24 Mar Food, Forage, and Wellness: An Interview with Jamie Sparks
Join Food & Wellness from the Forest and Garden with Jamie Sparks, happening May 24–29, 2026. This class will teach you how to use the plants, herbs, roots, and berries growing around you to nourish both your body and spirit. You’ll learn how to make herbal teas, refreshing tonics, and wild pestos, while also discovering ways to infuse herbs into oils, vinegars, syrups, and salts. Jamie will also show you how to create body scrubs, tooth powders, and healing salves from plants right outside your door. Whether you’re new to herbal wellness or looking to deepen your connection to nature, this class will give you the tools to bring more plants into your daily life and well-being.
More spots available– register here!
JCCFS: Tell us a little bit about yourself and your background. How did you get started?
Jamie: I studied botany in college and quickly fell in love with herbalism. I have worked with plants from both a craft and scientific perspective, as well as from an herbal perspective, for nearly 30 years. I ran an herbal CSA (Community Supported Agriculture), created numerous herbal tisanes for local teashops, and have taught for years at prominent herb schools and herbal events. Foraging meets some primal need for me, helping me stay calm, feel connected to the things that are so much bigger than me, and find peace in the simple pleasures that are just waiting to be enjoyed and celebrated, right here on the earth we walk. I absolutely love teaching beginners and herb-curious folks. Inspiring new connections with the weeds on their city streets, state parks, and gardens helps me spread that sense of connection and appreciation for the world we all share on this planet.
JCCFS: What mediums do you use and where do you derive inspiration from?
Jamie: I work with garden and foraged herbs, weeds, and plants, focusing on creating herbal tinctures and wellness products. My inspiration comes from a deep connection with nature, using the healing properties of plants to support well-being and restore balance.
Pesto, vinegars and more.
Jamie with a previous class
JCCFS: Tell us about your class and what a day in the studio looks like?
Jamie: Our days are quite varied. We often spend time in the garden on a foraging hike, talking about plants and harvesting. We spend part of the day in a lecture about the benefits of many herbs and plants, and we enjoy a lot of time in the gorgeous cooking studio preparing everything from salves, to herbal salts to soups and more. And, we of course, eat.
JCCFS: Where did you spend the most time at the Folk School, and what area is your favorite?
Jamie: I absolutely love sharing the many ways to eat and use simple weeds and easily identified herbs that grow, often even in the city. There is such an abundance of plants to choose from at the Folk School in May, and it is an absolute delight to share these plants with students in a way that allows them to be used for wellness, both internally and externally, and to eat them in so many wonderful ways.
JCCFS: How did you hear about the Folk School? What made you interested in coming to campus?
Jamie: My 25th year coming to the Folk School coincides with the Folk School’s 100-year anniversary. I first arrived as a work study, came back as a host, lived and hosted in the area, began teaching there, and never looked back. It is my home away from home, and I love it.
JCCFS: What tips would you give a student or aspiring craftsperson? Anything you wish you had known earlier in your career?
Jamie: Make time when you can. Even if it is 5 minutes a day.
Class examples, Dried Herbs and Teas.
Students are preparing the herbs for drying.
JCCFS: What special activities or plans do you have for your upcoming class?
Jamie: We will make herbal salves, syrups, tinctures, edible vinegars, salts, soups, plant chips, herbal dolmas, and so much more. The challenge will be to get everything accomplished that I hope to share with them. Last year, we made a nettle soup that I still dream about. Hoping for a similar divine soup this year.
JCCFS: Where can folks find you if they want to stay up to date with your work?
Jamie: I spend less time online and more in the woods, but can be found at herbanfarmacy.org or on Instagram at herban_farmacy
Food & Wellness from the Forest and Garden
Make the most of the herbs, roots, trees, and berries around you! Learn to concoct refreshing tonics, explore garden-grown and wild plants, and make a variety of herbal teas and beverages. Prepare wild pestos and pâtés and infuse herbs into vinegars, syrups, oils, and salts. Craft body scrubs, toothpowders and salves. Diversify your diet, nourish and empower yourself, and connect with the plants right outside your door. Please plan for time indoors and out.
About Jamie Sparks
Jamie Sparks has been passionate about the connection between the natural world and humans her entire life. After receiving a degree in plant biology, she continued onto years of studying and teaching herbalism along with earth-based crafts and skills. She runs a small herbal business, Herban Farmacy, which offers Community Supported Herbalism (herbal CSA) education, plant walks, and herbal consultations near Asheville. Jamie also has an extensive background in spinning, natural dyeing, and feltmaking. She has many years of experience and exploration as a teacher and student of a diversity of textiles, with a focus on felting. For fiber and other creative endeavors look to Instagram @earthbones_adornments. You can find more on her healing and herbal practice at her website, herbanfarmacy.org and on Instagram @herban_farmacy.
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