This session explores the overlooked history of foraging and how it was systematically suppressed and criminalized over time.
About this Event

Foraging is more than just gathering wild plants—it’s an ancestral practice rooted in survival, community, and deep respect for the earth. In this virtual course, Chef Lachelle Cunningham and Certified Master Herbalist Eva Garrett guide you through the history, cultural significance, and practical skills needed to reclaim the forgotten art of foraging.

This session explores the often-overlooked history of foraging and how this essential survival skill was systematically suppressed and criminalized over time. Once a primary way many communities sourced food and medicine, foraging practices were stripped away as these traditions were demonized and marginalized. Through this course, we aim to reclaim that knowledge and honor the wisdom of our ancestors.

Participants will learn how to identify key medicinal and edible plants commonly found in urban, suburban, and rural environments while reconnecting with the first methods of sourcing food that humans practiced. We also explore the importance of respecting the land, understanding the role of stewardship, and the practice of giving back through offerings and mindful engagement with Mother Nature.

Course Highlights:

The Hidden History of Foraging: How ancestral knowledge was criminalized and suppressed
Foraging as Survival: Relearning the skills that sustained our ancestors
Plant Identification 101: Recognizing edible and medicinal plants in diverse environments
Respecting the Land: The ethics of sustainable foraging, honoring the earth, and giving offerings
Cultural Connections: The role of foraging in maintaining community, tradition, and resilience

This virtual course allows participants to explore foraging from a distance while reclaiming a practice that is not only essential for survival but also deeply tied to cultural identity and reverence for the earth.