Chick of the Woods Foraging

Fall Foraging
2023-09-30 13:00 - 16:30 UTC | TBD, but within 1 hour south of Mpls
This is an outdoor adventure geared towards the beginner forager interested in becoming confident foraging common fall mushrooms, but this will also be fun for more experienced foragers looking to learn a couple new mushrooms and meet new, like-minded people.
We will begin with a discussion on foraging basics, safety, tips/tricks to successful foraging, species of interest, and answer any questions. A walk in the woods will follow, looking for and discussing any mushrooms or any other edible species that we find. This will be slow-paced, walking off-trail and over uneven terrain for approximately 2 hours. After the hunt, we will meet back where we started to review what we found.
The exact location will emailed to attendees at least 24 hours before the event. We like to wait until the week of the event to decide on a location so we can choose an area that has better conditions for mushrooms (more rain).
The event is non-refundable and the class will happen rain or shine, but in cases of severe weather or other unforeseen circumstances, you will be able to use your credit for a future event.

Fall Into Nature - Women's Retreat
2023-10-08 10:30 - 2023-10-10 13:00 (America/Chicago) | Minnesota
Join us for the opportunity to renew your senses and nourish your soul during this two-day women’s retreat at Big Rock Creek happening October 8-October 10 | $399 per person

Chick of the Woods will be teaching the foraging class and providing the wild mushroom tasting.

This Experience includes:
– Half-Day Kayaking Trip down the St. Croix River
– Beginner Foraging Class w/Wild Mushroom tasting
– Yoga under the stars (or in the barn)
– Guided Nature Hikes at Big Rock Creek
– Fall Wood Craft Painting
– 2 Night Glamping Experience (shared tents)
– Meals Included
More info and registration on Big Rock Creek’s website, www.bigrockcreekwi.com/events.

Fall Mushroom Foraging
2023-10-08 14:00 - 17:00 (America/Chicago) | Wood Lake Nature Center, 6710 Lake Shore Dr S, Minneapolis, MN
Join Chick of the Woods for a day of foraging fun just 10 minutes south of Minneapolis. Foraging is not normally allowed in this park, but we will be allowed special permission to pick mushrooms for this event!
We will begin with hands-on learning, looking at samples of common, edible fall mushrooms. After our discussion, we will walk the trails (up to 1.5 miles of walking on flat trails) foraging for fungi while learning how to identify trees that are associated with fall mushrooms. This will be a beginner level class and no experience is necessary. It is not guaranteed we will find any mushrooms, but we will learn “how” to find and identify common fall mushrooms and the trees associated with those mushrooms. If we do find mushrooms, we will split any mushrooms we find with the group.
Event will happen rain or shine. In cases of severe weather or unforeseen circumstances, class will be cancelled and credit will be given for a future class.
Tickets must be purchased through Wood Lake Nature Center at this link.

Tree Identification Workshop
2023-10-22 14:00 - 16:30 UTC | The Trailhead Building at Theodore Wirth Park, 1221 Theodore Wirth Pkwy, Minneapolis, MN, United States
*This class will be a combination of indoors and outdoors and does not require any prior tree identification knowledge.*
Learn how to identify Minnesota trees during the most gorgeous time of year! Tree shape, coloring, bark patterns, habitat, leaves, and twigs all help conclude what kind of tree we are looking at. Mastering your tree identification skill is useful for many reasons, but our favorite reason is to improve your ability to find mushrooms. We will learn to identify native trees found in the twin cities metropolitan area, and focus on those that have prime edible mushrooms associated with them.
We will begin by meeting indoors for about an hour to discuss tree types and features that will help differentiate one from another. The presentation will include the basics of tree features and identification of the elm, oak, cottonwood, ash, and box elder and the mushrooms that are associated with those trees. However, we will identify many other trees along our walk. After the discussion, we will take a slow walk through the woods, staying on trail, and stopping to discuss trees along the way. The walk will be about 1 mile long and last 1 – 1.5 hours.
Tree Identification scroll and handouts will be included.

Food and drink will be available for purchase from Mill Valley Market (located inside the Trailhead building) during the presentation.
Event will be held rain or shine, but will be postponed for severe weather. Credit will be given for a future event if cancellation is needed.

