June 21-25, August 2-6, September 20-24.

May be taken separately or as a series.

Farm to Pharmacy is a unique and innovative internship program that takes place at Goldthread Herb Farm and Apothecary in the foothills of the Berkshires in western Massachusetts. The Farm to Pharmacy Internship is a unique educational opportunity that exposes students to the full spectrum of herbal medicine, from cultivation of plants to their use in clinical practice, with an emphasis on creating a sustainable, non-toxic, and cost-effective community-based healthcare system.

In addition to the seven-month internship, in response to rapidly growing interest, we have crafted an abbreviated version of the longer Farm to Pharmacy program that teaches all of the fundamentals of our seven-month program in three five-day intensives offered throughout the growing season at the Goldthread Herb Farm. The Farm to Pharmacy intensive-immersion program has been designed to offer people that live outside the community the opportunity to participate in this unique hands-on model of grassroots herbal healthcare in an intensive format. Participants will divide their time between supervised work with the herbs on the farm and classroom presentations designed to teach the most important material from the seven-month program.

The objective of the Farm to Pharmacy intensive-immersion program is to provide participants with the practical skills, medical knowledge and confidence to integrate herbal medicine into the lives of their families and communities according to their personal aspirations. The program is ideal for teachers interested in integrating herbal medicine into their curriculum in school gardens, or herbalists and practitioners of natural medicine who would like to deepen their connection to the plants and increase their understanding of herbal theory. Farmers can take what they learn and integrate it into their existing agricultural projects, and community activists will gain the tools necessary to apply herbal medicine to areas of social justice, urban renewal, and healthcare reform.

Co-taught by William Siff and David Crow at Goldthread Farm in Conway, MA and Goldthread Apothecary in Florence, MA.

• Certificate Awarded Upon Completion
• Possible College Credit Available

Registration

To register for the program, return the downloadable application by post or email and contact us at Goldthread Apothecary. We will schedule an interview and Q&A session. Space is limited to 25 participants.

Cost

• Individual course: $700                                                                                                                           
• Early registration special: register by April 1st and get the first course for $600.
  
• Register by June 1 for discounted price of $600 on the second course, and by August 1 for the third.
• Pay in full for all three by May 1st at the discounted rate of $1650. 
  
• There is a 25% non-refundable deposit at the time of registration to hold place.
  

Refunds and Cancellations

• Cancellation policy: a refund of 50% of paid tuition will be given up to 14 days before start of program. After this time there is no refund.

 

William Siff is a licensed acupuncturist and herbalist with over ten years of clinical experience. He has trained in Western, Chinese, and Ayurvedic herbal traditions. William co-founded Goldthread Herbal Apothecary and Herb farm in Western Massachusetts, and teaches the “Farm to Pharmacy” internship program. 

 

David Crow is one of the world’s foremost experts and leading speakers in the field of botanical medicine, natural health and ecological sustainability. He is a master herbalist, aromatherapist and acupuncturist with over 20 years experience and an expert in Ayurvedic and Chinese medical systems. He is a renowned author and the founding director of Floracopeia.

        

 

 

 

 

Goldthread Farm to Pharmacy Intensive Internship Syllabus

Following the cycle of a typical farming year in New England, the Farm to Pharmacy intensives are held in the spring, summer and fall with the intention to provide students learning opportunities that follow the seasonal rhythms. Taken as a complete series the curriculum offers a sequential progression of training experiences; at the same time each module is a complete program that contains all the core elements of the entire series. Each module will include both hands-on and academic components, including:

 

·      Detailed information on the propagation, harvesting and processing techniques of twenty-five to thirty major herbs growing at the farm

·      Botanical characteristics, medicinal properties, and therapeutic uses and effects of those herbs

·      Daily herb walks and plant identification in the gardens

·      Easy ways to integrate herbs into the diet and daily routines for increased health and immunity

·      Specific remedies for common ailments

·      Contemplative and experiential approaches to studying herbal medicines and their effects

·      Preparing tinctures, syrups, teas, salves, elixirs, and oils from freshly harvested herbs

·      Distillation of essential oils and hydrosols over a wood fired still

·      Using locally produced essential oils and hydrosols

·      Introduction to Chinese, Ayurvedic, and Western herbal theories

·      Replicating the Farm to Pharmacy model in other communities

·      Integrating medicinal plants into local CSA’s

 

         

Goldthread Farm to Pharmacy Intensive Internship details

Location

The internship takes place among the beautiful foothills of the Berkshires of Western Massachusetts, at Goldthread herb farm in Conway, MA. Our four-acre farm is surrounded by conifer and hardwoods forests filled with streams and wildlife. The area is renowned for its natural beauty, agricultural character, and vibrant communities. At the cultural center is the 5-College area and Northampton in particular. With its abundant arts, music, and food, it has consistently been named as one of the top small arts towns in the U.S. Goldthread Apothecary is in nearby Florence.

