join us for wild heart herb fest!
New Bedford, MA / unceded Wampanoag Nation
Saturday Sept 21 from 10-4
WE ARE SO EXCITED TO ANNOUNCE THE FIRST ANNUAL WILD HEART HERB FEST THIS AUTUMN EQUINOX WEEKEND!!!
Imagine the most perfect day with your herby bff's old + new listening to local herbalists share their wisdom, receiving much needed self care from healing practitioners scattered in the gardens, a picnic in the park, community, ceremony, sound healing, herbal tea (of course), and so much more!!
Herbal First Aid with Mary Blue
Herbalism for the Traveling Soul with Sophia Avra
Herbs for Babies + Children with Keri Cusson DeFusco
Nature and Spirit : A Plant Walk with Jenny Lee
Radical Self Care with Nico Lebreux
Herbal Energetics with Justine Ring
Wondrous Wild Weeds with Amelia Andrade
Sound Healing with Andrea DeVeau Cabral
Plants for Pleasure with Melodie Fallon
Herbal Mixology with Aliya Johnson
Edible & Medicinal Plant Walk with Maggie Hatzpanian
Please dress appropriately for the weather, maybe even bringing an extra top in case you get wet. Plant walks will be entirely outside so wear waterproof shoes and bring a raincoat or umbrella if you would like.
Most classes will be moved indoors and the few classes that are outdoors will be under a tent.
When you arrive for the day, please check in at Wild Heart Herb House. You may begin to arrive at 9:30 to pick up a schedule, pour yourself a cup of tea, and get ready for the day!
This is a grassroots, no/low tech community event so there are some things that you need to bring:
a full water bottle
a mug or jar for tea
a towel, yoga mat, blanket to sit on (maybe we’ll be sitting on the ground?)
something to add to our community alter like a plant from your garden, stone, shell, something that you made (you can take it back home with you)
LUNCH! There will be no food vendors on site so please pack yourself a picnic lunch or maybe do a little potluck with your friends that are attending! Lunch break is an hour and a half so if you need to bop downtown to No Problemo or Brick Pizza there will be plenty of time for that.
a bathing suit + towel to go in the sauna + cold plunge!
a notebook + writing utensil to capture the inspiration you'll be receiving
RAINY WEATHER: weather proof shoes, rain jacket, umbrella, change of clothes if you get wet
Street Parking is available on Shawmut Ave and Loftus St bordering Haskell Gardens and on Sutton St and Townsend St which are smaller side streets across Shawmut Ave from Wild Heart Herb House. There are no meters or time restrictions. Handicapped parking is available right on site.
If you need any assistance or different accommodations please reach out to us and we will do everything possible to ensure you have a safe, easy, and fun day with us at Wild Heart Herb Fest! We are happy to accommodate you!
This is a day to connect with community and make new friends! Introduce yourself to someone new, say hello to our vendors + healing practitioners, chat with a teacher after class. Everyone is excited to meet you! I know this can be intimidating and if you need some support, come find me, I will be happy to introduce you to someone that would be thrilled to get to know you!
Many of you know Mary as a teacher, mentor, and prominent figure in our local herbalism community. Mary founded Farmacy Herbs nearly 20 years ago and has been practicing herbalism since the 1990's. Mary has taught herbalism and farming at various local businesses, hospitals, events, universities, high schools, nursing homes, elementary schools, conferences, and for special interest groups and non-profits, locally and around the world.
Join Mary as she discusses Herbal First Aid where she will share her experience in working with herbs to manage crisis and first aid situations. She will discuss first responder herbal techniques, trauma recovery, and long term wound care. From chainsaw wounds to poisonous spider bites to 3rd degree burns, Mary will discuss her personal experience in using herbs in crisis situations.
You do not want to miss this opportunity to learn from a herbal legend with a heart of gold and hear what I'm sure will be heartwarming + hilarious stories!
Sophia is a true gem of a human who lives what she teaches and has so much to offer! With a passion for self-study and a deep connection to nature, Sophia leads transformative international workshops on intuitive plant medicine, Ayurveda, and self-care practices. A dedicated medicine-maker of many years - Sophia founded Avraveda, an apothecary offering micro-batch, seasonal remedies. She weaves together experiences that invite people to heal, connect, and awaken their connection to themselves and that which surrounds them.
Sophia's class at Herb Fest is Finding Home Wherever You Go: Herbalism for the Traveling Soul. Herbalism is such a gift because it is a practice that comes with you wherever you go. In this class, we will explore the art of connecting with plants wherever your travels may take you - from city streets to mountain trails to airy coasts and mossy forests. Wherever we journey, we can forge a relationship with the local flora, and learn the magic of the land.
