Education

Green Spiral Herbs Schedule

Scroll down to get information on Green Spiral Herbs' Herbal Study Program!!

Saturday, February 2, 2-5, Arts Council, Cobleskill, NY
Vending at the Mid-Winter Stroll. Stop by and see us!

Saturday, February 9, 11-1 at SUNY Cobleskill
Herbs for the Winter Blues - It's midwinter and the blues may have you down. There are some natural actions you can take to alleviate the symptoms. Join Betty for tea, talk and learning proactive steps you can take to help combat cabin fever/winter blues. Call 518-255-5528 to register.

Saturday, March 1, SUNY Cobleskill, Greener Beginnings
Betty will give a lecture on Calendula, the 2008 Herb of the Year.

Wednesday, March 5, Delhi, NY
Betty will give a trunk show and lecture for the quilt guild.

Wednesday, March 12, 3:45, at Girls, Inc., Albany, NY
Lecture on being an herbalist and growing herbs.

Saturday, March 29, 11-1 at Green Spiral Herbs, Huntersland, NY
Introduction to Herbs – Interested in herbs but don’t know an infusion from a decoction or a salve from a tincture? Join Betty Pillsbury of Green Spiral Herbs for a cup of herb tea and a talk about herbs, herbalism and how you can incorporate herbs into your life for food, medicine and beauty. Bring your questions and an open mind. Cost $30. Call 518-827-8730 or email bpills@midtel.net to register.

Wednesday and Thursday, April 2-3
Betty will teach at the Skyllkyll Embroiderers' Guild of America chapter.

Saturday, April 12, 11-1 at Green Spiral Herbs, Huntersland, NY
Spring Cleaning Naturally - Learn how to make and use herbal cleaning products that work and are friendly to the environment, your house and family. Many recipes included. Cost $30. Call 518-827-8730 or email bpills@midtel.net to register.

Monday and Tuesday, April 14-15
Betty will give a lecture and workshop for the Bergen County, NJ Embroiderers' Guild of America chapter.

Sunday, April 27, 9:00 - 3:15
First Day of Herbal Study Program 2008! See below for more information. You must register for this series!

Wednesday, May 14, 6-8 p.m. at Green Spiral Herbs, Huntersland, NY
Herbs to Relieve Headaches - Everyone gets a tension headache now and again. If you would like to learn herbal approaches to dealing with this pain, come by. We'll sip tea, talk tinctures and try an aromatherapy remedy. Cost $30. Call 518-827-8730 or email bpills@midtel.net to register.

Sunday, May 18, 9:00 - 3:15
Day 2 of the Herbal Study Program.

Wednesday, May 21
Girls, Inc. take field trip to Green Spiral Herbs

Saturday, June 21 at Wellington's Herbs and Spices in Schoharie, NY
Herb Walk and Intro to Herbalism. Time and cost TBA.

Sunday, June 22, 9:00 - 3:15
Day 3 of the Herbal Study Program

Wednesday, June 25, 6-8 p.m., at Green Spiral Herbs, Huntersland, NY
Herb Walk - Join Herbalist Betty Pillsbury as she takes you on a tour around her garden, which is a certified Botanical Sanctuary. Wear sturdy shoes. Snack provided. Cost $20. Call 518-827-8730 or email bpills@midtel.net to register.

Saturday, June 28, 12th Annual Herb & Flower Festival, Oriskany, NY
Betty will give a lecture on Sage - Beyond Thanksgiving.

Saturday, July 13, 9:00 - 3:15
Day 4 of the Herbal Study Program

Wednesday, July 16, 6-8 p.m. at Green Spiral Herbs, Huntersland, NY
Cooking with Lavender - Lavender is the quintessential herb for summer. Join Betty in her kitchen as she cooks up some wonderful dishes with lavender. Sample Lavender Lemonade, Chicken Salad with Herbes de Provence, Lavender Truffles and Lavender Cookies. Cost $30. Call 518-827-8730 or email bpills@midtel.net to register.

