Apprentice Program 2012

Vineyard Herbs is now accepting Basic Apprenticeships for the 2012 season

(May-October) for anyone interested in learning about plants, botany, human anatomy, medical/therapeutic herbalism,

holistic health care, entrepreneurial business, and edible and medicine plants and nomenclature. 

The 2012 Vineyard Herbs Basic Apprentice(s) will learn and experience:

• five months (mid-May—mid-October) of one-on-one direct skills apprenticing with a 17th-year award-winning certified traditional Western Herbalist;

• the ancient art of traditional herbal medicine making, including oils, salves, tinctures, liniments, syrups, teas, extracts, infusions, decoctions, glycerites, capsules and cordials. We are one of the few herbal medicine providers in the country hand-manufacturing traditional medicines with hand-harvested plants, pure beeswax, natural oils without additives or unnatural ingredients, fragrances, preservatives, chemicals, or synthetic ingredients. Our products have won awards and enjoy an international reputation with our website, www.VineyardHerbs.com.

• plant identification in the wild;

• botanical nomenclature (Latin binomials);

• blending and formulating (original recipes) for salves, tinctures, teas, etc.;

• valuable sales experience at the West Tisbury Farmer’s Market;

• the art and science of wildcrafting wild indigenous and non-native plant species in meadows and forests, and experience properly harvesting the plants, drying and/or preserving them;

• a basic introduction to the relationship of plants to human anatomy and health;

• a basic introduction to the relationship of plants to human myth and folklore;

* basic introduction to GMP (Good Manufacturing Practices) and FDA guidelines for labelling and laws;

• attend ALL salve making workshops, tea blending workshops, tincture making workshops and guided herbal identification walks (all on-island);

Generally, herbalists charge high fees to teach and train their apprentices. Because this is not a live-in situation, because it will only involve a few hours per week (between 9-14), and because no formal classes will be taught and no supplies will be provided, there is no fee charged for the Basic Apprentice Program. Neither is there payment made to the apprentice. The apprentice will receive a certificate of completion upon successfully exiting the program.

 

All Basic Apprentices are expected to:

• commit to complete the Basic Apprentice Program for the 5 months mid-May to mid-October 2009 (contact Holly for different arrangements);

• have excellent communication skills. This means that the person MUST be reliable, return phone calls and emails promptly, and be easy to contact. This is the most important requirement and is essential.

• be able and willing to complete all tasks necessary to preparing herbal medicine, including locating herbs, harvesting herbs, creating products, creating labels and labeling products, storing products, moving boxes and preparing for sale, selling at the FM, answering questions (as able), assisting during classes and lectures, taking photographs, and representing Vineyard Herbs to the community (those with severe allergies to plants, ragweed, dander, dust, etc. will have a difficult time fulfilling these requirements).

• have living arrangements on the island of Martha's Vineyard. Camping for the summer can create problems better avoided by having a stable living arrangement. Holly Bellebuono and Vineyard Herbs assume no responsibility for providing living or housing arrangements, though we can offer advice and provide suggestions for local cabins, camps and boarding situations.

• be available EITHER every Wednesday 8:00 a.m.-12:30 pm OR every Saturday 8:00 a.m.-12:30 p.m. There can be no exceptions to this as this is Vineyard Herbs’ busiest sales time. Working at the FM provides valuable experience not only for running a business, but also for communication skills, herbal ingredients, networking and making contacts.

• be available to work 2-4 hours during the afternoons or evenings during the week, to make medicines, prepare for the Farmer’s Market and to fill website orders.

• have reliable transportation (to my house in West Tisbury, which is near the bike trail) and to the Grange Hall in West Tisbury on Wednesday and Saturday mornings.

            • agree to and sign a non-competitive contract, meaning the apprentice will not actively engage in creating a similar or competing herbal business on the island of Martha’s Vineyard for the next seven (7) years.

 

TO APPLY:

Please send the following materials by mail or email by May 1:   (holly@VineyardHerbs.com      P.O. Box 913 West Tisbury, MA 02575)

1)    A resume or similar document describing your schooling and experience;

2)    A letter describing why you are interested in pursuing a Basic Herbal Apprenticeship and what you have to offer;

3)    A paragraph describing any previous herbal experience you have, as well as what you hope to gain from this apprenticeship and how you will use this experience in your future.

4)    Your contact information, including email and cell phone, as well as contact information for emergency contacts;

5)    Three references, including two professional (occupational or academic) and one personal reference, with contact information.