NW Herb Fest

Well folks, I've just come back from a very amazing "herbal" experience! I attended the 2009 NW Herb Fest at Wise Acre Farms, just about 15 miles south of Eugene. I got alot of great information, met some fascinating working herbalists and a naturopathic physician (and several ladies studying to become N.M.D.'s - all of them at Portland's own National College of Natural Medicine). Although I'm not into Chinese or Ayurvedic Medicine much (I prefer the Western Eclectic tradition), the program does seem to be very comprehensive. So now onto the nitty-gritty pics and info!

First up is a picture of my campsite under an old oak tree in a huge open field, (the entrance to the Fair is directly behind the tree...see the pink tape if you click on the picture to make it bigger).


I was welcomed by several friendly folks as I set up my tent, and saw a beautiful crescent moon as the twilight deepened, then the stars came twinkling out, and I saw the Big Dipper, Milky Way...and many other constellations I didn't know. In the back of my mind I filed away a determination to learn the night skies for a future project.

Unfortunately, I think I got about 3 hrs sleep max...people came in until 1 am, the lights of their cars shining directly in everyone's tent, then bumbling around & noisily setting up their own tents. Of course there was the small hike to the bathrooms...


This a view from from my car in the parking lot (the other end of the field), with the green house & gardens behind the Port-a-Potties. In the background you can see the sewage company actually servicing the Port-a-Potties on Sunday Morning, (click to make the picture bigger).

There were alot of people there, maybe as many as 200 attendees. They also had a little vendor row, with some wonderful, mostly local products (there were a few from Washington & California). Here are some pics: (the one below I took from inside the main tent while I was eating breakfast)









The next view is from the other end, from the path to "kitchen" class room, in the back (on the right) you can see the table they used for the optional meals served during the Fair. I decided to buy all the meals, to save money (although I went out a little too!), and to learn about more healthy/vegetarian options for eating. The food was excellent! I really liked their garlic sour cream artichoke dip, Nancy's yogurt with granola & berries, quinoa with vegetables...and many other dishes. They were all prepared by the Park City Cafe (see a mini-review here. I complemented the lady who did the cooking and talked with her a little bit, come to find out they have a booth at the Oregon Country Fair near the Community Village! Awesome, definitely going to check them out next year...


















From this booth I bought a "Leo Balancing" astrological herbal bath therapy product. She also had a full year "Cosmic" herbal bath teas, as well as cooking herbs aligned with the signs/planets. Although I'm not much into astrology, it was a fun thing to get.






I also bought several tinctures from some other booths, and gathered up some propaganda from all of them, including one with herbal wines! Some of the teachers also had their own booths, selling their own herbal preparations, goddess tapes, book and various other items. One booth that I really liked was Mountain Rose Herbs
a huge sponsor of the festival, (which had only an an informational booth, not selling anything). They gave away posters, pamphlets, and lots of bumper stickers, plus let you touch, smell and taste several kinds of herbs they offer.


I have ordered from them, and used their products. So far I'm impressed with the quality, quick service and the cost. They are the premier local source for truly organic herbs, teas, and other body products.


Finally, I have some pics of the extensive herb garden:

Primrose & Coneflower (echinacea)










and some of my favorite flowers:









Nasturtiums & ?






Last, (but not least!) was the heat...it was unrelenting. I actually spent the 2nd night in a hotel, and was glad I did. I got some sleep and was able to pay attention and take notes in the classes alot better on Sunday. It got so hot in that big tent out in the field I kind of passed out and missed out on 2 good lectures. I ended up discussing the heat problem with some fellow student ladies, and found that it was a big problem for alot of folks, not just me. One older woman had pretty much decided not to come again, even though she had not missed one since it's inception many years ago (it's been through a couple incarnations, but always held by the same woman, Sharol Tilger). If I come next time, I will definitely stay in a motel with air conditioning!

The conundrum (if you will), is that it is the only reasonably priced herbal seminar around the PNW. The ones at Breitenbush are more than twice the cost...and the lecturers they get are VERY GOOD - almost all of them are clinical practitioners with 20+ years experience, and the majority have published books too. I will post more later about the specific classses and teachers at the Fair, since I think that information is worth sharing, and it's just so much I wouldn't be able to include it all here..(it's the post that never ends...it goes on and on my friends...).

Blessed be!