Linda accepted me as her apprentice last July. I went to study with her on her land in Wisconsin. We camped for almost a month. What I thought was going to be "Herb School" turned out to be an immersion in Earth-Wisdom, Wild Food, Nutrition, Wise-Woman Ways and sacred, non-violent, compassionate communication.

What made the experience unique and especially valuable for me was how Linda created a teaching space involving all beings and elements present and involved. Learning took place from sunrise to sunset and involved interacting with plants, animals and humans: plant identification, harvesting, food preparation and gardening.

We chopped wood, carried water, composted and made infusions, We sang, danced, enacted ceremony, did yoga and went on a couple of road trips. We studied botany, made cheese, did some fermenting, canning and prepared herbs for many purposes. We had guest instructors, too.

Everything we planned and did involved a lot of practice in the art of compassionate communication. The apprenticeship was intellectually, emotionally and spiritually challenging. I particularly enjoyed the provocative readings, training in wilderness skills and remembering. I came home with a much deeper, life-giving connection to the planet from the first ray of sun that greets me in the morning to the waste I produce. I also developed a keener sense of belonging to the cycle of life, the soil and Beauty itself.

The experience met my need to be in Nature longer, in authentic engagement with my environment and fed hungers I did not know I had. Aside from being a compelling educator who I am honored to consider a mentor, Linda is a phenomenal cook which is why I refer to the time that I spent in Coon Valley, WI as the Apprentifeast.

Barbara B. (Herbal/Earthways Residential Apprenticeship)
The District of Columbia