2023 Michigan Herbalist Classes - Schools, Walks, Workshops, Folk Schools, Events and Incredible Herb Fairs +Blacksmithing, Woodworking, Outdoor Cooking


Michigan Herbalist Classes, Walks, Workshops, Folk Schools, Events and Incredible Herb Fairs +Blacksmithing, Woodworking, Outdoor Cooking | By Sherry Trautman | Traveling Michigan

Classes offered in Ann Arbor - Milford - Chelsea - Scotts

After having my mind blown from attending a week-long class at a folk school out of state, I was determined to find some local Michigan herb classes, walks, workshops or fairs to attend. I'm obsessed with learning in general, but I'm particularly interested in health, well being and learning sustainability.

You have discovered my research page, of which I am hoping to attend a few of these herb schools or herb events below in the upcoming months. I want to learn herbal remedies, use of essential oils and nutrition during hands-on classes. 

 I have not attended any of these yet so they are not recommendations, simply ideas...If you have any suggestions please let me know!


“Life isn’t about finding yourself. Life is about creating yourself.” — George Bernard Shaw

Tillers International Is an Incredible Folk School in Michigan


School location:  10515 OP Ave E, Scotts, MI,

Types of classes: Blacksmithing, draft horses, farming, herb classes, Appalachian brooms, tin work, etc. Classes change. 

My Thoughts: Sounds so amazing! Can be pricey. 

Pros: Classes year round. 

Per their website: "Dedicated to teaching woodworking, metal working, animal handling, and other skills that can be used for personal fulfillment, professional growth, or international development."

Grab Tillers Schedule


2023 Great Lakes Herb Faire

The 2023 Great Lakes Herb Faire is September 8-10, 2023 in Chelsea, MI. Cedar Lake Outdoor Center, 2500 Pierce Rd, Chelsea, Michigan

  • Registration for the 2023 Faire opens in the spring, sometime around late March or early April.

My Thoughts: Sounds super freakin' cool, so relaxed and most like a folk school.  

Pros: Close by for me, affordable ~$200, plus meal plan ~$90.  Intensive classes are extra.

Per the website: "The weekend includes - brilliant teachers, classes for all levels, fun evening activities, music and dance, a wonderful kids' program, creative vendors and, of course, phenomenal food. The grounds are gorgeous and expansive, encompassing several diverse ecosystems and a plethora of wild herbs, with connections to local parks and trails. The Faire is a family-friendly event (with family pricing available). We believe herbs and natural well-being are an important part of our everyday home lives, as well as, for those who are inclined, a more in-depth discipline." 

Look for classes by Jim Mcdonald, Herbalism.

Here's a link to the Great Lakes Herb Faire!


Kensington Metropark: Chief Pontiac Programs Focused on Teaching and Preservation of Old World Skills

Kensington Metro Park: 4570 Huron River Parkway, Milford, MI. Located at the Kensington Metroparks Farm Center.  $10 vehicle entry fee is not included with the classes. 

While attending a maple sugaring event, we discovered Chief Pontiac also teaches lots of classes.

  • 2023 Chief Pontiac Programs include: Hands on Blacksmithing, Woodworking, Life Skills (such as Fire Starting by Flint and steel, Rope making and splicing and more), Bead work, Weaving and Spinning and fiber arts, and Outdoor Cooking classes.


Chief Pontiac Programs are located at the Farm Center, in Kensington Metropark in Milford, Michigan. Classes run April through October.


Hawthorne and Violet

Naturopathic Services and Herbal Apothecary. They have several classes including Winter Health, Herbal Medicine Making, Gut Health, Herbal Aphrodisiac, Wellness, Herbs for Stress and several opportunities for guest speakers.

Hawthorne and Violet are located at: 1024 N. Leroy, Fenton, MI 48430


Michigan Folk School in Ann Arbor

Address: 7734 Plymouth Rd, Ann Arbor, MI 

OK now this is cool.  The Michigan Folk School in Ann Arbor honors and shares the old ways of doing things by offering to teach skills you once might have learned while sitting on your grandparents' porch.  They have a huge offering of at least 50 classes each quarter. Medicine from plants, healing creams and salves, herbs for coughs, colds and flu classes sound interesting. 

The Michigan Folk School in Ann Arbor teaches: 

Fiber Dying, Intermediate Blacksmithing, Broom Plaiting, Crafting a Leather Bag, Leather Pet Collars and Leashes, Beekeeping, Leather Suspenders and Belt, Multi-Disciplinary Knife-Making, Building a Teardrop Trailer, Fruit Tree Grafting, Cheese Making, Timber framing a Slovenian Buzz House, Outdoor Survival, and lots of Organic Gardening classes.


Mid Michigan Collage's Lifelong Learning Series

You can find offerings such as Intro to herbal medicine (tinctures, body butters, salves, sprays, and herbal vinegars), food preservation and canning, agriculture, and more at Mid Michigan Collage's Lifelong Learning

Mid Michigan Collage is located at 1375 S. Clare Ave. Harrison, MI 48625


Bear Earth Herbals-Michigan Herbalist Classes

They have paused classes since 2021 but keep an eye out. They sell lots of herb and healing products online.


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