Chick of the Woods Foraging

Morels and More! Springtime Foraging 101 - SOLD OUT
2023-05-13 13:00 - 16:00 UTC | within 1 hour south of Minneapolis, MN, United States
This event is SOLD OUT, but please view our other events at chickofthewoods.com/events.
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. If we do find mushrooms, we will split them with the group. We will not be picking any plants since it is not allowed in the area we will go, but we can observe and identify.
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.

Edible Springtime Plants 101 - Online Class
2023-05-11 18:30 - 20:00 (America/New_York) | MN
Be excited, prepared, and confident to venture out this spring and harvest edible plants! Learn how to find and identify four common and delicious, nutritious, springtime plants including ramps, fiddleheads, stinging nettle, and spruce tips from the comfort of your home.
We will cover foraging basics, identification, safety, cooking, preservation, technology, and look-alikes.
Attendees will receive the recording and electronic copy of the presentation to keep. If you are unavailable at the time of the live presentation, you can watch the presentation on your own time.
A link for the class will be emailed to attendees the morning of the event.

Morel Mushroom Hunting - Online Class
2023-05-10 18:30 - 20:00 UTC | MN
Even if you’ve never mushroom hunted before or seen a morel in person, 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 in order to find morels, including where to look, when to look, tips and tricks, identification, look-alikes, foraging basics, safety, cooking, and tree identification.
We will focus on the common yellow morels, touch a little on black morels. We will not be discussing burn morels. My experience is morel hunting in the southern half of Minnesota, which will be applicable to surrounding states as well.
Even if you are not able to attend at this time, you can sign up and watch the presentation at a later date that is more convenient for you. Attendees will receive an electronic copy of the recording and presentation to keep after the presentation.
A link for the class will be emailed to attendees at least 24 hours prior to the event.

Springtime Wild Mushroom Identification Workshop and Tasting - SOLD OUT
2023-05-07 12:00 - 15:30 UTC | The Trailhead Building at Theodore Wirth Park, 1221 Theodore Wirth Pkwy, Minneapolis, MN, United States
This is a workshop for the beginner mushroom forager interested in gaining confidence foraging common, springtime mushrooms.
We will start the day indoors with a presentation discussing identification of the common, edible springtime mushrooms, including oysters, pheasant backs, and morels. We will also discuss foraging basics, safety, tips/tricks to successful foraging (especially morels), and answer any questions.
After the presentation, we will have a light tasting of springtime mushrooms (morels if I have them!) which includes a brief cooking demo. The mushrooms will be cooked in butter and served on bread with cheese. I’m sorry but there are no substitutions besides removing the bread and cheese.
After the presentation and tasting, we will wander down the trail and into the woods looking for and discussing any mushrooms we see along the way, which will last approximately one hour. We will also focus some time on tree identification. Theodore Wirth Park unfortunately does not allow foraging, so we can’t pick mushrooms but we can certainly take pictures and memories!
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.

Edible Springtime Plants Workshop
2023-04-30 14:45 - 17:15 UTC | The Trailhead Building at Theodore Wirth Park, 1221 Theodore Wirth Pkwy, Minneapolis, MN, United States
This class is intended for the beginner forager. Be excited, prepared, and confident to venture out this spring and harvest edible plants! Learn how to find and identify four common and delicious, nutritious, springtime plants including ramps, fiddleheads, stinging nettle, and spruce tips.
The day will begin indoors for a presentation. We will cover foraging basics, identification, safety, cooking, preservation, technology, and look-alikes. For the plants that are in season, we will have samples to pass around if they are growing – which they should be! The presentation will be held at the Trailhead building of Theodore Wirth Park. The Trailhead does offer food and beverage (specialty coffees, mimosas, beer, wine, etc) and you are welcome to eat and/or drink during the presentation.
After the presentation, we will go for a hike looking for these and any other edible plants (or mushrooms!) that we run into. Note we will not be harvesting any plants, just observing, identifying, taking pictures, taking in the forest smells, consuming oxygen, meeting new friends, and enjoying a beautiful walk in the woods.
Attendees will receive an electronic copy of the presentation to keep.

Morel Mushroom Hunting - Online
2023-04-23 18:30 - 20:00 UTC | MN
Even if you’ve never mushroom hunted before or seen a morel in person, 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 in order to find morels, including where to look, when to look, tips and tricks, identification, look-alikes, foraging basics, safety, cooking, and tree identification.
Attendees will receive an electronic copy of the presentation to keep.
A link for the class will be emailed to attendees at least 24 hours prior to the event.

