Wild Ginger Community Herbal Center
joyfully invites you to the
Chesapeake Herb Gathering
May 2, 2026
Fox Haven Farm & Retreat Center in Jefferson, Maryland
3630 Poffenberger Rd, Jefferson, MD 21755
Earlybird Registration ends March 15!
2026 Chesapeake Herb Gathering
Saturday May 2, 2026
Fox Haven Farm & Retreat Center in Jefferson, Maryland
The Chesapeake Herb Gathering is an annual event
organized by Wild Ginger Herbal Center and KidsHerbalism.com bringing
together inter-generational herbal, land-based, and healing communities to celebrate our stories, our knowledge, our culture and traditions.
Our goal is to help cross pollinate solidarity and community lead solutions in our herbal and healing movement.
Enjoy workshops, plant walks, youth activities, community artwork, artisans market, campfire, and community connections
with local herbalists, teachers, clinicians, healers, botanists, farmers, birthkeepers, medicine makers, rootworkers,
artists, homesteaders, community organizations and much more!
This is a family friendly event . . . bring the youth and elders!
Youth aged 17 and younger are FREE (minors must by accompanied by a paid adult at all times)
organized by Wild Ginger Herbal Center and KidsHerbalism.com bringing
together inter-generational herbal, land-based, and healing communities to celebrate our stories, our knowledge, our culture and traditions.
Our goal is to help cross pollinate solidarity and community lead solutions in our herbal and healing movement.
Enjoy workshops, plant walks, youth activities, community artwork, artisans market, campfire, and community connections
with local herbalists, teachers, clinicians, healers, botanists, farmers, birthkeepers, medicine makers, rootworkers,
artists, homesteaders, community organizations and much more!
This is a family friendly event . . . bring the youth and elders!
Youth aged 17 and younger are FREE (minors must by accompanied by a paid adult at all times)
Event Schedule
Saturday May 2, 2026
9:00 Arrival
9:45 am Opening
10:30 - 11:30 Class 1
Root Cause : Healing through Plant Medicine with Eziaku Dr. OG -
Scavenger Hunt with Yvonne Brown - All Ages -
Phytochemistry of Taste with Betsy Miller - Dairy Parlor
11:30- 11:45 Break
11:45 - 12:45 Class 2
Susto & The Movement: Healing Fright During Times of Crisis with Brandon Ruiz and Tiff Joy -
Plant walk: Understanding Toxicity with Holly Poole-Kavana
Roots & Wings: Grounding Stories for Young Hearts with Malika Hook - Muhammad (Everyone) -
12:45 to 2:00 - Lunch - Vender Market - Food Truck - Traditional Mexican
2:00 - 3:00 Class 3
Womb Wisdom- Listening to your Creative Center with Muneera Fontaine
Making Friends with "Invasive" Plants with Candise Jordan
Flower Essences - Youth Class - Madison McCoy
DECAF - Coffee Alternatives For Mental Energy with Yuma "Docta Yew" Bellomee
3:00 - 3:30 Break
3:30 - 4:30 Class 4
The Alchemy of Sacral Steam with Ellenie Cruz
Incorporating Plant Medicine into your Daily Rhythm with Children with Alycia Wright (Everyone)
Plant Language: Kin-centric Ecology within Herbalism with Alyssa Dennis
Nature's Palette - Natural Watercolor Paint Making with Martina Maya - Callen - Everyone
4:30 - 6:30 pm Community Time - Campfire - Vendor Market
9:45 am Opening
10:30 - 11:30 Class 1
Root Cause : Healing through Plant Medicine with Eziaku Dr. OG -
Scavenger Hunt with Yvonne Brown - All Ages -
Phytochemistry of Taste with Betsy Miller - Dairy Parlor
11:30- 11:45 Break
11:45 - 12:45 Class 2
Susto & The Movement: Healing Fright During Times of Crisis with Brandon Ruiz and Tiff Joy -
Plant walk: Understanding Toxicity with Holly Poole-Kavana
Roots & Wings: Grounding Stories for Young Hearts with Malika Hook - Muhammad (Everyone) -
12:45 to 2:00 - Lunch - Vender Market - Food Truck - Traditional Mexican
2:00 - 3:00 Class 3
Womb Wisdom- Listening to your Creative Center with Muneera Fontaine
Making Friends with "Invasive" Plants with Candise Jordan
Flower Essences - Youth Class - Madison McCoy
DECAF - Coffee Alternatives For Mental Energy with Yuma "Docta Yew" Bellomee
3:00 - 3:30 Break
3:30 - 4:30 Class 4
The Alchemy of Sacral Steam with Ellenie Cruz
Incorporating Plant Medicine into your Daily Rhythm with Children with Alycia Wright (Everyone)
Plant Language: Kin-centric Ecology within Herbalism with Alyssa Dennis
Nature's Palette - Natural Watercolor Paint Making with Martina Maya - Callen - Everyone
4:30 - 6:30 pm Community Time - Campfire - Vendor Market
Register for the Chesapeake Herb Gathering
$108
(youth 17 and under free)
Add On Options:
(coming soon)
Get Involved:
Chesapeake Herb Gathering Cost:
Earlybird Registration Ends 3/15/2026
Registration: $108
Youth 17 and Under: Free
*All payments are final, non-refundable and non-transferable.
