"I live in Quincy Washington (east side of the Cascades), I am mother of 6, a personal chef, and a baker. I enjoy gardening and am starting to implement some permaculture around my yard. My interest in cooking CLEAN Food for my clients and loved ones has led me to want to use CLEAN products for skin care and medicine in my life.

Suzanne's passion for sharing her knowledge with others shines through even on the rainiest day. She teaches from personal experience, from working intimately with plants on a daily basis. Herbalism is her life, her passion, and her gift to her students. Her teaching includes hands-on personal work with a plant, learning how to use it, how your classmates have used it, and group discussions. The shared experience is expansive and an incredible way to learn. I have personally appreciated the ethnobotany which has helped me reconnect to that part of my Native American and European heritage.

Working with Suzanne has given me the tools to develop a personal relationship with the plant kingdom, and the knowledge of how to reverently use their gifts. Mahalo"

- Ann Phelps
2009 Spring Apprenticeship
2009 Summer Apprenticeship



"Suzanne's apprenticeship is one of the coolest things I've ever done. Hands down. (Especially when we stumbled into a deep-woods heron rookery while we were searching for nettle seeds.) Because of her apprenticeships, I've developed an even deeper connection to the land out here and know how to listen now for what the plants are saying (hint: they don't always speak English). Suzanne's teaching is experiential and astounding. And though I know more about herbs now than I ever thought possible, there's still so much to learn..."

- Kirsten Webb
2008 Spring Apprenticeship
2008 Summer Apprenticeship


When Kirsten's not straining tinctures, she's often working on the Good Natured Earthling website. She also studies butoh and dances with Mizu Desierto Butoh Theatre in Portland, rides her bike, shares healing and energy as a Reiki master, and makes plans for her future gypsy wagon/traveling cafe/touring performance troupe.



"I had taken some classes from Suzanne about ten years ago, but those were like feeding a couple of crackers to a starving person! I needed more, so I signed up for an apprenticeship. How awesome! We went up to the tops of mountains to gather valerian and blueberry leaves to make medicine. We went out and picked "weeds" and cooked up some wonderful dishes with them. The knowledge that I picked up helped me through 2 pregnancies at a late age, and is keeping me and my family healthy now. And if we run out of food in the cupboard I am pretty sure I could keep us all fed with what I find in the backyard."

-Jolene Teeters



When Jolene's not out grazing, she's chasing around two preschool girls. Her wonderful and handsome husband refers to this act as 'herding cats,' as it is about as effective. She also raises chickens for food and enjoys studying the Bible.







"Taking the apprenticeship with Suzanne was one of the best, most life-changing experiences I have ever had. I am so grateful for such a wonderful opportunity to learn so much about plants from someone so educated! I would recommend an apprenticeship to anyone. It was a blessing in my life! Thanks again, Suzanne! Muah!"

-Wynne Zeidler
2001-02 Apprenticeship



In her spare time, Wynne hangs out with her amazing man and her awesome dog in Montana; they go hiking, treasure hunting for goods from nature, and do pretty much anything outside. She also makes jewelry with quills, gems, and other natural materials.

"I am so grateful for my time with Suzanne. Her apprenticeship program is full of adventures, hands-on learning, group camaraderie and a tsunami of herbal information. Suzanne has a wealth of knowledge. She is responsive to her students and generous with her wisdom. Her love for nature and the plants that we worked with is contagious! I walked away inspired and with specific herbal applications for my life. I am wiser for having worked with Suzanne and thoroughly enjoyed "Kristi's Big Adventure' every week!"

- Kristi Moseley
2008 Spring Apprenticeship
2008 Summer Apprenticeship


When Kristi isn't playing with herbs, she is hiking with her super-dog Hector (an herbalist in his own right), practicing yoga, pole dancing, supporting Off the Mat Into the World, perfecting the banana pancake and cuddling with her husband Dan.







"I took Suzanne's soap making class and was so enthralled by Suzanne and her knowledge that I decided to dive right in! I am serious about getting sustainable, eventually."

-Holly Kjarsgaard
2009 Spring Apprenticeship





Holly has been extremely busy finishing her Master's degree in literacy education at Western Washington University. After that, she'll be turning her energy to all things green. She also enjoys baking and cooking, reading, taking guitar lessons, hiking, watching Sci-Fi, and hanging out with her two teenage sons.



"Because of my apprenticeship with Suzanne, I've started seeing the trees rather than the forest. I appreciate the individual plants in my environment rather writing them all off as "ditch daisies." I also make my little son crazy when we go on hikes; every hike is a possible gathering opportunity and he possesses a pair of pickers that I am happy to take advantage of! I return to Alaska every summer and try to apply what I have learned to some of the plants there. I also want to work more with Devil's Club and its potential as a remedy for binge behavior and diabetes issues (it's apparently a part of Tlingit folklore as an insanity remedy; do they beat their customers with it and order them to stop being crazy?)"

- Sonja Duncan
2008 Summer Apprenticeship

Sonja has currently returned to formal education to become a massage therapist and is hoping to use what she has learned with Suzanne in her practice.