Growing Community: How to Start an Herbal Study Group

Meeting up in-person, getting together for a chat, and spending time learning in community are vital to our individual happiness and collective wellbeing as a species.

My own journey as an herbal student was a mix of in-person classes, online courses, and self-guided study, with a mix of great, middling, and frustrating learning experiences. I've also been teaching in-person for over two decades and online for over a decade - and I've had my mix of experiences as a teacher from plenty of beautiful gatherings and plenty of clunky mistakes (like trying to teach when you're totally burnt out!). As someone who happily spends a lot of time contributing to the online library of resources for herbalists, healing practitioners, and magickal folk, I am also more committed than ever to making sure that the knowledge of how to host good gatherings and facilitate in-person learning spaces that leave people feeling inspired gets passed on to the next generation. I learned what I learned from what was shared with me by my own elders (including things I won't be replicating), including formal community organizing trainings, and from all the in-person learning opportunities I've been able to attend and host over the years.

So I’ve put together a little guide for hosting your own herbal study group or similar gathering, based on my own experiences of hosting these types of events. While it’s not an exhaustive guide, it’s a good starting point and I hope it’ll be helpful to those of you wanting to start an herbal study group or similar event but not knowing where to start.

The landscape of what sort of classes folks are able to access has radically shifted with the dominance of online social spaces and if generations who experienced life and gatherings pre-social media internet are not intentional about passing on knowledge of how to be in physical space together, that social muscle risks atrophying. Fortunately, it's a relatively easy fix and I hope that the following guide helps inspire folks across generations to strengthening our social muscles together.¹ As herbalists, we need these in-person get-togethers because I believe that plants speak to us as much as they speak through us, and learning about healing practices is as much of a community affair as the act of healing is.

So how do you host an herbal study group? Who's qualified to do it? What sort of resources do you need? Let's explore all these questions and more, complete with a sample outline for your first herbal study meet-up, and help support and inspire your own herbal community gathering in your part of the world. 

Before You Gather

image via @pmpietsch

Get Clear On Your Goals

You don’t need to be a practicing herbalist or even a senior herbal student to host an herbal study group, but you should have some clear intentions and goals. They don't have to be fancy or complex, but it's good to know your intentions for hosting an herbal study group and to set a goal or two to help you keep focused. These intentions and goals will also help you avoid trying to do too much at once or have other opinions drag you into work and commitments you don't want to make. Essentially, your intentions and goals are the soil of the gathering, helping your project grow strong roots and bear good fruit.

Starting with our intentions we can begin to understand what our goals are. Here are some sample intentions:

• I want to meet other like-minded folks interested in herbalism

• I want to share my experiences as an herbalist in a casual, low-commitment way (as opposed to offering formal classes)

• I want to study plants beyond just reading about them in books or making recipes on my own

Building off of those intentions, you can make some goals:

• Making herbal friends and having a regular herbal study group meet-up.

• Finding other teachers / experienced students I can collaborate with for future events.

• Creating an herbal collective that works on mutual aid projects together.

Of course, goals and intentions can change, but I always think it is better to start with something than nothing. Another way of looking at intention-setting and goal-making is that they are one of the ways that we set boundaries, which are essential to any sort of community resource-sharing practices (like a super cool herbal study group). 

Some boundaries you might consider, include:

• I can commit a total of 2 hours to a study group meetup.

• I can't provide free materials to the meetup, but I'm happy to share links to resources that folks can gather themselves.

• My skills are reserving and setting up spaces, but I'll need other folks to help with online communications.

Embrace Reciprocity

In-person gatherings, like an herbal study group, remind us that there is enough knowledge, inspiration, and energy to share amongst all of us. Decades of transactional-focused social media has created feelings of scarcity from feeling like we're constantly missing out, don't have enough followers or stuff or likes or influence, and pushing us into increasingly limited information spaces with algorithms meant to keep us scrolling, not informed or connected. When we feel limited in our resources it can be easy to fall into the trap of viewing everything as transactional, including our relationships of all kinds. 

