Reconnect With Nature at Elderberry’s Farm and Retreat Center In Paonia
Photos courtesy of Elderberry’s Farm
Elderberry’s Herbal Education and Retreat Center is a place for Coloradoans to step away from the hustle of daily life and reconnect with the natural world. Located on the edge of Paonia (1978 Harding Road) on four acres of land, Elderberry’s is a botanical sanctuary that offers herbal workshops, immersions, apprenticeships and retreats.
Founder Lisa Ganora created the quaint getaway to reach more people on the power of plants. She combines a deep understanding of traditional herbalism with science-backed natural healing. Together with her co-creator, Kat Martello, Elderberry’s offers a nourishing and healing space to help people reconnect with the deep healing powers of nature, wild foods and medicinal plants.
“Elderberry’s is a place to slow down and remember that the Earth gives us life: through the air we breathe, the water we drink, the foods and herbs that nourish and heal us,” Ganora says. “We practice gratitude and a right relationship with nature as we dive into unique hands-on learning experiences with living herbs.”
Outside of their regularly scheduled events, Elderberry’s has a variety of onsite accommodations for guests to enjoy, including two Airbnbs, a few RV spots, a tiny house and tent camping. Visitors can also enjoy the luxurious, eco-friendly bath house and chlorine-free wood-fired hot tub. Future plans include adding a solar-powered, off-grid, Creekside cabin and rustic hydrotherapy garden — and even more herb plantings, of course!
Tell us more about the team behind Elderberry’s and how you came into the profession.
Elderberry’s began five years ago when we realized that while it was great to have a Vitalist herbalism school on the Front Range, we also needed somewhere closer to nature where we could grow herbs and practice hands-on learning with the plants. Here is where we share our knowledge of plant identification, sustainable herb gardening, ethical wildcrafting and harvesting, organoleptics (understanding plants with the senses), plant communication, practical medicine-making and advanced herbal pharmacy, botanical healing, deep nutrition, and traditional Nature Cure practices. Hands-on learning is so much better when you can work with the living plants, integrating your experience from the garden through the herbal lab as you make your own green medicines and learn how to use them.
How does being located in the North Fork Valley serve the Elderberry’s mission? How would you describe the setting?
The North Fork Valley is an ideal location for our farm, as the area is rich in organic vineyards, herb and flower farms, orchards, ranches, etc., with a big focus on sustainable and regenerative agriculture. This plant-centric valley has a unique climate which many folks liken to the South of France, and Mediterranean herbs certainly flourish here! Our special niche is at the foot of the little Minnesota creek valley, which joins the North Fork and nourishes nearby wetlands. This is especially nice for visitors, as the creek runs right through our camping meadow; and we are adjacent to juniper and sage hills with views of beautiful snow-capped mountains. Conveniently, we’re located right outside the town of Paonia, but on the edge of the wild — coyotes and owls will sing you to sleep here, and the stars are, well, magnificent!
Now that Lisa has retired from being the director of CSCH, she is focusing full-time on developing Elderberry’s as an herbal education center and location for nature-focused retreats and healing experiences. She is joined by Kat Martello, a multi-talented graduate of Bastyr’s Herbal Sciences program who lives and works here; Katherine Delaney, a certified clinical herbalist and aromatherapist; and many experienced visiting teachers and practitioners such as herbalist, wildcrafter and author Briana Wiles of Crested Butte’s Rooted Apothecary; the delightful Katrina Blair from Turtle Lake Refuge in Durango; Beekeeper extraordinaire Courtney Cogsgriff; and Amber Trout, Chinese herbalist and licensed acupuncturist. A variety of bodyworkers, sound healers and yoga teachers participate in various workshops and retreats as well.
Upcoming Offerings
May 27 – May 31, 2021
Take your medicine-making to the next level with traditional botanical sciences!
Wild Skills: Nature’s Farmacy & Herbal First Aid Workshop
June 17 – 21, 2021
A unique opportunity to revive the sustainable ways of our ancestors and to develop practical skills for a deeper relationship with the sustenance and healing that nature provides.
Wisdom of the Bees: Sacred Bee Medicine Weekend
August 27 – 29, 2021
This weekend will be an exploration into the world of bees. In their flight we find the wisdom hidden within beauty. In their hum we find the heart of creation.
September 2 – 6, 2021
Join us at Elderberry’s in the beautiful Colorado mountains for five days of deep connection with the Green Teachers, learning how to craft traditional healing foods and herbs, journeying with Plant Spirits in a sacred grove, celebrating and renewing our Wild Hearts and Spirits!
Nourishing the Shen: Restore your Nervous System
September 9 – 13, 2021
Chinese medicine sees the Shen (spirit/heart/mind/soul) as an integral part of health – one of the three “treasures” which are essential human qualities.
October 7 – 11, 2021
The Nature Cure Retreat is rooted in the simple yet profound healing powers of reconnecting the human body, mind, heart and spirit with nature.
Learn more about individualized apprenticeships and other events at elderberrysfarm.com.
This spotlight is a sponsored partnership.