Holiday Forest Fair
2023-12-16 10:00 - 16:00 (America/Chicago) | Mustard Seed Garden Center, 10000 Great Plains Blvd, Chaska, MN, 55318, United States
Mark your calendars for the one-of-a-kind holiday event brought to you by Chick of the Woods. There is nothing quite like this event in the state of Minnesota. The Holiday Forest fair is an event that will be fun and engaging for anyone with an appreciation for nature. There will be 25 nature-themed vendors, demonstrations, workshops, face painting, pictures with Santa, henna tattoos, and a Mexican Food Truck. Held on Saturday, December 16 from 10am-4pm in the beautiful, warm greenhouses of the The Mustard Seed Garden Center, located in Chaska, MN.
Maybe you would like to get a completely unique gift from one of the 25 local, small business, nature-themed vendors. Or maybe you’d like to attend a demonstration to learn how to make candied Black Walnuts from ForagerChef, cook mushrooms with Borealle, or preserve wild foods from Olena the Mushroom Lady. Maybe you’d like to learn about wild mushrooms from the MN Mycological Society. You could even decorate your body with a henna tattoo or build a Christmas planter to decorate your house for holiday parties. Bring your kids for pictures with Santa, face painting with Sweet Cheeks Face Painting, and the nature-themed coloring station. Don’t forget to fill your tummies with tasty tacos from Tacos La Catrina LLC food truck. They will even have a mushroom taco!
Follow the Holiday Forest Fair Facebook or Instagram page for the most up-to-date information, to view items the vendors will have available, and to see the schedule.
Click to watch a promo for the Holiday Forest Fair.
Some of the vendors and items include:
Forager Chef with his Flora cookbook and wild food creations
Maureen Carlson Studio & Wee Folk Creations Workshop with clay polymer art
Northern Foragers with foraged food products
Ames Farm with natural bee products
Morels & Memories fundraiser for Alzheimer’s
Birch bark hats by Jonas
Pottery by Kilnworks by Kolleen Jenne
Foraged tea blends by Following Cairns
Baked goods by Lori’s Marshmallow Cakery
Metal work by Matt’s Eye Ketchers
Earrings made with foraged items by Pioneer Birchworks
Mushroom cookbook and shirts from Untamed Mushrooms
Forest life books from Crooked Lake Tales
Quilted fabrics from Stem By Seraglyn
Mushroom grow kits from Tavis’s Mushrooms
Mushroom coffee by Elevated Spores LLC
Forest bathing from Natural Awareness Guide
Mushroom calendars by Chick of the Woods.

Morel Mushroom Hunting - Online Class
2024-03-27 18:30 - 20:30 (America/Chicago) | Minnesota
Is this the year you’d like to find your first morel mushroom? Or maybe you’ve found them before, but would like some pointers on how to find more? Morels are not easy to find, but there are plenty of tips and tricks that will improve your chances of finding them.
This online class will leave you confident and prepared to find and identify morels before the season begins! This is the perfect time to learn with just enough time to start scouting out your spots. We will cover everything you need to know including where to look, when to look, identification, look-alikes, foraging basics, safety, cooking, preservation methods, tree identification, and tips and tricks.
We will focus on common morels and touch a little on black morels, but will not be discussing burn morels. Our experience is morel hunting in the southern half of Minnesota, which will be applicable to surrounding states as well.
Even if you are unable to attend at this time, all ticket holders will be provided a link to view the presentation for one week after the class and will be provided an electronic copy of the slides after the class is over.
A link for the virtual class will be emailed to attendees by 4pm on March 27.

Morel Mushroom Hunting - Indoor Class
2024-04-14 14:00 - 17:00 (America/Chicago) | Schram Haus Brewery, 3700 Chaska Blvd, Chaska, 55318, United States
Is this the year you’d like to find your first morel mushroom? Or maybe you’ve found them before, but would like some pointers on how to find them faster? Although they are not that easy to find, there are plenty of tips and tricks that will greatly improve your chances of finding them! This class will leave you confident and prepared to find and identify morels right before the season begins with just enough time to start scouting out good spots to hunt.
This will be a fun class in a private room at Schram Haus Brewery where you can enjoy a beer, seltzer, or non-alcoholic beverage and tasty food while you learn. The class will last about 2.5-3 hours including a short walk outdoors to do some tree identification, which is important for finding morels. We will cover everything you need to know including where to look, when to look, identification, look-alikes, foraging basics, safety, cooking, technology, preservation methods, tree identification, and tips and tricks.
Just to be extra clear, we are not actually mushroom hunting. We will learning indoors and only going outdoors for tree identification purposes.
If you don’t already, make sure to follow Chick of the Woods on Facebook or Instagram.

