The 51 year old Connecticut Unit of The Herb Society meets the second Monday of the month, starting at 10:30 am, April through November.

Our meetings are often in people's homes but from time-to-time are held in public places and include lunch: brown bag or prepared by members.  The program can be a speaker, demonstration, project, or tour of public or private gardens and also includes educational reports by members about particular herbs, their horticulture, culinary uses, etc., book reports and more.  This year we're concentrating on pelargoniums ("scented geraniums").  The society does not give advice on medicinal herbs or promote private businesses.

The unit maintains the herb garden at Elizabeth Park in Hartford and an herb garden at York Prison in Niantic where members garden with women inmates.  We organize a symposium in the fall and a plant sale each May in Elizabeth Park.

All members have an abiding interest in growing and using herbs and a willingness to share their individual time and talents.  Membership is open, but we have a 50 member limit because of space constraints in private homes. 

It is important to attend at least two meetings as our guest before you commmit to joining.  It's necessary to help in the Elizabeth Park garden and to fully particiipate in all unit activities and obligations as well as join one of the many committees.

Persons interested in learning about herbs but not available for meetings or able to volunteer their time for projects may join the herb society as members of the national organization and enjoy the many benefits.  Details are available at www.herbsociety.org.

For further information, you may contact Claudia Van Nes at claudiavannes@aol.com.