How to Train as a Herbal Farmer?

Becoming a herbal farmer means reconnecting with the land and with the traditional knowledge of plants. This profession combines the cultivation of medicinal plants, wild harvesting and traditional processing (herbal teas, oils, tinctures, etc.).

Today, several organizations in France support people who wish to learn about the uses of plants or about the agricultural production of aromatic and medicinal plants (PPAM).

But becoming a herbal farmer is not simply about knowing the properties of plants. It also means learning how to grow them, propagate them and care for them throughout the seasons.

Herbal farming is a profession built through close contact with the living world. It requires an understanding of plant cycles, their needs, their propagation and the practices that allow them to be cared for from seed to harvest.

At Graine de vie, we have been growing aromatic, medicinal, wild and dye plants for more than 15 years. Our nursery produces all its seeds and plants through patient observation and experimentation. Over the years, we have learned which plants are best suited to our growing conditions, allowing us to offer plants intended both for gardens and for professional medicinal plant production.

Creating a business based around plants is not simply a matter of choosing a few interesting species. You need to observe your land, select plants suited to your growing conditions, successfully sow seeds, master propagation techniques, anticipate production times and understand the day-to-day realities of running an agricultural business.

Training in herbalism, botany or agriculture provides valuable foundations for developing your project. But practical experience remains essential: seeing a seed germinate, monitoring a plant's development, learning to recognize its needs and discovering how long it takes before the first harvest all help you better understand this profession.

It is with this desire to share our practical experience that we offer training courses on sowing, plant propagation and nursery skills. We pass on practical techniques drawn from our everyday work, supporting those who wish to better understand plants or prepare for a professional project.

Would you like to discover the basics of plant propagation? Take a look at our next workshop dedicated to sowing and seed harvesting, an opportunity to discover the essential techniques for producing your own seeds.

Depending on your project, there are several possible paths to becoming a herbal farmer: learning about the uses of plants, training in the cultivation of PPAM, acquiring agricultural skills or complementing your experience with practical training. Here are some recognized educational farms and specialized training centers offering suitable courses.

Practical training and the uses of plants

Vieilles Racines et Jeunes Pousses

Educational farm in Mercin
11 Mercin, 23420 Mérinchal
Website: www.vieilles-racines-et-jeunes-pousses.fr

What we like: a catalogue of training courses accessible to everyone and expanded every year, as well as a collection of books beautifully illustrated and written with conviction.

AltheaProvence – Christophe Bernard

AltheaProvence is a leading resource on medicinal plants, natural health and homemade preparations (herbal teas, infused oils, balms, etc.). Christophe Bernard, a phytotherapy and herbalism practitioner, offers training courses and teaches at the École Lyonnaise des Plantes Médicinales.

Specialized herbalism schools

ARH – Association pour le Renouveau de l’Herboristerie

www.arh-herboristerie.org
Comprehensive herbalism training (theoretical and practical), available both online and in person. For more than 30 years, ARH has trained professional and amateur herbalists.

ELPM – École Lyonnaise des Plantes Médicinales

www.ecoledeplantesmedicinales.com
A leading French institution for training in herbalism, phytotherapy, aromatherapy and botany. The school offers long-term courses (3 years) as well as specialized modules.

EBH – École Bretonne d’Herboristerie

www.ecole-bretonne-herboristerie.fr
Located in Plounéour-Ménez (29), EBH provides training in traditional and small-scale herbalism, with a strong focus on growing local plants.

Agricultural training

For a more technical and professional approach, several CFPPA (French agricultural vocational training centers) offer training in Perfume, Aromatic and Medicinal Plants (PPAM) or organic farming.

CFPPA de Nyons

2 avenue de Venterol, 26110 Nyons
Tel.: 04 75 26 65 90
Email: cfppa.nyons@educagri.fr

The only institution in France offering the Paysan-Herboriste professional qualification (in partnership with the SIMPLES union). CFPPA de Nyons also offers a BPREA PPAM (Professional Certificate for Agricultural Business Managers, specializing in Aromatic and Medicinal Plants).

CFPPA de Montmorot

514 avenue Edgar Faure, 39570 Montmorot
Tel.: 03 84 87 20 02

Agricultural training courses including BPREA PPAM and CS PPAM, focusing on the production, processing and marketing of medicinal and aromatic plants.

CFPPA de Marmilhat

Allée du Suquet, BP 70024, 63370 Lempdes
Tel.: 04 73 91 63 04

Offers a CS PPAM (Specialization Certificate), ideal for complementing an existing agricultural qualification or specializing in medicinal plant production.

Going further

To complement your training, it can be useful to join herbalist networks or professional organizations such as the Syndicat SIMPLES, which brings together producers and wild plant gatherers of medicinal and aromatic plants.

Finally, practice remains the best teacher: experiment, observe nature, exchange knowledge with other herbal farmers, and cultivate your connection with plants day after day.

FAQ: Becoming a herbal farmer