Schedule

The first Farm to Pharmacy Intensive will take place Monday through Friday June 21-25, 2010. Classes begin at the farm at 9am and end at 6pm. There will occasionally be special events that go into the evening, ending by 9pm. Days are structured with breaks, and interns will divide their time between working on the farm and classroom time throughout the day. The work will be hands-on and varied; while often physical and occasionally demanding, students will not be asked to over-exert themselves. There will be plenty of opportunity to relax and enjoy the natural beauty of the surroundings. The first program will end by Friday June 25th at 5pm. The second intensive will take place Monday through Friday August 2 – 6, and the third will take place Monday through Friday September 20 – 24.

Accommodations

The Autumn Inn in Northampton has been selected as the home base for the program; however, interns are free to stay anywhere they wish. A non-smoking New England Colonial-style inn with free high-speed wireless and an outdoor pool, the inn is a short walk to the bustling downtown as well as the beautiful Smith College campus, art museum, and botanic gardens. Special pricing has been secured for participants at $99 room/night from 6/21-25. For those interested in sharing a room, we can help facilitate the process. If a B&B or other options are preferred, you may contact us for recommendations.

Meals

A vegetarian lunch is included in the program fee, prepared using organic vegetables and dairy from local farms. The Autumn Inn provides a continental breakfast and there are over fifty restaurants within a short walk or drive. On the days when classes go into the evening late we will organize dinner.

What to bring

Weather in New England is variable so plan accordingly! The average highs in mid-June are 75-80°F with lows in the mid-50s. Some items to keep in mind are: raingear, jacket, layers, work clothes/shoes, sandals, swimsuits, towels, notebook, and sun protection. Herbal insect repellent will be provided. It is an area where ticks that carry the Lyme bacteria are present, so enclosed shoes, light-colored long sleeves/pants, and frequent spot checks are recommended. More information about this is available online and from us.

Travel

Carpooling from the inn to the farm is recommended as there is limited parking at the farm, and to save on emissions. We will help to arrange this as the time draws closer. We encourage you to come a day or two early or stay the weekend to enjoy this amazing area of the Connecticut River Valley. Whether day trips to the Berkshires and Boston, strolling through the local farmer’s markets and galleries, or a day on the rapids, we are happy to help you find what you’re looking for.

 

 

                                   

 

Directions to Autumn Inn, Northampton, MA  259 Elm Street, 413-584-7660

From Bradley International Airport

  Take 401S to 91N and follow directions From Points South

From Points South

  Take 91N to exit 18. At light, turn left onto Pleasant St. At next light (the main

  intersection in town) take a left onto Main St./Rt.9 which will become Elm.

  The inn is .7 miles on the right.

From Logan International Airport and Points East (partial toll road)

  Follow 90W to exit 4 for I-91. Merge onto W.Springfield then 91N.

  Follow directions From Points South

From Albany and Points East (partial toll road)

  Take 787S to 87S. Take exit 21A toward 90E, MA Pike. Merge onto Berkshire Ext Ny Thruway

  and continue to Ny St Thruway Berkshire Extd to 90E.  Take exit 4 to I-91.

  Merge onto W.Springfield then 91N. Follow directions From Points South

From Manchester and Points North (partial toll road)

  Follow 293S to the Frederick Everett Turnpike and continue onto 3S. Take exit 30B and merge onto 495S. 

  Take exit 29B and merge onto 2W/Mohawk Trail. Merge onto 91S via ramp to 2W. Take exit 20 and

  merge onto 5&10/King St. Turn right at Main St./Rt.9. The Inn is .7 miles on the right.

 

Directions from Autumn Inn to Goldthread Farm  264 S.Shirkshire Rd. Conway 413-625-8167  (35 minutes)

  Follow Elm back into downtown and take a left at the light onto King St. towards 91N. 

  From 91N take exit 24 for Deerfield and turn right onto 5/10N. Turn left onto 116N and follow for 5.8 miles.

  Turn right at Shelburne Falls Rd. and travel for 3.4 miles. Turn left at Pine Hill Rd. and right onto S.Shirkshire for .6 mile.

  The farm will be on the right.

 

Directions from Autumn Inn to Goldthread Apothecary 1 N.Main St. Florence 413-587-0620 (5 minutes)                                  

  Turn right onto Elm/9W and follow into downtown Florence. The apothecary will be on the right at the town’s main intersection,

  on the corner diagonal to the Mobil station and next to the Cup and Top café.