I encourage all of us to embrace a spirit of reciprocity when it comes to hosting events. While there needs to be healthy boundaries, which can adapt and change as we adapt and change, the spirit of learning in spaces like herbal study groups thrive when their purpose is grounded in an open offering of knowledge. Let the transactional machine of social media stay online and let your gathering be held in the spirit of interdependence and free-flowing exchange. In-person conversations are much more nuanced, complex, and interesting than online ones, and its important that we protect our social ability to be in experience with others instead of being stuck in a place of constantly seeking a transaction. Reciprocity is also less-stressful and more fun than a transactional worldview, so let yourself shift your perspective and feel it out for a but.

image via @heftiba

Find a Place to Get Together

A place for an herbal study group should offer shelter from the elements (like a shady spot in a public park or a well-ventilated indoor venue), a place to go to the bathroom (whether public or private facilities), and somewhere that is accessible enough for your needs. If your study group is happening with a group of friends, then hopefully you'll be able to meet in your homes, but if you're hosting an event with a mix of peers and unknown folk, that isn't always going to be an option. 

Most free space options are going to be outdoor, like public parks (which is a great option for plant-loving herb folk), but sometimes local libraries or community centers offer facilities to reserve for free. Librarians are incredible matchmakers for finding free resources in your community, so show them and your local libraries love, and work with them when you can.

Holding a meet-up at the same time as a community event, like a weekly farmer's market, can be a great way to call folks together, where there are lots of opportunities for community-building (and buying your week's grocery while listening to the grooviest local jazz quartet) in addition to your gathering. 

Low-cost options include local coffee and tea shops, where often the price of either officially or unofficially using their space with the rest of the public is making sure all attendees purchase an item off the menu. If you have a local apothecary or metaphysical shop, they can also be low-cost options if they have classroom space to use. 

Yoga studios and similar centers can sometimes offer off-hours low cost rental opportunities, and they might be more interested in keeping a rental cost low if you're already a member of their classes or will be offering the study-group for free or donation-based. Other spaces like food co-ops with classrooms, local bookstores, and similar businesses might be open to your group using their space.

If you know that a local herbal study group is trying to find a space but is struggling with being able to afford to rent a spot, and you have the financial means to help out, go for it! I try to do this when I'm able to because I was modeled this by communities I've been a part of where folks recognize that we all bring what we can: from folks who bring amazing jugs of tea to share and others who know how to guide everyone through a plant ally meditation and those who help out by pitching in financially. Collaboration in the spirit of reciprocity!

image via @sir_jarvis

Who's Invited

If you're inviting folks you know, you're all set! For those of you opening up your meeting to acquaintances and strangers, there might be a few things to consider. You can do an open invitation to your complete social network, focus on in-town advertising at community hangouts or rely on your friend-of-a-friend network for inviting folks.

If you're nervous about complete strangers showing up to your study group, you don't need to make it an event where strangers are allowed. Stick with your comfort level and remember that just because you want to host a gathering, doesn't mean you're obligated to open it up to anyone beyond the folks you already know.

If you don't mind it being open to the public, but also don't want to find yourself feeling like you're stuck in a room full of strangers, hold your gathering next to an already happening event (like a farmer's market or bustling coffee shop), where it's open to the public while being in a public space with some good social norms in place (farmer's markets and coffee shops tend to be mellow spaces which can bring a desired mellow energy to your own gathering). 

You can have pre-signups available - especially if there are space limitations - which can also act as an initial filtering process, where you can share more about the event and social expectations.

Let People Know What's Up

So you've found the spot you're going to meet-up, chosen the date and time, and now it's time to invite folks!

When you are advertising your event, whether in a public forum or in a group chat, let folks know all the basic details of when and where an event is happening, but also be sure to include all the details that make it easier for folks to show up.

Part of intersectional and inclusive practice is creating access through information-sharing including letting folks know:

• If the space is or is not accessible (if it is in a room on the second story without an elevator - let folks know!)

• What public transportation lines (if any) exist nearby

• What the parking situation for both car and bike is

• What signage for the event will be up to let folks know they are in the right place (super important for events in large outdoor spaces)

• How to navigate a space if the entrance is not obvious

• Community etiquette whether that's not wearing heavy scents, no filming or photos, etc.

• Age restrictions and/or childcare

The list can go on depending on your community, the space you're holding the study group in, and so on. If the event is free, but you're planning on passing the hat for donations (whether physically or digitally), let folks know. If you're wanting to share food in the space or no food is allowed, let folks know. It's not about making unnecessary rules, but giving folks a big-hearted invitation with all the details to make it easier for them to show up.

