May 23

DeSoto State Park Medicine Making Workshop

Discover how to select fresh and dried herbs as you learn how to make teas, tonics, tinctures, medicated oils and salves from a variety of medicinal plants found on Lookout Mountain. This class is free and open to the public and runs from two until four p.m.  For more information or directions, www.desotostatepark.com

June 6

Edible/Medicinal Plant Walk – Little River Canyon

Darryl will be leading a plant walk/hike into beautiful Little River Canyon National Preserve. This moderately strenuous hike in and around the canyon will introduce participants to the amazing diversity of plant life found in the deepest gorge east of the Mississippi river. We will see a variety of plants such as the Cucumber Magnolia, Galax and Sweet Birch. Along the way, we will identify and discuss the edible and medicinal properties of approximately 100 plants. Participants are encouraged to bring a notebook, water and sturdy walking shoes.

Cost: $25/person

June 10

Lookout Mountain Herb Walk

Come spend a few pleasant hours hiking in some of the beautiful hills and hollows of Lookout Mountain. On this hike we can plan on seeing a lot of plants such as Black Cohosh, Bloodroot, Hepatica and even a bit of Ginseng if we are lucky. This is a moderate walk and sturdy shoes are recommended as well as water.  As always, bring a notebook and be prepared to take a lot of notes on the many plants the South has to offer in early summer.

Cost: $20

June 13-14

Gadsden Herb School

June 20-21

Rock Spring, Ga Herb School

June 17

Wildwood Lifestyle Center

Darryl will be speaking at the Wildwood Lifestyle Center in Wildwood, Georgia. This Seventh Day Adventist lifestyle center is unique in the South for its natural approach to holistic health.

June 26

Herbal Medicine Making

Learn herbal medicine making with Darryl Patton on beautiful Lookout Mountain in Alabama.  Learn the proper techniques to prepare and make old time herbal teas, tinctures, salves, poultices, infused oils and tonics. This is a hands-on class and will begin with a walk in the surrounding mountains where participants will learn how to identify, gather and preserve a wide variety of plants native and introduced to the Deep South.

The entire class will last approximately four hours and does not require any prior expertise in plants or herbal medicine. Sturdy shoes for the plant walk is recommended as well as water and a snack.  It is also highly recommended to bring a notebook.

Cost $25 per person/$40 per couple

July 2

South Caney Creek Fall – Bankhead National Forest

Imagine hiking down a quiet trail in the Bankhead National Forest when you suddenly find yourself dropping down into a Hemlock Tree cove where the temperature is ten degrees coolers and the cold waters of South Caney Creek cascade down a double waterfall into a crystal clear pool. Just the thing on a hot summer day! Join Darryl on an easy hike to one of the most scenic areas of the South. Along the way, we will have the opportunity to pass through a beautiful array of plants such as the Cucumber Magnolias and the not so common Rattlesnake Master.  Afterwards, we will make a short drive over to Kinlock Shelter, a magnificent Native American bluff shelter rising a hundred feet and home to many Indian rock carvings.

Cost: $30/person

July 10

The Home Medicine Chest/Herbal First Aid

No home should be without an herbal first aid section. While herbs don’t take the place of having your prescription medications on hand, they do offer a viable alternative when things get tough.  In this workshop we will look at a variety of herbs and alternatives for the treatment of cuts, burns, scrapes, stings, minor bleeding, diarrhea and even the after effect  of eating bad food. Know which herbs can be used for treating the symptoms of colds and flu, bruises and skin irritations. In this class, we will custom design an herbal first aid kit you can use to augment the traditional medicines you might already have on hand.  Learn how to use Echinacea, Grindelia, Arnica oil and many other herbs for safe and effective relief of everyday common ailments.

Cost: $25

July 11-12

Gadsden Herb School

July 20-21

Rock Spring, Ga Herb School

July 27-30

Gift To Gadsden

Every year, First Methodist Church of Gadsden offers free classes for the community.  These classes range from self-defense to chair caning. Join Darryl Monday through Thursday evening for an introductory class to herbal folklore.  Fast paced, with lots of times for questions and answers, this class is always well attended and popular.  Contact First Methodist Church in Gadsden for more information.

Cost: This class is free and open to the public

August 1

Introduction to Primitive Survival Skills

Spend the day learning, how to take primitive survival skills and apply them to a variety of wilderness applications.  In this day long class, we will cover many topics which will give you the basic skills to make it on your own in a survival situation.  Try your hand at primitive friction fires, cordage from plant and animal fibers, emergency shelters, woven survival belts, traps/snares, navigation and other  skills which just might save your life.

Cost: $75

August 5

Avian/Swine Flu Workshop

With all of the hype and fear being spread about the Swine Flu, it is critical to have knowledge about how a flu pandemic could impact the United States and the world. In this workshop, we will cover the past and the potential impact of not only swine flu, but avian and other “seasonal” viruses. With the potential to wreak havoc on the lives and economies of all the countries of the world, it is critical to know how to protect ourselves and our families.  This workshop will take an in-depth look at the herbal and “unusual”  treatments for flu and other viral infections. We will cover about 50 herbs and supplements which have the ability to either shorten the life of the flu bug or eradicate it completely.

Cost: $25

August 15

Alabama Forest Medicinal Plant Conference

August 16

Tennessee Native Moccasins Rock Conference

Darryl will be leading plant walks and teaching herbal medicine making at the Tennessee Native American Outreach program.  

August8-9

Gadsden Herb School

August 22-23

Rock Spring, Ga Herb School

Sept. 5

Walls of Jericho Hike

Simply spectacular is the only way to describe the high walls and clear streams of the Walls of Jericho in N. Alabama on the Tennessee line. Clear water, bountiful wildlife and an abundance of unusual medicinal plants makes this a must hike for anyone wanting to get away and spend a relaxing day in the woods.  A couple of the more uncommon plants found here are Lady’s Slippers and Jeffersonian Twinleaf. This is a moderate hike and good shoes are definitely required. This is an all day program when driving time is considered to this out of the way location.

Cost: $30/person

Sept.  12-13

Gadsden Herb School

Sept. 19-20

Rock Spring, Ga Herb School

Sept. 26

Introduction to Herbal Medicine

Have you ever wanted to learn herbal medicine but didn’t know where to begin? This class is designed to educate budding herbalists in the art and practice of herbal medicine.  Learn the techniques our ancestors used to treat their ailments through the use of nature’s medicines.  This class will cover topics ranging from the history and philosophy of herbal medicine, herbal medicine preparation and what plants to use for a wide variety of ailments. This is a hands-on class and will also include a plant identification walk. Participants will learn how to pick the proper herb for a particular ailment and how to apply its healing properties to the ailments of their family and friends.

This is an excellent class for those wanting to get a taste for the basics of herbal medicine and the ways in which it can be beneficial to them. While not as in-depth as the year-long herb school program, it will provide participants with a wealth of knowledge they can make immediate use of when the return home and look at plants with a new eye and vision.

Cost: $50