The Michigan Folk School
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Select a Class by Discipline

Class  Categories
 archery
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 boats & trailers

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​
 
children's classes
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food
​gardening & farming

​glass 
health & home
home 
improvement
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jewelry & metalwork
​
leather
millinery
​​​ & dressmaking
sailing
woodworking 
Open Studio  Categories
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​health & home

Wildcrafting w/Jim McDonald Series:
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​The very best way to obtain knowledge about Herbalism is by apprenticing to a gifted and experienced master.  Now you can get a taste of that apprenticeship experience by joining us for a series of seasonal plant walks. Herbalist Jim Mcdonald will be leading participants around the fields and woods surrounding the Michigan Folk School to explore the medicinal virtues, identification, folklore and preparation of many of the common spring "weeds,"  wildflowers and trees we pass by every day.   The information presented will be both specific and practical, based on Jim's years of experience in gathering, preparing, and using herbal remedies, and provide a basis for participants to incorporate what they have learned into usable skills with which to maintain and restore health.  
After the taking a Wildcrafting w/Jim McDonald further your education by taking the
​follow-up course Medicine Making Workshop (listed below Jim's course)

Course Fee: $40  - Supply Fee: $0  Location: Cherry Hill Nature Preserve or Folk School Campus
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Buds, Bark & Branches
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While many plant people spend late winter eagerly awaiting the first sprouts of spring, there is indeed an abundance of medicine residing in the buds, barks and branches that at first glance may seem so bare. 
Possible Plant Studies: 

white pine, black cherry, sassafras, & barberry.  ​
sat 3/11, 10am-1pm
Midsummer Medicines
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The summer sun draws forth the medicinal virtues of many plants that grow and blossom in field and thicket.​
Possible Plant Studies: 
 st. john's wort, yarrow, mullein, bee balm 
THUR 7/6, 6PM-9PM
Vernal Virtues
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From April into May when sleeping flora begin to burst from the ground, plant people and herbfolk  sowing seeds and harvesting these vital foods and medicines.   
Possible Plant Studies:
​dandelion, violet, cleavers, & plantain
THUR 5/11, 6PM-9PM
Wild Roots and Fall Foliage
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Autumn is the season of harvest, and the last opportunity to gather wild herbs before they are buried under winter snow.  
Possible Plant Studies: 
burdock, yellow dock, valerian, elecampane
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THUR 8/31, 5PM-8PM
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Medicine Making Workshops
As a follow up to Jim McDonald’s medical plant walk at the Michigan Folk School*, this class will lead you through the steps of how to harvest and prepare plants for medicine.  Participants will have the opportunity to review and discuss the plants and medicinal preparations featured on Jim’s plant walk.  You will receive samples of herbal infusions and  tinctures.  Additionally, you will go home with instructions for how to repeat the processes at home.
Course Fee: $55  - Supply Fee: $15  Location: MFS Campus
Buds, Bark & Branches
sat 3/11, 2pm-5pm
Vernal Virtues
sat 5/13, 9aM-12PM
Midsummer Medicines
sat 7/8, 9am-12pm
Wild Roots and Fall Foliage
sat 9/2, 9aM-12PM
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The Art of Henna Workshop
The art of Henna, called mehndi in Hindi and Urdu, has been practiced in Pakistan, India, Africa, and the Middle East for over 5000 years.  This workshop will blend the science and the art of henna to produce a comfortable comprehension of this ancient technique. In class you will learn about this enduring tradition and how it is sued in modern society. The course will explore henna body art and the artistry of beautiful patterns that comes with practice and control.  This course allows you to get in touch with your creative side, and learn the methods and materials required when using natural henna paste to achieve beautiful, flowing pieces of body artwork. 
The workshop will cover... 
  • Brief henna history & traditions
  • Different kinds of henna
  • Henna safety
  • How henna works (color & longevity)
  • Mixing henna basics
  • Application techniques
  • Design and art techniques
Course Fee: $60  - Supply Fee: $15  Location: MFS Campus
Tue 5/16, 6pm-9pm
Thu 5/18, 6pm-9pm
Tue 6/13, 6pm-9pm
Wed 6/14, 6pm-9pm
Tue 7/11, 6pm-9pm
Wed 7/12, 6pm-9pm
Wed 9/20, 6pm-9pm
Thu 9/21, 6pm-9pm
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Herbal First Aid Kits
Learn how to create an Herbal First Aid Kit from wild and cultivated medicinal plants.  You will learn how to identify, harvest, cultivate and process medicinal plants.  Learn how to make natural medicines for burns, bug bites, cuts and scrapes, muscle aches, and more.  You will gain the knowledge and confidence of being able to help yourself and others in times of need.  Each participant will have a strong start on their first aid kit by making their own time honored recipes.
Course Fee: $80  - Supply Fee: $20  Location: MFS Campus
Sun 5/14, 9am-12pm
Sat 7/8, 9am-12pm
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Making Healing Creams, Salves & Lip Balm
Wellness is not just about what we put into our bodies, it is also about what we put onto our bodies.  While many people today avoid skincare products with synthetic ingredients, there is a growing crowd of people who have given up searching the ingredient labels in stores and have decided to make their own high-quality healthy skin care product.  This course use bio-mimicry or nature as our teacher.  Together we will focus on a handful of healing herbs that can be easily found or grown in your garden.  You will learn how to infuse oils with herbs and how to blend these oils to create healing salves, creams and lip balm.  Upon leaving this class, you will be empowered to repeat the process on your own for years to come.
Course Fee: $60  - Supply Fee: $30  Location: MFS Campus
Sat 3/18, 9am-12pm
Sun 5/28, 1pm-4pm
Sat 9/2, 1pm-4pm
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Herbs for Coughs, Colds and Flu
In this hands-on class you will learn how to treat and prevent some common respiratory viruses, coughs and flu with locally grown and common kitchen herbs. Participants will learn medicinal properties and how to use several effective herbs.  By the end of the class will have made several herbal remedies to keep you and your family healthy throughout the winter season. 
Course Fee: $80  - Supply Fee: $20  Location: MFS Campus
Sat 9/2, 9am-12pm

