🌿 Foraging for Edible & Medicinal Wild Plants – One-Day Intensive Workshop

Course Overview

This immersive full-day workshop teaches participants how to safely identify, harvest, and use edible and medicinal wild plants. Participants will explore plant identification, foraging ethics, poisonous plant look-alikes, sustainable harvesting, and safe preparation techniques. Perfect for beginners, homesteaders, herbal enthusiasts, and outdoor adventurers interested in wild food and natural remedies.

• Target Audience: Beginners, homesteaders, naturalists, and outdoor learners

• Duration: 1 day (8 hours, including breaks)

• Format: Classroom instruction, guided nature walk, hands-on identification and preparation exercises

Schedule & Content Outline

9:00–9:30 AM - Welcome & Orientation

  • Introductions, safety briefing, overview of foraging principles.

  • Discussion

  • Understand workshop goals, safety expectations, and responsible foraging mindset.

9:30–10:30 AM - Session 1: Foraging Ethics, Safety & Tools

  • Foraging laws, ethical harvesting, essential tools, personal safety, avoiding contamination areas.

  • Lecture + Demo

  • Identify safe areas to forage and understand ethical harvesting principles.

10:30–11:30 AM - Session 2: Plant Identification Basics

  • Leaf patterns, stem structures, growth habits, flowers, and seasonal markers.

  • Demo + Practice

  • Identify plants using key botanical features.

11:30 AM–12:15 PM - Session 3: Edible Wild Plants

  • Common edible plants: dandelion, chickweed, plantain, clover, wild garlic, wood sorrel.

  • Hands-On + Walk Prep

  • Identify edible species and understand common uses.

12:15–1:00 PM - Lunch Break

  • Optional tasting of wild teas or prepared wild foods.

  • Discussion

  • Explore flavor profiles and safe preparation methods.

1:00–2:30 PM - Session 4: Guided Foraging Walk

  • Identifying plants in their natural habitat, locating edible/medicinal species, documenting finds.

  • Hands-On Experience

  • Correctly identify and classify wild species in the field.

2:30–3:30 PM - Session 5: Medicinal Plants & Poisonous Look-Alikes

  • Common medicinal plants (yarrow, elder, plantain, mint); poisonous plants (hemlock, nightshade, foxglove).

  • Lecture + Demo

  • Differentiate between medicinal plants and dangerous look-alikes.

3:30–4:30 PM - Session 6: Harvesting, Preparing & Using Foraged Plants

  • Harvesting methods, drying, teas, tinctures, poultices, safe tasting protocols.

  • Demo + Practice

  • Prepare a simple remedy or edible sample safely.

4:30–5:00 PM - Wrap-Up

  • Q&A, resource sharing, reflection, certificate distribution.

  • Discussion

Sustainability Integration

  • Follow the 1-in-20 ethical harvest rule to preserve plant populations

  • Minimize habitat disruption while gathering

  • Promote biodiversity, pollinator health, and native plant stewardshi Encourage regenerative, long-term foraging practices

Materials Provided

• Printed plant ID charts and field guide summaries
• Foraging safety checklist
• Sample plant specimens (if available)
• Access to follow-up plant ID video library

Participants Should Bring

• Notebook and pen
• Water bottle and snacks
• Comfortable walking shoes
• Weather-appropriate clothing
• Basket or bag (optional)
• Field guide (optional)

Recommended Reading & Resources

• Peterson Field Guide to Edible Wild Plants — Lee Allen Peterson
• The Forager’s Harvest — Samuel Thayer
• NC Cooperative Extension foraging guides
• Safe-foraging YouTube channels curated by the instructor

Post-Workshop Support

• Access to a private online foraging community
• Monthly Q&A for seasonal plant identification
• Invitations to advanced field trips and specialty foraging workshops


Vine and Fig Tree Homestead Workshop Series
Promoting Sustainable Living, Self-Reliance, and Community Learning.