Inspiring Conversations with Tamara Fairbanks-Ishmael and Twila Fairbanks of Good Earth Gatherings & Good Earth Herb School

Today we’d like to introduce you to Tamara Fairbanks-Ishmael and Twila Fairbanks. Them and their team share their story with us below:

Tamara and Twila are a mother-daughter team with a shared passion for herbs, antiques and creating opportunities for community connection and education. Twila is a seasoned shop owner, having had shops with learning centers in Nebraska and Colorado. Daughter Tamara is a former English, Speech, and Drama teacher and professional speaker. When Twila moved to Kansas they were inspired to bring their shared talents and passions together, and they opened the doors in 2014 to Good Earth Gatherings, their shop and learning center just south of Lawrence, Kansas. 

The shop is housed in a sweet cottage with an inviting front porch, and it features primitive antiques, herbs and DIY herbal supplies, handcrafted herbal products, and unique gifts. The attached learning center has been the hub of community groups and local classes on a variety of topics, including a 10-month Home Herbalist program, Luminous Natural Skincare, Tarot, healthy living, stitching, incense crafting, basket making, writing, and more. 

The retail shop is open 10 am to 4:30 pm every Friday and Saturday except the last weekend of each month and holidays. 

I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey have been a fairly smooth road?
When the pandemic hit last year, the shop closed its doors and the classes transitioned online. It was our sixth year teaching our cornerstone 10-month Home Herbalist program, and that year’s session had just begun in January, so when everything shut down in March, we had to decide how to make a hands-on program work in a virtual format. Students have enjoyed the hybrid format we created so much that we are continuing it. 

The 10-month Home Herbalist virtual apprenticeship runs January through October each year, and students learn seasonally the best times and methods of sowing, gathering, preserving, storing, and using the most important of the healing herbs. 

We strive to make the program as much like an in-person herbal apprenticeship as possible. Each month students receive a package containing dried herbs, herbal kits, seeds, and other herbal items, depending on the season and what herbal lessons and preparations we will be covering that month. 

Each month of the program includes direct sensory explorations and experiences. We walk students through working with herbs in practical, useful, wonderful ways. They learn how to make teas, tinctures, oils, salves, vinegars, infusions, decoctions, and a variety of other important herbal preparations. Not only that but how to use them appropriately and effectively. We also delve into wild food and medicine foraging, recognizing and celebrating the abundant wild foods and medicines that grow right under our feet and all around us. Local students are invited to participate in scheduled live “weed walks” as well. 

Appreciate you sharing that. What should we know about Good Earth Gatherings & Good Earth Herb School?
We are a mother-daughter heart-centered business, and we are committed to community education. Twila has written an exceptional book called “Gatherings from the Good Earth: A month-to-month collection of musings, folklore, recipes and more.” Our shop is unique, and we offer a wide range of organic, sustainably grown herbs, herbal products, DIY herbalist supplies, antiques, gifts, and more. 

Contact Info:

• Email: [email protected]
• Website: www.GoodEarthGatherings.com AND www.GoodEarthHerbSchool.com
• Instagram: instagram.com/goodearthgatherings
• Facebook: facebook.com/goodearthgatherings

Image Credits:
Tamara Fairbanks-Ishmael