July 27, 2011:
Northeast Organic Farming Association/ Massachusetts Chapter presents
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Overview
Presenter: Russ Cohen, professional environmentalist and wild foods enthusiast, is in his 37th year of teaching courses about wild edibles. His book, Wild Plants I Have Known...and Eaten, came out in June of 2004 and is in its fourth printing.
Greater Boston is home to over 150 species of edible wild plants, many of which are more nutritious and/or flavorful than common cultivated counterparts. Join Russ Cohen, for two Twilight Wild Edibles Walks at Great Brook Farm State Park in Carlisle. Cohen has documented 66 different species of wild edible species at the park. Different edible species and plant parts are available depending on the season. These two walks are spaced out over spring and summer to observe plants at different stages of growth and demonstrate what to harvest when as the seasons change.
Participants can expect to learn about at least two dozen species of edible wild plants at each walk. Keys to the identification of each species will be provided, along with information on edible portion(s), season(s) of availability and preparation methods, along with general guidelines for safe and environmentally responsible foraging.
The park has an automated parking machine that charges $2 per car. Avoid fee by carpooling or bicycling.
Spring Wild Edibles, Wednesday, May 18, 5:00-7:45pm
(Postponed due to weather until Wednesday, June 22, 5:00-7:45pm. Register still online above.)
Edible species likely to be encountered include Black Birch, Bracken Fern, Burdock, Cattail, Chickweed, Chicory, Curly Dock, Dandelion, Elderberry, Lamb's Quarters, Mallow, Milkweed, Plantain, Pokeweed, Stinging Nettle, Violets, Wild Lettuce and Wood Sorrel.
Summer Wild Edibles, Wednesday, August 3, 5:00-7:45pm
Edible species likely to be spotted on the walk include Black Cherry, Hazelnut, Common Barberry, Fox Grape, Black Huckleberry, Wintergreen, Blackberry, Blueberry Elderberry, Groundnut, Stinging Nettle, Sumac, Butternut, Sweet Fern and White Oak. Early August is also prime time for wild edible mushrooms, several species of which are likely to be encountered pending favorable weather conditions.
For other workshops being offered by Russ Cohen, please see: http://users.rcn.com/eatwild/sched.htm
Important Registration Details
- The cost of each workshop is $30, with $5 discounts for NOFA membership, early registration (2 weeks before the workshop), and for signing up for both workshops.
- Pre-registration is required unless arranged by phone with the organizer, Ben Grosscup, cell: 413-658-5374.
- Registration limit: 30 participants at each workshop.
- Cancellations will be honored and refunds issued (except $8 processing fee) with notice made within 10 or more days of the workshop. After that, you may designate someone else to attend in your stead, but refunds will not be available.
- A waiting list is taken after each workshop fills to capacity. To be added, contact ben.grosscup@nofamass.org, include your full contact info, and state clearly the date of the workshop for which you want to register.
- Bringing young children is not advised, as the tour moves quickly and noise can be a distraction for the group.
- Carpooling is encouraged, and on your registration form, you'll have the opportunity to be connected with other registrants in your local area who also want to carpool to the workshop.
- Contact: Ben Grosscup, 413-658-5374. By email, ben.grosscup@nofamass.org; put "Wild Edibles" in subject.
Map of Great Brook Farm State Park
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