Morels and More Foraging Adventure
2024-04-28 13:00 - 16:00 (America/Chicago) | within 2 hours south of minneapolis
Morels are starting to pop and I’m anxious to get out there! Want to come with? This last-minute outdoor foraging adventure will first discuss foraging basics, safety, tips/tricks to finding and identifying morels and other edible plant and mushroom species, and of course we will answer any questions. Then we will wander through the woods looking for and identifying a variety mushrooms and edible plants. We hope to find morels, but there is no guarantee. However, even if we don’t find any, we will talk about how to find and identify them so you will leave feeling confident knowing how hunt for them on your own. We will discuss a variety of edible plants and mushrooms we find along the way. Bring home any mushrooms you find. Plants can not be harvested. No experience necessary.
All the Disclaimers…
*Class may be cancelled if minimum attendance is not met. You will receive a refund in this case.
*Class is rain or shine, but may be cancelled in cases of miserable or severe weather. Credit can be used towards a future event in this case.
*Mushroom growth is subject to various environmental factors, and their presence during our foraging adventures cannot be guaranteed. We’ll do our best to find good spots, but our goal isn’t just about gathering. It’s about learning so you can forage confidently on your own.
*We’ll share the exact location and more details about the day with you at least one day prior the event.
*We will be walking off-trail and on uneven terrain. It could be very hilly in this area and somewhat strenuous, depending on where you choose to venture.
*The location may require a parking fee.
*Cell phone coverage is not guaranteed in this area.

Springtime Mushroom Hunting - ONLINE CLASS
2024-04-29 18:30 - 20:30 (America/Chicago) | online
Get ready for springtime mushroom foraging right from the comfort of your home! Join Chick of the Woods for an informative session on safely identifying four edible wild mushrooms: oysters, pheasant backs, velvet foot, and morels (along with their look-alikes). Learn about foraging basics, safety measures, cooking tips, and where to find these mushrooms.
Attendees will receive an electronic copy of the slides after the class, and the presentation will be accessible for one week following the scheduled session for those unable to attend at that time.
Tickets are priced at $39 per person. If multiple individuals will be watching, please ensure each person pays accordingly. Thank you for understanding.
A link to the class will be emailed to you on the day of the event.

SOLD OUT! Morels and More Foraging Adventure
2024-05-04 13:00 - 16:30 (America/Chicago) | within an hour of minneapolis
A fun outdoor adventure for the person interested in gaining confidence foraging for their own food. We will discuss foraging basics, safety, tips/tricks, and answer any questions and wander through the woods looking for mushrooms and edible plants. We hope to find plants like ramps, fiddlehead ferns, stinging nettle, or garlic mustard and mushrooms like oysters, morels, or pheasant backs. Bring home any mushrooms you find!
Disclaimers:
*Please note that mushroom growth is subject to various environmental factors, and their presence during our foraging adventures cannot be guaranteed. We’ll do our best to find good spots, but our goal isn’t just about gathering. It’s about learning so you can forage on your own. We’ll share the exact location and more details about the day with you at least 24 hours before the event.
*We will be walking off-trail and on uneven terrain.
*This is a rain or shine event, but if conditions are severe, the hunt will be cancelled and credit can be used towards a future event.
*The location may require a parking fee.
*If you have any food restrictions, please email us to see if we can accommodate before signing up. *Please bring your own beverages.

Spring Open House at Heidi's Growhaus
2024-05-05 10:00 - 16:00 (America/Chicago) | Heidi’s Growhaus, 7555 County Rd 116, Corcoran, MN, 55340, United States
Celebrate Cinco de Mayo with a day full of workshops, education, food and fun for all at Heidi’s Growhaus Spring Open house, the GrowHaus official kickoff to the gardening season! They have an excellent lineup of presenters and vendors including Chick of the Woods (I’ll be speaking at 10:30am for an hour about Foraging 101 and will need to leave shortly thereafter), Elevated Spores, Matt’s Mushrooms and More, and Author Kristy Boike and her book Rise up Little Bluebirds. As the list of vendors and activities continue to grow, check their website for more information.
$10 preregistration required for my chat here.

SOLD OUT - Springtime Foraging 101
2024-05-08 17:00 - 20:00 (America/Chicago) | Shakopee, MN
Learn how to safely forage for springtime edible plants and mushrooms! You’ll learn how to identify and where to find edible mushrooms and plants, as well as which ones to avoid. Edible mushrooms covered will include: morel, oyster, and pheasant back. Edible plants will include: stinging nettle, ramps, and fiddlehead ferns. We will begin with a discussion, followed by a walk in the woods searching for species mentioned plus any additional edible species we happen to come across. This class will take place outdoors, and will take place rain or shine, but will be cancelled for severe weather. The foraging location will be determined and emailed to you two days prior to class due to variation in growing conditions that affect mushroom availability. The location will be within 20 minutes of Shakopee, and you will be walking on uneven terrain, so please dress accordingly. Bring a basket or bag, a pocket knife, and sun and/or bug protection if you wish to use it. There is no guarantee we will find mushrooms or edible plants, but you can bring home any mushrooms you find! Handouts will be provided to assist you in future foraging.
**This class is being offered through Shakopee Community Education. To purchase tickets ($64), follow this link.

