Here is our tentative class list. These are subject to change, but it's a pretty good reflection of what the weekend will look like.
Midwest Wild Harvest Festival 2020
Class Schedule (subject to change)
Friday
3-5 pm
Linda Black Elk- Edible Medicinals
Leda Meredith-The 2.5 Ways to Pickle Everything (Eagle)
Learn how to safely and deliciously pickle your wild harvests, how to get probiotic health benefits from your pickles even when you’re making a vinegar-based recipe rather than a fermentation, and why you should include seeds, leaves, and fruits — not just veg — in your pickling repertoire.
Nicholas Wazeegale-Tree and Shrub ID for Late Season Foraging
Learn to better identify trees and shrubs that offer fruits, nuts, and more in the later harvesting seasons. Hedges that hide hazelnut, chokecherry, nannyberry, highbush cranberry and plum can be a jungle to sort through, but by learning some key features and getting to observe them personally you can start sorting out them out more easily. We will also cover some trees that are nutting important and take a walk on the grounds to observe specimens in their natural habitat. The earlier discussion and workshop component will focus on specimens brought in for observation.
Adam Haritan- Medicinal Mushrooms of North America (Shelter)
Medicinal mushrooms are the superstars of the fungal kingdom. Plenty of research suggests that these mushrooms demonstrate powerful anti-cancer, anti-inflammatory, and anti-viral properties, and many experts consider these particular fungi to be top candidates for immune-system support. In this class, Adam Haritan will discuss the importance of developing a medicinal strategy using wild mushrooms from the landscape. Participants will learn the medicinal properties and health benefits of various North American wild fungi, as well as the steps involved in making medicinal mushroom decoctions and tinctures.
Erica Davis- Goosefoot Grain (Sunshine)
In this hands-on class, we’ll go through all the steps—foraging, rubbing, winnowing, soaking, rinsing, drying, and grinding—to process the seeds of goosefoot (aka lambsquarters) into an edible grain akin to quinoa, which is a close relative. Then we’ll use our goosefoot grain to make a recipe to sample.
Matthew Normansell-
Potluck dinner/Wild Food Cooking Contest from 6:00 to 7:30pm
Keynote presentation: Peter David 8:00pm
"Wild Rice Ecology in the Great Lakes Region"
Saturday
9-11:30 am
Sam Thayer- Hand Processing Wild Rice Demonstration
Leda Meredith-Making a First Aid Kit with Wild Medicinal Plants (Eagle)
From soothing a cough to easing the inflammation of a sty to speeding the healing of a bruise and more, learn which wild plants can provide the most useful first aid for common every ailments.
Ellen Zachos-Cooking with Wild Greens (Sunshine)
Linda Black Elk- 10 Wild Foods for the Zombie Epocalypse
Erica Davis- Black Walnuts (Shelter)
Have you ever noticed all the black walnuts on the ground at Badger Camp? This hands-on class will walk participants through black walnut identification, harvest, drying, shelling, and storage, culminating with taste tests and a simple, no-bake recipe you can make with them. If we’re lucky, there will be enough to take home and practice what you learned. Please bring gloves if you have them!
Dwight Zietlow- Wild Cordials (Cedar Porch)
Dwight is a wild cordial/vinegar aficionado and had made some of the best cordials and vinegars I have ever tasted. Join Dwight for this fun class and learn how to make your own wild drinks.
Saturday afternoon
1-3pm
Leda Meredith- Making a First Aid Kit with Wild Medicinal Plants (Eagle)
From soothing a cough to easing the inflammation of a sty to speeding the healing of a bruise and more, learn which wild plants can provide the most useful first aid for common every ailments.
Matthew Normansell-
Erica Davis-Hands on Foraging for Beginners
Linda Black Elk- 10 Wild Foods for the Zombie Apocalypse
3:15-5:15 pm
Leda Meredith- The 2.5 Ways to Pickle Everything (Eagle)
Learn how to safely and deliciously pickle your wild harvests, how to get probiotic health benefits from your pickles even when you’re making a vinegar-based recipe rather than a fermentation, and why you should include seeds, leaves, and fruits — not just veg — in your pickling repertoire.
