June Herbalism Club Meeting

Backyard Herbalism Club
3rd Thursday of every month (January 2025 - December 2025)
June 19th, 2025
6:00 PM - 7:30 PM
Single Class Tuition: $20 Materials Fee: TBD

Each month we will be taking a deep dive into a new herb, getting a holistic picture of the plant, how it's used traditionally, how herbalists here in Ely use it, and how we can work with it in our home and garden. Some months may include recipes for cooking with the herb; while some months may include making tinctures or salves.

Our topics and herbs will move with the seasons, giving seasonally and ecologically relevant info, each month. The herb of choice each month may be announced well in advance or only a week ahead of time, responsive to the reality of the earth, growing season, and passion of the teaching herbalist.

Materials for each class will be payable directly to the instructor on the day of the class and will vary month to month.

Led by local, trained herbalists and friends, club members will have the opportunity to work with and learn from multiple personalities throughout the year.

• Bekah Lunn
• Jaime Brennan
• Susan Larson
• Tracy Koivisto
• Jennifer Toddie

Learn more about your herbalism experts:
Bekah Lunn lived in many places until finding home in a connection to the Northwoods. She has explored many creative mediums, including photography, silversmithing, fiber arts and kitchen craft. A love of working with and understanding plants through all these mediums led to an interest in herbalism and pursuing the Master of Herbalism program through the Green Wisdom School of Botanical Medicine, graduating in 2023. An ethos of personal growth from lifelong learning and reciprocity with our environment inspires her to continue deepening knowledge about our surrounding flora, and to share that enthusiasm with others. She prioritizes accessibility of art, craft and herbalism as folk skills that can be incorporated into anyone’s daily life. Bekah has previously taught Kids Maker’s Morning classes at EFS and Teen Art Workshops through NLAA, and finds joy in meeting people where they are along their journey.
Jaime Brennan has had a passion for plants as far back as she can remember. Her fondest memories as a child were walking through the family apple orchard, in upstate NY, to a small woodlot filled with native wildflowers and a little brook. Her passion followed her to college where she acquired an associates in Floral design and a BS in Horticulture. While traveling with her husband she found an herbal club that met monthly where another passion took root. Using plants and herbs for health. Jaime decided she wanted to know more and in 2007 went to Vermont to study with Rosemary Gladstar. She found a deep love in sharing her knowledge and products with others and opened an herbal store in 2010 where she felt a nudge to expand her knowledge. Jaime decided to become a Certified Health Coach. After moving to Ely, MN in 2015 she began teaching many classes, opened a wellness center and added two more certifications; Quantum Human Design and Quantum Alignment Specialist, and founded the Ely Wellness Collaborative. Her philosophy is to help others create Tranquility, which she defines as a body in balance, a mind at ease and an awakened soul. Her herbal products and offerings can be found at TranquilitybyJaime.com 
Susan Larson grew up spending most of her summertime at her family's primitive island cabin on Lake Vermilion and since 2020 has lived summers there full time. Although rural Northwest Wisconsin has been 'home' for the past 12 years, Sue is now is excited to call both Tower (summer) and Ely (Winter) her home. Her continuous curiosity and studies in the healing arts and modalities led Sue to complete her 1600-hour Masters of Herbalism from the Green Wisdom School of Botanical Medicine in 2019. Sue has a passion for sharing her knowledge and empowering other people to achieve wellness. Sue especially enjoys offering her hands-on, make-and-take courses which include the always popular Elderberry Syrup Class!
Tracy Koivisto has deep roots being born and raised in northern Minnesota. After wandering the mountains of Colorado and Alaska for the last several years, she is excited to be currently planted and cultivating a life in Ely, MN. As a graduate of the Colorado School of Herbalism in 2013, she loves supporting students on their plant path. Tracy is a certified clinical herbalist, certified nutritionist, certified astrologer, and medicinal herb grower, she also holds a Master’s Degree in Holistic Health Counseling and Nature Based Healing. In her wellness practice, Birch and Fern Holistic Health, she weaves plant medicine, nutritional wellness, and astrology into her vitalist approach, serving as a guide for individuals on a path to connect with their innate wisdom. As a medicinal herb grower, wildcrafter, and former manager of an herb farm, she works toward providing her community with access to herbal medicine and mindfully crafted herbal products. Tracy's last name, Koivisto, is a Finnish name meaning "grove of birch trees", so naturally the northern woods feel like home. She can often be found wandering the forests and exploring the plant life with her beloved dog, Fern.
Jennifer Toddie lives with her family a wooded homestead in Ely and delights in the  magic of making! She has been an educator for over 30 years, teaching middle  and high school social studies, social and emotional wellness, kids and prenatal  yoga, reading, writing, preschool and Elementary Montessori. She has taught  and facilitated summer classes for youth at the Ely Folk School for the past two  years, witnessing the joy children experience when they experiment with their  creative spirits, whether it be through cooking in the mud kitchen, storytelling,  building relationships, growing a garden, spending uninterrupted time in nature,  or making art that connects them more deeply to themselves, the natural world  and their community. Jen is a Master Reiki practitioner, and is currently studying  herbalism through Rosemary Gladstar’s The Science and Art of Herbology  certification course. Jen enjoys creating herbal remedies and products for her  family and friends here in the northland.