Update!

Green and color changing blessings everyone! It seems, though while it's still warm, fall has finally arrived. I know that I personally have been doing a lot of harvesting and medicine making this fall. I am especially excited about the coming Goldenrod bloom, as I enjoy using in in salves for aches and in tincture form for seasonal allergies and immune function.

Solidago canadensis

While you may be taking part in or spectating on some of the conversations on our facebook group, some of you may still be wondering… What's been happening with the chapter? Well...

We have had one general meeting since we began the chapter, and while the turn out was less than what I had hoped, the quality was exceptional. We mainly talked about holding an event next spring (the "conference") and how that could be achieved, but we also got some insight on directions the chapter could go. For instance, the "Supportive Non-Member" was added, so that New Mexican herbalists can support the chapter, even if they have no desire to be a part of the national organization. It was also suggested that we look into what other local chapters are doing throughout the US. I think this is a fine idea, I'm looking into it and will post after I get in contact with our brother/sister chapters.

In the mean time, I would really enjoy hearing from YOU, about what you'd like to see happen locally. As I have stressed before, this chapter only functions by the combination of our resources and our minds. I thought it would be fun to post the national AHG Goals and see what our New Mexico flair would change, add, what they like, dislike, etc… So, here we go!

Primary Goals of the AHG

•  Honor diversity in herbal medicine, ranging from traditional indigenous models of herbalism to modern clinical phytotherapy.

• Establish AHG professional membership as a recognizable standard of competency in botanical medicine.

• Encourage the development of high standards of education that promote well-trained professional practitioners who offer high quality herbal care.

• Promote ecological health and increase awareness of issues surrounding plant sustainability.

• Strengthen the network of support and communication between herbal practitioners nationally and internationally.

• Foster high standards of ethics and integrity in the education and the practice of therapeutic herbalism.

• Promote cooperation between herbal practitioners and other health care providers, integrating herbalism into community health care.

• Serve as a liaison to other professional associations and regulatory agencies.

• Promote research in herbal medicine.

What do you think should be our goals, as a local chapter? 
Please dialogue in the comments section below!