Herb Society of Manitoba

THE HERB SOCIETY OF MANITOBA

The Herb Society of Manitoba was initially formed in 1995 by a group of enthusiastic volunteers interested in educating the public about herbs and promoting the use of herbs in everyday life. In 1996, a constitution was written, a mission statement formulated, and the society officially began its work.

Now, the society has approximately 100 enthusiastic members that meet once each month except July, August & December. Meetings are generally held the third Monday* of each month and start at 7:00 p.m. at the Assiniboine Park Conservatory (15 Conservatory Drive), Winnipeg, Manitoba. To find out more about upcoming speakers presenting at our General Meetings, visit the SPEAKERS page. General Meetings are open to the public, however, there is a $5.00 charge for guests to attend.

* For 2010 the Herb Society's scheduling for General Meetings continues to be the third Monday of the month. Please share this information with your herbal friends and other members!

Mission Statement

The Herb Society of Manitoba is dedicated to promoting knowledge, use and enjoyment of herbs through education, programs, research and sharing the experience of its members with the community.

The Executive of the Herb Society is made up of dedicated volunteers:
President - Shelley Kaptein Killeen
Past President - Dawn Kitching
        Vice President - Dorothy Taylor
        Acting Treasurer - Cary Jakobson
        Secretary - Vera Paul
        Dinner Club Chair - VACANT
        Acting HerbFest Chair - Pat Routledge
Herb Garden Chair - Anne Jackson
        Hospitality Co-Chairs - Dorothy Taylor, assisted by Darlene Lytle
        Library Co-Chairs - Agnes Leung with help from Kat Leung, Pat Loustel & Dragana Lukic
Membership Chair - Olga Runnalls
        Prairie Sage Quarterly Editor - Pat Routledge
        Program Chair - VACANT (currently shared by the Executive Committee)
Web Site Chair - Audrey Hosegood
        Telephone Committee - Anita
Members at Large: Judy Carnegie, Yvonne Crampton, June Harris, Grace Hicks, Irene Hyland, Karen Munn, Bill Runnalls & Pat Young

Anyone interested in volunteering on the Executive should contact Shelley Kaptein Killeen, President, at herbsocietymb@mts.net.

For contact information for the Executive Click HERE!

Besides interesting speakers, General Meetings provide Herb Society members the opportunity to borrow books from the Herb Society's Bev Lloyd Memorial Library. The Society's Store, only accessible at General Meetings and limited other Herb Society events, provides all the opportunity to purchase a Herb Society T-shirt or other featured item. The Herb Society hosts many activities besides our regular meetings, including an annual HerbFest, Herb Walks and Garden Tours. Find out more about upcoming events by visiting the Herbal Happenings page.

Our 12th HerbFest took place on July 5, 2009 at Assiniboine Park, Winnipeg, Manitoba. HerbFest is FREE to the public. Activities at past HerbFests have included:
Children's Activities, such as face painting and crafts
Craft / Herbal Vendors
Workshops / Speakers
Music / Entertainment, such as clowns and roving musicians
Tours of our Herb Garden, located on the Conservatory grounds
Herbal Teas and Refreshments
Herb Plant Sales

The success of HerbFest is due to the tireless efforts of volunteers and supporters. Planning for 2011 HerbFest is underway. Watch the Herbal Happenings page to find out details for our next HerbFest.

Our 6th and last Evening in Paradise was held at the Assiniboine Park Conservatory in April of 2008. This popular event was a special fundraiser for HerbFest. Always a very enjoyable evening, featuring wonderful music, food and good company ... special thanks are due to Grace Hicks for her efforts in organizing these events as well as the many other people involved in helping make them a success.

Our Outreach Program is one way the Society fulfills its mandate by sharing our knowledge of herbs with the community through the donation of herbs to non-profit, self-help groups. The recipient groups must be able to plant, maintain and use a gift of herbs. Over the years, since 1997, a wide variety of such groups have received our herbal donations, and some lovely gardens have been the result.

The Society also distributes an interesting and informative quarterly newsletter to its membership called The Prairie Sage Quarterly. The Quarterly or 'Q' contains information about our upcoming speakers and activities as well as informative book reviews and articles on the use of herbs, including recipes.

The Society's Herb Garden, located near the Conservatory at Assiniboine Park, became a reality in the spring of 1997 when the Women's Television Network (WTN) was filming a program called the Herbal Primer. The Herb Society of Manitoba continues to maintain and develop this lovely garden designed by Landscape Architect and Herb Society member, Natasa Juck of Hilderman Thomas Frank Cram. Herb Society members volunteer their time and efforts each season to plant, maintain and harvest herbs from the garden. Donations toward the ongoing upkeep of the garden can be made by sending a cheque or money order made out to the Herb Society of Manitoba: Herb Garden and mailing it to the Herb Society of Manitoba, c/o the Assiniboine Park Conservatory, 15 Conservatory Drive, Winnipeg, Manitoba, R3P 2N5. Make sure you visit our lovely garden when you visit the park!

The Herb Society invites you to become more involved in the operation of the Society. There are many volunteer opportunities available, from working in the Herb Garden at Assiniboine Park to chairing or helping out on one of the many committees. Or, just come out and meet new people with similar interests by attending one of our monthly meetings or a special event that interests you. The Society provides a focus for Manitobans and others who wish to share knowledge and promote the cultivation, use and enjoyment of herbs. Our Membership Application form lets you tell us if you are interested in volunteering, and gives you some ideas of how you can help.

Benefits of membership in the Herb Society of Manitoba include:
Access to our extensive lending library
HerbFest: an annual herb festival
Interesting programs and workshops
Herb Dinner Group
Interesting field trips, garden tours and other special events
Opportunities to taste new Recipes - join the Dinner Group or sample one of
the delightful herbal concoctions prepared by the Hospitality Committee
Plant sales
The Prairie Sage Quarterly, the Society's Newsletter
       Shopping opportunities
Solutions to gardening and landscaping problems
Tips from other gardeners and guest speakers
Volunteer opportunities, a great chance to learn new things & meet new friends
Voting privileges
Member's privileges on our Web site - List your business today!

Membership fees:
Single:       $20.00
Family:       $25.00
Business: $100.00

Please note:
Only one vote and one newsletter per family membership.
Business membership includes a business card-sized advertisement
in each issue of the Prairie Sage Quarterly.

To become a member click HERE.

To contact us for more information, either write to the following address:
Herb Society of Manitoba
c/o Assiniboine Park Conservatory
15 Conservatory Drive
Winnipeg, Manitoba R3P 2N5

or contact us by email at: herbsocietymb@mts.net