What can I learn at the fest?
Your time here at the farm will feel a lot like the good ol’ days of summer camp. Though, the workshops and experiences we plan for you are high calibre offerings that go beyond summer camp macaroni crafts. There’s a variety of ways to connect in—from free-time activities to workshops and experiences—you can tailor your weekend to be jam-packed with learning, or leave lots of room for napping, nature walks, and connecting into community…
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These activities are set up for part or all of the day or weekend. This might be a craft area, a visit to the chickens, a walk through the forest labyrinth, or hanging in a hammock on the farm.
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Roll up your sleeves - it’s time to learn some new skills! Choose your own adventure by booking the workshops that catch your eye… these occur at specific times, usually take place just once over the weekend, and have limited space.
Our workshop lineup for 2026 is coming soon!
Friday
Forest Bathing
This experiential session will introduce the Japanese practise of Shinrin Yoku, or forest bathing. Particpants will be introduced to the origin of the practice, the science behind it and the benefits for mind, body, and spirit. During this two hour guided experience, a series of sensory exercises and meditation prompts are shared on an inward journey through the forest. Allow yourself to experience emotional freedom and discover a place of healing, peace and comfort among the trees.
Brynne Maguire always enjoyed spending time outdoors, camping, hiking and exploring all kinds of parks. This passion for the outdoors led to the pursuit of studies in Environmental Health, Health Promotion and Recreation Facilitation and a career balanced between Forestry and Outdoor Recreation. About 7 years ago, after discovering her leisurely forest strolls were having a therapeutic effect, Brynne sought training with the Global Institute of Forest Therapy to enable her to share the forest’s therapeutic benefits with more people.
The Delicate Power of Flowers
Experience the healing energetics of flowers! Explore Flower Essences and how they work to support human well-being. Walk through the process of making a Flower Essence, organoleptically experience the essence, and learn how to design a specific Flower Essence formulation.
Chris Voth is a Practical Herbalist and Flower Essence Practitioner, mother of three amazing adults, and Baba to four beautiful grandkids. She lives on 5 acres in Manitoba’s Interlake region where she has begun a small herb farm. Chris is passionate about growing her own food and medicine whenever possible, as organically as possible. She has lived on her tiny patch of earth for 26 years without using pesticides or chemical fertilizers.
The Art & Science of Herbal Formulation
Creating a formula is both an art and a science. We will begin by examining a formula developed by Dr. Christopher, an eclectic herbalist who practiced in the United States during the first half of the 19th century. Through this exploration, we will analyze a traditional European herbal formula to understand how herbalists combine plants to create a medicine that is greater than the sum of its individual ingredients.
After gaining a feel for the principles of formulation, we will explore the methods herbalists use today to create formulas tailored to an individual’s unique needs. Finally, we will engage our intuition to sense the synergy within herbal formulas and consider how deeper understanding can strengthen and refine that process.
Be prepared to taste and experience the synergy that emerges when plants are blended together.
Abrah Arneson has been practicing as a clinical herbalist for 19 years. She currently practices in Ottawa and at her home near Wakefield, QC. She is the author of The Grandmother Trilogy: The Weaving: Plants, Planets and People, The Vessel: Women, Plants and Contraception, and The Wellspring: Ancestors, Plants and Healing. She is also author of The Herbal Apprentice and the Herbal Apprentice Workbook. Abrah is co-founder of the Alberta Herb Gathering and founder of the Outaouais Herb Gathering, Canada’s first bilingual herb conference. Abrah also offers a 3 year apprenticeship in clinical herbal medicine. For more about Abrah please see her web site at www.abraherbs.com
