Join Aubrey Winfield of Gathered Botanicals for an evening of botanical distillation celebrating the Summer Solstice at the Blandford Farm. The summer solstice invites us to pause and notice the rhythms of the land, ceelebrating both the growth and fragrance of the plants around us. 

Together we will celebrate the season by transforming freshly harvested herbs from the farm into a fragrant hydrosol through traditional copper still distillation. During this program guests will help prepare the harvested herbs and learn the basic principles of distilling in a copper alembic still.  Along the way we will discuss what hydrosols are, their traditional uses, and simple ways to incorporate them into daily life. While the distillation takes place, guests are welcome to partake in an herb walk to explore the plants growing in the garden or explore the woodland trails around the Nature Center. We will all end the evening by bottling the hydrosol created together, and each guest will take home a 1 oz bottle of the seasonal distillate, a fragrant reminder of the Summer Solstice. 

Instructor: Aubrey Winfield, owner of Gathered Botanicals, is a professional chef and chef instructor with experience running recreational cooking schools. It was during this time, she realized the importance of what we put on to our bodies is equally important as what we put inside it.. Aubrey began adapting her culinary skills for topical use. With her love for the outdoors, she created Gathered Botanicals, an organic skincare line infused with responsibly foraged wild botanicals from West Michigan. Allowing our bodies to be cared for in traditional herbal methods with a modern twist. Gathered Botanicals has grown into a wellness community in Grand Rapids with a storefront, and education space. A place for those seeking a range of herbal wellness products, and connection within our local wellness and herbal community. 

This program takes place at the Blandford Farm, located at 3145 Milo St NW, Grand Rapids, MI 49534. There is parking available at the farm, or you may park at the main Nature Center and enjoy the 10-minute walk to the farm. There are port-a-potties and a hand washing station available at the farm. 

Cost:
Non-Member: $45
Member (20% discount): $36

Note: This program is for adults and teens ages 13 and older. All registered teens must have a registered adult with them. Pre-registration is required due to limited capacity. Online registration closes at noon on the day before the program. If the program sells out, you may complete your online registration to be added to the waitlist. We will contact you if spots become available. This program will take place entirely outdoors. In the event of severe weather (rain or high winds), this program will be cancelled, and participants will be notified of their refund options and/or a possible makeup date.

Cancellation Policy: Cancellation requests received at least 7 days before the scheduled program are eligible for a 50% refund of the total registration cost, not including the credit card processing fee. Due to administrative costs, full refunds are not available. Cancellation requests received within 7 days of a program are not eligible for a refund. In the event that Blandford must cancel the program, you will be given the option to reschedule or receive a refund. All community programs will have a registrant minimum. If the minimum is not met, you will be contacted by Blandford Nature Center and notified of your refund options.