2010 Speaking Schedule
Nancy & Michael Phillips

We're thrilled to offer our take on earth wisdom whenever the opportunity arises. Hope to see ya soon!

January 22-24, NOFA-NY Winter Conference, Saratoga Springs, New York. Michael will join with two apple growing friends (Lou Lego and Brian Caldwell) for a full day of organic apple exploration on the community orchard scale. A Home Orchard Basics workshop on Saturday will be a chance for home orchardists to come up to holistic speed. See NOFA-NY's website for details.

February 13-14, NOFA-VT Winter Conference, Burlington, Vermont. Michael will offer a Holistic Paradigm for Growing Good Fruit and then tackle ever-evolving flu when detailing a Holistic Approach to Influenza Pandemics. See NOFA-VT's Annual Events page to learn more.

March 6, NOFA-NH Winter Conference, Concord, New Hampshire. An apple workshop focusing on Orchard Health will summarize understory ecology, holistic disease management, and our attitude about other species in the orchard. Michael also will teach about Growing and Harvesting Healing Herbs that suit the small farm niche and are a vital part of community medicine. Check out NOFA-NH's Conference page and get on board!

April 17, Grafting and Pruning Workshop, Brownington, Vermont. Michael enjoys this annual demonstration day at the Old Stone House Museum in the Northeast Kingdom of Vermont. Participants get to graft seedling rootstock under Michael's tutelage and then get to take their "trees-to-be" back home. Pruning is explained in layman's terms and then aptly demonstrated.

May 1, Fruit Grower's Intensive, South Kingston, Rhode Island. Brian Caldwell and Michael Phillips team up again at the University of Rhode Island trial orchard to discuss the key role understory management and soil health plays for fruit trees, look at varietal and rootstock choices for apple, and identify insect and disease dynamics from a holistic perspective aimed at achieving maximum diversity. The day ends with a rambunctious wassail sure to kindle those hopes of offering the "good fruit" to one's own community. Contact of NOFA-RI for the scoop.

May 8, MOFGA Orchard Class, Unity, Maine. Michael enjoys heading "downeast" to teach folks for a full day on growing apples organically for their families and communities. Come for a complete rundown on orchard pests, allies, diseases, and proven apple varieties. We'll spend time indoors on the theory and roam the Common Ground orchards at the MOFGA fairgrounds for hands-on Q&A time. Check out MOFGA's Events Calendar for all pertinent details.

June 23-27, Herbs for Family Health, Sage Mountain, Vermont. Join Rosemary Gladstar and Nancy Phillips for a wonderful introduction into the world of herbalism. This class will include lots of hands on activities: learn to make excellent herbal products, create an herbal first aide kit, use herbal remedies for home health care, make natural skin care products, create your own herbal apothecary, and learn to identify wild medicinal and edible plants in their native habits. Details at SageMountain.com.

November 6-7, Cider Day, Massachusetts. Come for two days of orchard tours, cider making and tastings, and workshops. This is for all who love apples, fresh or hard cider, apple cuisine, apple orchards or just being in New England in the fall. Apple lovers need to check out Cider Day in Franklin County in the Berkshires! Michael will be there to give an organic orchard tour and lead traditional wassail ceremonies at Clarkdale Orchard on Saturday and New Salem Orchard on Sunday.

2011 Speaking Schedule
Nancy & Michael Phillips

January 15, NOFA-MA Winter Conference, Worcester, Massachusetts. Michael is honored to give the keynote talk for NOFA friends. Circles of Connection: On the Farm, Embracing Community, and Always in the Heart promises to explore the stewardship tapestry we each are weaving on our farms and orchards. Michael will also teach an all-day orchard seminar focusing on Orchard Health and a Holistic Orchard Compendium that details what needs doing when in the organic orchard. Nancy will teach an all-day herbal seminar focusing on Herbs for Family Health and the making of Herbal Remedies. Learn all about this gargantuan learning opportunity at NofaMass.org.

June 24-26, International Herb Symposium, Norton, Massachusetts. Nancy and Michael are honored to be teaching with herbalists from around the globe at this premier herbal gathering. Workshop details will be coming soon. Space fills quickly so go to the IHS website for registration information. And be prepared to dance the night away at the Herbalist's Ball!

Don't forget to check out our schedule of classes as well! Our programs here at Heartsong Farm emphasize meeting the plants and connecting with the spirit of the land. Many find the chance to visit this blessed spot a healing adventure just in itself. Each year we'll be hosting notable community herbalists who will offer advanced teachings as part of our ongoing Further Your Herbal Wisdom series. Orchardists-to-be will want to mark their calendars for our Organic Apple Intensive weekend with Michael held early in the summer. We're honored to have you join us.

We can come to your Conference! Interested in having us come to speak about organic orcharding, community herbalism, and self-reliant living? All you have to do is ask! We'll send you a presentation flyer outlining the types of talks we offer and our needs as regards expenses. Michael is available as well to do organic orchard consultations, which include a site visit and mentoring throughout a growing season.