Morel Mushroom Hunting Tips and Tricks - Online Class
2024-05-09 18:30 - 20:30 (America/Chicago) | Minnesota
For the complete beginner or advanced morel mushroom hunter, you are sure to learn something to greatly improve your chances of finding morels. This in-depth online class will cover everything you need to know including where to look, when to look, identification, look-alikes, foraging basics, safety, cooking, preservation methods, tree identification, apps, websites, and tips and tricks to help you find more morels.
We will focus on common morels, half-free morels, and touch a little on black morels. Our experience is morel hunting in the southern half of Minnesota, which will be applicable to surrounding states as well.
If more than one person will be watching in your household, please purchase one ticket per person. If you are not able to attend at the scheduled time, all ticket holders will be provided a link to view the presentation for one week after the class and an electronic copy of the slides.
A link for the virtual class will be emailed to attendees by 4pm on the day of the event.

SOLD OUT - Morels and More Foraging and Tasting Adventure
2024-05-11 13:00 - 17:00 (America/Chicago) | within an hour of minneapolis
A fun outdoor adventure for the person interested in gaining confidence foraging for their own food. We will discuss foraging basics, safety, tips/tricks, and answer any questions and wander through the woods looking for mushrooms and edible plants. We hope to find plants like ramps, fiddlehead ferns, stinging nettle, or garlic mustard and pick mushrooms like oysters, morels, or pheasant backs. Bring home any mushrooms you find!
After the mushroom hunt, Chick of the Woods will cook up a delicious, light tasting of wild mushrooms that are in season.
Disclaimers:
*Please note that mushroom growth is subject to various environmental factors, and their presence during our foraging adventures cannot be guaranteed. We’ll do our best to find good spots, but our goal isn’t just about gathering. It’s about learning so you can forage on your own. We’ll share the exact location and more details about the day with you at least 24 hours before the event.
*We will be walking off-trail and on uneven terrain.
*This is a rain or shine event, but if conditions are severe, the hunt will be cancelled and credit can be used towards a future event.
*The location may require a parking fee.
*If you have any food restrictions, please email us to see if we can accommodate before signing up. *Please bring your own beverages.

5-Course Wild Food Dinner and Foraging Presentation
2024-05-15 18:00 - 20:30 (America/Chicago) | MN Horse and Hunt Club, 2920 220th St E., Prior Lake, MN, 55352, United States
Enjoy a fabulous 5-course wild food dinner in the Hunters Lodge at the MN Horse and Hunt Club while Chick of the Woods teaches you how to find and identify wild, edible springtime plants and mushrooms. Chef Andy Shrader will be cooking food that Chick of the Woods has foraged specifically for this meal and will explain each course utilizing many of the species we will be discussing. The menu is TBD until the week of the event as it depends on what foraged foods were found for this meal, but it will not be vegetarian.
Tickets are $125 and must be purchased at the MN Horse and Hunt Club’s website.

Morels and More Foraging Adventure
2024-05-19 13:00 - 16:30 (America/Chicago) | within 2 hours of minneapolis
A fun outdoor adventure for the nature lover interested in gaining confidence and learning tips foraging for their own food. We will discuss foraging basics, safety, tips/tricks, and answer any questions and then wander through the woods looking for mushrooms and edible plants. We hope to see plants like ramps, fiddlehead ferns, stinging nettle, or garlic mustard and pick mushrooms like oysters, morels, velvet foot, pheasant backs or more. Bring home any mushrooms you find!
Chick of the Woods may offer a light tasting of wild mushrooms that are in season, if available. This is very likely but an email will be sent before the hunt to confirm and see if you’d like to add the tasting, which would be optional. A fee would apply and the tasting would add 1 hour of time after the hunt (ending at 5:30pm).
Disclaimers:
*Please note that mushroom growth is subject to various environmental factors, and their presence during our foraging adventures cannot be guaranteed. We’ll do our best to find good spots, but our goal isn’t just about gathering. It’s about learning so you can forage on your own. We’ll share the exact location and more details about the day with you at least 24 hours before the event.
*We will be walking off-trail and on uneven terrain.
*This is a rain or shine event, but if conditions are severe, the hunt will be cancelled and credit can be used towards a future event.
*The class may be cancelled if minimum attendance is not met. A refund will be provided in this scenario.
*The location may require a parking fee.
*More detailed information about location, what to expect, and what to bring will be shared with attendees at least one day prior the event.