Once folks get there:

• Let them know where the nearest bathroom is

• If folks are filling out nametags, point that out

• If there is water and food, point that out

• Let folks know who is leading/organizing the class

• Show them where they can sit and get comfortable

Of course, these things are going to shift and change if it is just a gathering with folks you already know really well, but I think every gathering benefits from there being a feeling of being invited in through letting folks know what is what. When I am able to for my own classes and events I love to have someone who is specifically in charge of welcoming folks into the space and helping them get settled. These welcoming practices makes a difference, especially with the increase anxiety so many folks have about showing up for in-person gatherings.

image via @naopp

Troubleshooting

Unwanted Encounters

I'm not going to lie, the rate at which (mostly, though not entirely) younger generations have been indoctrinated into surveilling and filming everyone without consent for the financial benefit of insatiable advertising-driven algorithms is intense and has changed the way that I think about public gatherings. And, I've also been against filming classes since I started teaching them because I want people to know that their private learning experience is not going to be broadcast for public viewership (a choice that I experienced a lot of criticism and outright hostility for over the years, but I've never regretted making it and still practice it for all my gatherings).

If you know that your study group is going to get bothered at the local public park, then it might be time to consider an indoor location (like a private room in a library that can often be rented for free). Try to see if one of your community members, that you know and trust, will let you meet up in their living room or backyard.

But if meeting in public is the only option, invite everyone into being aware of their environment and looking out for one another (including at the end of the event, making sure everyone's got a safe enough way home). I find that this practice of shared awareness helps to keep unwanted intrusions to the event at bay, but of course, work with your co-organizers to figure out what else you might want to put in place for the security of the event. 

Off Topic & Overrun

Having experience attending meet-ups with skilled facilitators is the best way to learn these skills, but If you find that folks in the meet-up are taking up too much airtime, getting off topic or overrunning the flow of the event, pulling everyone back to the outline for the class (see below) and reminding folks of time restraints (especially if you have a limited rental time) can often ground and center errant energy.

It's completely appropriate to be kind and direct when folks are taking up too much air time or otherwise derailing class flow ("hey, friend, we're going to let other folks have a chance to share their thoughts and ask questions now"). The best way I know to protect against disruption at events where structure matters, is to be clear on the class outline from the start which helps to lessen the opportunities for folks to overrun a meeting with inappropriate oversharing or any variation of over-explaining from a place of entitlement. In addition to having an outline for a meet-up I suggest letting folks know when the time for questions and conversations is going to be (I usually arrange for this to happen at the end of a meetup) and even use formats like small group sessions when there is a large group meeting so that there is more opportunity for more folks to speak up and share. 

Maneuvering all these issues comes with practice and you're not always going to get it right, but continuing to be curious about what it is you can do to change and adjust your perceptions and skills along with the expectations and energy of a meetup will help you grow in your skills as a facilitator. These facilitation skills will also help you as an herbalist, whether or not you choose to practice as a professional, and in any sort of activism work, so they are worth developing. These skills can also help to remedy some of the anxiety you might feel about in-person meet-ups and interactions knowing that you have a toolbox full of ways to work through more challenging interactions.

No One Shows Up

That's ok! Friends, this has happened to me and while it can be disappointing in the moment, it's not a big deal in the long run. You might need to change times and/or location, but sometimes you're going to have a no-show meet-up. That's part of the risk of putting yourself out there and I think that's a pretty fine risk to take, because other days it'll pay off and you'll have a great gathering of folk. Of course, making sure that your intentions and boundaries about the event mean that you're not engaging in burdensome financial risk (such as renting out an expensive venue without guaranteed attendees) or so much effort on your part that you’re burnt out.

It's Time to Gather!

image via @dienyportinanni

Setting the Tone

I love a good tone-setting for an event. In addition to everything from the Let People Know What’s Up section, setting the tone includes the way that you start and end the class as well as some of the social expectations you might choose to set. I love starting classes with a simple meditation to help everyone ground into the space and an acknowledgement of the land and those gathered. Class endings are quicker, full of gratitude for everyone whose been there, and making sure to let folks know of upcoming events and remind them of resources mentioned during class they might want to check-out. 

Sometimes it can be helpful, especially with a more informal meetup with a bunch of folks who don't know each other, to let folks know that this herbal study group is a great place to learn about healing with plants, but it is not a space to be healed by plants, receive medical advice or expect class discussions to be some for of group therapy. Not only does this respect the emotional boundaries of everyone present and help to protect the structure of the class, but it's also true. An herbal study group is an herbal study group and nothing more than that - what a relief! 

