Hands-On Winter Wellness: Make Herbal Syrups, Oxymels & Fire Cider at Crabtree Farms Chattanooga

At Crabtree Farms of Chattanooga, located at 1000 E 30th Street in Chattanooga, Tennessee, an evening workshop opens a practical doorway into plant-based winter wellness. On December 10, herbalist Melonie Sherman leads a two-hour, hands-on Make & Take where participants learn to craft herbal syrups, oxymels, and a classic fire cider, then leave with a personalized jar to use at home.

This urban farm classroom focuses on process and ingredients: apple cider vinegar, local honey, aromatic roots, and preserved seasonal herbs come together in simple formulas you can replicate. The session is small—capped at twenty people—so you’ll work at a communal table while Melonie demonstrates infusion techniques, ratios, and safe handling. Expect tactile learning: chopping, steeping, straining and bottling, plus discussion about dosing, storage, and when to reach for a syrup or oxymel versus other remedies.

Melonie Sherman brings a unique mix of experience to the table. With more than twenty-five years in nonprofit leadership, Aveda Institute training in aesthetics, and an herbalist certification from Ecoversity (2023), she frames recipes in both practical and holistic terms. Her instruction demystifies herbalism—no prior experience required—making this class ideal for beginners aged 16 and up who want to add plant-based tools to their family wellness kit.

The workshop connects to the farm’s mission of community education. Learning here feels less like a lecture and more like a small kitchen laboratory where seasonal, locally sourced botanicals are the stars. Participants gain confidence in preparing shelf-stable remedies, tips for safe preservation, and a jar to inspect the chemistry for themselves.

Logistics are straightforward: meet at Crabtree Farms of Chattanooga at the address above; the event runs about two hours. Refunds may be requested up to seven days before the workshop with a 10% cancellation fee. A signed waiver is required. Bring curiosity and an appetite for hands-on learning—wear clothing you don’t mind getting a dash of honey on.

As part of Chattanooga’s active outdoor and community education scene, Crabtree Farms offers an indoor-outdoor mix: workshops use the farm’s beds and teaching space to translate seasonal ecology into practical remedies. That local connection matters—the class emphasizes low-impact ingredients and small-batch techniques that suit backyard gardeners and busy city-dwellers. Space is limited to twenty participants and a liability waiver naming Crabtree Farms and Liz Simmons must be signed before class. Bring a notebook for recipes; you’ll leave with a jar and a clear plan to integrate plant medicine into winter routines.