Morels and More Weeknight Foraging
2024-05-23 17:00 - 20:00 (America/Chicago) | Prior Lake, MN, Prior Lake, United States
Join Chick of the Woods for an evening of foraging fun on private land in Prior Lake, just 30 minutes south of downtown Minneapolis. Expect a fabulous evening meeting like-minded people and foraging for edible plants and mushrooms.
We will begin the evening by discussing edible species of mushrooms and plants that are common in springtime including their look-alikes, foraging basics, safety, tools, technology, and answer any questions you may have.
After the discussion, we will head into the woods looking for and picking edible mushrooms and plants. Please note that while harvesting plants is NOT allowed on public land, this is private land so we ARE able to harvest plants, too! (Mushrooms are harvestable on certain public lands.)
Once we get back from the woods, Chick of the Woods will go over what you found to make sure everything you have is safe. We will also have a recap and discuss any new species we didn’t talk about during the presentation. You will be able to take home any mushrooms or plants that we harvest, but to avoid any sense of competition, we will be splitting our finds evenly throughout the group.
Disclaimers:
*Please note that mushroom growth is subject to various environmental factors, and their presence during our foraging adventures cannot be guaranteed. We do our best to find good spots, but our goal isn’t just about gathering. It’s about learning so you can forage on your own. We’ll share the exact location and more details about the day with you at least 24 hours before the event.
*We will be walking off-trail and on uneven terrain.
*This is a rain or shine event, but if conditions are severe, the hunt will be cancelled and credit can be used towards a future event.

Memorial Day Mushroom Hunt and Light Tasting
2024-05-27 13:00 - 17:00 UTC | within an hour of minneapolis
Join Chick of the Woods on a relaxing walk through the forest looking for edible plants and mushrooms. We will start with a brief discussion about foraging, safety, and identification tips. Then we will head out into the woods, either sticking together or venturing off on your own, searching for forest treasures. After about two hours of foraging, we will meet back to look over and talk about the treasures you found on your adventure. You are welcome to keep what you find or share with others.
A fun outdoor adventure for the person interested in gaining confidence foraging for their own food. We will discuss foraging basics, safety, tips/tricks, and answer any questions and wander through the woods looking for mushrooms and edible plants. We hope to find plants like ramps, fiddlehead ferns, stinging nettle, or garlic mustard and mushrooms like oysters, morels, velvet foot, or pheasant backs.
After our foraging adventure, we will meet back to review the mushrooms we found and partake in a light tasting of wild, springtime mushrooms.
The exact location and more details of the event will emailed to attendees at least 24 hours before the event but will be held within 1 hour south of Minneapolis.
The event will happen rain or shine. In cases of severe weather or other unforeseen circumstances, the class will be cancelled and you can use your credit for a future event.
We always hope to find lots of mushrooms and plants, but it is never guaranteed. However, we do guarantee you will learn and increase your confidence foraging.

Tree Identification Class
2024-06-05 18:30 - 20:30 (America/Chicago) | Bloomington, MN, Bloomington, MN
Have you always wanted to learn how to identify trees better? Mastering your tree identification skill is useful for many reasons, but our favorite reason is to improve our ability to find mushrooms. We will not focus the evening on mushrooms, but we will mention which mushrooms are associated with the trees we find. Whatever your reason, join us to learn more about your native MN trees.
Exact location, TBD, but we will be somewhere in Bloomington, MN. It will be an easy, slow walk through the woods, staying on trail, and stopping to discuss identification of the trees we find along the way. The walk will be about 1 mile long and last approximately 2 hours.
Event will be held rain or shine, but will be postponed for severe weather. Credit will be given for a future event if cancellation is needed.

Last Minute Foraging Adventure
2024-06-30 10:00 - 13:30 (America/Chicago) | within 1 hour south of Mpls
All this recent rain has been phenomenal for growing fungi! Join Chick of the Woods and find what food this rain has brought us. We will be foraging for common, summertime edible mushrooms and berries. Before we head out foraging, we will discuss foraging basics, safety, identifications, and answer any questions. Then we will wander into the woods looking for, discussing, and picking edible mushrooms and berries that we find. After the hunt we will review what’s in your basket and discuss ways to cook your finds. Take home what you harvest! No experience necessary.
Approximate itinerary:
10:00 – Discussion
11:00 – Break
11:15 – Foraging
1:15 – Review and Questions
1:30 – Farewell
All the Disclaimers:
*Please note that mushroom and plant growth is subject to various environmental factors, and their presence during our foraging adventures cannot be guaranteed.
*The exact location and more details will be shared with you via email the day prior to the event, or sooner.
*To avoid any sense of competition, foraging finds will be split evenly among the group.
*We will be walking off-trail and on uneven terrain.
*This is a rain or shine event, but if conditions are severe, the hunt will be cancelled and credit can be used towards a future event.
*The location may require a parking fee.
*Class may be cancelled if minimum attendance is not met.
*Kids are welcome at the same rate as adults.
*Parking fee or day pass may be required.