*In case of hazardous conditions the event will be held virtually.
Chesapeake Herb Gathering Location:
3630 Poffenberger Rd, Jefferson, MD 21755
Important Event Details:
- Lunch and dinner will be available for purchase from ** Food Truck. You are welcome to bring your own provisions, no refridgeration or heating or kitchen facilities are available onsite.
-If you plan to stay for activities including volunteering on Sunday or the optional add-on intensive, please bring your own non-perishable foods.
-Camping is available on site on Saturday only, this is being organized and sold by Fox Haven Retreat Center separete from this Chesapeake Herb Gathering. Camping is not included in Chesapeake Herb Gathering Regisration.
- This event is outdoors and rain or shine!
- Carpooling is appreciated, please network with a friend/s when you register.
- The grounds are open for arrival from Saturday May 2 at 9:45 am , the event ends Saturday May 2 at 7 pm. You may stay and camp and book that seperately through Fox Haven Farm by clicking here.
- Showers are not available on site, ample bathrooms will be onsite.
- There will be an additional Add - On Intensive Available Sunday Afternoon with Brandon Ruiz at Wild Ginger Herbal Center - this is not included in registration to the Chesapeake Herb Gathering.
Sunday Afternoon Add-On Intensive with Brandon Ruiz
If you'd like to join us for an amazing class after the CHG please register directly with Brandon! The class will be at Wild Ginger Herbal Center in Bryans Road, Maryland, about an hour and a half from the Chesapeake Herb Gathering.
Packing List:
- Cash for food and artisans market.
- Waterbottle, tea/coffee cups.
- All your camping gear if you purchase camping (tent, rainfly, poles, stakes, sleeping bags, flashlights etc) (we do not provide camping gear.)
- Parking is not next to camping, you will need to carry your items to camping areas.
- Weather appropriate clothing for cool / warm weather, sun protection, hats.
- Bring an extra chair for campfire etc
Local Resources:
Hotels Can be Found in Frederick, about 30 minutes away.
SUNDAY ADD ON INTENSIVE
Registration Opens Soon with Brandon Ruiz
May. 3 from 12-4
*This Class is at Wild Ginger Herbal Center
Located in Bryans Road, Maryland
Pre-Registration is Required
Registration Opens Soon with Brandon Ruiz
May. 3 from 12-4
*This Class is at Wild Ginger Herbal Center
Located in Bryans Road, Maryland
Pre-Registration is Required
2026 Teachers
Brandon Ruiz
Brandon Ruiz (he/him) is a Boricua community herbalist, farmer, educator and culture bearer based on the East Coast of Turtle Island (North America). He runs Yucayeke Farms, a farming and herbalism project dedicated to preserving Caribbean culture through food, plant medicine and storytelling. He is a writer, upcoming author and teaches for international conferences, herbal schools around the country and individual programs on Turtle Island and the Caribbean. His work aims to reconnect the Caribbean community to traditional practices through educational experiences, art and community, in and outside of the Caribbean.
