Madison Herb Fair

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Sheila Leary

Vendors at a past Madison Herb Fair.

Vendors at a past Madison Herb Fair.

Without herbs, the food we cook would be a whole lot less tasty and, in a lot of cases, less healthy too. This annual event hosted by the Madison Herb Society offers a chance to learn more about herbs, with the focus of this year’s speakers on seasonal gathering and growing tips. There’s also two rooms of vendors offering everything from herbs and spices to art, pet items and books. Find more info below and at madisonherbsociety.org.

media release: “Herbal Seasons and Cycles” is the theme of the 41st annual Madison Herb Fair sponsored by the Madison Herb Society. It takes place Saturday November 4, 2023, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., at Olbrich Botanical Gardens, 3330 Atwood Avenue in Madison. Admission is free.

Featured speakers are scheduled throughout the day in the Olbrich Gardens Learning Center.

10:30 a.m. Gathering Wild Through the Seasons Noted Wisconsin wild foods expert Sam Thayer will speak about how foraging wild herbs and vegetables through the year is a practical way to enhance the culinary and nutritional variety of your diet, from early spring greens through the shoots and flowers of late spring, the berries and hot-weather greens of summer, to the fruits and roots of autumn. Thayer’s books will be available for purchase after his talk.

12:30 p.m. The Celestial Garden: Growing Herbs, Vegetables, and Flowers in Sync with the Moon and Zodiac Jane Hawley Stevens of Four Elements Herbals, an award-winning organic farmer, will explain how the ancient agricultural practice of gardening by the moon and stars can indicate the most effective times to plant, weed, and harvest. Steven's newly published book, The Celestial Garden, will be available for purchase at the Four Elements booth throughout the day.

2:30 p.m. Growing and Harvesting Tea Herbs and Mushrooms Kevin Olson of Northwoods Tea & Herb Whether you grow herbs and mushrooms at home, or forage for wild herbs and fungi, it’s essential to harvest and handle these ingredients properly to capture their flavor and nutrients. Join Kevin Olson of Wausau-based Northwoods Tea & Herb to learn when to harvest based on the life cycle of plant species; best practices for processing, drying, and storage; and how to avoid damage to local ecosystems when foraging. Tea samples will be offered after the talk.

A herbal marketplace features two rooms of regional small businesses showing their wares, including herb and spice blends; loose leaf and herbal teas; herb plants; baked goods, syrups, chili pepper products and superfood truffles; wreaths, ceramics and plant-inspired art; herbal neck wraps and eye pillows; soaps, balms, liniments and other body products; essential oils, sprays and aromatherapy products; tinctures, salves and herbal remedies; dog-care products and catnip toys; many gift items; and books about herbal uses, gardening, foraging, and cooking.

“As we enter the winter months, this is a great time to think about herbal uses through all the seasons,” said Joyce Pohl, president of the Madison Herb Society. “In addition to our three scheduled speakers, our knowledgeable vendors are happy to share ideas for ways to use herbs for cooking and baking, pet care, personal health and relaxation, gardening, home décor, cleaning and so much more. And, of course, anyone interested in herbs is invited to join the Madison Herb Society.”

The Madison Herb Society is a non-profit membership organization that promotes education about the culture and use of herbs, including their global history and use for culinary, medicinal, horticultural and decorative purposes. Throughout the year, the society sponsors speakers, workshops, field trips, garden tours and themed potluck meals. Interested visitors are invited to become members of the Madison Herb Society at the Fair.

More information about the 2023 Madison Herb Fair and the Madison Herb Society is at www.madisonherbsociety.org.