Summertime Foraging
2024-07-06 13:30 - 17:30 (America/Chicago) | Big Rock Creek, 1674 WI-87, St. Croix Falls, WI, 54024, United States
Explore the beautiful forest at Big Rock Creek and learn a lifelong skill of foraging for your own food! Tickets for this event are available at Big Rock Creek’s website for $85.
Chick of the Woods is back at Big Rock to help you gain confidence foraging for edible mushrooms, berries, and plants. Before we head out foraging, we will discuss foraging basics, safety, identifications, and answer any questions. Then we will wander into the woods looking for, discussing, and picking edible goodies that we find. After the hunt we will review what’s in your basket and discuss ways to cook your finds. Take home what you harvest! No experience necessary.
Approximate itinerary:
1:30-2:30 – Discussion
2:30-2:45 – Break
2:45-5:00 – Foraging
5:00-5:30 – Review and Questions
Disclaimers:
-The event will happen rain or shine, but in cases of severe weather or other unforeseen circumstances, class will be cancelled and you will be able to use your credit for a future event.
-We will be hiking (very slowly) off trail and through uneven terrain.
-Kids are welcome but at the same rate as adults.
-We are never guaranteed to find mushrooms.

CHICKS ONLY!! Mushroom Hunt and Wild Mushroom Lunch
2024-07-13 11:00 - 16:00 (America/Chicago) | within one hour west of Minneapolis
Bring your mom, grandma, daughter, sisters, aunties, nieces, girlfriends, or just yourself to this “Chicks Only” day! Even though no guys are allowed, we will be searching for “fun-gis.” We might even find an Old Man of the Woods.
Besides learning about mushrooms, we will have tons of fun and meet new friends. We will also discuss tree identification, plants, and berries we come across while we are in the woods. A delicious picnic lunch with wild mushrooms will prepared by the fabulous Jodi Gruhn with Borealle. Lunch will not only be delicious, but it will also be 100% fresh, healthy, and vegan.
Jodi preparing lunch at the Chicks Only hunt in 2023
Approximate Itinerary:
11:00-12:00 Educational Bit
12:00-1:00 Lunch
1:00-3:00 Mushroom Hunt
3:00-??? Review Mushrooms and Social Hour
2023 Chicks Only Lunch – Mushroom Sushi
*Exact location of the hunt will be emailed to attendees by 4pm one day prior to the hunt, but will be located within an hour of Minneapolis, Minnesota.
*This is a rain or shine event, but if conditions are severe, the hunt will be cancelled and credit can be used towards a future event.
*The location may require a parking fee.
*If you have any food restrictions, please email us to see if we can accommodate before signing up.
*Please bring your own beverages.
*We will be walking off-trail on uneven terrain.
*We are never guaranteed to find mushrooms, but I guarantee you will learn how to find them.

Wild Berry Foraging 101
2024-07-17 18:00 - 20:00 (America/Chicago) | Shakopee, MN
Learn how to safely forage for wild berries! We will begin with a discussion about wild berry foraging followed by a walk through the park looking for and discussing wild edible berries along the way, as well as how to identify poisonous berries. Berries found may include wild raspberries, blackberries, mulberries, choke cherries, gooseberries, wild grapes, plums, and more. Bring home any berries you find! This class will take place outdoors, and will take place rain or shine, but will be cancelled for severe weather. The foraging location will be determined and emailed to you two days prior to class due to variation in conditions that affect berry availability. Handouts will be provided to assist you in future foraging.
This class is offered through Shakopee Community Education and you can purchase tickets ($39) through this link.

Summer Foraging with Tasting
2024-07-20 09:00 - 13:30 UTC | within an hour of minneapolis
This is an outdoor adventure for the beginner forager interested in becoming confident foraging common summertime mushrooms and edible berries. We will first take about one hour for intros and to discuss foraging basics, safety, tips/tricks to successful foraging, cover species of interest, and answer any questions. Then we will wander down the trail and into the woods looking for and discussing any mushrooms or edible berries that we find. If we do find mushrooms, we will split them evenly with the group. We will then meet back where we started to wrap up and go over what we found. Foraging and identifications will last approximately two hours.
After we are done foraging, those that have purchased the tasting option will include a brief cooking demo and served a light tasting of mushrooms that are in season. This may include gluten and dairy, but will be vegetarian. If you did not purchase the tasting option, feel free to hang out as long as you wish. Everyone is encouraged to bring a bag lunch to eat in addition to the light tasting.
Approximate Itinerary:
9-10am: Intro and Discussion
10am-12:30pm: Foraging and Identifications
12:30-1:30pm: Cooking and Tasting
The exact location of the event will emailed to attendees at least 24 hours before the event.
The event is non-refundable and the class will happen rain or shine, but in cases of severe weather or other unforeseen circumstances, class will be cancelled and you will be able to use your credit for a future event. We are never guaranteed to find mushrooms.