Friday - Sunday, July 25-27, Maine
Betty will teach three classes for the Pine Tree Quilters Guild, Augusta, Maine

Wednesday, August 6, 6-8 p.m. at Green Spiral Herbs, Huntersland, NY
Drink to Your Good Health - Herbal Teas - We'll be in the garden gathering herbs to infuse into healthful teas. Many herb teas make delicious iced teas as well. Learn which plants benefit your health and taste good too. Costs $30. Call 518-827-8730 or email bpills@midtel.net to register.

Sunday, August 10, 9:00 - 3:15 at Green Spiral Herbs, Huntersland, NY
Day 5 of the Herbal Study Program

More classes will be posted at a later date.

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Green Spiral Herbal Study Program

A Common Sense Approach to Incorporating Herbs Into Your Everyday Life

Many of us remember the time when grandmothers had the knowledge and skills to keep their families healthy through good nutrition and simple home remedies. The time has come again for us to recall that wisdom and incorporate it into our lives. Discover how easy it is to bring that genuine experience to your everyday life -- wrap your hands around a steaming mug of herbal tea; ease a headache with natural relief; or soothe your skin with an organic salve.

Through the Green Spiral Herbal Study Program, you will learn to identify, grow and use herbs for their nutritional, therapeutic and creative benefits. You will create herbal preparations for personal use. Come to Dan and Betty Pillsbury’s herb farm in Huntersland for 37.5 hours of instruction from April to September and learn about herbs.

The focus of this program is to learn about herbs in a friendly, caring environment. Class size is limited to allow for meaningful interaction.

The curriculum includes, but is not limited to information on:

- Identification of cultivated and wild herbs

- Growing herbs organically and gathering wild herbs ethically

- Preserving the harvest

- Herbalism terminology

- Herbal tea blending

- Poultices, soaks and compresses

- Medicinal infused oils and vinegars

- Salves and creams

- Cooking with herbs

- Infusions and decoctions

- Tinctures

- Syrups

- Herbal first aid kit

- Materia medica

- Aromatherapy basics

- Herbal strategies to improve your health

Betty Pillsbury has grown and enjoyed herbs for 25 years. She learned to make her first herbal salve as a teen from her grandfather’s recipe. Since then, Betty has grown and used herbs for culinary, medicinal and creative purposes. She has gardened in New York state, England, the High Desert of California and the Great Plains of Nebraska. Five years ago Dan retired from the Air Force and they moved to Huntersland.

Their garden includes over 250 varieties of herbs and is ever expanding. Betty and Dan have an herbal products business, Green Spiral, and enjoy developing new products together. Betty is also a textile artist and instructor.

Class dates:

Sundays: April 27, May 18, June 22, July 13, August 10, September 14

Class Times: 9:00 to 3:15

Students are expected to arrive on time, participate fully and remain for the entire class time.

Physical Requirements: Students should dress for the weather and be able to tolerate outdoor environments as herb walks will be held rain or shine, heat or cold. Proper foot wear is needed. Part of each day will be spent indoors.

Absences: Any student with more than one day’s absence will not receive a certificate of completion. No make up dates are provided. If we must reschedule a class, we’ll do our best to find a time convenient for all students. However, we reserve the right to make the final choice of dates. If a student cannot attend a rescheduled class, no refunds will be given; but upon request, we will issue a credit voucher for the value of the rescheduled class. The amount of the voucher may be applied to tuition fees of any future Green Spiral class. Credit vouchers are good for one year.

Tuition: Tuition is $600. This works out to a mere $16 per hour! A $150 non-refundable deposit is required with registration. The balance of $450 must be paid prior to the first day of class. Should a registered student not begin or complete the program for any reason, Green Spiral assumes no obligation, financial or otherwise.

Meals: Students should bring their own lunches. Herb teas and snacks will be served at no charge.

Supplies: A supply list and directions will be sent upon registration.

Call Betty at 518-827-8730 or email bpills@midtel.net to register.