My goal with gatherings and classes is to celebrate that folks have been able to show up (no small feat!), to share my enthusiasm for our plant allies, and hopefully create a space for inspiration to flow between everyone present. In-person meetups are so much fun, in part, because of the real time enthusiasm that’s exchanged about a common interest - so feel into that!

A Sample Herbal Study Group Outline

The following is a sample outline that you can adapt for your own herbal study group and that I hope will hopefully boost your confidence when thinking about hosting an in-person event. 

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It's the first meeting of The Plant Ally Club!

They are meeting on Saturday from 10 to 11:30 AM in a park outside a public library (complete with easy access to water and free bathroom facilities, nice!). The group facilitators, Rosa and Moss, know that there might be an extra half hour of conversation afterwards, but they're fine with that and even have a lunch place around the corner to head over to if folks want to continue talking.

The invitations to The Plant Ally Club were semi-open - they were shared amongst Rosa's and Moss' friend groups with encouragement to share with their friends. Moss has brought iced herbal tea to share with everyone (folks were encouraged to bring their own drinkware) and Rosa is going to be the main facilitator for the event.

The plant ally they'll all be learning about is Calendula (Calendula officinalis) and Rosa was able to bring fresh and dried Calendula plants to show everyone, as well some Calendula oil and tea to let folks sample.

10 AM: Welcoming In & Setting the Tone

Moss greets everyone and offers them tea. Then Rosa excitedly welcomes folks to the first meeting of The Plant Ally Club and lets everyone know the outline of the class.

10:05 AM: Creating Space Together

Moss leads everyone through a simple breathwork practice (three big deep breaths in and out), then everyone shares their name and favorite color as a simple (and slightly silly) way of settling into space together.

10:15 AM: Meeting Our Plant Ally

Now it's time for class. Rosa is a professional herbalist and does most of the talking - at future Plant Ally Club meetings, things are more informal and lots of folks jump in with their favorite facts and stories about the plant being learned about. At different points, Moss helps to pass around the Calendula plant and remedies that Rosa has brought so everyone gets to learn about Calendula on a sensory level, too.

At one point, a participant starts to interject and veer off topic wanting to talk in-depth about mushrooms, mycelium networks, and the 5D human microbiome - Rosa gently redirects by letting him and everyone know that they can approach him after class to learn more.

11:00 AM: Conversations & Questions

The group is small enough that questions are done altogether instead of small groups. It's clear that questions and conversations could continue on for much longer, but after a bit Moss starts to bring the conversation to a close as the end of their time together draws near.

11:25 AM: Grounding

Rosa leads everyone through a super short and sweet grounding exercise to help those gathered retain what they've learned and feel settled enough to continue on with their day.

11:30 AM: Opening Space

Moss lets folks know of future meetings of the Plant Ally Club and everyone takes a moment to write down the names or take pictures of some of the herbal resources people brought. And then the first meeting of The Plant Ally Club is done!

♡

There you have it! A sweet and easy outline for a sweet and easy gathering. In my imagined scenario, an experienced herbalist, Rosa, was present to help guide class, but you can easily use trusted references like your favorite materia medicas or plant profiles to help guide the study portion of the class. As you continue to meet, folks will show up with different resources and ideas, teas will be made, and abundance begets abundance in what is shared. 

🌿

I hope that you found this guide helpful and that you're feeling inspired to start your own in-person herbal study group. If you’re looking for more resources about charging for events (because renting space can be so expensive) but want to do it in a values-centered, access-creating way, I have some resources on the sliding scale for you.

I think we're do for a revival of in-person community culture and my dream is to look back decades from now and see all the ways some of these groups are still going, inspired resources like books and art and media were brought into being through others, and that there are a whole lot of great stories to share (like Moss' infamous bitter roots tea and all the behind the scenes stories of the portraits of young herbalists Barbara took all those years ago). 

Remember, that the people that created the herbal and cultural resources we love and rely on today are just people like you and me. So let yourself create and collaborate and gather with your kin - I hope to see you out there!

This post was made possible through patron support.
❤︎ Thanks, friends. ❤︎

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Footnotes

1 Also, some folks reading this guide from countries where third spaces are abundant, community centers still exist, human rights like access to health care and free education exist, might find this list quaint. And it is. Hopefully, though, the more we get together the more we understand just how different life can be.