About Us
About Us
At Word & Plant, we believe in the power of plants to heal, inspire, and connect. From handcrafted herbal goods to hands-on workshops, our mission is to help people build deeper relationships with the natural world—and with each other. Whether you’re shopping for herbal skincare, learning to dye with flowers, or dreaming up your own garden, we’re here to support growth in every sense of the word.
Rooted in Community
Word & Plant is about more than plants; it’s about people, relationships, and possibilities. Giving back is at the heart of what we do. From teaching kids about gardening through 4H Junior Master Gardeners in Chatham County to hosting school garden projects and service-learning programs, we’re dedicated to growing a greener, more connected future.
A Vision for Growth
We’re growing, too! Our vision includes Word & Plant’s Garden Haven and Farm—a future gathering place for learning, creativity, and sustainable growing (in all senses of the word). Imagine walking through native plant gardens, exploring food forests, or harvesting herbs for hands-on workshops. With plans for demonstration plots, therapeutic horticulture programs, and expanded artisanal plant product creation, this farm will bring sustainability and education to life.
Meet Dr. Deena Class
I’m Deena Class, the founder of Word & Plant and the person behind every project we undertake. My journey with plants began over 25 years ago as an herbalist and skincare formulator, crafting natural remedies and teaching others how to work with plants for health and wellness. My work organically grew into gardening, therapeutic horticulture, and ethnobotanical education, where I teach topics like natural dyeing, soapmaking, and the cultural stories of plants.
Living and working in seven countries across four continents has shaped my perspective on the rich and diverse ways people connect with plants. These experiences, paired with my expertise in native plants, aromatic herbs, medicinal plants, dye plants, edible landscapes, and sustainable gardening, fuel my passion for creating spaces that are functional, beautiful, and meaningful.
