The Mushroom Foray – October 29th : Possible projects include hops tincture (sleep aid), dandelion tonic or edible greens, lambs quarters greens, and the antioxidant-rich immunity booster, elderberry syrup. If we are lucky, wild maitake (hen of the woods) or chicken of the woods mushrooms will be available to make a soup or stir-fry. (we will do one or two of these). Ethical, forest-friendly harvesting methods will be discussed.
Come prepared for a fun walk in the woods to observe and forage for wild edible plants and possibly mushrooms, depending on what is available and in season. We will prepare a shared dish or two featuring wild edibles and possibly a tincture made of wild-forged herbs.
This class is good for a newbie, but if you have them, bring your favorite manuals and books so that we can share our knowledge, experience, and favorite wild-foraged foods and medicines. Bug spray, layered, protective clothing, and shoes or boots suitable for walking through the woods are recommended.
Facilitator:
Marie Erb-Crow has gathered and prepared wild edible plants and herbs since childhood. For seven years she ran a landscape design company specializing in eco-friendly design and woodland property preservation.
A firm believer that food is medicine, she makes her own sleep aids and tonic tinctures and she harvests and prepares wild mushrooms and edible plants for her family.
September sees some wind-down in the garden and an upswing in idle hands for foraging at the farm. Black Walnuts, Chinese and American Chestnuts, Autumn Olive, Nannyberry and Paw Paws are all having their moment! There are so many delicious things we could make like Roasted Chestnut Dukkha, Nannyberry Spiked Water Kefir, Rosy Autumn Olive Muffins, Black Walnut Bitters – and what the heck do you do with Paw Paws? A good pair of hiking shoes and gloves will find you deep in a foragers haul.
Facilitator:
Lacey Walker manages the education garden and builds community programs at Fox Haven Learning Center, but considers her true career to be that of a lifelong student. Her studies include herbalism, farm based education for adults and children, plant based cuisine, meditation, caring for and expanding the troop of ferment “children” she raises for gut health, the science of soil and composting, the mysterious life of companion plants, monthly wanderings to new corners of the country and the indispensable, incomparable joy of community potlucking.
Lacey engages with her passion for writing by authoring Fox Haven’s monthly contribution to The Environment is You in the Frederick News Post and can sometimes be seen toting her camera around, a throwback to her time in art school pursuing a BFA in Photography at Shepherd University. More often these days she likes to keep her hands free for playing in the dirt.
