“The joy in looking and comprehending … this is nature’s most beautiful gift.”
– Albert Einstein
The Benefits:
Do you want to learn how to identify wild edible plants and mushrooms in the forest, while connecting to the seasons in new ways and boosting the nutritional value of your food? Join us for Foraging & Wild Tending classes!
As one of our core monthly classes, these learning experiences are taught by not one but TWO experienced and knowledgeable foraging instructors – offering you a well-rounded learning experience and a chance to learn how to identify, harvest, and prepare new wild foods every single month. There are things to discover ALL year, even here in Michigan.
You’ll also be offered the opportunity to explore starting your foraging excursions with the ethic of wild tending, which is a central aspect of our approach to harvesting wild foods that helps us curate deep memories, build a sense of respect and reciprocity to nature, and further connect us to our food.
Classes are now 1.5-hrs long and are hosted year-round!
Curious what we’ll be incorporating with the extra class time? Learn more!
As of August 2025, we are expanding our monthly foraging & wild tending class length from 1 to 1.5-hrs! This expansion will enable us to share a more intentional introduction and open the class in community with the ethic of wild tending, which is close to our hearts as foragers. The extra time will also offer us the opportunity to venture a bit farther into the forest and discuss the wild foods growing there, while simultaneously helping us ensure we’re back to the parking lot at the designated end time for class, creating ease for personal planning in your schedule for the day. We will generally cover the same amount of content in these classes as our 1-hr classes, focusing on 6 to 8 wild foods, making it an accessible amount of information to digest in a single learning session. We look forward to sharing this streamlined and expanded class format with you!
What You’ll Experience:
Our foraging & wild tending classes offer an intentional opportunity for you to build your knowledge of wild foods at a digestible monthly pace – exploring in the same environment consistently over time and meeting different plants and mushrooms every few weeks when we gather for class.
Foraging & Wild Tending Classes Include:
- An introduction at the trailhead, where we’ll briefly discuss what foraging can bring into our lives in the season we are in, along with habitat recognition and other helpful tidbits to empower you in your learning journey
- Dedicated time for the ethic of wild tending at the start of class, along with an introduction circle to meet others and start to build your community of foraging friends
- In-depth instruction covering an average of six to eight wild edible plants or mushrooms in the forest, all pre-scouted by our guides to increase the efficiency of how much we can cover during class. You’ll learn specific details about how to identify each plant or mushroom, how to find them when you’re out on your own, what you can use them for, and other practical details
- Ethical and legal foraging practices
- A follow-up email from our guides, listing the plants and mushrooms we discussed so that you can learn more on your own, along with our top suggested field guides and resources, occasional recipes, and more
Instructors:
Foraging & Wild Tending classes are guided by Katie and Luke Venechuk, often with their daughter Anna along for the ride. Katie is IYE’s founder; a Michigan Master Naturalist (certified by MSU Extension) and an experienced foraging instructor specializing in the wild foods offered by herbaceous plants, shrubs and trees throughout the year. Luke is a certified wild mushroom expert with the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development and he carries an extensive range of knowledge of the fungi kingdom, along with years of experience foraging from the plant world, too. Combining their knowledge and passion for wild foods, Katie and Luke provide a high quality and balanced learning experience for all ages – sending you home with practical tips and confidence to explore the wonders of foraging for food on your own. Want to learn more about Katie & Luke? Click HERE!
Class Rates:
| Single Class: | $22 |
| *Five Class Pack: | $85 ($17 per class) |
| *Ten Class Pack: | $150 ($15 per class) |
*IYE Class Packs are valid for an entire year and can be used to attend all of our community classes interchangeably, which include: Mushroom Identification Classes + Seasonal Forest Bathing Classes + Foraging & Wild Tending Classes.
FAQ & Other Details:
- Classes are hosted on the third Saturday of each month from 10:30am-12pm, year-round. On occasion, the typical third Saturday date shifts forward or backward by a week, due to a festival or retreat conflict. Head to our Calendar + Booking page to check out the schedule and sign-up for upcoming classes!
- All classes are hosted at Cascade Peace Park, 8900 Grand River Dr SE, Ada, MI 49301 (unless otherwise noted). We meet at the Grand River Drive entrance – NOT the Bolt entrance!
- Check-in begins at 10:20am and we start class promptly at 10:30am. Out of respect for all attendees, we are unable to wait for late arrivals, and we may be hard to find after leaving the trailhead. Please give yourself plenty of time to arrive so that you don’t miss us!
- All are welcome and no experience with foraging is necessary. Kids 12 and under are FREE to attend but must be accompanied by an adult. Thanks!
- All registrations for our classes are handled in advance, so don’t forget to sign up if you plan to attend. This helps us comply with park regulations.
- Check out our What to Expect page for more information, refund and weather cancellation policies and other FAQs.
We’ll see you in the forest!