Brandon Ruiz (he/him) is a Boricua community herbalist, farmer, educator and culture bearer based on the East Coast of Turtle Island (North America). He runs Yucayeke Farms, a farming and herbalism project dedicated to preserving Caribbean culture through food, plant medicine and storytelling. He is a writer, upcoming author and teaches for international conferences, herbal schools around the country and individual programs on Turtle Island and the Caribbean. His work aims to reconnect the Caribbean community to traditional practices through educational experiences, art and community, in and outside of the Caribbean.
Yum "Docta Yew" Bellomee
Yuma "Dr. Yew" Bellomee is a Certified Holistic Health Consultant, herbalist, wellness advocate/educator, and musical artist, who has been featured in numerous radio programs, natural hair, health & beauty expos, magazine articles, and community and school programs as a speaker and workshop facilitator on wholistic wellness. He is also the founder of Yew-360 Wholistic Health & Wellness, LLC, and a member of the African Wholistic Health Association (AWHA), and the Collective Health Initiative (CHI) in Washington, DC.
Yuma "Dr. Yew" Bellomee is a Certified Holistic Health Consultant, herbalist, wellness advocate/educator, and musical artist, who has been featured in numerous radio programs, natural hair, health & beauty expos, magazine articles, and community and school programs as a speaker and workshop facilitator on wholistic wellness. He is also the founder of Yew-360 Wholistic Health & Wellness, LLC, and a member of the African Wholistic Health Association (AWHA), and the Collective Health Initiative (CHI) in Washington, DC.
Alyssa Dennis
Alyssa Dennis is a dedicated earth activist, spiritual ecologist, educator, interdisciplinary artist, clinical herbalist and founder of Eclipta Herbal. She also stewards a vibrant herbal sanctuary in Baltimore City — a living classroom home to over 125 species of medicinal plants. This space is a heart-centered venture of ecological conservation—of both the human body and the land body—which serves as gathering ground for plant medicine education, community building, earth skills workshops, and collaboration. Find out more at: https://ecliptaherbal.com/ or follow Alyssa @ecliptaherbal.
Alyssa Dennis is a dedicated earth activist, spiritual ecologist, educator, interdisciplinary artist, clinical herbalist and founder of Eclipta Herbal. She also stewards a vibrant herbal sanctuary in Baltimore City — a living classroom home to over 125 species of medicinal plants. This space is a heart-centered venture of ecological conservation—of both the human body and the land body—which serves as gathering ground for plant medicine education, community building, earth skills workshops, and collaboration. Find out more at: https://ecliptaherbal.com/ or follow Alyssa @ecliptaherbal.
Alycia Wright
Alycia Wright, M.Ed is a former teacher turned homeschool mom. In 2017 she created Cultural Roots Homeschool Cooperative in Richmond, Va. Alycia also runs the Milele Forest Experience, a forrest and farm school for tweens and teens.
Alycia Wright, M.Ed is a former teacher turned homeschool mom. In 2017 she created Cultural Roots Homeschool Cooperative in Richmond, Va. Alycia also runs the Milele Forest Experience, a forrest and farm school for tweens and teens.
Martina Maya-Callen
Martina Maya-Callen is an award-winning social entrepreneur, artist, educator, and advocate who has dedicated her career to using creativity as a catalyst for healing. She is passionate about reconnecting communities to nature and art. She recently completed an Art Residency with the National Park Service - Catoctin Mountain Park, where she focused her time on creating handmade natural watercolor paint from the resources within the community such as Maple Leaves, Elderberries, and Plums. Her work on the transformational healing power of art over the last ten years has led her to do National and International talks including for TEDx and the United Nations. In 2017, Martina gained international recognition when her performance art piece and sculpture on eating disorders went viral, reaching global audiences through Cosmopolitan, Refinery29, Teen Vogue, Yahoo Beauty!, and Amy Poehler’s Smart Girls. Her 2021 solo virtual exhibition also went global within 48 hours of launching, viewed on 6 continents. As an Artist In Residence in Medical Centers working with primarily cancer patients, she intermixes diverse creative arts and wellness practices to create curated experiences to share music, art, dance, herbalism, and yoga. The aim of her practice is for individuals to be present for the process of creating and embracing mindfulness. Her educational background includes pursuing an M.F.A. in Social Practice at George Washington University, a B.A. in Conflict Analysis and Dispute Resolution and a B.F.A. in Sculptural Arts from Salisbury University. As well as holding a 200 Hour Yoga Teacher Training (YTT) and currently pursuing a 500 YTT.
