STATUS: Active
SOCIAL: https://www.instagram.com/cityherbal.ap/
WEBSITE: https://concordiagreenhouse.com/blog/
UNIVERSITY: Concordia University
CONTACT: cityherbal.ap@gmail.com
ABOUT THE PROGRAM:
The City Herbal Apprenticeship Program (CHAP) is an initiative of the Concordia Greenhouse focused on land-based herbal education and urban agriculture partnerships.
The program empowers participants through experiential learning, urban ecosystem stewardship, and community engagement, with a strong emphasis on food and health sovereignty. Rooted in the Loyola perennial herb garden and food forest, City Herbal creates opportunities for students and community members to reconnect with land, plants, and traditional knowledge systems.
KEY CHALLENGES:
- Limited capacity for student participation in apprenticeship programs
- Seasonal programming constraints
- Sustaining funding for community-based programming
- Expanding access while maintaining quality, hands-on learning
KEY SUCCESSES:
- Integrate education + land-based practice for deeper engagement
- Build programs rooted in community care and sovereignty
- Combine hands-on learning with interdisciplinary teaching
- Foster partnerships across campus and beyond
SERVICES:
- Herbalism apprenticeship (June–October)
- Volunteer gardening sessions
- Seed-starting and plant education workshops
- Youth programming (summer initiatives for 12- 18 years)
- Access to food forest and biodiversity learning spaces
TIMELINE
- 2011 – City Farm School launched as a Concordia Greenhouse initiative
- 2022 – Program Transition– Market Gardener Apprenticeship concluded
- 2023 – Launch of City Herbal– Herbalism stream restructured into the City Herbal Apprenticeship Program
- Ongoing – Seasonal programming, workshops, and partnerships
GET INVOLVED
🌱 Volunteer in the garden– Join weekly sessions (launching late May)
🌿 Apply to the apprenticeship program– Applications open soon (student discount available)
Attend workshops– Seed Starting Sessions and herbal learning opportunities
PHOTOS:
NEWS ARTICLES: