just need to learn which, when, why and how to use them safely for food and medicine. Folklore and Science BOTH promote the use of Natural Remedies to enhance immune function; Including: preventing infection, increasing natural defenses, relieving congestion and coughs, soothing a sore throat, reducing a fever and quieting an upset stomach. Lets explore our Florida natives, such as Leaf of Life, Spanish Needle ( Bidens) Beauty Berry, Moringa and more.
Grandmother Wisdom & Herbal Practices	Linda Nash Stevenson	Class	Linda will take a deeper look into traditional healing practices & wisdom from many corners of the globe with a special emphasis on herbal wisdom integrating earth, water, air and sky elements. Healing modalities come to us by being handed down the generations as intentional healing took form as medicine gardens & moon gardens, solar & lunar herbal teas, herbal medicine wheels, herbal color therapy & herbal baths. Also included will be herbal therapies and ways of using sacred herbs such as mugwort and sage.

Qigong	Masaji Terasawa	Workshop	Energy exercise.
Ancient Acupressure for Emotional Balance Using the Power of Your Fingers	Cristina Eury	Workshop	This is an in-depth workshop on acupressure and its role within holistic healing traditions. Participants are introduced to both the theoretical foundations and practical applications of acupressure, with a particular focus on the connections between the body's energy systems and emotional health. Through guided meditative exercises and detailed explanations, Cristina Cabezas Eury will demonstrate how specific acupressure techniques can be integrated into daily routines to address issues such as anxiety, grief, and physical discomfort. We will also explore the intersection of traditional practices, such as Jin Shin Jyutsu, with contemporary approaches to self-care.
The Resonant Body	Madelyn Ilana	Workshop	In this guided experiential practice, participants will explore fluidity in movement, voice, and vibration as tools for grounding and nervous system regulation. Using the principles of Body Dialogue, we will practice tracking our experience in our bodies, learning to notice sensations, patterns, and stories that shape our responses to each moment. This intimate workshop offers practical tools for somatic tracking, self-regulation, grounding and presence, applicable both personally and in working with clients. We’ll weave in Alexander Technique principles, Breathing Coordination, polyvagal theory, and simple somatic practices for managing triggers and activation, with an emphasis on voice, movement, energy and sound. Madelyn will also share insights on herbs and flower essences to support nervous system balance, grounding, and expansion. Attendees will leave with concrete practices to cultivate greater embodiment, presence, and strength in daily life.
Discovering Florida's Healing Plants	Emily Ruff	Plant Walk	Join us for a meaningful plant walk honoring the legacy of beloved naturalist Peggy Lantz while discovering the edible and medicinal treasures growing in Florida's unique landscape. As we meander through diverse habitats, we'll identify species and explore plant identification techniques and recipes you can use independently - continuing Peggy's tradition of empowering people to befriend and work with the plants in their own bioregion. This gentle walk welcomes all levels of experience and invites you to slow down, observe closely, and deepen your relationship with the green world around us. We'll discuss traditional uses, identification features, and sustainable harvesting practices, weaving together botanical knowledge with the joy and kinship that Peggy brought to her teaching. Bring your water bottle, favorite note-taking tools, comfortable walking shoes, and curiosity for the plant kingdom. Let's walk together in gratitude for those who've paved the path before us.
Plant Walk	Ricky Tree	Plant Walk	Plant walk
Tending the Wounded Heart: Trauma-Informed Herbalism for Grief & Resilience	Emily Ruff	Intensive	In an era of escalating climate anxiety, collective loss, and personal upheaval, our communities desperately need trauma-literate herbalists who can hold space for the wounded heart. This intensive workshop bridges clinical understanding with plant wisdom, equipping practitioners to support those navigating acute trauma, prolonged grief, and the long shadow of unresolved loss.
EEK! Using herbs for anxiety and overwhelm	jim mcdonald	Intensive	Stress - both personal and systemic - is one of the largest obstacles to wellness, depleting our bodies of the energy and ease needed to maintain health, digest our food, fight off infection, and keep us happy & smiling. All too many of us feel like we’re swimming upstream or in a constant state of “fight or flight”, even if we’re just standing in our kitchen. Fortunately, there are a myriad assortment of herbs not only known to offer a calming influence, but which act in a restorative manner upon the nervous system as well. Join herbalist jim mcdonald in a discussion of the herbs and behaviors that will support us through times of stress and strain, whether it be due to acute trauma or just trying to keep up with the unsustainable pace of life that surrounds us. With a focus on energetics & specific indications, we’ll look at a number of herbs that can support us through hard times, emphasizing how plants can help specific manifestations of stress, from overwhelm to outbursts to heartache.