Growing in Small Spaces: Edible, Biodiverse, and Multi-functional Plantings

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-- Saturday, August 16th –

9:00 am - 12:00 pm & 1:00 pm - 4:00 pm

UBC Farm,Vancouver, BC

For those urban gardeners who are eager to maximize the potential of their small space, this workshop may be for you. Whether it’s a backyard, a community garden plot, or even just a balcony, there are ways that we can increase our production and enjoy the fruits of our labour with increased food, beauty, medicine and/or habitat. We shall strategize about how to use available space most effectively in terms of choice of plant, plant placement, permaculture design strategy and biodiversity. Creating multiple functions, xeriscaping and mutual support systems come into play. This workshop will include a walk through the farm so please bring proper footwear and dress for the weather. Bring your own mug as we shall prepare a fresh, herbal tea for ourselves to enjoy while we learn.

A SPECIAL DISCOUNT is available for signing up for the 2 full short workshops with Sarah (Saturday, Aug 16th AND Sunday, Aug 17th).  After registering for this particular day of the course, you will receive a code for a 20% discount off the registration fee for the other day.  

IMPORTANT: A "Student / Senior discount" will be available to apply on the following screen.

https://secure.touchnet.net/C20435_ustores/web/product_detail.jsp?PRODUCTID=1938&SINGLESTORE=true
 

Sarah Orlowski is a Master Herbalist who has been honoured to have trained in First Nations herbal traditions. She has her Permaculture Design Certificate, believing that growing in accordance with Nature will be the sustainable way of the future. Sarah has taught for many institutions, including UBC Farm, Simon Fraser University, the Boucher Institute of Naturopathic Medicine, the Canadian College of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Capilano and Douglas Colleges and Van Dusen Gardens. Currently, Sarah helps to run an organic orchard and medicinal herb farm in the southern interior of BC, where she makes her products and trains student apprentices. She has a private clinical practice, where she gives health consultations and Qi Gong healing treatments. 

Growing Plants (including Trees & Shrubs) for Specific Uses: Edible, Medicinal, and Wildlife-friendly

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-- Sunday, August 17th, 2025 –

9:00 am - 12:00 pm & 1:00 pm - 4:00 pm

UBC Farm, Vancouver, BC

This workshop will explore the characteristics of the plants that we may choose for our urban setting. Whether it be a particular tree or shrub for a backyard setting or a small plant suited to a balcony, we will look at the many potential contributions of the plants themselves, for uses such as food, medicine, pest repellent, dynamic accumulator, shade, privacy, butterfly habitat, beauty, etc. This can be beneficial to us, the health of the garden and to the general environment.

During this workshop, we will walk the farm and gather various plants to create our own delicious, multi-purpose herbal vinegar to take home and strain later. Please be prepared for an outdoor component.

A SPECIAL DISCOUNT is available for signing up for the full short course with Sarah (Saturday, Aug 16th AND Sunday, Aug 17th).  After registering for this particular day of the course, you will receive a code for a 20% discount off the registration fee for the other day.  

IMPORTANT: A "Student / Senior discount" will be available to apply on the following screen.

Sarah Orlowski is a Master Herbalist who has been honoured to have trained in First Nations herbal traditions. She has her Permaculture Design Certificate, believing that growing in accordance with Nature will be the sustainable way of the future. Sarah has taught for many institutions, including UBC Farm, Simon Fraser University, the Boucher Institute of Naturopathic Medicine, the Canadian College of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Capilano and Douglas Colleges and Van Dusen Gardens. Currently, Sarah helps to run an organic orchard and medicinal herb farm in the southern interior of BC, where she makes her products and trains student apprentices. She has a private clinical practice, where she gives health consultations and Qi Gong healing treatments. 

https://secure.touchnet.net/C20435_ustores/web/product_detail.jsp?PRODUCTID=1939&SINGLESTORE=true

🌿 I’m presenting at the Kootenay Herb Gathering!

