Discover Nature’s Wild Food Larder Around Schumacher College
Come on a relaxing three hour wild edible plant walk around Schumacher College. Be immersed in the smells, textures and tastes of your local ‘edible landscape’ and experience the ‘True Taste of Britain’.
Wild food is the ultimate in ‘local’ and ‘seasonal’ produce, and historically has always been a source of food for country people. Foraging re-awakens your senses so you gain a greater appreciation of the land, and your place in the natural cycles and rhythms of life.
When, Where & How Much?
- Date: Sunday, 25th March 2012
- Time: 2pm to 5pm
- Location: Schumacher College, Dartington, Devon
- Availability: Only 30 9 places left
- Cost: By donation (£25 suggested amount): As ethnobotanist Frank Cook used to say, “receive what you need, give what you can”. Click here to book.
What You Can Expect On The Walk
On the wild food walk you will be shown how to identify wild edible plants through your senses, as well as learning the different plant stories, nutritional values, history, mystery & folklore. A minimum of 20 edible wild plants are usually covered.
About The Forager
Walks are led by professional forager Robin Harford. Robin gathers and eats wild edible plants every day. He is creator of the UK’s leading wild food site eatweeds.co.uk. His foraging courses have been recommended in the BBC Good Food Magazine, Guardian, Green Parent, Ecologist, GQ etc. He has taught at Eden Project, been featured on BBC2?s Edwardian Farm and consults with TV companies and celebrity chefs.
What Others Are Saying…
“As a herbalist I really enjoyed my foraging with Robin. The group was really friendly with a good mix of experience. What makes his walks so good is that he talks from personal experience of not just identifying the plants but of using them himself at home. If you get the chance to go, don’t hesitate it’s really special”. – Jo Oliver
“The wild food walk took us no more than a mile. In that time we were introduced to over 25 plants that up until now have simply been wandered past or ignored as weeds. Their uses, taste and method of preparation were all covered, giving us a brand new larder to choose from – all free too! I would personally like to thank Robin. His knowledge and appreciation for the natural world is quite clearly without compare and it was our privilege to have entered his world, if only for a brief time”. – John Hayward
“I found it totally absorbing and very informative. I learnt a lot about edible plants, seeds etc. and also to have the confidence to experiment. It was definitely the best ‘course’ I’ve done in a long time.” – Alison Kerruish
“I thought today was just brilliant. Since childhood I’ve had a deep, private, personal awareness of wild plants. Out of doors, I’ve always nibbled garlic mustard and alexanders, salad burnet and wood sorrel, and harvested samphire and ramsons to cook, but this was a revelation. Never thought of eating ivy-leaved toadflax or stitchwort. And we touched on interesting environmental, philosophical and spiritual issues.” – Frances Brown
“Really enjoyed the morning, it was very informative and intensive. We covered over 30 plants which was plenty for me. You have great depth of knowledge which was put across very clearly. – Steve Capewell
“You have so much information to share on wild plants, which I found fascinating. I am really a beginner in the world of foraging, but it has given me much more confidence in identifying plants which are good to eat, and has broadened my selection of wild salad which was previously restricted to nettles and dandelions! I would definitely like to join you again for another of your foraging courses!” – Pauline McCrann
“We both enjoyed your foraging walk finding it informative and interesting. It is a subject that we are both keen on exploring further and found that walking with you was akin to an interactive encyclopedia full of fascinating facts on a subject that you are clearly passionate about. We are currently following your advice and trying out different species each week.” – Nikki Booth
“Just to let you know how much I enjoyed the wild food foraging walk. You have inspired me to go out and fetch something for supper every day. I shall definitely spread the good news. It was fun and above all so very informative. I knew absolutely nothing about edible wild food – ‘weeds’. Now I look at everything in the garden with great respect. You have a wonderful way with plants and your sense of humour is second to none.” – Pam Gonzalez
“Firstly a huge thank you for a brilliant foraging walk. We both really loved it. We were both a bit worried that you’d open our eyes up to all kinds of wild foods that we wouldn’t be able to recognise again and that we’d end up too uncertain to do any foraging for ourselves but you have a talent for breaking it down into simple “bitesize” chunks (excuse the pun!) and we are confident we can do some simple foraging without poisoning ourselves. Really informative and inspiring! Thank you.” – Harriet Hancock
“It was a very enjoyable few hours. I really liked the “gourmet forager” approach; lots of tasty items to add to the plate, some of them very different and unusual, others similar or reminiscent of more familiar foods. After this morning, I’m now confident of several plants, and hope to start from there and build up little-by-little. I’m definitely a fan now of nettles, and will be gathering and using plenty in the coming months, can tell my wild garlic from my three-cornered leek, and will be chomping my way through a few Monterey Pines (and various pine nuts) and Pennyworts.” – Brent Nelson
“I was amazed at how much could be foraged in such a short length of lane. The other thing that surprised me was that I had pre-judged most small plants to taste ‘grassy – no flavour’ and this was definitely not the case. Your information of how to prepare/use/cook plants was really helpful. All in all an inspiring few hours.” – Nicki Woodgate