For those of you who I am just becoming acquainted with, here is a little more info about me! I am a mom, community herbalist, earth centered entrepreneur, and self care advocate who specializes in teaching people how to deeply connect with all parts of themselves and the living world around them through simple techniques that are available to all. I hold space for my community to strengthen intuition, commune with the earth, and connect with source energy whatever that looks like and feels like for them. No expectations, no judgement, all are welcome!
My class at Herb Fest is Herbalism for Radical Self Care, a workshop I have been teaching for years, yet it continually shifts as I better understand what self care is and how to fully embrace it. In this class we will explore ways to nourish + support all parts of your being through simple herbalism practices such as nourishing tonic herbal infusions, smudging, and herbal body oiling. Learn how to incorporate these self care techniques into your day to live your most vibrant, aligned, restorative, and pleasure filled life!
It will be a true honor to sit with you at Haskell Gardens and share my radical self care plant medicine knowledge + experiences!
Aliya has had holistic wellness knowledge from a young age and aims to provide unique and fulfilling experiences to those she comes in contact with. Aliya is a self proclaimed “retired bartender” who has sought out ways to marry her love of bartending with her passion of wellbeing and healing for what she believes is a more enjoyable cocktail experience.
Join Aliya as she shows you how to incorporate herbs into mocktails and low abv (alcohol by volume) delicious cocktails. Discover the magic of identifying different herbs and understanding their flavor profiles. Learn how to infuse them into alcohol or non-alcoholic bases such as teas, syrups, or tonics. These drinks can be enjoyed at home, with friends and family, or added into any bar’s cocktail menu.
Amelia has a passion for inviting those within our community into a deeper relationship with the Earth themselves. Throughout her experiences she has become an herbal alchemist, meditation practitioner, and holistic nutritionist. As a graduate of the School of the Sacred Wild with Marysia Miernowska, Amelia draws from the Wise Woman Tradition of Healing to support others in remembering themselves back into wholeness through nourishing practices and rituals that blend both the science and spirit of plants.
Amelia’s class at herb fest is all about discovering the magic that is hidden in your own backyard! From nettle to dandelion to chickweed, Amelia will share about the nourishment that is found in the generous, abundant, resilient and untamed wild weeds. Learn the knowledge of what transformations can occur when we begin to cultivate a relationship with these plant allies.
Keri is a kind hearted soul who has so much passion to share. Keri is a mom of two, a home herbalist, yoga teacher, and mental health therapist. Throughout her adulthood, herbs have played a huge role in her self care and now her entire family’s wellbeing as well.
Join Keri as she gives you the information on how to safely use herbs for babies and children. From teething to the common cold and more, herbal remedies are both gentle and effective for little, growing bodies. You’ll leave with more wisdom and a few recipes you can make right in your own kitchen.
Introducing Maggie, a generous, nurturing, and incredibly caring human being. Maggie has been on a healing plant path for 20+ years, studying with many teachers, in many healing traditions. As an Herbalist she knows that always and forever, the plants themselves are the true teachers and guides for her healing and the healing she share with others
Stroll along the wild edges of Haskell Gardens with Maggie and identify edible and medicinal plants. We share our region and ecosystem with a variety of edible and medicincal plants. Learn how to identify these plants during this interactive and informative class. For the edible plants that are discovered, recipes will be shared, so you can discover how to consume on your own. Questions are highly encouraged and hearing your uses and recipes we see are most welcomed!
Justine has discovered her mission is deeply rooted in spirituality and it has now become her life purpose. She is an herbalist, spiritual wellness educator, creator of Healer’s Harvest online herbalism community, and co-founder of GATHER: A Northeast Herbal Conference. Justine holds a diverse array of certifications, reflecting her qualifications, deep passion, and unwavering commitment to ongoing learning and growth.
Discover the ancient traditions of plants living as entities with energies and spirits through the teachings of Justine at herb fest. Energetics is about exploration, connection, and creating relationships with nature. It teaches us to see the elemental patterns of nature in both plants and people. Those who tap in create balanced health.
Melodie is devoted to supporting others in deepening their connection to themselves, spirit, and nature. She studies what her heart is called to and takes an embodied approach to teaching. During her travels, she studied herbalism, bodywork, yoga and a full spectrum of women’s womb healing. Initially studying with Sage at the Gaia School of Healing for a homecoming to the world of plant allies with the focus of building relationships with plants as healers. Continuing studies with Rosita Arvigo to focus on body work and herbalism for supporting women’s bodies through menstruation, fertility, pregnancy and postpartum.