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Soap Making 101
Learn how to formulate your own recipes, properly use and store lye, how to mix lye and water, oils for soap-making, goat milk, fragrance oils versus essential oils, super-fatting, additives and exfoliants, coloring, molding and curing. You will take home recipes, a list of sources for supplies and equipment, as well as a bar of soap you will make during the class.
Course Fee: $70  - Supply Fee: $20  Location: MFS Campus
Sat 3/18, 1pm-4pm
Sat 4/29, 9am-12pm
Sat 8/5, 9am-12pm
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Soap Making: Exploring Color, Texture & Swirls
This intermediate class explores the different types of soap-making colorants and textures. You will learn how to locate natural colorants and incorporate them into your soap, dry and wet mixing techniques and explore texturizing soap. You will take home new recipes, a list of sources for colorants and equipment, and a bar of soap we will make during class.

We HIGHLY recommend taking the Soap Making 101 prior to this course.  This class is not a beginners class.
Course Fee: $80  - Supply Fee: $20  Location: MFS Campus
Sat 4/29, 1pm-4pm
Sat 8/5, 1pm-4pm
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Soap Making Workshop: Essential Oils & Aromatherapy
Take your knowledge of soap making even further with an exploration of essential oils.  Essential oils are natural aromatic compounds found in the seeds, bark, stems, roots, flowers, and other parts of plants. They are known for their powerful aromas and have been used throughout history for medicinal and therapeutic benefits.  We will explore the uses of essential oils, including relaxation and sleep, stress relief, green cleaning, muscle tension and pain, and, of course, skin care.  In the class, you'll learn about essential oil safety, how essential oils are produced, and common methods of use.  We will explore the intensity of fragrance and Hedonic tone assessment as each of us mix our own unique perfume bouquet to take home. ​

Our Mission: The Michigan Folk School is committed to creating a community engaged in authentic, hands-on experiences through the teaching and sharing of traditional folk arts, crafts, music, and skills in an inspiring natural setting and to promote the preservation of forest and farmland.


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Email

registrar@MiFolkSchool.com
734-436-8973

Campus Address

7734 Plymouth Road, Ann Arbor, MI 48105

Business Address

Washtenaw County Parks & Recreation Commission
2230 Platt Road
Ann Arbor, MI 48104

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  • Home
    • Contact Us >
      • Show Your Interest
    • General policies & information
    • Mailing List Sign-Up
    • Staebler Farm County Park & Campus
    • Our Other Facilities
    • Instructor Portal
  • Learn
    • Instructor Profiles
    • gift certificates
    • Calendar
    • Categories >
      • archery
      • blacksmithing
      • boats & trailers
      • broom craft
      • bushcraft
      • children's classes
      • community learning
      • fiber
      • food
      • gardening & farming
      • glass
      • health & home
      • home improvement
      • homesteading
      • jewelry & metalwork
      • leather
      • millinery & dressmaking
      • sailing
      • woodworking
    • Open Studio
  • Teach
  • Finding Flow
  • Donations