Tag Archives: non-native species

From Wild Things Fields to Farmed + Foraged Tables

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Berkshire Farm & Table’s Where the Wild Things Are foraging walks were a great success! We sold out seven of the eight walks and had more than 150 participants take part in the series. Approximately 100 community members came from the Berkshire region with more than 50 folks from six states including VT, CT, NY, FL, MI and IL.

Where the Wild Things Are were presented in partnership with Berkshire Grown’s Farmed + Foraged culinary event, celebrating a weekend of spring flavors with more than two dozen restaurants offering spring dining specials and prix fixe menus THIS WEEKEND — Friday, May 25 through Monday, May, 28. Check out some of the amazing offerings and delicious prix fixe Farmed + Foraged menus online!

This month-long exploration of wild spring edibles was presented thanks to the generous support of the Williams College Sustainable Food & Agriculture Program, a major sponsor of Where the Wild Things Are. Additional partners include The Briarcliff Motel, Mezze Restaurant Group, The Red Lion Inn and Storey Publishing. A big ‘thank you’ to our sponsors for making this event series possible!

Thank YOU for your support of Where the Wild Things Are!

Cole Field with Russ Cohen

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On the riverbank of the Hoosic River are winding trails alongside Cole Field in Williamstown. On Sunday, May 16, expert forager and author Russ Cohen led a group of us while teaching all about wild edibles, native species, invasives and how to cook with foraged foods.

The following photos were taken by Zan Farr of Storey Publishing.

 

For details on the wild edibles walks, the full schedule, foragers’ bios and ticketing info, select the Where the Wild Things Are pull-down menu on the black bar (far left) at the top of this page and visit the area you would like to explore.


Walking in the Woods with Russ Cohen

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The following commentary is from Brent Wasser of the Sustainable Food & Agriculture Program at Williams College:

Saturday’s walk on the Money Brook Falls trail with Russ Cohen was great! He was very good at keeping the group together and focused on a wide variety of plants. He also spoke authoritatively on how to cook the plants, and had some great recipe ideas. We even found morels during the walk which added much excitement to the mix. Great walk on a beautiful day!

For details on the wild edibles walks, the full schedule, foragers’ bios and ticketing info, select the Where the Wild Things Are pull-down menu on the black bar (far left) at the top of this page and visit the area you would like to explore.

Photos by Brent Wasser, Sustainable Food & Agriculture Program at Williams College.

Foraging with Blanche Derby

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The following post is from Brent Wasser of the Sustainable Food & Agriculture Program at Williams College:

A perfect spring day! On Sunday, April 29, Blanche Derby led a group of interested foragers through Field Farm in Williamstown. Sunday’s weather was especially springlike and refreshing. Cattails, pokeweed, nettles, garlic mustard — these were exciting things to discover and learn about. Blanche Derby’s passion and interest in wild edibles kept the group interested and the range of plants we discussed was great. Our guide offered significant advice on how to prepare the foods, which our group appreciated. She finished up with wild edibles muffins and a tea she had made, which was a nice way to illustrate the range of possibilities with these foods.

For details on the wild edibles walks, the full schedule, foragers’ bios and ticketing info, select the Where the Wild Things Are pull-down menu on the black bar (far left) at the top of this page and visit the area you would like to explore.


Photos by Brent Wasser, Sustainable Food & Agriculture Program at Williams College.

First Foraging Walk of the Season

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What a gorgeous day. On Saturday, April 28, Aimee Gelinas led 20 people on a beautiful walk in Williamstown. The group started at the Clark Art Stone Hill Center and headed into the forest with a brief foray into the meadow, descending on the road past Buxton School. We learned about culinary and medicinal uses, history, botany. Colt’s Foot, Eastern Hemlock for tea, Trout Lily, Jewelweed, Black Birch for tea and toothbrushes, Violets, Beech, Dandelion (dent de lion) and a huge stand of Japanese Knotweed. A few Williams students practiced for their upcoming botany exam. A few more gathered up scads of non-native and invasive mustard greens to make pesto for dinner tonight. Can’t wait til next weekend!

For details on the wild edibles walks, the full schedule, foragers’ bios and ticketing info, select the Where the Wild Things Are pull-down menu on the black bar (far left) at the top of this page and visit the area you would like to explore.

Photos by Karin Stack

Where the Wild Things Are Starts This Weekend!

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The Where the Wild Things Are foraging walks begin this weekend with Aimee Gelinas and Blanche Derby. Both walks are Sold Out but there is still space available for the six other walks taking place throughout the Berkshires until May 20.

Photo credit Evan Strusinski

Japanese Knotweed, also known as fleeceflower, Mexican bamboo and huzhang, is sprouting up across our region. As a non-native invasive species, our local chefs are making an effort to cook it up during Berkshire Grown’s Farmed + Foraged weekend so we can eat it into submission! We are also encouraging everyone to harvest and cook it into delicious dessert bars or a Japanese Knotweed pie. Photos of Japanese Knotweed below:

For details on the wild edibles walks, the full schedule, foragers’ bios and ticketing info, select the Where the Wild Things Are pull-down menu on the black bar (far left) at the top of this page and visit the area you would like to explore.

We hope to see you on one of the walks this Spring!