Dwight Zietlow- Wild Cordials (Nature Center)
Dwight is a wild cordial/vinegar aficionado and had made some of the best cordials and vinegars I have ever tasted. Join Dwight for this fun class and learn how to make your own wild drinks.
Matthew Normansell-
OR
1-5pm
Sam Thayer- Hand Processing Wild Rice Demonstration
Adam Haritan- Mushroom Foray & Identification (Shelter)
Join Adam Haritan for an afternoon mushroom foray through the wooded forest and grassy fields. We’ll identify and collect all kinds of fascinating fungi… including edible, medicinal, and toxic species. We’ll also discuss the roles that these fungi perform in their native habitats. Additionally, you’ll learn tips on how to easily find choice members of the fungal kingdom and ways to positively identify trees that are associated with various mushrooms!
Nicholas Wazeegale- Making a Traditional Wild Rice Winnowing Tray
Ellen Zachos-Baking with Acorns (Sunshine)
Saturday Evening Presentation 7:30-8:30- Linda Black Elk
Sunday
7:30-10 am
Nicholas Wazeegale-Tree and Shrub ID for Late Season Foraging
Learn to better identify trees and shrubs that offer fruits, nuts, and more in the later harvesting seasons. Hedges that hide hazelnut, chokecherry,nannyberry, highbush cranberry and plum can be a jungle to sort through, but by learning some key features and getting to observe them personally you can start sorting out them out more easily. We will also cover some trees that are nutting important and take a walk on the grounds to observe specimens in their natural habitat. The earlier discussion and workshop component will focus on specimens brought in for observation.
Linda Black Elk-Edibe Medicinals
Erica Davis-Pine Nuts (Eagle)
Adam Haritan- Intro To Wild Mushrooms and Mushroom ID (Shelter)
Join Adam Haritan for an introductory class on mushrooms and other fungi. We’ll first cover various topics related to the fungal kingdom, including mushroom biology; mushroom and plant interactions; spore print techniques; and making medicine from medicinal mushrooms. We’ll also identify the various mushrooms found and collected during the weekend!
Matthew Normansell-
Ellen Zachos- Backyard Foraging
Class Schedule (subject to change)
Friday
3-5 pm
Linda Black Elk- Edible Medicinals
Leda Meredith-The 2.5 Ways to Pickle Everything (Eagle)
Learn how to safely and deliciously pickle your wild harvests, how to get probiotic health benefits from your pickles even when you’re making a vinegar-based recipe rather than a fermentation, and why you should include seeds, leaves, and fruits — not just veg — in your pickling repertoire.
Nicholas Wazeegale-Tree and Shrub ID for Late Season Foraging
Learn to better identify trees and shrubs that offer fruits, nuts, and more in the later harvesting seasons. Hedges that hide hazelnut, chokecherry, nannyberry, highbush cranberry and plum can be a jungle to sort through, but by learning some key features and getting to observe them personally you can start sorting out them out more easily. We will also cover some trees that are nutting important and take a walk on the grounds to observe specimens in their natural habitat. The earlier discussion and workshop component will focus on specimens brought in for observation.
Adam Haritan- Medicinal Mushrooms of North America (Shelter)
Medicinal mushrooms are the superstars of the fungal kingdom. Plenty of research suggests that these mushrooms demonstrate powerful anti-cancer, anti-inflammatory, and anti-viral properties, and many experts consider these particular fungi to be top candidates for immune-system support. In this class, Adam Haritan will discuss the importance of developing a medicinal strategy using wild mushrooms from the landscape. Participants will learn the medicinal properties and health benefits of various North American wild fungi, as well as the steps involved in making medicinal mushroom decoctions and tinctures.
Erica Davis- Goosefoot Grain (Sunshine)
In this hands-on class, we’ll go through all the steps—foraging, rubbing, winnowing, soaking, rinsing, drying, and grinding—to process the seeds of goosefoot (aka lambsquarters) into an edible grain akin to quinoa, which is a close relative. Then we’ll use our goosefoot grain to make a recipe to sample.