Melodie’s class at Wild Heart Herb Fest will be all about expanding your sensory awareness into the pleasureful plant kingdom. This class we will be a sensory experience with plants to discover the ways in which you receive pleasure from them! This class will go beyond aphrodisiacs, take an opportunity to discover what plants bring you in your own unique experience of pleasure.
Jenny is an exemplary human, she holds so much knowledge, and shares so much passion within her work. She is a community herbalist who specializes in small batch sustainable skincare, fermented foods, and nutritious infused honeys and vinegars. Jenny is a botanist, environmental communicator, grief tender, and deep listener who centers what is unknown as the greatest of teachers.
Come build a stronger connection with plants as you stroll with Jenny through Haskell Gardens. Did you know plants and people grow in community? Take this informative walk with Jenny around the plantings and hedgerows of Haskell Gardens and walk away with a deeper connection to the wisdom of plants.
Andrea DeVeau-Cabral E-RYT 500hr, created and co-owns Power and Grace Yoga in New Bedford with her husband Neil. Certified in Energy Medicine & Synergy of Sound Healing, an Energy for Life Coach, and Retreat Leader. She continues to embody and expand her wisdom at Sva Ha Yoga and the Synergy of Sound Training Academy. Andrea is a Sva Ha Yoga Teacher Trainer and program director, and loves to dance and weather of all kinds.
Synergy of Sound Healing is infused with a guided BioScalar Energy Activation Mediation - radiant life force energy. Your cells will be immersed with sound vibrations from various instruments such as drums, gongs, singing bowls, chimes and flutes. It’s offered from the heart using high coherent frequency language and intention in alignment with Natural Law and in connection to the pulse of the Earth. With the benefits of guiding the brain states to shift away from stress and aiding in soothing and harmonizing the nervous system. Our true natural state, many feel calm and energized after a session.
This is a community event that we want to be accessible to all, so there is a sliding scale admission of $10-75 for the day, with a suggested offering of $45 or $30-60. This money goes directly to the organizing of the event.
If you purchase your ticket for $25 or more by Sunday September 15, 2024, you will receive a free ounce of herbs of your choice! (1/2 oz of rose, calendula, red clover, turkey tail and 1/4 oz of blue lotus)
AND the first 55 people to sign up at any price ($10 or more) will be entered to win a $100 Wild Heart Herb House Gift Certificate!
When you click the above link you will see the price set to our suggested admission amount of $45, but you can click the "change amount" button under the price and event description to adjust to a different price that you are effortlessly able to pay!
Tickets to Wild Heart Herb Fest are NON-REFUNDABLE but they ARE TRANSFERABLE so if you can’t make it after you purchase a ticket, you can send a friend in your stead! If the event gets cancelled all together and we are unable to have the event on September 21, 2024 or September 28, 2024, the money you paid for your ticket can be used as store credit at Wild Heart Herb House.
Please also note that access to the gardens, vendors, healing practitioners is free! (vendors + practitioners will charge their own rates for products and services.) Your purchased ticket to Wild Heart Herb Fest includes admission to all classes, workshops, and sound healing.
Jennifer Mello is an RMT Master Chakra Healer, Forest Therapy Guide, and a trauma informed holistic health practitioner. She focuses on restoring balance to the mind, body and spirit. Jenn specializes in empowering clients to identify barriers and take charge of their own health. Offering a safe, stress-free environment with whole body healing to address mental, physical and spiritual blockages to bring balance and clarity.
At Wild Heart Herb Fest, Jennifer will be offering mini reiki sessions with sound - $15 for 15 minutes. Pre-registration is recommended, to sign up click here!
Matt has become really immersed in the sauna culture over the years. He loved it so much that he recently partnered up with a friend to open Tranquil Tides. Taking a leap of faith in 2024 has led him to leaving his job to create a mobile sauna and cold plunge business - right here in New Bedford and servicing the entire South Coast of Massachusetts.
Don’t miss the opportunity to experience this for yourself! This Finnish style dry sauna has room for 4-8 guests, depending on your comfort level. Also available, will be the single cold plunge tank. Bring your bathing suit + towel to enjoy!
Keegan is a local artist to the Southcoast, who focuses on blending creativity with sustainability and play. Her work celebrates the magic of artistic expression, while inspiring others to embrace both joy + environmental responsibility!
Magick Crafts Curio Shop offers unique, hand made tie-dye in a variety of styles, sizes and colors. The clothing is made with up-cycled materials from local thrift and donation centers, actively working against excess clothing waste.