Martina Maya-Callen is an award-winning social entrepreneur, artist, educator, and advocate who has dedicated her career to using creativity as a catalyst for healing. She is passionate about reconnecting communities to nature and art. She recently completed an Art Residency with the National Park Service - Catoctin Mountain Park, where she focused her time on creating handmade natural watercolor paint from the resources within the community such as Maple Leaves, Elderberries, and Plums. Her work on the transformational healing power of art over the last ten years has led her to do National and International talks including for TEDx and the United Nations. In 2017, Martina gained international recognition when her performance art piece and sculpture on eating disorders went viral, reaching global audiences through Cosmopolitan, Refinery29, Teen Vogue, Yahoo Beauty!, and Amy Poehler’s Smart Girls. Her 2021 solo virtual exhibition also went global within 48 hours of launching, viewed on 6 continents. As an Artist In Residence in Medical Centers working with primarily cancer patients, she intermixes diverse creative arts and wellness practices to create curated experiences to share music, art, dance, herbalism, and yoga. The aim of her practice is for individuals to be present for the process of creating and embracing mindfulness. Her educational background includes pursuing an M.F.A. in Social Practice at George Washington University, a B.A. in Conflict Analysis and Dispute Resolution and a B.F.A. in Sculptural Arts from Salisbury University. As well as holding a 200 Hour Yoga Teacher Training (YTT) and currently pursuing a 500 YTT.
Eziaku Ogbanna
Eziaku Ogbonna, PharmD, BCPS, MBA, PMP, (“Dr. OG”), is a Clinical Pharmacist Specialist, Medical Herbalist and Mystic who straddles paradox: a healer within a system built to suppress healing.
Raised in Nigeria, she watched her grandmother use herbs as everyday medicine; an imprint that later matured into calling and joy. She earned her Doctor of Pharmacy degree from the University of Maryland Baltimore and an MBA in Management & Entrepreneurship from the University of Baltimore, where she was inducted into Sigma Iota Epsilon and Sigma Nu Tau honor societies. She is also a Board-Certified Pharmacotherapy Specialist and a certified Project Management Professional.
During her studies, she pursued complementary and alternative medicine electives and later trained in herbalism at Fox Haven Farm under Lacey Gean. Today, she serves in pharmacy management within a specialized health service, leading a clinical team that improves medication access and adherence for patients with complex regimens across MD & DC. Beyond her clinical role, she is the founder of Ayọ̀ní Wellness, an online herbal apothecary and body-care line, and Plant Based Joy, Maryland’s first pharmacist-driven tea bar and mobile apothecary serving JOY to the 'communiTEA'. Whether leading teams or blending teas, Dr. OG is devoted to creating sacred care in a clinical world.
Eziaku Ogbonna, PharmD, BCPS, MBA, PMP, (“Dr. OG”), is a Clinical Pharmacist Specialist, Medical Herbalist and Mystic who straddles paradox: a healer within a system built to suppress healing.
Raised in Nigeria, she watched her grandmother use herbs as everyday medicine; an imprint that later matured into calling and joy. She earned her Doctor of Pharmacy degree from the University of Maryland Baltimore and an MBA in Management & Entrepreneurship from the University of Baltimore, where she was inducted into Sigma Iota Epsilon and Sigma Nu Tau honor societies. She is also a Board-Certified Pharmacotherapy Specialist and a certified Project Management Professional.
