Welcome to the
St. Croix Valley Herb Guild
Bringing People and Plants Together
OUR MISSION
Providing meaningful access to herbal knowledge, fostering community connection with like-minded plant enthusiasts, and inspiring a deep relationship with the natural world, through monthly classes and events throughout the St. Croix River Valley area.
2nd Annual St. Croix Valley Herb Fest
Join the St. Croix Valley Herb Guild for a day of herbal learning, camaraderie, a vendor marketplace and more!
Stroll the grounds of the beautiful Green Pastures Family Farm nestled alongside the Kinni River and enjoy complementary herbal teas and brews.
See details below for our class line-up.
There are options for all herbal experience!
WHEN:
Saturday, September 26, 8:00am – 5:15pm
WHERE:
Green Pastures Family Farm
263 Liberty Road, River Falls, WI 54022
St. Croix Valley Herb Guild members receive a discount on the admission fee.
Current Members use coupon code: CURRENTMEMBER
(If you want to become a member, or need to renew, you can do so HERE.)
“Babes in arms” are welcome.
Childcare will not be provided for this event.
No dogs allowed.
Tickets are non-refundable.
$125 ($100 for Members)
Schedule
8:00-8:30 Check-in
8:30-8:50 Announcements and Introductions
9:00-10:30 Session One
10:45-12:15 Session Two
12:15-1:45 Lunch Break
1:45-1:55 Singing with Jessie and Genevieve
2:00-3:30 Session Three
3:45-5:15 Session Four – Keynote Speaker
Class Line-up
Session One – 9:00-10:30
Magical Memory Mapping: The Alchemy of Astrology and Flower Essence Therapy
Across cultures, the sky has long been understood as a mirror of life on Earth. Astrology offers a symbolic map of the soul, revealing one’s gifts, important life cycles, and possibilities for growth. Flower essences are subtle liquid remedies that carry the energetic imprint of flowers. They provide embodied emotional, mental, and spiritual support by helping us reconnect with our inner wisdom and bring our truth more fully into everyday life. Together, astrology and flower essence therapy create a practical, alchemical pathway for self-awareness, healing, and transformation—helping us move toward greater wholeness and remember who we are. In this introductory workshop, we will learn how to decode the astrological map and explore how different planets and signs connect with the soul’s evolutionary path. We will also look at which flower essences can best support these stages of life and brainstorm practical ways to incorporate astrology and flower essences into our work, life, or spiritual development. If you have a birth chart you may bring it for personal reference, but it is not required to know anything about astrology to benefit from this session.
Kali Higgins is an astrologer, flower essence practitioner, tea ceremonialist and sound healer based in Minnesota. Her in-person practice grew slowly, the way most living things do— formed by dark nights of the soul and sustained by the steady and quiet sunlight that comes from her own practices, faith, and support network. She works one-on-one with people in person and online. Sessions are inspired, supported, and shaped by what her clients bring through the door and what she intuitively channels from her own lived experience. Kali also offers group experiences through her signature programs, retreats, and classes. She is a teacher-student at heart, weaving together the wisdom of nature and the cosmos through personal insight, time-tested healing practices, and spiritual coaching support. Like all humans, she wears many hats and also answers to names such as writer, mother, friend, and community herbalist, specializing in Ayurveda and Traditional Chinese Medicine. When she needs to get out of her head, she enjoys dance, qigong, tantra, yoga, naps and long walks after quiet evening meals.
cosmonia.co
Vitality by Nature: Herbs for Energy, Resilience and Joy
What if vitality isn’t something you have to chase, but something you can cultivate? Join Master Herbalist and Nationally Board Certified Health & Wellness Coach Lisa LeCuyer for an exploration of herbs traditionally used to support energy, resilience, emotional well-being, and everyday vitality. We’ll look at several favorite plant allies, discuss when and why to use them and share practical ways to weave herbs into daily life. Whether you’re just beginning your herbal journey or have years of experience, you’ll leave with fresh insights, practical ideas, and a deeper appreciation for the plants that help us thrive.
thecreeksidecrone.com
Herbs for Better Sleep: Support for Rest & Restoration
Struggling to fall asleep, stay asleep, or wake feeling refreshed? Sleep challenges are more common than ever, but nature offers gentle tools that can help support healthy sleep patterns.
In this informative class, we’ll explore the foundations of restorative sleep and discuss common reasons sleep may be disrupted, including stress, overstimulation, busy minds, and changing life stages. You’ll learn how herbs have traditionally been used to encourage relaxation, calm the nervous system, and support deeper, more restful sleep.