Rachael combines her expertise in floral design with deep esoteric herbal knowledge to create unique, enchanting wildcrafts and custom decor. As an advocate for creative expression and connection to nature, Rachael invites you to explore the art of wildcrafting through her handcrafted pieces and DIY experiences.
During Wild Heart Herb Fest, join Rachel in putting the “craft” in witchcraft with custom botanical brooms and other mystical creations. Each designed to bring a touch of natural magic into your life.
Susannah is a Licensed Massage Therapist, Board Certified Polarity Practitioner (BCPP), Sound Practitioner, Certified Distance Healer, Reiki Practitioner & Certified BodyMind Coach. She works with people who are tired of living lives limited by stress and pain and want to step into their joy and confidence and start living a life they love.
Susannah will be offering Sound Healing with Alchemy Crystal Singing Bowls and Polarity Therapy which is a form of bodywork and energy work that balances the elements of the body and releases energetic blocks in the body.
Melodie is devoted to supporting others in deepening their connection to themselves, spirit and nature. She studies what her heart is called to and takes an embodied approach to teaching. Melodie will also be teaching Plants for Pleasure at Wild Heart Herb Fest!
She will offer hand crafted artisanal products such as plant dyed silks, hand dipped candles, and skin + body care. These products are brought to you with deep devotion to the earth and its medicines. Ingredients are homegrown and lovingly wildcrafted or sourced to the best of abilities.
Emily is an astrologer, intuitive tarot reader, herbalist and avid plant forager with an art practice dedicated to Venus-Aphrodite. Based in Providence, RI and is currently seeing clients on a 1:1 basis via Zoom or in-person sessions. Lately she has been interested in delving into the places where her spiritual practices and political activism intersect.
Stop by and say hi to Emily at Wild Heart Herb Fest with any questions you may have. She is offering 15 minute tarot sessions, perfect timing to receive a little information from the divine universe.
Brandy Goncalves is the candle maker + blogger behind the scenes at The Resting Willow Co. Brandy has created this business because she wants to share her love of self-care. She is a free-spirited wife + mother who is enjoying the journey as a cannabis enthusiast.
Brandy will be offering hand poured soy wax candles, created with love and intention. All candles have been curated with natural soy wax, cotton wicks and phthalate free fragrance oils and are placed in vessels that are reusable and recyclable. All ingredients have been carefully selected to keep your health and wellness in mind.
Melinda is a seer, a poet and a guide for women on the heart-led path. She is devoted to a life of love, beauty and real magic. Melinda holds multiple certifications in Yoga, Reiki (2) and Oracle Reading, along with many other attunements and gifts thanks to her spiritual mentors and teachers. She loves journaling, ecstatic dance and working with flower essences.
Experience for yourself a tool for channeling messages of the Diving Love through the Oracle Readings with Energy Healing from Melinda. These readings are medicine for the heart, offering the receiver the gifts of clarity and personal empowerment.
Maggie is a RI based Herbalist and product maker. Being an herbal educator, having a background in nursing, combined with recent training in yoga and mediation are the things that keep Maggie happy and healthy. Maggie’s Healing Path was created to share all of these peices with customers, students and clients.
During the Wild Heart Herb Fest Maggie will be teaching an Edible + Medicinal Plant Walk class along the along the wild edges of Haskell Gardens. She will also be offering hand-made herbal apothecary items such as teas, skin care, massage products and more!
Alexi Sarah Widoff works across multiple mediums to capture place, moments, and experiences through her sculptural and illustrative work, inspired by coastal New England and the wonders found within our natural environment.
The use of reiki infused whisk brooms is considered a meditative practice, as you create and use your creation to clear the stuck energy like cobwebs. Alexi will also be offering pit fired ceramics and New England coastal inspired illustrations.
Luna has been in the beauty industry for over 15 years, offering professional make-up, hair design and most recently mehndi art. If you are looking for anything Venusian beauty related, self-love and praise through adornment, then Luna is the person to speak to!
Luna will be offering personalized henna art, using organic material directly sourced from India. This form of art can be used for any occasion including self celebration and can be applied to most body surface areas.
Lydia is the founder of Moon Gate Garden, a tiny truck on a mission to spread joy and magic through the beauty of flowers one community at a time.
Come check out this super cute tiny truck for yourself, Lydia will be set up at Wild Heart Herb Fest with her bouquet bar and DIY flower crown making station. Lydia will also be accompanied by Falling off Trees, who will be demonstrating how to work together to bring discarded flowers back to life through the practice of natural dyeing.