Summertime Mushroom Hunt
2024-07-27 10:00 - 13:00 (America/Chicago) | TBD, but within 1 hour south of Mpls
Explore a beautiful forest while learning a useful, fun, and lifelong skill of foraging for your own food. Chick of the Woods will help you gain confidence foraging for common, edible mushrooms. We may also discuss berries, plants, or trees we see along the way. Before we head out foraging, we will discuss foraging basics, safety, identifications, and answer any questions. Then we will wander into the woods searching for, discussing, and picking edible goodies that we find. After the hunt we will review what’s in your basket and discuss ways to cook your finds. Take home what we find. No experience necessary.
Approximate itinerary:
10:00 – Discussion
11:00 – Foraging
12:45 – Review and Questions
1:00 – Farewells
Disclaimers:
*Mushroom and plant growth is subject to various environmental factors, and their presence during our foraging adventures cannot be guaranteed.
*We will be walking off-trail and on uneven terrain.
*The location may require a parking fee or day pass.
*The event in geared towards adults, but if you think your child would enjoy it, they are welcome at the same rate as adults.
*The exact location and more details will be shared with you the day prior to the event, or sooner.
Refund and Cancellation Policy:
*If you cancel at least 72 hours prior to the event, credit will be given towards a future event. No credit will be given for cancellations within 72 hours of the event.
*This is a rain or shine event, but if conditions are severe, the hunt will be cancelled and credit will be given to use at a future event.
*Class may be cancelled if minimum attendance is not met. Refunds will be given in this scenario.

Mushroom Hunting in Wisconsin
2024-08-04 13:30 - 17:30 (America/Chicago) | 1 hour east of Minneapolis in Wisconsin
Explore a beautiful forest in Wisconsin and learn a lifelong skill of foraging for your own healthy and nutritious food!
Chick of the Woods is excited to help you gain confidence foraging for common edible mushrooms. Before we head out foraging, we will discuss foraging basics, safety, identifications, and answer any questions. Then we will wander into the woods looking for, discussing, and picking edible mushrooms that we find. After the hunt we will review what’s in your basket and discuss ways to cook your finds. Take home what you harvest! No experience necessary.
Approximate itinerary:
1:30-2:30 – Discussion
2:30-2:45 – Break
2:45-5:00 – Foraging
5:00-5:30 – Review and Questions
Disclaimers:
*Please note that mushroom and plant growth is subject to various environmental factors, and their presence during our foraging adventures cannot be guaranteed.
*The exact location and more details will be shared with you via email the day prior to the event, or sooner.
*To avoid any sense of competition, foraging finds will be split evenly among the group.
*We will be walking off-trail and on uneven terrain.
*This is a rain or shine event, but if conditions are severe, the hunt will be cancelled and credit can be used towards a future event.
*The location may require a parking fee.
*Class may be cancelled if minimum attendance is not met.
*Kids are welcome at the same rate as adults.
*Parking fee or day pass may be required.

Fun with Fungi - Kids Event
2024-08-14 09:30 - 12:00 (America/Chicago) | Shakopee, MN
Get your kids excited about mushrooms and the outdoors this summer! We will discuss safety and learn all about mushrooms, go for a mushroom scavenger hunt, and learn how to make mushroom art. This class will take place outdoors, rain or shine, but will be cancelled for severe weather. Children must be accompanied by an adult. The class fee includes one adult and one child. Additional family members may register for an additional fee. The foraging location will be determined and emailed to you two days prior to class due to variation in growing conditions that affect mushroom availability. The location will be within 20 minutes of Shakopee, and you will be walking on uneven terrain, so please dress accordingly. Bring a basket or bag, a pocket knife, and sun and/or bug protection if you wish to use it. There is no guarantee we will find mushrooms, but we will have samples to show if that happens. You can bring home any mushrooms you find! Handouts will be provided to assist you in future foraging.
This class is offered through Shakopee Community Education and you can purchase tickets ($36) through this link.