During her studies, she pursued complementary and alternative medicine electives and later trained in herbalism at Fox Haven Farm under Lacey Gean. Today, she serves in pharmacy management within a specialized health service, leading a clinical team that improves medication access and adherence for patients with complex regimens across MD & DC. Beyond her clinical role, she is the founder of Ayọ̀ní Wellness, an online herbal apothecary and body-care line, and Plant Based Joy, Maryland’s first pharmacist-driven tea bar and mobile apothecary serving JOY to the 'communiTEA'. Whether leading teams or blending teas, Dr. OG is devoted to creating sacred care in a clinical world.
Malika Hook Muhammad
Malika is a doula trainer, MSW faculty member at West Chester University, and EdD candidate specializing in identity-conscious support and social justice frameworks. As a trainer with Doula Trainings International, she brings embodied narrative practices and trauma-informed care to her work with families and communities. Malika integrates reproductive justice, cultural humility, and earth-based wisdom into accessible, joy-centered learning spaces for people of all ages.
Malika is a doula trainer, MSW faculty member at West Chester University, and EdD candidate specializing in identity-conscious support and social justice frameworks. As a trainer with Doula Trainings International, she brings embodied narrative practices and trauma-informed care to her work with families and communities. Malika integrates reproductive justice, cultural humility, and earth-based wisdom into accessible, joy-centered learning spaces for people of all ages.
Holly Poole-Kavana
Holly Poole-Kavana practices as a clinical herbalist, grower, and medicine-maker in Washington DC, where her priorities are connecting people to local plants and incorporating an anti-oppression framework into herbalism. She holds a BS in botany from Cornell University and studied herbalism with Adam Seller, 7song, and Sacred Plant Traditions before starting a clinical practice in 2011 under the name Little Red Bird Botancals. Holly also works as a midwife's assistant in the DC metro area.
Holly Poole-Kavana practices as a clinical herbalist, grower, and medicine-maker in Washington DC, where her priorities are connecting people to local plants and incorporating an anti-oppression framework into herbalism. She holds a BS in botany from Cornell University and studied herbalism with Adam Seller, 7song, and Sacred Plant Traditions before starting a clinical practice in 2011 under the name Little Red Bird Botancals. Holly also works as a midwife's assistant in the DC metro area.
Madison McCoy
Madison McCoy is a conflict practitioner, budding herbalist, youth educator and student of the messy and miraculous. She is the founder of Earth and Sea, tasked with the mission of building a more equitable world by equipping individuals with generative conflict tools, deep self awareness, and a reverence for the earth. Madison is a certified Personal Transformation Facilitator, Gallup Strengths Facilitator, oracle card reader, mindfulness teacher and holds a degree in Community Conflict Transformation from George Mason University. She uses a whole self, energetic, and trauma informed approach to guide individuals in accessing their own deep well of healing, transformation, and imaginative power. Herbs, nature, and essences are foundational allys in her work. She currently lives on a farm outside of DC with her partner and two tortoises. On a Saturday afternoon you can find her reading with fairies in the garden or sipping tea with her sisters.
You can find her on Instagram @ofearthandsea_
Madison McCoy is a conflict practitioner, budding herbalist, youth educator and student of the messy and miraculous. She is the founder of Earth and Sea, tasked with the mission of building a more equitable world by equipping individuals with generative conflict tools, deep self awareness, and a reverence for the earth. Madison is a certified Personal Transformation Facilitator, Gallup Strengths Facilitator, oracle card reader, mindfulness teacher and holds a degree in Community Conflict Transformation from George Mason University. She uses a whole self, energetic, and trauma informed approach to guide individuals in accessing their own deep well of healing, transformation, and imaginative power. Herbs, nature, and essences are foundational allys in her work. She currently lives on a farm outside of DC with her partner and two tortoises. On a Saturday afternoon you can find her reading with fairies in the garden or sipping tea with her sisters.
