Becoming a Gatherer

September 22-26- 2008

with special guest instructor

Sam Thayer, author of the Forager's Harvest, the acclaimed new wild edible plants guide that won the 2006 Midwest Book award

Workshop Fee: $595

Includes all instruction, tenting or cabin accomodations, workshop materials and tools.  Food is not included but we will be sharing some of our gatherings to accent our meals.

In this class we will be covering:

1) The philosophy and attitudes of foraging

2) Basic plant identification principles and terminology, how to use field guides

3) Identification, habitat, harvest and preparation methods for dozens of plants

4) In-depth processing and storage techniques for staple plant foods

5) Understanding and observing plant behavior and ecology

Day 1

Introduction to Foraging and Plant Identification. After getting to know each other, we’ll discuss the basics of foraging: safety, conservation, and attitude. Then I will have each student pick out an unfamiliar plant that they will return to periodically throughout the class to observe. They are not allowed to identify the plant at any time during the week. We’ll learn basic botanical terms and how to identify plants, and these ideas will be reinforced through the week. At the end of the day we will collect a few common plants and prepare them with dinner (Focus on greens). Evening/campfire discussion: The Irrational Modern View of Wild Food.

Day 2

In the beginning of the day we’ll be gathering plants in the field, in the afternoon we’ll return and prepare. There will be some more in-depth processing of staple plants (focus on seeds and nuts). Evening discussion: The History of Hunting and Gathering

Day 3

Gathering plants, processing, and cooking (focus on root vegetables). Evening discussion: Plants, Gender, and Primitive Economics.

Day 4

Process and Prepare plants. Focus on fruits. Evening discussion: Function and Form in Plants – How A Plant Tells You Its Story.

Day 5

Students gather wild foods on their own and prepare lunch. Review and reinforcement of everything learned during the first 4 days. After lunch, each student will present on his or her chosen plant. Then they can try to identify it. After all have done this, closing circle farewells.