Herbal Field Apprenticeship in San Diego, CA.

Experience the magic of a 2-year outdoor, small group mentorship experience

that ingrains the bounty of knowledge you gain in the Botanical Eyes Community Herbalism program

into your bones. Two weekends a month we gather in herbal community to enjoy.

• Plants and ecosystems
• Camping trips
• Farm days
• Medicine-making workshops

Year 1 establishes the ethical and practical framework of herbal identification, harvesting, and usage.

• Botany
• Introduction to understanding and using the Jepson manual flora
• Common family characteristics
• Ecology of numerous Southern California ecosystems
• Fire Ecology
• Herbal Actions and Energetics of locally abundant plants
• Physiology of organ systems and corresponding local herbs
• How to prepare, dose, and apply herbal remedies in the field and at home
• Wilderness comfort and protection
• Ethical Wildcrafting and Food Foraging
• Bioregional Herbalism
• Activities to Deepen Your Relationship with Nature
• January - June
• Cost $2750 ($500 deposit included)
• Payment plan available

Year 2 deepens your connection to local ecosystems and learning about safe uses of potentially toxic plant medicines,

While engaging in intimate discussion of herbal ethics & developing your clinical skillset. 

• Advanced Botany
• Continued use of the Jepson manual flora
• Common Family characteristics
• Ecology of Southern California ecosystems
• Herbal Actions and Energetics of local plants with a focus on drop dosage medicinals 
• Physiology of organ systems and corresponding local herbs
• How to prepare, dose, and apply advanced herbal remedies in the field and at home
• Wilderness comfort and protection
• Deep discussions of Ethical Wildcrafting and Food Foraging
• Bioregional Herbalism
• Activities to Deepen Your Relationship with Nature
• January - May
• Cost $2300 ($500 deposit included)
• Payment plan available

The Herbal Field Apprenticeship program is designed to complement the Community Herbalism and Nutrition online education community while maintaining small apprenticeship circles for optimal learning and supportive mentorship. As a field apprentice, you will delve into field study and connect with farmers, herbal practitioners, and food sovereignty advocates to strengthen your relationship with local ecologies, the food chain, and, most importantly, your intuitive guidance systems that illuminates a pathway of wellbeing through educational empowerment. With hands-on opportunities to be gentle and knowledgeable stewards of the land and build your practice as an herbal practitioner or advocate, request an interview to join our field apprenticeship today!

Additional Information for Field Study Apprentices:

• We start interviewing potential apprentices in April.
• Companion field study apprenticeships are provided for a select number of students who interview and apply
• Class size is intentionally kept small to provide apprentices with individualized attention
• We will regularly gather online for herbal lectures
• Field study is based out of north county San Diego
• Rain or shine, class will be held
• Multiple overnight camping trips 
• Due to the wide range of ecosystems visited, driving is necessary
• Depending on where you are coming from, you may have an additional hour or more of driving when class is finished
• Carpooling is encouraged and riders should be prepared to offer a gas stipend
• Partial work-trade options are available
• Cost year 1 $2750 ($500 deposit included)
• Cost year 2 $2300 ($500 deposit included)
• Payment plans are available

What to expect in the interview process: 

• Interviews generally run 2 hours
• An opportunity to learn the details, guidelines and expectations of the program
• An opportunity to ask any questions
• Get to know Shana’s communication style
• Explore the perspective of ethics in field study

Ellie S.

I had a great experience.  I feel confident in my foundational botany skills and love showing off my knowledge of plant families and local ecology to anyone that may or may not be willing to listen.  Definitely inspired to continue on this path. I found Shana’s practice of teaching through oral repetition to be very effective and a great way to build trust and friendship in the group.  

Kimberly L.

 The depth and complexity of the subject matter you so deeply understand are amazing. I am awed by what you know. 

  I gained more confidence in use and application of herbs. I also gained a better understanding of the complexity of approach to use of herbs as allies due to the different constitutions of individuals. We are unique and our uniqueness needs to be a driving factor in determining what herbal allies work best.  

Amanda S.

Your ability to explain things with clarity and precision makes it incredibly evident that you have expertise and passion for the subject. There could be no better environment than the field and it was the best classroom I’ve ever been in!! I’ve learned so much from this class! 

Carolina V.

The apprenticeship went over and beyond what I expected.  I have a better understanding  on how to properly key out plants, more knowledge of the chaparral and the associated communities. 

 Being outside and hiking. The constant review and repetition really helped. Collecting plants and making medicine in the field. 

Abby E.

My time with Shana has honestly been life-changing. She is so passionate about what she does, she inspired me to find that passion within myself. Her attitude and perspective of liking at the body, paying attention to self-care, eating whole foods, resting, loving your liver and the fabulousness of bitters have raised my quality of life. Someday I would like to be able to explain nutrition and physiology with as much ease as Shana does. 

Sama W.

I've never been so excited about physiology in my life. Thank you for making it so fun and engaging!