We’ll cover several popular sleep-supportive herbs, including their actions, preparations, safety considerations, and practical ways to incorporate them into your evening routine. Whether you’re looking to unwind after a stressful day or simply improve the quality of your rest, you’ll leave with a better understanding of how herbal medicine can support healthy sleep naturally.
“Better days often begin with better nights.”
After witnessing the profound impact herbal medicine had on her own family’s health journey, Connie pursued several years of formal herbal studies followed by an 18-month apprenticeship before launching her clinical practice in 2005. Since then, she has worked with clients of all ages, integrating herbal medicine, nutrition, lifestyle education, flower essences, and other natural therapies to support the body’s innate ability to heal and restore balance.
As the founder of The Lamb Shoppe & Wellness Center, Connie has created a unique destination where herbal medicine, education, sustainable agriculture, and community wellness come together. She grows, harvests, wildcrafts, and formulates many of the herbs used in the Shoppe’s handcrafted tinctures, medicinal teas, infused oils, salves, and syrups, bringing the journey of herbal medicine full circle—from seed to remedy.
An enthusiastic teacher, Connie has taught college-level nutrition for 14 years and continues to educate through workshops, herb walks, certification programs, and community classes. She is passionate about empowering others to confidently use herbs in everyday life and is the author of several educational herbal medicine and wild foraging card sets.
Whether she is leading a class in the herbal garden, consulting with clients, or crafting herbal preparations from locally grown plants, Connie’s mission remains the same: helping people discover practical, sustainable ways to support their health through the wisdom of nature.
lambshoppe.com
Deepening Self & Nature Connections through Movement practice
Enjoy deepening your connection to plants by deepening your connection to your own physical and energy body while easing patterns of stress and moving thru stagnation and blockages. I will guide you in a movement practice based on QiGong, that is between 2,000 to 7,000 years old from tribal peoples in Asia whose interest was to live in harmony with Natures cycles and the mysterious forces. They created movements inspired by keenly observing the natural world, with interest in attuning with plants, animals, and the life force (“chi”) all around. Easy enjoyable movements that can be adapted for all levels.
Session Two – 10:45-12:15
The Art of Bitters
Bitters have a long and fascinating history as folk herbal preparations and beloved ingredients in cocktails, mocktails, and aperitifs!
In this hands-on class, we’ll explore the world of bitters through history, flavor, sensory experience, and creative herbalism. We’ll learn about the unique role of bitter herbs, their traditional uses, and how bitterness can be balanced with other botanical flavors. We’ll also discuss the basic ratios and techniques for creating your own herbal tincture blends.
You’ll have the opportunity to taste a variety of bitters, experience herbs through smell and intuition, and choose from a selection of plant allies, including herbs freshly harvested from Bluebird Hill Homestead, to create a personalized blend that speaks to you.
You’ll leave with a jar of your own custom bitters to continue infusing at home, along with a small dropper bottle for enjoying your finished creation and the inspiration and knowledge to continue your journey into the art of herbal tincture making.
Phyllis Jaworski is a phytophile—a lover of plants—and a Master Herbalist with more than 15 years of experience crafting herbal remedies and botanical recipes. After earning her Master Herbalist certification in 2019, she has dedicated herself to helping her family, clients, and community discover practical ways herbs can support everyday health and well-being. Phyllis enjoys inspiring others to build meaningful relationships with the plants growing around them through hands-on learning and herbal education. As a member and board member of the St. Croix Valley Herb Guild, she values sharing knowledge, learning from fellow herbalists, and supporting her local herbal community.
Sacred Ibis Botanicals
Heidi Madsen is the owner of Bluebird Hill Homestead, a medicinal herb farm, apothecary, and educational venue for kids and adults. She has been studying herbalism for over 20 years, and loves to share her passion for the natural world, inspiring people to connect with the plants right outside our door.
She leads a year-round nature club for homeschoolers, as well as several weeks of summer camps, teaching the kids hands-on herbalism, survival skills and natural art. She is the author and illustrator of two children’s books.
bluebirdhillhomestead.com
Wintering Well: Reclaiming Winter through Practices & Plant Allies
While winter often brings shortened light, collective busyness, seasonal fatigue and/or low mood, it also holds profound opportunities for deep restoration. This class interweaves natural wisdom and elements of Chinese Medicine to help shift expectations and embrace the season. Together, we will explore various practices and herbal allies that support the body, mind, and heart throughout the season of winter.