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This June 27–30, I’ll be sharing a Nature Walk and a workshop on customizing your treatment plan for each unique client at the Kootenay Herb Gathering—a weekend of deep connection, learning, and herbal joy at the beautiful Vallican Whole in the Slocan Valley. If you’ve been craving community, nature, and time with the plants, this is it. Join me and so many amazing herbalists for clinical workshops, herb walks, circles and celebration. 🎟️ Use my Presenter Code SO25 when you grab your ticket: 👉 https://herbconference.com/tickets/

Herb Walk and Plant Identification Hike with Sarah Orlowski, Master Herbalist

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Learn the uses and identification of various plants in our region on this hike up to Fisherman Creek. Medicinals, edibles, poisons and other plant aspects will be addressed.

Difficulty Level: Moderate

Date: Sunday, July 14th, 2024.

Time: 10:00 – 12:30Cost: $20 (Kids free)

How to Get There: From Grand Forks, drive west along Hwy 3 to the North Fork Road turnoff, just past ABH Car Sales and OK Tire.

Turn right (north) onto North Fork Road.

Go past Pines Bible Camp until you see Niagara Townsite on the right. On the left are mailboxes where Fisherman Creek Rd / Old North Fork Rd joins the North Fork Road. Following the distance markers this will be at approximately 10.5 km.

Where to Meet: You can park near the mailboxes. We will meet at these mailboxes but we will start the walk at the “Decimal Point” trail, uphill from the mailboxes on the right.

What to bring: Hiking boots or good walking shoes (no flip flops please!), water, weather appropriate clothing. Optional: pen and paper for note taking, camera, snack.

To Register: Please email osarah4@gmail.com or text 250-584-4653 or after July 9th you can call 250-442-2829 .

Pre-registration is required.

If you need a ride or would like to offer a ride, please mention this at time of registration and we’ll see if we can match people up.

(Financial hardship? Please inquire.) If you know others who may be interested, feel free to pass this along. Thanks.

Herb Walk and Plant Identification Hike

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Herb Walk and Plant Identification Hike

with Sarah Orlowski, Master Herbalist

Learn the uses and identification of various plants in our region on this hike up to Fisherman Creek. Medicinals, edibles, poisons and other plant aspects will be addressed.

Difficulty Level: Moderate

Date: Sunday, June 23rd, 2024.

Time: 10:00 – 12:30

Cost: $20 (Kids free)

How to Get There: From Grand Forks, drive west along Hwy 3 to the North Fork Road turnoff, just past ABH Car Sales and OK Tire.

 Turn right (north) onto North Fork Road.

Go past Pines Bible Camp until you see Niagara Townsite on the right. On the left are mailboxes where Fisherman Creek Rd / Old North Fork Rd joins the North Fork. Following the distance markers this will be at approximately 10.5 km.

Where to Meet: You can park near the mailboxes.  We will meet at these mailboxes but we will start the walk at the “Decimal Point” trail, uphill from the mailboxes on the right.

What to bring: Hiking boots or good walking shoes (no flip flops please!), water, weather appropriate clothing. Optional: pen and paper for note taking, camera, snack.

To Register: Please email osarah4@gmail.com or call 250-442-2829. Preregistration is required.

If you need a ride or would like to offer a ride, please mention this at time of registration and we’ll see if we can match people up. Thanks.

Herb Walk and Plant Identification Hike

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Herb Walk and Plant Identification Hike with Sarah Orlowski, Master Herbalist Learn the uses and identification of various plants in our region on this hike up to Fisherman Creek. Medicinals, edibles, poisons and other plant aspects will be addressed. Difficulty Level: Moderate Date: Sunday, June 23rd, 2024. Time: 10:00 – 12:30 Cost: $20 (Kids free) How to Get There: From Grand Forks, drive west along Hwy 3 to the North Fork Road turnoff, just past ABH Car Sales and OK Tire. Turn right (north) onto North Fork Road. Go past Pines Bible Camp until you see Niagara Townsite on the right. On the left are mailboxes where Fisherman Creek Rd / Old North Fork Rd joins the North Fork. Following the distance markers this will be at approximately 10.5 km. Where to Meet: You can park near the mailboxes. We will meet at these mailboxes but we will start the walk at the “Decimal Point” trail, uphill from the mailboxes on the right. What to bring: Hiking boots or good walking shoes (no flip flops please!), water, weather appropriate clothing. Optional: pen and paper for note taking, camera, snack. To Register: Please email osarah4@gmail.com or call 250-442-2829. Preregistration is required. (Financial Hardship? Please inquire.) If you need a ride or would like to offer a ride, please mention this at time of registration and we’ll see if we can match people up. Thanks.

