Herb Harvest Fall Festival: Exploring Plants & Cultures from the Land Down Under

The Heritage Herb Garden at the Ozark Folk Center is where plants and people connect. Participants will use all of their senses to draw comparisons between the Ozarks and the southern Pacific Islands while having fun learning about different plants, customs, geological formations, and historical events of the Land Down Under. Given that Europeans, particularly the English, colonized these islands, many of the herbs in modern usage are native to the Mediterranean and are familiar to us. Herbal folks in the U.S. use essential oils from Australasia. We share common foods like barbeque, meat pies, sweet potatoes, rice and sorghum. Our population is enriched by the plant wisdom of Indigenous peoples as are Australians and New Zealanders. The herb trade between our regions is vigorous. Join us in this exploration!

Tickets for the Lavish Herbal Feast, Thursday, October 5 are sold separately and are available here.

The Schedule

Friday, October 6, 2023

White Oak Auditorium inside the visitor enter

9 a.m.               Welcome—Tina Marie Wilcox

9:10-10:30        The Geology, Geography, Biomes, and Original Peoples of Australia and New Zealand —Kathleen Connole

10:30-10:45     Break

10:45-12:00      Bush Medicine: Traditional Aboriginal Medicine of Australia and the Torres Strait Islanders—Gayle Engels

12:00-1:00        Down Under-Style lunch at the Skillet Restaurant (included in ticket fee)

Fish & Chips

Southland Cheese Roll & Chips (Vegetarian option)

Cabbage & Apple Slaw

Lamingtons (traditional cake with chocolate & coconut)

Iced Tea or Coffee

1-2:00 p.m.       Foods, Cooking Terms & Customs from Down Under—Susan Belsinger        

2:00-3:00         Visit the Heritage Herb Garden and Artisans in the Craft Village

3-3:30               Tea

3:30-4:30          An Interview with a Native New Zealander

Saturday, October 7, 2023

White Oak Auditorium inside the Visitors Center

9 a.m.               Welcome—Tina Marie Wilcox

9:10-10:30        The Plant Explorers of Australia and New Zealand—Kathleen Connole        

10:30-11          Break

11:30-12:30     Traditional & Favorite Recipes from Australia & New Zeeland—Susan Belsinger

12:30-1:30       Down Under-Style lunch at the Skillet Restaurant (included in ticket fee)

Burger Down Under-Style with all of the Fixins

Field Roast Veggie Burger Down Under-Style with all of the Fixins (Vegetarian option)

Sweet Potato Fries with Aioli

Anzac Biscuits (a favorite cookie with oats & coconut)

Iced Tea or Coffee

1:30-2:30          Rongoā from En to Zed: Traditional Māori Medicine—Gayle Engels

2:30-3 p.m.       Break

3-4:00 p.m.      Essential Oils Extracted from Native Trees of Australasia—Tina Marie Wilcox

4:00 p.m.         Fond Farewell Fare—The Herb Garden Committee of the Committee of 100

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