Cooking, Gardening, Medicine making--all for the health and fun of it!
FERMENTATION FEAST
February 12, 2017
2:00-5:00 p.m.
"The process of fermenting foods--to preserve them and to make them more digestible and more nutritious--is as old as humanity." "From the first successful batch of kombucha to that thrilling taste of homemade sauerkraut, the practice of fermentation is one of partnership with microscopic life," Sally Fallon. We are quickly moving from an era of wiping out all bacteria to one of realizing that our "garden of microbes", inside and out, is essential to health. For those of you ready to embark on the fermentation journey Madge and Jane will introduce the basic techniques of making kombucha, kefir, kraut, yogurt, cheese, & more. You can make your own from organic ingredients at a fraction of the cost of commercially prepared products. Delicious samples, detailed instructions, and starters to take home are included.
Cost: $45 or $80 for two. Reservation and contact information appears below.
GEARING UP THE ORGANIC GARDEN
April 2, 2017
2:00-5:00 p.m.
The finest freshest food and herbs are grown in our own backyards. New discoveries in soil science tell us that plants flourish and are nourished in soils that support a diverse community of organisms. So, in this class we'll discuss how to feed the soil and how to control weeds and insects without chemicals. There will also be numerous tips for growing your favorite herbs and vegetables . We'll tour Madge's gardens, and to ensure a head start for your garden, you are invited to dig and take home many perennial garden and woodland plants. Wear gardening clothes, and bring a trowel, shovel and a box or bags for plants. Handout and herbal treats included.
Cost: $35 or $60 for two. Reservation and contact information appears below.
APRIL is for FESTIVALS
Visit us at area herb festivals. They are great places to find herbs and other plants for your garden. Take advantage of the opportunity to talk to the growers about their plants and how to grow them, and even ask about those hard to find plants you've been wanting. Let the growers know what you want! You'll experience the excitement of your fellow growers and gardeners at the festivals.
April 22 - Cabarrus County Herb & Plant Festival
April 29 & 30 - Herb Festival, Piedmont Triad Farmers Market
May 5, 6, & 7 - Asheville Herb Festival
HOME COOKED FOOD
May 21, 2017
2:00-5:00 p.m.
Even though we all know that home cooked meals are best from a nutritional standpoint, they seem almost "out of the question" for busy families. However, with a little foresight, this can change. Madge and Jane will share strategies for planning ahead and cooking in quantities that allow you to have meals ready to serve plus ample amounts to freeze for future meals. Whether you are cooking for 1,2 or 10, you will be inspired to bring back the tradition of home cooked meals. While we cannot guarantee better health, cook at home for the health of it. We'll eat our way through this class so come with an appetite. Detailed handout and lot of tasty foods included.
Cost: $35 or $60 for two. Reservation and contact information appears below.
SUMMER SOLSTICE CELEBRATION
Faerie Tea Party
June 25, 2017
2:00-5:00 p.m.
To honor the cycles of nature, Summer Solstice has been a celebrated event here at Mills Garden Herb Farm. It's the longest day of the year, the garden has been planted, and the growing season is in full swing. Dress up in your own faerie costume, tour the woodland, and be prepared to be surprised. Madgecal things can happen. Be our guest. Bring a friend, your grandchild, a neighbor, some food to share, and lots of imagination to this event. RSVP by June 10. Contact information appears below.
Make your own:
MEDICINALS FROM THE KITCHEN
July 23, 2017
2:00-5:00 p.m.
Growing herbs is delightful; we love adding them to our foods and feeling the sheer joy of their beautiful flowers and scents. But there is so much more; many have powerful medicinal effects that can be easily preserved and made available when needed. Summer is the best time to prepare and stock your winter apothecary while your herbs are at their peak of vitality. We'll demo how to make tinctures, syrups, teas, and vinegars using garden plants or dried herbs purchased from a reliable source. A handout will include detailed instructions with directions and background information about common herbs. Take home samples to start your herbal apothecary. Delicious herbal tea and treats will be served.
Cost: $45 or $80 for two. Reservation and contact information appears below.
FOOD IS MEDICINE
August 27, 2017 2:00-5:00 p.m.
Food is medicine too. When one hears the term "herbal medicine", tinctures, capsules, syrups, and teas come to mind. However, many foods have medicinal properties giving them value that can address chronic as well as acute conditions. These foods taste delicious and are a joy to have on a regular basis. Many will be a hit with the kids. In this class we will demonstrate and sample a variety of recipes; a handout of all recipes is included. Hippocrates said "let food be thy medicine, let medicine be thy food."
Cost: $40 or two for $70. Reservation and contact information appears below.
FLAVORS OF THE SPICE ISLANDS
September 17, 2017
2:00-5:00 p.m.
