HerbFest 2026 & Two Special Offerings

This past Sunday was the 5th Annual HerbFest at Keepsake Cidery.

A special thank you to those who came to participate - as an attendee, as a vendor, and/or presenter 🥰 You are the reason events such as these continue. And although I may be biased, I truly believe that we as a community need places to gather, to learn from one another, and to connect with one another, face-to-face.

Each year, after this event, I find myself reflecting upon it and all that it is.

HerbFest, although I strangely do not know the full origin story, was created by two incredible women: Tracy and LuAnn. 

Tracy is the co-owner of Keepsake Cidery and LuAnn is one of the most passionate, generous, and kind people I know, who just so happens to absolutely adore herbs. Together, with the help of many others, I am sure, brought HerbFest to life for the 1st Annual in 2022.

In my reflections this year, I found myself feeling deep gratitude for Tracy and LuAnn - their willingness to start something new, to put the time and effort into creating it, and to provide such an incredible (free) offering to the community.

Because of them, we’ve gathered together in person for 5 years in a row so that we could share the medicine that is found not only in beautifully crafted herbal remedies and in shared wisdom and knowledge, but so we could also experience the medicine that is found within connection and community. 

To me, these things are at the heart of herbalism.

Medicines for the body, mind, and spirit.

What a beautiful thing to be a part of.

Be Well 💜

~ Kara

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Women, a couple of gatherings special for you are coming up!

✨Please share these with the ladies in your life ✨

🚼World Breastfeeding Week Celebration

-- Sunday, August 2nd 1:00pm-3:00pm in Mankato

Another free gathering to attend that is being put on by the Deep Valley Birth Collective, which I am honored to be a part of. There will be short presentations, activities to take part in, door prizes, and even mini nursing photo sessions!

🌓Understanding & Tending the Rhythm of the Menstrual Cycle 

-- Tuesday, August 11th - 6:00-8:00pm at Dandelion Naturals in Hayfield

Sorry men, this gathering is for ladies only. Ladies with their menstrual cycles to be exact.

As women we gather to explore the rhythm of our menstrual cycles so that we can understand the rhythm of our bodies, to become more in tune with them, and to step into greater empowerment within our cycles.

Myths will be debunked. Ah-ha moments will be had.

This is the class I wish I had when I was in my teens and early 20’s.

Women in their 40’s have participated in this offering and have expressed deep gratitude for the experience to learn and explore- as their daughters begin cycling and in preparation of eventually entering into the perimenopausal years.

Women postpartum have participated in this offering and have expressed deep gratitude as they maneuver their returned cycle.

Women have attended who either want to or don’t want to conceive and have expressed deep gratitude as they found a deeper understanding of their cycle and have felt much more empowered within their decision.