The Eden Year is a nine-month immersive program for young women (ages 17-24) designed to cultivate biblical wisdom, practical homemaking and herbal skills, emotional resilience, and spiritual formation. Through a rhythm of rotating weeks—Herbalism/Homemaking and Rooted Wisdom/Soul Work—students engage both hands and heart in becoming rooted, redeemed, and ready for life’s next season.

The Eden Year Program runs August 27,2026 through June 3, 2027 with spring, fall, and holiday break. Students meet one day a week for 5 hours and will have 3-4 hours of weekly take home assignments. The schedule alternates: • Week A: Herbalism and Homemaking — hands-on learning in natural medicine, gardening, homemaking, and stewardship. • Week B: Rooted Wisdom Study and Soul Work — biblical wisdom study, Self-Authoring journaling, Examen prayer, and biblical counseling concepts for personal growth. There is also a monthly Saturday Land Stewardship Day (the first Saturday of every month) focused on community work and cultivating stewardship skills. View Weekly Alternating Format (https://www.theedenyear.com/weekly-format)

These programs will be run on a schedule of alternating weeks - Thursdays, August 27, 2026 through June 3, 2027, with spring, fall and holiday break.

No formal certification is awarded. However, students complete robust coursework drawing from trusted resources including Equipped to Counsel from the Association of Biblical Counselors, the Christian Counseling & Educational Foundation (CCEF) journal articles, and Jordan Peterson’s Self-Authoring program. They also gain extensive hands-on experience in herbalism, gardening, and homemaking that fosters both practical and spiritual resilience.

• Herbal medicine making (tinctures, salves, teas, infused oils, etc.) • Seasonal gardening and native plant identification • Natural homemaking and home care skills • Emotional processing and goal setting (guided journaling) • Biblical wisdom and counseling principles for relationships and decision-making • Community living and stewardship

Your tuition covers: • Weekly five-hour, in-person gatherings (rotating topics) • Access to private land and trails for unplugged learning • Knowledge of native plants, how to ethically harvest, and identification skills • Access to an extensive herb garden • Practical, accessible harvesting charts (compiled by Lorena) • All materials for herbal remedies, teas, salves, and homemaking projects • One retreat (lodging, meals, supplies included) • Branded Eden Year gear • Weekly snacks and herbal teas • Guided journaling, prayer, and personal biblical formation • Mentorship and discipleship community • A completed Materia Medica binder filled with students’ plant monographs • Recipes and instructions for salves, oils, infusions (hot/cold), decoctions, steams, and baths • A resource list of trusted herbal medicine books and medicinal seed suppliers • Students keep all herbal products they make during the program.

Eden Year tuition: $3,900

Students will need to purchase or access: • Equipped to Counsel book by John Henderson ($59) • CCEF Journal Subscription ($21) and have access to a printer for journal articles • Jordan Peterson’s Self-Authoring Suite ($29.90) access to a laptop or tablet for self authoring journal time • Jordan Petersons Understand Myself Personality test $9.95 • Two 2” three ring binders (one for Week A and one for Week B) with divider tabs • A multi media nature journaling notebook, pencils Each student will be responsible for printing their own material and homework and must have access to a printer and computer.

Each Eden Year gathering is an invitation to slow down and be fully present. To help cultivate this space, we gently set aside technology for the day—phones and screens are tucked away so our attention can rest in God’s creation, meaningful connection, and the work of our hands. It’s not about restriction, but about making room to notice, listen, and breathe deeply. *Exceptions are; when utilizing the self-authoring suite or using technology for research purposes.

Lorena Bowers, a Certified Biblical Counselor, Certified Christian Trauma Care Provider and traditional herbalist, facilitates the program. She combines experience in biblical counseling, herbalism, and homemaking, offering mentorship and guidance throughout the year.

Students should expect 3-4 hours a week for readings, journaling, or projects depending on the topic for that week. The program is designed to be immersive yet manageable alongside part-time work or other responsibilities.

Prospective students complete an application (https://theedenyear.wixsite.com/mysite/applicant-interview)and interview, including a statement of faith and a commitment to community standards. Space is limited to 10 students to maintain a close-knit cohort.

• Your own garden shears • Garden gloves (with leather finger tips preferred) • Close toed shoes that are good for hiking • Notebook, sketch pad, pencils • 3 ring binder • Water Bottle • Bring your own lunch • Optional: hat, sunscreen, bug spray View Alternating Weekly Format(https://theedenyear.wixsite.com/mysite/weekly-format)

• 3 ring binder • Laptop • Journal • ABC Equipped to Counsel Book • Homework (usually a journal article) • Bring your own lunch View Alternating Weekly Format(https://theedenyear.wixsite.com/mysite/weekly-format)

We affirm the following truths as foundational to our faith and identity: 1. The Scriptures We believe the Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments are the inspired Word of God, without error in the original manuscripts, and the infallible rule of faith and life. 2. The One True God There is one living and true God, eternally existing in three persons—Father, Son, and Holy Spirit—equal in power, glory, and deity. God is the Creator, sustainer, and Ruler of all. 3. God the Father God the Father is infinite in being, holiness, wisdom, power, and love. He is personal and caring, sovereign over all, hears prayer, and saves those who come to Him through Jesus Christ. 4. God the Son Jesus Christ, God’s only begotten Son, was conceived by the Holy Spirit and born of the virgin Mary. He lived a sinless life, performed miracles, taught with authority, died a substitutionary atoning death, rose bodily from the dead, ascended into heaven, intercedes for His people, and will return personally and visibly in glory. 5. God the Holy Spirit The Holy Spirit proceeds from the Father and the Son. He convicts the world of sin, righteousness, and judgment; regenerates, sanctifies, and empowers all who believe. He indwells every believer, providing guidance, gifts, and fruit for life and service. 6. Humanity All human beings are created in God’s image but fell into sin—both by nature and by choice. As such, we are separated from God and under condemnation unless reconciled through Christ. 7. Salvation Salvation is a gift of God by grace through faith in Jesus Christ alone. Repentance and faith are the response we make to God’s gracious call. Salvation includes forgiveness of sins, new birth, and eternal life. 8. The Church The Church is the universal spiritual body of which all believers are members; Christ is its head. We believe Jesus instituted two ordinances: baptism (by immersion) and the Lord’s Supper (Communion), which the Church is to observe. 9. Christian Living Believers are called to live holy lives. The Holy Spirit works in us to produce His fruit (love, joy, peace, etc.), to convict of sin, and to enable us to serve God and others. We believe in the present-day exercise of biblical gifts of the Spirit for the building up of the Church. 10. The Future We believe in the personal, visible return of Jesus Christ to the earth. We believe in the resurrection of the dead, the final judgment—eternal blessing for the righteous, and eternal separation for those who reject Christ’s free gift.