Getting to Now

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For over a decade, my spouse and I have been running Canada’s
oldest, organic, permaculture orchard and medicinal herb farm in the Southern Interior of BC. Here I educate and make my own line of herbal products. Our farm is certified with Kootenay Mountain Grown, of which I am a board member. I am actively involved in Indigenous Education and love giving herb walks and workshops to both adults and children. Our orchard is located within Sinixt First Nations territory and we try to steward the land for future generations.


I have a private clinical practice, giving health consultations and Qi
Gong treatments. With the onset of COVID, I moved my clinical practice
outdoors into the orchard and have had such a positive response from clients that I plan to keep running the outdoor treatments (weather permitting), appreciating the healing contribution of the trees and natural environment.


I am also a Bachelor of Fine Arts graduate of Ontario College of Art and Design University in Toronto. By letting our inner muse take flight, I believe that a very intimate form of healing can manifest through artistic expression. Combining this personal, creative release with the healing gifts of Nature frees us to pursue our true potential and helps us to avoid illness deriving from unfulfilled ambition.

Canadian Herb Conference Nov. 5 – 8, 2020

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In this COVID age, the Canadian Herb Conference has decided to proceed with a coast-to-coast-to-coast, non-profit, online conference for 2020. It is an amalgamation of the Kootenay Herb Conference and the Vancouver Island Herb Gathering. Great instructors and informative content. Be anywhere you want for it. Hope to see you there...

Please use the code sarah20 when registering. Thanks!

https://herbconference.com/
CHC20-full-logo-green-reverse@4x.png

The Value of Education

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Along with my Master Herbalist diploma, I am grateful to have extensive training in First Nations herbal traditions, particularly that of the Lil’wat Nation. Having my Permaculture Design Certificate supports my belief that growing in accordance with Nature is the sustainable way of now and the future.

One of my main mentors was the late Morgan Wells, Herbalist and Acting Chief from Mt. Currie. Some of the things he taught me include that in any given area, there are approximately nine local herbs that will treat the usual conditions that arise in the given region and climate. He also recommended that each year, a person should learn one herb very thoroughly. That means learn it in all its phases: Spring, Summer, Autumn, Winter. One should make it into as many appropriate medicines that can be thought of (being cautious of toxicity, of course) whether that is a tea, tincture, oil, salve, cream, dream pillow, vinegar, glycerite, amulet, etc. Be sure to meditate with this plant as well, to learn its inner secrets. Learning in this way, we will always remember the plant, its identification in all seasons, its myriad of uses and more.

Having taught for many institutions, including the UBC Global Studies Program, UBC Farm, Simon Fraser University, the Boucher Institute of Naturopathic Medicine, the Canadian College of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Capilano College, Van Dusen Gardens, Squamish First Nations Witness Weekend, along with ten years in the Alternative Health Program at Douglas College, has helped me to share this knowledge and to never stop learning.

Herb Walk at Boothman’s Oxbow this Sunday

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Herb Walk at Boothman’s Oxbow with Sarah Orlowski, Master Herbalist Learn how to identify different trees and plants along with their medicinal and food uses. When: Sunday, July 26th, 2020 Time: 10:30 am – 12:45 pm Where: Boothman’s Oxbow Provincial Park, Grand Forks, BC Cost: Sliding scale $17.00 - $20.00 What to Bring: Good walking shoes, sunhat, water, pen and paper for note taking. Pre-registration required. Directions and further information will be given upon registration. Boothman’s Oxbow is along the Kettle River, approximately 7 km east of Grand Forks, BC. To register, please email osarah4@gmail.com. Thanks!