Biography

Mary is the founder and general manager of the Farmacy Herbs product company, bulk herb store, farm, teaching gardens, educational programs and clinic. Mary advocates for personal and planetary healing through herbs, nutrition and lifestyle. She focuses on using herbs to SUPPORT HEALTH, not treat disease. Mary's healing philosophy also revolves around community, activism, education, social justice, politically compassionate herbalism/ health justice . Mary holds a teaching associate position at the Brown University Medical School, teaching Western Herbalism to the Integrative Resident Program at the Sage Healing Collaborative. In 2006, Mary started developing the Farmacy's Herbal Education and Training Program. She has run this program 2x per year since 2006, with over 250 students participating in the program. Her programs focus on herbal medicine, health justice and nutritional healing. Since 2001, she has taught classes on herbalism and farming at local businesses, hospitals, events, universities, high schools, nursing homes, elementary schools, conferences and to special interest groups and non profits. Since 2009 she has been a teacher at the New England Women's Conference and The International Herb Symposium. She was a speaker at the 2012 USDA Women in Agriculture Conference. She was a guest speaker at the 2013 United Nations Council on Women. Over the last 19 years she has focused on gleaning experience from herbalists in a professional and informal setting. From 1999-2002 she acquired three years of herbal experience and knowledge from Danielle Cavalacci at Indigo Herbals, an herb shop in Providence RI. In 2004, she started her career as a Community Herbalist at Seven Arrows Herb Farm and worked for four years under the tutelage of Judy and Michelle Marcelot, botany and medicinal plant experts. She was a student of many wonderful herbalists while attending Sage Mountains advanced program in 2006. Most of her experience as an herbalist comes from working directly with the the public. She has hosted numerous teachers, conferences, programs and classes focusing on anatomy/ physiology, nutritional healing and in depth herbal healing at Farmacy Herbs. In 2011/12, Mary edited and directed the documentary, Herbal Aide featuring the work of many herbalists and community activists. Through Herbal Aide, she currently offers a grant program for herbalists working to create accessible access to herbalism in their communities. In 2005/6 she volunteered in post Katrina New Orleans as an herbalist in the clinics, farmer in the gardens and kitchen worker. She is a founding member of the following community groups: Providence Recycle-A- Bike, The Northeast Radical Healthcare Network, Radherb, Traditions Not Trademarks, Herbal Aide. Sage Healing Collaborative She was awarded The Northeast Herbal Association Community Herbalist Award in 2008 for her dedication and commitment to the herbal community. In 2009 and 2015 Mary won first place at the International Herb Symposium for Farmacy Herbs products. Farmacy herbs was awarded "Best of Rhode Island"" in 2009 from RI Monthly magazine. Farmacy Herbs was awarded "Best in Providence" by the Providence Pheonix in 2010. Farmacy Herbs was awarded "Best of Rhode Island" in 2018 by RI Monthly Magazine.