Matthew Normansell-
Potluck dinner/Wild Food Cooking Contest from 6:00 to 7:30pm
Keynote presentation: Peter David 8:00pm
"Wild Rice Ecology in the Great Lakes Region"
Saturday
9-11:30 am
Sam Thayer- Hand Processing Wild Rice Demonstration
Leda Meredith-Making a First Aid Kit with Wild Medicinal Plants (Eagle)
From soothing a cough to easing the inflammation of a sty to speeding the healing of a bruise and more, learn which wild plants can provide the most useful first aid for common every ailments.
Ellen Zachos-Cooking with Wild Greens (Sunshine)
Linda Black Elk- 10 Wild Foods for the Zombie Epocalypse
Erica Davis- Black Walnuts (Shelter)
Have you ever noticed all the black walnuts on the ground at Badger Camp? This hands-on class will walk participants through black walnut identification, harvest, drying, shelling, and storage, culminating with taste tests and a simple, no-bake recipe you can make with them. If we’re lucky, there will be enough to take home and practice what you learned. Please bring gloves if you have them!
Dwight Zietlow- Wild Cordials (Cedar Porch)
Dwight is a wild cordial/vinegar aficionado and had made some of the best cordials and vinegars I have ever tasted. Join Dwight for this fun class and learn how to make your own wild drinks.
Saturday afternoon
1-3pm
Leda Meredith- Making a First Aid Kit with Wild Medicinal Plants (Eagle)
From soothing a cough to easing the inflammation of a sty to speeding the healing of a bruise and more, learn which wild plants can provide the most useful first aid for common every ailments.
Matthew Normansell-
Erica Davis-Hands on Foraging for Beginners
Linda Black Elk- 10 Wild Foods for the Zombie Apocalypse
3:15-5:15 pm
Leda Meredith- The 2.5 Ways to Pickle Everything (Eagle)
Learn how to safely and deliciously pickle your wild harvests, how to get probiotic health benefits from your pickles even when you’re making a vinegar-based recipe rather than a fermentation, and why you should include seeds, leaves, and fruits — not just veg — in your pickling repertoire.
Dwight Zietlow- Wild Cordials (Nature Center)
Dwight is a wild cordial/vinegar aficionado and had made some of the best cordials and vinegars I have ever tasted. Join Dwight for this fun class and learn how to make your own wild drinks.
Matthew Normansell-
OR
1-5pm
Sam Thayer- Hand Processing Wild Rice Demonstration
Adam Haritan- Mushroom Foray & Identification (Shelter)
Join Adam Haritan for an afternoon mushroom foray through the wooded forest and grassy fields. We’ll identify and collect all kinds of fascinating fungi… including edible, medicinal, and toxic species. We’ll also discuss the roles that these fungi perform in their native habitats. Additionally, you’ll learn tips on how to easily find choice members of the fungal kingdom and ways to positively identify trees that are associated with various mushrooms!
Nicholas Wazeegale- Making a Traditional Wild Rice Winnowing Tray
Ellen Zachos-Baking with Acorns (Sunshine)
Saturday Evening Presentation 7:30-8:30- Linda Black Elk
Sunday
7:30-10 am
Nicholas Wazeegale-Tree and Shrub ID for Late Season Foraging
Learn to better identify trees and shrubs that offer fruits, nuts, and more in the later harvesting seasons. Hedges that hide hazelnut, chokecherry,nannyberry, highbush cranberry and plum can be a jungle to sort through, but by learning some key features and getting to observe them personally you can start sorting out them out more easily. We will also cover some trees that are nutting important and take a walk on the grounds to observe specimens in their natural habitat. The earlier discussion and workshop component will focus on specimens brought in for observation.
Linda Black Elk-Edibe Medicinals
Erica Davis-Pine Nuts (Eagle)
Adam Haritan- Intro To Wild Mushrooms and Mushroom ID (Shelter)
Join Adam Haritan for an introductory class on mushrooms and other fungi. We’ll first cover various topics related to the fungal kingdom, including mushroom biology; mushroom and plant interactions; spore print techniques; and making medicine from medicinal mushrooms. We’ll also identify the various mushrooms found and collected during the weekend!
Matthew Normansell-
Ellen Zachos- Backyard Foraging