Summertime Mushroom Hunt
2024-08-17 09:30 - 13:00 (America/Chicago) | TBD, but within 1 hour south of Mpls
Explore a beautiful forest while learning a useful, fun, and lifelong skill of foraging for your own food. Chick of the Woods will help you gain confidence foraging for common, edible mushrooms. We may also discuss berries, plants, or trees we see along the way. Before we head out foraging, we will discuss foraging basics, safety, identifications, and answer any questions. Then we will wander into the woods searching for, discussing, and picking edible goodies that we find. After the hunt we will review what’s in your basket and discuss ways to cook your finds. Take home what we find. No experience necessary.
Approximate itinerary:
9:30 – Discussion
10:30 – Break
10:45 – Foraging
12:30 – Review and Questions
1:00 – Farewells
Disclaimers:
*Mushroom and plant growth is subject to various environmental factors, and their presence during our foraging adventures cannot be guaranteed.
*We will be walking off-trail and on uneven terrain.
*The location may require a parking fee or day pass.
*The event in geared towards adults, but if you think your child would enjoy it, they are welcome at the same rate as adults.
*The exact location and more details will be shared with you the day prior to the event, or sooner.
Refund and Cancellation Policy:
*If you cancel at least 72 hours prior to the event, credit will be given towards a future event. No credit will be given for cancellations within 72 hours of the event.
*This is a rain or shine event, but if conditions are severe, the hunt will be cancelled and credit will be given to use at a future event.
*Class may be cancelled if minimum attendance is not met. Refunds will be given in this scenario.

Forage-To-Table Experience
2024-08-25 12:00 - 19:00 (America/Chicago) | Lake Osceola Retreat Center, 558 240th St,, Osceola, WI, 54020, United States
OVERVIEW
Join Jaime and Jess for a private foraging, cooking, and dining experience at the beautiful Lake Osceola Retreat Center. The day begins by enjoying a light lunch and beverage while learning about foraging basics, safety, and identification of edible, wild mushrooms that are in season.
After lunch, we will head into the forest while learning about and collecting ingredients for dinner which may include mushrooms, plants, berries and/or even a few goodies from the garden.

When we return from the woods, Jess will guide us in turning our harvest into a delicious dinner. This will be a hands-on learning adventure, creating dinner and beverages as a team. Preservation methods that are best suited for the mushrooms we find also be discussed. Any leftover mushrooms that are not used for dinner will be sent home with attendees.
The menu is yet to be determined and will be tailored to foraged items that are found on our foraging adventure, however all food will be both vegan and gluten-free. Please call or text Jess at 612-367-6621 before registering if you have any food sensitivities.
No experience necessary.
ITINERARY
12:00-12:30… Arrivals and Introductions
12:30-2:00… Lunch and Learn
2:00-4:00… Forage
4:00-6:00… Prepare Dinner and Beverages
6:00-7:00… Dinner and Wild Mushroom Preservation Discussion
MEET THE INSTRUCTORS

Jess is a forager, educator, and foodie extraordinaire! She is so excited to combine all of her passions and guide us in turning our harvest into a delicious meal.

Jaime (Chick of the Woods) loves spending every minute possible foraging in the woods, talking to anyone that will listen about mushrooms, and having others cook for her.
REGISTRATION
Only 12 spots available. Registration ends Wednesday, August 21 at noon.
DISCLAIMERS
*Mushroom and plant growth is subject to various environmental factors, and their presence during our foraging adventures cannot be guaranteed. Jaime will have emergency back-up mushrooms just in case we don’t find enough for dinner.
*We will be walking off-trail and on uneven terrain.
*The event in geared towards adults, but if you think your child would enjoy it, they are welcome at the same rate as adults.
Refund and Cancellation Policy:
*If you cancel at least 1 week prior to the event, credit will be given towards a future event. No credit will be given for cancellations within 1 week of the event.
*This is a rain or shine event, but if conditions are severe, the hunt will be cancelled and credit will be given to use at a future event.
*Class may be cancelled if minimum attendance is not met. Refunds will be given in this scenario.

Fall Mushroom Hunting
2024-09-07 13:00 - 16:00 (America/Chicago) | TBD, but within 1 hour south of Mpls
This is an outdoor adventure for those interested in foraging for common wild mushrooms. We will first take about one hour to discuss foraging basics, safety, tips/tricks to successful foraging, cover species of interest, and answer any questions. Then we will wander down the trail and into the woods looking for and discussing any mushrooms we find. If we do find mushrooms, we will split them evenly with the group best we can. We will then meet back where we started to wrap up and go over what we found. No experience necessary.
Approximate Itinerary:
1-2pm: Intro and Discussion
2-3:45pm: Foraging
3:45-4pm: Review mushrooms
The exact location of the event will be emailed to attendees at least 24 hours before the event.
The event is non-refundable and the class will happen rain or shine, but in cases of severe weather or other unforeseen circumstances, you will be able to use your credit for a future event.
