News from AHG Chapters (updated April 5, 2013) 

AHG Chapters bring herbal communities together to share their love of herbs, and to provide support for the important work of clinical herbalism all over the country. Each chapter is unique, reflecting the needs and interests of their community. Check this list to see if there is chapter in your area. When contacting chapters, keep in mind that they are kept afloat by volunteer efforts so it may be a week or longer before you receive a reply.

No chapter in your area? Why not start one?  Local chapters operate under the non-profit umbrella of the American Herbalists Guild to further the organization’s mission. We can help you organize a chapter! To get started, download and read a copy of Guidelines for Starting a Chapter.  Then contact Karena Stroh, AHG Chapter Coordinator, at ahgchapters@gmail.com.  

We look forward to see how brightly you shine!

California (San Diego)
The San Diego Chapter consists of about 30 AHG members and is meeting regularly. Contact Joanne Odenthal at joanne@plantwoman.com or ContactSDHG@gmail.com. Check out their blog, which lists all their meetings and events, at sandiegoherbalistsguild.blogspot.com.

Florida/Western (St. Petersburg)
The Western Florida chapter meets in St. Petersburg. For information about meeting times and location, contact Dessa Stone-Prividal at coachdessa@hotmail.com.

Georgia (Atlanta)
One of AHG’s oldest chapters has been meeting since 1998 to increase awareness about medicinal herbs and herbalism. Activities include monthly gatherings, plant walks and workshops about all things herbal. We currently have 80 people on our membership list with a core of 30 highly active members.  We are an open, informal, and friendly group that welcomes members and non-members at our monthly meetings and gatherings.
Meetings are held the third Sunday of the month at 6:00 PM at the Atlanta Botanical Gardens in metro Atlanta. No meeting in November and a special Holiday Party in December. GHG communicates with members, and others interested in our events, using Yahoo Groups. To be placed on this mailing list, send an e-mail to info@georgiaherbalistsguild.org or visit the GHG website at www.georgiaherbalistsguild.org.

Illinois, Great Lakes AHG Chapter (Chicago)
The newly formed Great Lakes Chapter meets at the Chicago College of Healing Arts, 1622 W Devon Ave in Chicago. Meetings are also streamed live on-line. For more information, email greatlakesahg@gmail.com. 

Indiana (Bloomington)
Meetings have begun and a chapter is blooming in Southern Indiana!  This is a great opportunity to be a part of this energy-filled group.  Contact Grace MacNeil at vgracemacneil@gmail.com for more details.

New Jersey, Northern (Warren County)
The New Jersey Chapter meets the 3rd Wednesday of the month at Herbally Yours in Changewater, NJ which is located in Warren County.  Our programs are focused on education & support for practitioners.  Monthly meetings include discussions on specific topics along with case histories, presentations by individual member, and occasional herb walks to visit the plants. For details, contact Kerry Adams at kadams@herbally.net or 908-689-6140.
New Jersey, Southern

So much herbal goodness here that they had to start another chapter! Contact Barb Kelly kelly0627@aol.com for information on meetings and events.

New Mexico (Albuquerque)
We are experiencing the long-needed and exciting reincarnation of our local AHG chapter here in New Mexico: the Green Chile Chapter of the American Herbalists Guild. Members are coming back in droves from all parts of the state! We are excited to nurture this revival and include many herbalists from as many different disciplines as possible (folk, East Asian medicine, Ayurvedic , growers, and curanderismo, just to name a few).

Our group currently consists of seasoned veterans and budding newbies, all working together to promote the beautiful and wonderful energies of our plant allies. We have begun planning for many events, starting locally, and intend to grow and cultivate this organization for many years to come!

For more information, please contact Beverley Shuck, Co-President 505-228-8804 bev@nmherblady.com or 505-228-8804.

New York (Long Island)
The Long Island Chapter of the AHG meets at the library in Northport about four times a year. We plan to have more frequent meetings as the year progresses. We look forward to your participation! For details and meeting dates and times, contact Jeanne D’Brant at drjeanne@optonline.net.

Oregon (Eugene and beyond)
Plans are in the works for a Eugene-based AHG chapter as well as in other parts of the state. For more information about the latest plans and get involved, contact Kristi Shapla at kristishapla@yahoo.com

Ohio (Southern Ohio)
See the Western Pennsylvania listing below.

Pennsylvania (Eastern Region)
For more information about the Eastern Pennsylvania AHG Chapter, please see their Facebook page, AHG Chapter- Eastern Pennsylvania, or contact Judy Fox Smith at foxsmythherbal@msn.com or 215-816-6950.

Pennsylvania (Western Pennsylvania/Ohio Region)
The chapter meets on a monthly basis during the growing season at venues offered by our members and by e-conferencing during winter months.  Our focus is on supporting each other as we explore and expand our knowledge of local medicinal botanicals.  For details contact Leslie Alexander at leslie@restorationherbs.com or 814-374-4119.

Texas (Central)
The mission of this chapter is to provide herbal opportunities for our local community. Plant walks, farm tours, preparations workshops, traditional diagnostics, botany lessons, movies, fellowship and more! Stay posted on our activities by sending an email to texasahg@gmail.com.
 
Washington
The Washington chapter describes itself as a “seed-in-motion” organization that holds quarterly meetings at locations around the state. Most meetings are in Western Washington at Bastyr University (north of Seattle), Tacoma or Olympia. The chapter plans to expand the location of meetings and events to include the eastern part of the state. Meetings are held at various locations. To be placed on the WA AHG mailing list, send an e-mail to waahg06@yahoo.com. The list is open to everyone and, in addition to announcements about chapter meetings and events, is used to publicize information about other herb events and presentations; to advertise classes being presented by members; to announce any new clinics or businesses operated by members; and to list any AHG-approved continuing education classes.