Kara Fischenich (formerly Swenson) is a practicing herbalist and integrative nutritionist. Her main office is located just outside of Mankato, MN with a second office in Zumbrota, MN. She offers one-on-one herbal consultations, leads local plant walks, and teaches a variety of herbal workshops. Kara is passionate about working with plants that grow in her bioregion as well as connecting with and living in tune with nature.
thistlepatchwellness.com
Flower Essences in Community Care and Trauma Response
This year in Minneapolis, old forms of community care founded in resistance and response to oppression (such as community acupuncture developed by the Black Panthers) have taken shape. The need to heal from the trauma of Metro Surge coincides with greater unravelling of health care, food security and real wages. Community care structures that we’ve recently developed in response to crisis and trauma are structures for building ongoing community care networks to address ever growing inequities and need.
Herbalists belong in these spaces!
In this session, Loey will share her experiences with building and participating in community care networks both as a provider of flower essence consultations in community clinics and as an organizer of material donations for bulk flower essence mutual aid distribution. She will share how she approaches brief no-cost consultations with custom formulation both in clinics and on the street, as well as the formulation, mixing, language and labelling, and distribution of the transpersonal MniSota Trauma Relief formula that she developed specific to the Metro Surge experience. She will offer some considerations for broad and specific community needs when providing at bulk levels, and considerations for custom formulation in brief encounters. She also welcomes discussion and networking for those involved in similar projects, and last but not least, welcomes discussion and collaboration from funders and grant writers!
Loyola (Loey) Colebeck is an integrative therapist using flower essences and somatic trauma healing methods since 2009, online and in-person. She was professionally accredited in Spain after completing extensive studies in Bach Flower Therapy and gestalt-related psychotherapy at various institutes in Barcelona. Loey has trained other professionals in Flower Essence Therapy during a 9-month training program that she taught from 2017-2022. She translated Pablo Noriega’s book, Bach Flower Essences and Chinese Medicine from Spanish to English. Loey lives in Minneapolis where she also practices as a artist, keeps a garden, makes medicines, and hangs out with neighbors.
mindisbodytherapies.com
A Forager’s Walk
Join local forager Russ Lake in the pasture and along the Kinnickinnic river to identify and taste wild edibles.
Russ Lake renewed a childhood interest in foraging after meeting Sam Thayer 20+ years ago. He has lead plant walks annually for Riverfest, The Psychology for Sustainability class at UST and other groups wanting to learn more about the topic of foraging.
Session Three – 2:00-3:30
Herbal First Aid
Join Jessie in learning the ins and outs of herbal first aid! This class covers herbal preparations such as compresses, soaks, tea washes and poultices for herbal first aid use as well as her top 10 most commonly used herbs for herbal first aid, and considerations for putting together your own customized herbal first aid kit.
Jessie Belden is a mother, folk herbalist, teacher, and homesteader currently tending land in Baldwin, WI. She is convicted that tending our inner ecology with plant medicines has a natural result of living in greater harmony with nature and our Creator.
flowerfolkapothecary.love
Flora, Funga, & Neuroplasticity
What common plants & mushrooms stimulate neuroplasticity when consumed? What is neuroplasticity? How is neuroplasticity different from neurogenesis? In this class, we will discuss the neuroplastic properties of hericium erinaceus (lion’s mane) & hibiscus syriacus (rose of sharon), as well as scientific misinformation from current perspectives in neuroscience. All participants will receive a mini zine summary of the class.
Crystal Jewell, PhD is a neuroscientist specializing in alternative & complementary medicine. She has co-authored academic/creative works featured in Nature Human Behavior, Frontiers in Human Neuroscience, Iowa Field Guides, & Stories of the Season’s by WFAN. Follow her Mississippi River folk medicine science & history education work:
ebonyjewelwing.com
Introduction to Natural Dyeing
Discover the art of natural dyeing in this beginner-friendly class! Learn how to transform natural fibers such as cotton and wool using colors derived from plants, flowers, and other natural materials. Students will be introduced to the fundamentals of natural dyeing, including fiber preparation, mordanting, dye extraction, and techniques for achieving beautiful, lasting colors. Through hands-on demonstrations and guided practice, you’ll gain an understanding of sustainable dyeing methods and the unique characteristics of natural color. No prior experience is necessary.
Rachel Everson Fink has been a fiber artist for the last 29 years with a passion for creating by hand and finding beauty in traditional craft. Her work spans weaving, natural dyeing, wool spinning, linocut printmaking, jewelry making, and visual arts. Each piece reflects her love of texture, color, and the stories that handmade objects can tell. Inspired by the natural world and time-honored techniques, she enjoys exploring the connection between art, sustainability, and everyday life. Through her work, she hopes to create meaningful pieces that celebrate the value of slow making and invite others to appreciate the creativity and care woven into every handmade object.
fjordandflower
Vibrational Medicine: What is it, How do Plants fit in, and How do I use it?