In its day, the spice trade was the world's biggest industry; it established and destroyed empires, led to the discovery of new continents, and in many ways helped lay the foundation for the modern world. The search for the treasured spices we love brought the discovery of the Americas. Amazingly, we take such spices as ginger, cloves, cinnnamon, galangal, cardamom, lemon grass, turmeric, holy basil, black pepper, etc. for granted. In this class you will learn the medicinal and culinary uses of these plants and how they continue to play an important role in our lives today. Of course be ready to taste treats throughout the class; a handout will include all the recipes you will want to make at home!
Cost: $35 or $60 for two. Reservation and contact information appears below.
HERBAL GIFTS
October 15, 2017
2:00-5:00 p.m.
Homemade “Gifts from the Heart” are most appreciated and it’s never too soon to prepare for the holidays. This year surprise your friends and families with gifts prepared by you with love: eye pillows, salves, a “perfect cream", cutting board cream, herbal salts & rubs, packages of dried herbs for tea, & truffles. Many samples, all materials, and instructions provided. As always herbal tea and snacks will be served.
Cost: $35 or $60 for two. Reservation and contact information appears below.
Cooking from scratch:
WINTER MENUS & SOUPS
November 5, 2017
2:00-5:00 p.m.
Soups are delicious nutritious main dishes or a first course of a meal. They can be vegetarian or carnivorous, spicy, calm, colorful, smooth or chunky. Broths are the backbone of many soups and homemade broths certainly make great use of bones and veggie scraps. Thick or thin they can be made ahead of time and seem to always taste better “the next day”. Learn to prepare and use all year. We’ll have samples to taste and a how-to handout with many great recipes to take home.
Cost: $35 or $60 for two. Reservation and contact information appears below.
WREATH MAKING WORKSHOP
December 3, 2017
2:00-5:00 p.m.
Wreaths, garlands, and swags—oh my—one for myself and one to share. The custom of bringing greens inside the home at winter solstice and Christmas dates back hundreds of years. Continue the tradition by making your very own decorations with fresh cut evergreens, holly, ivy, pinecones, mistletoe and other natural items. Share in the holiday spirit, working in the barn, listening to holiday tunes, and sipping hot tea and spicy cider. This class is a celebration of the winter solstice, Christmas, and father time; many participants return year after year!
Cost: $30 or $50 for two. Reservation and contact information appears below.
If you are not presently on our email list and would like to be notified by email two weeks in advance of all our classes, send us an email at: millsgardenherbs@roadrunner.com and ask to be added to our list. Of course your information is not shared with anyone.
Reservations
To make a reservation, please fill out the form on the "Reservations" page, indicating the class you would like to attend and the number of reservations; send this form with your payment to:
Mills Garden Herb Farm732 Mills Garden RoadStatesville, NC 28625
Your advance reservation is required to assist us in planning. Make a reservation by sending in the form on the reservations page, by email or phone. Also, kindly let us know in advance should you need to cancel for some reason.The Form: Indicate the class you would like to attend and the number of reservations; send this form with payment to:
Mills Garden Herb Farm
732 Mills Garden Road
Statesville, NC 28625
email: millsgardenherbs@roadrunner.com or
Phone: 704-873-3361 or 704-929-0347.
Please contact us by phone or email if you have registered for a class but cannot attend.
Who Are Madge and Jane?
Two sisters who share a passion for nature and herbal healing. For most of their lives, thousands of miles separated them, but in “retirement.” Madge has created Mills Garden Herb Farm, and Jane has pursued studies in herbal medicine and nutrition. And, by some twist of fate, they are almost neighbors in North Carolina. They have combined their talents and offer a variety of classes at Mills Garden Herb Farm to share the knowledge of our great grandmothers: organic gardening (of course, everything was organic for them!), and the wide and varied uses of herbs in cooking and medicine.
Mills Garden Herb Farm, located in rural Statesville, NC is the realization of Madge’s dream to grow herbs and share her love of nature with others. The farm delights the senses; her wonderful garden beds have become magical places for birds, bees and butterflies as well as a sustainable source of herbs and food, supporting all life. The woodland garden has become a virtual fairyland, where she lovingly cultivates many of our NC native plants that are “endangered” due to overharvesting and loss of habitat. In her greenhouse, Madge’s 100% chemical free herbs are germinated and raised to be sold as potted plants at farmers markets in Statesville, Hickory and Charlotte, NC. They thrive in the greenhouse where they are tenderly cared for while listening to classical music all day long! Madge also is a member of NC Herb Association, the Charlotte Herb Guild, and manages the Evening Farmers Market in downtown Statesville.
Jane moved to Asheville, NC in 2001 after a 30-year career as a science teacher and school counselor.She worked in schools in the US, Brazil, and Japan. Always interested in science and healing, “retirement” offered her the opportunity to study herbal medicine and complete certificates in a traditional herbalist program as well as a clinical herbalist curriculum. She also holds a master’s degree in holistic nutrition.Through her teaching, Jane hopes to help others return to traditional healing methods with whole foods and herbs.She is on the board of the NC Herb Association, and has twice been a presenter at their annual conference, Wild Herb Weekend. She attends the “Medicines from the Earth” conference in Black Mountain, and also teaches classes related to nutrition and herbal healing in Asheville, NC.