Registration is closed for this event
You spoke, we listened! The 2019 Foraging Intensive has been redesigned to make it an even more valuable and enjoyable learning experience. Changes feature a more academic approach to learning, smaller class size, more hands on activities, more sampling of nature's best wild flavors, and more classes in a shorter time period.

Foraging is the act of finding and gathering wild foods. For the majority of our existence on this planet, human beings lived as hunter-gatherers. By engaging in this age-old practice, we can provide ourselves with healthy and FREE food and medicine, become more self-reliant, and connect on a much deeper level to the landscape in which we live.

Ten classes will span from March to October and run 2-3 hours each. Participants will go from learning foraging basics to incorporating wild plants into your everyday life and gain the knowledge to confidently share what you know with others.

Topics covered will include:

  • Foraging basics including ethical considerations and safety precautions
  • Plant observation and identification
  • Basic botany including terminology, parts, and plant families
  • A focus on some specific plant species of both meadow and woodland
  • Culinary uses - Harvesting, preparation, cooking and preservation (Tasting of raw and prepared wild foods in every class)
  • Medicinal uses - Including making simple plant medicines
  • Utilitarian uses - making natural cordage

Expectations of the students in this course:

  • Please be present! Ability to attend each of the dates listed below is ideal.
  • There will be homework (including reading assignments and research) to further advance your study. Be prepared to spend 1-2 hours each month outside of class.
  • Expect to do some foraging each month and share your experiences with the group.

Student outcomes:

  • Well-rounded understanding of foraging basics
  • Improved working knowledge of local wild plants
  • Exposure to a network of foraging enthusiasts
  • Confidence to share the knowledge of wild foods with others
  • Deeper connection to the land which sustains us

WHEN: Classes run on a mix of Saturday mornings and Thursday evenings:  

  • Saturday, March 23 (9am-12noon)
  • Saturday, April 13 (9am-12noon)
  • Thursday, April 25 (6-8pm)
  • Saturday, May 18 (9am-12noon)
  • Thursday, June 13 (6-8pm)
  • Thursday, July 11 (6-8pm)
  • Thursday, August 8 (6-8pm)
  • Saturday, August 24 (9am-12noon)
  • Saturday, September 14 (9am-12noon)
  • Saturday, October 12 (9am-12noon)

What to bring:

  • Notebook - both lined and unlined may be helpful.
  • Foraging tools: Pocket knife (not serrated), scissors, gloves, bags or basket. We’ll cover tools in the first class, if you need recommendations. We’ll have extras to loan if you prefer not to purchase.
  • Water bottle.
  • Dress for the weather - We’ll be outside for all classes, rain or shine.

COST: The fee for this course is $300 per student. A $50 deposit is required to hold your spot, with balance to be paid in full by March 1st, 2019. Alternate payment plan can be arranged if needed.

Register early, class size is limited to 12 participants.

About the instructor:
 

This course is being led by Jonathan Darby, Education Director at the Horn Farm Center. Jonathan is a wild foods enthusiast and educator, former owner and operator of Sterling Farm, and has been active in the local farming community for the past ten years. He has been involved at the Horn Farm since 2008. Jonathan received his Permaculture Design Certification in 2011 from Susquehanna Permaculture and in 2014 completed his Permaculture Teacher Training through Dynamic Ecological Design.

 

 
When
March 23rd, 2019 9:00 AM to October 12th, 2019 12:00 PM
Event Fee(s)
Foraging Intensive $300.00
Deposit $50.00