PENDER ISLAND ATTRACTION FIELD GUIDE
Embrace Your Roots: A Hands‑On Herb Harvest at Raven Rock Farm
A five‑hour, outdoor workshop on Pender Island led by herbalist Geneva Jacobs and farmer Matilda te Hennepe that teaches root‑focused harvesting, cleaning, processing and storage.
Embrace Your Roots: A Hands‑On Herb Harvest at Raven Rock Farm.
On Pender Island, Raven Rock Farm opens its gates for a focused, hands‑on herb workshop that centers on the roots of traditional medicinal plants. Led by herbalist Geneva Jacobs and farmer Matilda te Hennepe, the class moves primarily outdoors across sloped, variable terrain as participants learn identification, harvest technique and practical processing methods.
Highlights
Outing Highlights
Herbal and Farming Expertise
The workshop pairs an herbalist and a farmer to translate plant lore into field practice—showing how traditionally used medicinal herbs are grown, identified and harvested with an emphasis on root work.
Hands‑On Harvesting, Cleaning and Processing
Participants spend the majority of the session outside, learning practical skills for gathering, cleaning, processing and storing roots—preparing herbs for later use.
Tasting, Exploring and Getting Your Hands Dirty
Expect a tactile, sensory day: tasting plant samples, exploring both cultivated and wild patches on the farm, and engaging directly in the physical work of root harvest and post‑harvest care.
What the day feels like
What the Day Feels Like
Over five hours on the farm, the rhythm alternates between short, focused instruction and practical fieldwork: identifying grown‑by‑design and wild herbs, harvesting roots, then returning to process, clean and store the harvest. The workshop is deliberately hands‑on—participants taste, gather and work with plant material while moving across outdoor terrain.
Suitability
Who it's for
Who this workshop suits—and who should consider alternatives.
Practical planner
Details to review before reserving
The workshop runs for five hours.
Meet at Raven Rock Farm.
Dress for the weather—sunglasses and a hat for sun or warm, waterproof layers if rainy; wear appropriate footwear; bring a water bottle and sunscreen.
Review cancellation policies before reserving.
Frequently asked questions
Planning Your Outing
How long is the workshop?
The workshop duration is five hours.
Where does the workshop meet?
The class meets at Raven Rock Farm on Pender Island.
What will we do during the workshop?
Participants will spend most of the time outside learning about traditional uses of herbs and focusing on harvesting, cleaning, processing and storing roots, including tasting and gathering on the farm.
What should I bring and wear?
Dress for the weather; bring a water bottle and sunscreen; wear a hat and sunglasses in sun or warm, waterproof clothing if rainy, and appropriate footwear for uneven ground.
Is the workshop accessible for people with mobility issues?
This workshop is not ideal for people with mobility issues because the farm has sloped paths and uneven terrain that can be muddy or dry.
How big is the class?
Class size is limited, so participants are encouraged to sign up soon to secure a spot.