Foraging… how did you learn the craft?

Books, videos, friends, walks, workshops?

For me, it all began with a single wild edible walk in my neighborhood.  Two local experts led 12 of us through a park, pointing out all the wild species that could be used for food and medicine.

Wow!  I was hooked.

Shortly after, I immersed myself in all the foraging literature I could acquire.  I purchased the books, I read the online blogs, and I joined the foraging message boards.

All of these methods were instrumental in advancing my foraging skills.

Still, I have found few better ways to truly learn this craft… to really understand it inside and out… than by studying with the experts.  In person.  Face to face.  (Well maybe not that close, but you get the point.)

I feel there is no substitution for the classic mentor/student relationship, and because of this, I seek out mentors every chance I get.

Take Patrick Adams, for example.  Patrick is an environmental educator at Raccoon Creek State Park, a 7,572-acre state park located in Southwestern Pennsylvania.

I’ve learned many skills from Patrick:  primitive fire craft, acorn processing, and maple sugaring, just to name a few.

Recently, I had the pleasure of interviewing Patrick one day prior to the annual maple sugaring workshop he runs at the park, and today I am happy to be sharing this interview with you.

In this video, we talk all things maple sugaring, including Patrick’s early experiences with this craft, red vs. sugar maples, indigenous practices, and more.

If you haven’t tapped any trees yet, I bet you’ll be inspired to do so!

Check out the video… I’d love to know what you think!

Back to the original question:  How did you learn the craft of foraging?  Books, videos, mentors like Patrick?  Feel free to comment below and let me know… I’d love to hear from you!

Thanks for reading and watching!

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Thank you!
Adam Haritan