Members of the Mountaineer Garden club attended a lecture on herbs from local plant person Marion Harless and her apprentice, Kara Vaneck for an afternoon presentation about local tame and wild native plant lore.
Vaneck, who is serving an apprenticeship with Harless, brought several examples of native plants that are grown in her garden in Weston and gave a history of the plants as well as how plants are utilized in modern society. Harless is a co-founder of the Mountain State Organic Growers and Buyers Association and the West Virginia Herb Association, and has taught widely on medicinal herbs, edible landscaping, and native plants. Vaneck is the owner of Smoke Camp Crafts and has served as vice president and treasurer of the West Virginia Herb Association.