This class is intended to be practical in nature, easy, understandable information that can be applied to everyday life. It’s possible that it may create further curiosity for those attending.
We’ll cover vibrational medicine, plant medicine, the history of vibrational and plant medicine (as well as examples of therapies), how and why I use it plus experiential exercises designed to offer subtle energy experiences.
Jill LaRue grew up on a beautiful dairy farm along the Kinnikinnic River in River Falls. Her professional career is an accumulation of credentials based on following her curiosity and a caring nature.
She is a Registered Nurse, Naturopathic Doctor, Massage Therapist and Bodyworker, Certified Healing Touch Practitioner, Certified Equine Sports Massage Therapist, Clinical Aromatherapist, Flower Essence Therapist, and Animal Communicator.
Currently, Jill is retired from clinical practice, but continues to mentor, consult with other healthcare practitioners and provide animal communication sessions. She and her husband live in Hudson, WI on a sweet little hobby farm.
Session Four – 3:45-5:15
Awakening Your Own Ancient Roots
Lucy will share her own Ancient Roots Homestead journey as well as sharing daily rituals for slowing down that ground her into connecting to her own Ancient Roots. We’ll embody the practice of honoring our ancestors– inviting our ancestors into our life–connecting and weaving the past, present, and future together.
Lucy Grignon is an enrolled member of the Stockbridge-Munsee Band of Mohican Nation and a direct descendant of the Menominee Nation, Muh-he-con-ne-ok being of the People of the Waters that are never still, and Menominee being of the Ancient movers. Her work centers Indigenous foodways, cultural revitalization, community education, storytelling, and relational approaches to land stewardship and healing. A community-taught chef, educator, artist, photographer, writer, and advocate, Grignon brings an interdisciplinary and deeply place-based approach to cultural practice rooted in Indigenous knowledge systems, collective care, and intergenerational learning.
Her family owns an Indigenous Homestead called Ancient Roots in Bowler, Wisconsin, where they research traditional gardening practices from their Ancestors dating back from ages ago to present day. They use a combination of ancestral methods to learn, preserve, grow, seed save, reconnect, and share.
Grignon is the co-creator of AncestralRebel, a collaborative public humanities and culinary initiative that bridges Indigenous and South Asian food traditions, histories, and storytelling practices. Through feasts, workshops, talks, and participatory gatherings, AncestralRebel explores how food, kinship, migration, and shared cultural practice can function as tools for decolonial dialogue, community-building, and cultural memory.
Her approach to food, education, and writing, is inspired by her Ancestors, long line of lineage, Community, and learning from observing her older than human relatives.
ancestralrebel.com
Meet Our Board & Planning Committee
Katherine Krumwiede
Katherine Krumwiede is an acupuncturist and owner of Diamond Stone Oriental Medicine, and founder of Solidago Farm. She had the pleasure of being the Board President of the North Country Herbalist Guild for five years, and is looking forward to building our herbal community on this side of the river.
Genevieve Needham
Genevieve Needham lives in Wanderoos, WI. She has been practicing massage for 25 years and witnessing the ebb and flow of life and death through her work as a birth and end-of-life doula. She has cultivated relationships with the plants her whole life.
Amy Hess
A Registered Dietitian Nutritionist with training in integrative medical nutrition therapy and a passion for sustainability, Amy is dedicated to advancing knowledge of plants as an approach to holistic wellbeing and fostering community connections through her role on the St Croix Valley Herb Guild board.
Heidi Madsen
Heidi Madsen is the owner and steward of Bluebird Hill Homestead, a medicinal herb farm, apothecary, and educational venue for nature camps and herbalism classes. She is passionate about creating opportunities for people to experience a deep connection with the earth.
Jessie Belden
Jessie Belden is a mother, folk herbalist, teacher, and homesteader currently tending land in Baldwin, WI. She is convicted that tending our inner ecology with plant medicines has a natural result of living in greater harmony with nature and our Creator.
Eva Branson
Eva Branson is a lifelong resident of Hudson, Wisconsin. Since childhood she has had a deep connection to nature and a desire to help people which has lead to the study of several modalities in the healing arts; including formal study of herbalism with Lise Wolf.
Phyllis Jaworski
Phyllis Jaworski is the owner of Sacred Ibis Botanicals. She has a Master of Herbalism certification and supports women suffering from painful and exhausting hormonal imbalances to reconnect with their body, to achieve a greater quality of life, and vitality.