Ecological Medicinal Herb Grower & Community Herbalist
Nikola Barsoum is an ecological farmer with over 10 years experience working in small-scale organic, regenerative and permaculture systems. With an undergraduate degree in political science, Nikola has long been drawn to the questions around establishing local and resilient food/ medicine systems. Tending to the land in a way that is live-affirming is a central focus of her work, and Nikola continues to explore the ways in which 'whole-systems healing' can be activated at a community level. Nikola began mentoring under folk herbalists about 8 years ago, while living in a rural area of interior BC, and in 2016 she became certified as a Community Herbalist through Pacific Rim College. Soon after she started her own small medicinal herb farm, Half Moon Herbals, and has been growing for her local community since. Last year Nikola moved Half Moon Herbals to the traditional territory of the Neutral, Anishnaabeg, Haudenosaunee, and Mississauga peoples in southern Ontario where she continues to farm in collaboration and cooperation with other ecological farmers. Nikola provides fresh bulk herbs to medicine makers and runs an annual Herb CSA program (Community Supported Agriculture) where she grows and prepares herbs for her farm members while supporting their learning process with DIY projects, hands-on experiences and farm tours. In the fall and winters Nikola offers mentorship programs to interested gardeners and herbalists who are seeking support to start or expand their own medicine garden. Nikola is currently studying as a Clinical Herbalist, while remaining receptive to the continual learning that comes from a connection to the land and plants themselves.