Workshop 09/22/26: Autum Equinox Botanical Distillation at Blandford Nature Center Farm $45

IMPORTANT- Registration for this event is found on Blandford Nature Center's website. This listing is for information purposes only. Follow the link here

Tuesday September 22, 2026 6-7:30pm 

Join Aubrey Winfield of Gathered Botanicals for an evening of botanical distillation celebrating the Autumn Equinox at the Blandford Farm. The Autumn Equinox marks the seasonal shift into harvest time.  When the energy of the garden begins to turn inward and plants are gathered to be preserved for the months ahead. In this hands-on workshop, we’ll explore the tradition of distillation as a way to capture and preserve the aromatic essence at the close of the growing season.

Together we’ll work with herbs harvested from the farm, preparing the plant material and learning the basic principles of distilling in a traditional copper alembic still. Along the way we will discuss what hydrosols are, their traditional uses, and simple ways to incorporate them into daily life. While the distillation takes place, guests are welcome to partake in an herb walk around the farm to explore the plants growing in the fields. We will all end the evening by bottling the hydrosol created together, and each guest will take home a 1 oz bottle of the seasonal distillate. A fragrant reminder of the Autumn Equinox.

Instructor: Aubrey Winfield, owner of Gathered Botanicals, is a professional chef and chef instructor with experience running recreational cooking schools. It was during this time, she realized the importance of what we put on to our bodies is equally important as what we put inside it. Aubrey began adapting her culinary skills for topical use. With her love for the outdoors, she created Gathered Botanicals, an organic skincare line infused with responsibly foraged wild botanicals from West Michigan. Allowing our bodies to be cared for in traditional herbal methods with a modern twist. Gathered Botanicals has grown into a wellness community in Grand Rapids with a storefront, and education space – a place for those seeking a range of herbal wellness products and connection within our local wellness and herbal community.

This program takes place at the Blandford Farm, located at 3145 Milo St NW, Grand Rapids, MI 49534. There is parking available at the farm, or you may park at the main Nature Center and enjoy the 10-minute walk to the farm. There are port-a-potties and a hand washing station available at the farm.

Cost:
Non-Member: $45
Member (20% discount): $36

Note: This program is for adults and teens ages 13 and older. All registered teens must have a registered adult with them. Pre-registration is required due to limited capacity. Online registration closes at 5 pm on the day before the program. If the program sells out, you may complete your online registration to be added to the waitlist. We will contact you if spots become available. This program will take place entirely outdoors. In the event of severe weather (rain or high winds), this program will be cancelled, and participants will be notified of their refund options and/or a possible makeup date.