West District Gathering Presentation and Speaker Information
We think that this presentation and speaker line-up is excellent -- it promises to be engaging, interactive,
entertaining, and informative!
entertaining, and informative!

Understanding Olive Oil and Balsamic Vinegar with Nate Bradley of Amphora Nueva
Friday, June 10, 2022 5:00pm-6:30pm at Rodgers Ranch Heritage Center
Join us Friday evening for an immerse olive oil tasting experience! In addition to tasting, we will dispel widespread myths, learn about industry fraud, and explore the immense health benefits and culinary applications.
Friday, June 10, 2022 5:00pm-6:30pm at Rodgers Ranch Heritage Center
Join us Friday evening for an immerse olive oil tasting experience! In addition to tasting, we will dispel widespread myths, learn about industry fraud, and explore the immense health benefits and culinary applications.

Presenter Nate Bradley is a co-owner of Amphora Nueva, a family owned and operated olive oil and balsamic vinegar company with tasting rooms/retail stores throughout the Bay Area. With roots in the olive industry for close to 100 years, it is not an exaggeration to say that olive oil is in their blood. They are proud to be considered the pioneers of dual Hemisphere olive oil sourcing.
Nate will be selling his products at this event and is extending a 20% discount to attendees.
Visit Amphora Nueva’s website at https://amphoranueva.com/
Nate will be selling his products at this event and is extending a 20% discount to attendees.
Visit Amphora Nueva’s website at https://amphoranueva.com/
Tending the Wild – Discovering Native Plants Used for Food, Medicine, and Everyday Life with Patrice Hanlon, Horticultural Consultant & Educator
Saturday, June 11, 10:30am-12:30pm at the Sonesta Hotel Meeting Room, first floor
Plants have a story to tell – in all cultures. How to collect, grow, and harvest our native plants is ecological knowledge that was passed down through story telling for centuries. Indigenous peoples were tending the land in a loving way before the influence of European settlers. We will explore the ways that the landscape was carefully managed and the native plants that were an integral part of everyday life, many which are still used today.

Patrice Hanlon is a horticultural consultant and educator who has been immersed in plants and the healing benefits of nature since she was a child. Her love of nature began while gardening with her parents and exploring the creeks and forests in Pennsylvania. She she has written articles on nature, gardening, and herbs; created garden curriculum; designed interpretive walks focused on ethnobotany, pollinators, native plants and herbs that were enjoyed by all ages. Patrice has managed a variety of public and private gardens for more than 20 years. She moved to Oregon in 2019 where she volunteers for the Josephine County Food Bank. Patrice still creates classes with a focus on plant-based activities, walks in nature, meditation and art that help to foster a sense of community, gratitude, and communion with the earth. She is also the 2019 winner of the HSA Madelene Hill Award for Excellence in Education.
An Adventure in Natural Perfumery with Laurie Stern of Velvet & Sweet Pea’s Purrfumery
Saturday, June 11, 2022 1:15pm-2:45pm at the Sonesta Hotel Meeting Room, first floor
Presenter Laurie Stern will lead us through the history and mythology of perfume making and natural perfume materials, from ancient lore to scientific fact. She will offer us the rare opportunity to smell and experience aromatic treasures from around the globe, such as Bulgarian Rose Otto, 100-year old Indian Sandalwood, White Lotus Absolute, and Violet leaves.
Saturday, June 11, 2022 1:15pm-2:45pm at the Sonesta Hotel Meeting Room, first floor
Presenter Laurie Stern will lead us through the history and mythology of perfume making and natural perfume materials, from ancient lore to scientific fact. She will offer us the rare opportunity to smell and experience aromatic treasures from around the globe, such as Bulgarian Rose Otto, 100-year old Indian Sandalwood, White Lotus Absolute, and Violet leaves.

Laurie is a natural artisanal perfumer who’s all about frills, furbelows, kitty tutus and tiaras, and… animal conservation. She the purple-haired scent artist behind Velvet & Sweet Pea’s Purrfumery, the web-based business she started in 2005 and named after two cats she rescued from a tortured life in animal testing. Laurie is based in El Cerrito, CA, and while Velvet and Sweet Pea have both crossed the rainbow bridge, their legacies live on in Laurie’s work that helps animals of every stripe, all around the world. Her latest perfumes, Luminous Lemurs and Pangolin Violette Rose, benefit endangered species in Madagascar, Africa and Asia. Laurie uses ancient processes to handcraft her perfumes, and she grows many of the flowers and plants she uses in the Perfumery Garden her husband designed for her. Meanwhile, bees come to work every day in her hives, and she uses their wax in some of her wares.
You can learn more about Velvet & Sweet Pea’s Purrfumery at www.purrfumery.com .
You can learn more about Velvet & Sweet Pea’s Purrfumery at www.purrfumery.com .
Presentation and Workshop: Make your own Seasoning Salts: Ideas for All of Those Wonderful Herbs You've Grown! With Hollie Lucas-Alcalay of Hollie’s Homegrown
Saturday, June 11 2022 3:00pm – 4:30pm at the Sonesta Hotel Meeting Room, first floor
Learn how to harvest, dry, process and store your own herbs for making seasoning salt herb blends and other herbal products. Every participant will make and go home with their own seasonings jar. Hollie Lucas-Alcalay will take you step-by-step through creating blends, with lots of suggestions and herb combinations so you can feel confident to make them on your own.
Saturday, June 11 2022 3:00pm – 4:30pm at the Sonesta Hotel Meeting Room, first floor
Learn how to harvest, dry, process and store your own herbs for making seasoning salt herb blends and other herbal products. Every participant will make and go home with their own seasonings jar. Hollie Lucas-Alcalay will take you step-by-step through creating blends, with lots of suggestions and herb combinations so you can feel confident to make them on your own.

Hollie’s Homegrown began as a small organic farm specializing in growing culinary and medicinal herbs that they blend to make herbal teas, infused olive oils, vinegars, seasoning salts, herbal honeys and a whole line of bath and beauty products. As a third-generation organic farmer, she never uses harmful pesticides - ever. She also employs sustainable growing practices so products are safe and healthy for people and the environment. Recent awards include the Whole Foods Market "Local Food Maker" Grant Winner and Martha Stewart "American Made" Food Finalist.
For more information about Hollie’s Homegrown, visit https://www.hollieshomegrown.com/.
For more information about Hollie’s Homegrown, visit https://www.hollieshomegrown.com/.