You can find her on Instagram @ofearthandsea_
Yvonne Muse Brown
Yvonne Muse Brown is a grower, maker, and mother from Southern MD. She is most comfortable in her garden or in the woods and loves sharing vital knowledge! For more info on workshops, journals, or to check out the blog, head to Yeduri.com
Yvonne Muse Brown is a grower, maker, and mother from Southern MD. She is most comfortable in her garden or in the woods and loves sharing vital knowledge! For more info on workshops, journals, or to check out the blog, head to Yeduri.com
Tiff Joy
Tiff Joy (They/Them) is a Queer & Nonbinary Nuyorican creative, poet and facilitator with over twenty years of experience in the social change sector. They are the founder of the “We Spirit Project: Empowering Realities (W.S.P.E.R)” a nonprofit startup centered in creating containers for co-learning, cross-movement collaboration and community care practices. They have a lifetime experience in practicing brujeria and have been journeying deeper into herbalism & plant medicine for the past five years.
Tiff Joy (They/Them) is a Queer & Nonbinary Nuyorican creative, poet and facilitator with over twenty years of experience in the social change sector. They are the founder of the “We Spirit Project: Empowering Realities (W.S.P.E.R)” a nonprofit startup centered in creating containers for co-learning, cross-movement collaboration and community care practices. They have a lifetime experience in practicing brujeria and have been journeying deeper into herbalism & plant medicine for the past five years.
Candise Jordan
Candise Jordan, Owner of Farm Forage Feast is a Forest Garden Educator, Forager and Bioregional Herbalist on a mission to help heal our planet and our bodies through food.
Candise Jordan, Owner of Farm Forage Feast is a Forest Garden Educator, Forager and Bioregional Herbalist on a mission to help heal our planet and our bodies through food.
Muneera Fontaine
Muneera Fontaine (she/her) is a mother of 3 and proud owner of Peaceful Earth, Graceful Birth. A womb wellness business that for the past 16 years has focused on womb wellness and womb connection across the lifespan.
Muneera Fontaine (she/her) is a mother of 3 and proud owner of Peaceful Earth, Graceful Birth. A womb wellness business that for the past 16 years has focused on womb wellness and womb connection across the lifespan.
Betsy Miller
Betsy is a Registered Herbalist and nutritionist from the DC area. She specializes in women’s reproductive health, particularly fertility and prenatal/postnatal care, but also loves working with both the pediatric population and athletes. Betsy teaches Materia Medica and Herbal Pharmacy at the Maryland University of Integrative Health, and loves to offer plant walks in both Virginia and Maryland. In addition to her teaching and clinical practice, Betsy loves making medicine, especially bitters blends.
Betsy is a Registered Herbalist and nutritionist from the DC area. She specializes in women’s reproductive health, particularly fertility and prenatal/postnatal care, but also loves working with both the pediatric population and athletes. Betsy teaches Materia Medica and Herbal Pharmacy at the Maryland University of Integrative Health, and loves to offer plant walks in both Virginia and Maryland. In addition to her teaching and clinical practice, Betsy loves making medicine, especially bitters blends.
Malka Roth
Malka (she/her) is an educator, herbalist, organizer and co-founder of the DC Mutual Aid Apothecary. She organizes locally in DC and in the national landscape specifically on work for narrative change. She spent over a year researching the closure of the farm/nonprofit Movement Ground Farm, weaving together the story of their work into a virtual interactive timeline (https://www.harvestingforseed.com) to create a resource that offers itself as a case study for those moving towards land work. She is deeply and personally invested in the question of how we build collective, land-based projects toward liberation and what we can learn from projects that have had to shut their doors. She is currently teaching a research class at Georgetown University exploring the same themes of urban agriculture project closures.
Malka's work is profoundly influenced by abolitionism, her queer and Jewish identities, and an enduring conviction that new worlds are possible.
Malka (she/her) is an educator, herbalist, organizer and co-founder of the DC Mutual Aid Apothecary. She organizes locally in DC and in the national landscape specifically on work for narrative change. She spent over a year researching the closure of the farm/nonprofit Movement Ground Farm, weaving together the story of their work into a virtual interactive timeline (https://www.harvestingforseed.com) to create a resource that offers itself as a case study for those moving towards land work. She is deeply and personally invested in the question of how we build collective, land-based projects toward liberation and what we can learn from projects that have had to shut their doors. She is currently teaching a research class at Georgetown University exploring the same themes of urban agriculture project closures.
Malka's work is profoundly influenced by abolitionism, her queer and Jewish identities, and an enduring conviction that new worlds are possible.