
What we’re about
The main purpose of this group is to share traditional “back to the land” skills and develop a greater connection to and appreciation for our Earth, while having fun and making connections with others in the general eastern MN and western WI area.
In addition to "skills", this site is also a format for posting earth connecting events....like solstice celebrations, raptor center bird releases, earth day happenings, and farm/earth based festivals and gatherings.
Please post any classes, workshops, or gatherings, that you would like to offer or know about that fit this group's theme. there is really a shortage of people willing to teach. so if you have something to offer, please consider sharing.
“Back to the land” skills are referred to by various names, such as Folk-Green-Traditional-Nature-Wilderness-Earth-Primitive-Survival-Native-Homesteading Skills. If you are interested in being more connected to nature, sustainability, self sufficiency, and have ever wanted to learn about: edible wild plants, tanning hides, wool spinning/felting, flintknapping, mushrooms, making fire without matches, maple syruping, cheese making, basket making, bee keeping, hunting/fishing, gardening + seed saving, canning+food preservation, homemade soap, raising animals, natural building, knitting/sewing, wood working, herbal medicine, etc and too many others to list. then please join and lead or attend a class/workshop.
This group is intended to have an emphasis on honoring and connecting to Earth (the plants, animals, water, air, and soil) by raising awareness of our relationship with nature, and how the Earth provides so abundantly for us, nourishing our body, mind, and spirit.
In addition to learning skills, may we have gratitude and honor for all the earth gifts that provide life.
If you RSVP for a class, but later decide not to attend, please un-RSVP as that is considerate and helpful for whoever is leading the class.
*Any children present at a Meetup event must be supervised by a parent or guardian.
Upcoming events (4+)
See all- Spring Into Foraging 2Minneapolis, MN, Minneapolis, MN$40.00
About This Event
They say that April showers bring May flowers… What they don’t tell you is how many of those flowers are tasty wild edibles! Join Maria Wesserle and Four Season Foraging as we explore the spring landscape and learn about wild edible and medicinal plants. We will probably encounter garlic mustard, burdock, dandelion, plantain, and many others! We will discuss identification, harvest, and preparation of each plant.The exact location for this event will be sent to registrants in an email. It will be in the city of Minneapolis.
Accessibility: This event will include walking on uneven ground, going up and down hills, and stepping over obstacles like logs and rocks. Total distance traveled will be around one mile.
Sliding scale $30 - $50.
For more details, please email info@fourseasonforaging.com or call 612-440-5958.
Registration
Space is limited to better encourage participatory learning. Please register before Friday, May 2nd, 2pm. - Morel ManiaLake City, Lake City, MN$80.00
ABOUT THIS EVENT
May is morel month in Minnesota! Learn all about this highly prized and elusive mushroom with Maria Wesserle and Four Season Foraging. The first tip is free: take time off work and go out on a weekday to beat the crowds! Though finding mushrooms is never guaranteed, we will spend a large portion of the workshop learning about and looking for morels—and hopefully harvesting some! Other plants and mushrooms we may encounter include wood nettle, Virginia waterleaf, oysters, pheasant back, and more. (We won’t be able to harvest greens and roots, but we can learn about them!)This class will require a lot of walking since things are more spread out in rural areas. Some areas may be steep. Suggested age 14 and up (those under 18 should be accompanied by an adult.)
The exact location for this event will be sent to you in an email. It will be about 1.5 hours southeast of Minneapolis.
Accessibility: this event will be held on and off trail and will require bushwhacking, going up and down hills, and walking over logs and other obstacles. Total distance traveled will be about 3 miles.
Sliding scale $70 - $90.
For more details, please email info@fourseasonforaging.com or call 612-440-5958.
REGISTRATION
Space is limited to better encourage participatory learning. Please register before Monday, May 12th, 10:30am. - Spring Plant & Mushroom ForayAvon Hills Folk School, Avon, MN$100.00
ABOUT THIS EVENT
Join Ariel and Maria for a day of foraging fun at the Avon Hills Folk School! The workshop will start with two slideshow presentations: one covering introductory information about wild mushroom foraging, and the other about wild edible plants we may find in the area.Afterwards, we will hit the trails to apply our newfound knowledge to the surrounding landscape. Mushrooms and plants we may encounter include nettle, violets, fiddlehead ferns, morels, oysters, and pheasant backs! Bring your own bags or baskets, as we can sustainably pick any edible mushrooms or plants we come across!
Expect to walk about 2 miles across maintained trails as well as off-trail into forests and fields. The terrain may require bushwhacking, walking over uneven ground, logs and other obstacles. This foray portion of the class will take around 2.5 hours. This event will take place rain or shine, so please arrive prepared for the weather! In case of extreme weather, the class will be canceled and a refund will be issued.
Tuition: $100
This course is for adults 18+, or students 14+ with accompanying adult
YOUR INSTRUCTORS
Ariel Bonkoski (she/her)
Ariel Bonkoski is a self-taught mushroom identification expert that resides in Duluth, Minnesota. She has been studying fungi since 2016 and is now one of the most active mushroom identifiers in North America. Ariel has taught mushroom identification courses and led forays for colleges, public schools, mycological societies, and nature centers all over North America. Ariel is best known for her friendly and enthusiastic approach to teaching about mushrooms. She is an active Master Naturalist, with a passion for learning, giving back to nature, and connecting people to nature. Ariel spends much of her free time camping, hiking, and foraging.Maria Wesserle (she/they)
Maria has been gathering wild edibles and tracking animals since 2004 and loves sharing these skills with others. She has spent over 15 years organizing and teaching nature-related programs in the Upper Midwest. Through her business Four Season Foraging, she offers foraging and wildlife tracking workshops, creating spaces where people can learn to interact with urban and rural environments in meaningful and sustainable ways. She is a certified wild mushroom harvester in the state of Minnesota and holds a Professional Track & Sign certificate from CyberTracker North America.REGISTRATION
This class is being held in partnership with Avon Hills Folk School. Please register on their website. - Foraging for Flavor and Function: Culinary & Medicinal HerbsMinneapolis, Minneapolis, MN$40.00
ABOUT THIS EVENT
A surprising number of the plants that grow all around us and are scorned as “weeds” have awesome healing properties! Furthermore, some of the beautiful flowers that are favored for landscaping are also healthful herbs. Join Four Season Foraging and Maria Wesserle as we learn edible and medicinal traits of common herbs, and how to identify them. Some plants we will cover include dandelion, linden, yarrow, and wild bergamot. Please note that we will not be harvesting any herbs, but we will have lots to discuss about them!The exact location for this event will be sent to you in an email. It will be in the city of Minneapolis.
Accessibility: This event will include walking on uneven ground, going up and down hills, and stepping over obstacles like logs and rocks. Total distance traveled will be around one mile.
Sliding scale $30 - $50.
For more details, please email info@fourseasonforaging.com or call 612-440-5958.
REGISTRATION
Space is limited to better encourage participatory learning. Please register before Friday, May 30th, 10am.