Edible Springtime Plants Workshop
2023-04-22 13:30 - 16:00 UTC | Strains of the Earth, 415 Broadway St S, Jordan, MN, 55352, United States
This is an indoor/outdoor workshop intended for the beginner forager. You will leave excited, prepared, and confident to venture out this spring and harvest edible, wild plants! Learn how to find and identify at least four common, delicious, nutritious, springtime plants including ramps, fiddleheads, stinging nettle, and spruce tips.
The day will begin in the brand new Strains of the Earth event room discussing foraging etiquette, identification, safety, cooking, preservation, and look-alikes.
After the presentation, we will go for an easy, urban walk looking for these and other edible plants. Note we will not actually be harvesting any plants, but we will be observing, identifying, taking pictures, meeting new friends, and enjoying a walk through the beautiful, historic town of Jordan, MN.
Attendees will receive an electronic copy of the presentation and Chick of the Woods’s favorite wild plant recipes.
You may want to block off some time before or after the class to explore more of downtown Jordan. Strains of the Earth has a mushroom store, CBD store, and THC Dispensary. You’ll also find Delia’s All-In-One authentic Mexican restaurant, Roets Brewery, Pickled Pig Pub, Mousse Winery, Pekarna’s Meat Market, and several adorable boutique and antique stores all within walking distance.
The beautiful Strains of the Earth Building where we will begin our day.

Edible Springtime Plants 101 - Online Class
2023-03-30 18:30 - 20:00 UTC | MN
Be excited, prepared, and confident to venture out this spring and harvest edible plants! Learn how to find and identify four common and delicious, nutritious, springtime plants including ramps, fiddleheads, stinging nettle, and spruce tips from the comfort of your home.
We will cover foraging basics, identification, safety, cooking, preservation, technology, and look-alikes.
Attendees will receive an electronic copy of the presentation to keep.
A link for the class will be emailed to attendees at least 24 hours prior to the event.

Fungi Hour!
2023-03-15 17:00 - 20:00 UTC | Pickled Pig Pub and Strains of the Earth, 205 Broadway St S, Jordan, MN, 55352, United States
RESCHEDULED TO MARCH 15, DUE TO BLIZZARD!
Start the evening eating, drinking, and talking about mushrooms with Chick of the Woods and other people that “get you” at The Pickled Pig, a small-town pub. Truffle flavored tots, chicken wings, porcini pizza, morel pizza, and 2 drinks will all be included with your ticket!! Food will be served between 5:30-6:45pm.
At 7pm, we will walk a couple blocks through historic Jordan to the gorgeous old brewery which is now home to Strains of the Earth. Originally a CDB store and THC dispensary, they recently added a room specific to mushrooms! They have a huge variety of quality mushroom products, including fresh & dried edible mushrooms, supplements, tinctures, psychoactive products, coffees, apparel, jewelry, art, décor, and mush more! You will receive a gift bag, 10% discount coupon (which can also be used in the CDB/THC store), and a private tour of the beautiful mushroom store and amazing products. Staff will be available to answer all your questions at the store and also at the pub. If you’d like to leave earlier, you are welcome to visit the store at any time on your own, but the tour will be at about 7:10pm.
Come anytime or for the whole time.

Winter Tree ID Workshop
2023-03-05 12:00 - 14:30 UTC | The Trailhead Building at Theodore Wirth Park, 1221 Theodore Wirth Pkwy, Minneapolis, MN, United States
SOLD OUT – CHECK OUT OUR SUMMER TREE ID CLASS ON JUNE 10! More info at chickofthewoods.com/events.
*This class will be a combination of indoors and outdoors and does not require any prior tree identification knowledge.*
Learn how to identify trees in winter! And from a distance! Tree shape, coloring, bark patterns, habitat, 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. We will spend extra time on the elm tree, which is important for finding morel mushrooms. 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.
Food and drink will be available for purchase from Mill Valley Market (located inside the Trailhead building) during the presentation.
You will receive a free tree identification scroll that will be helpful for identification while out in the woods. Bring a sharpie to make notes on your scroll.
Event will be held rain, snow or shine, but will be postponed for severe weather, which includes temperatures less than 10 degrees Fahrenheit, extreme wind, or unsafe driving conditions. No refunds, but credit will be given for a future event if cancellation is needed.

Morel Mushroom Hunting - Online Class
2023-03-02 18:30 - 20:00 (America/Chicago) | MN

Holiday Forest Fair
2022-12-17 10:00 - 16:00 UTC | Mustard Seed Garden Center, 10000 Great Plains Blvd, Chaska, MN, 55318, United States
Come enjoy a day in the woodsy, winter wonderland at the Mustard Seed Garden Center on Saturday, December 17 from 10am-4pm. The Holiday Forest Fair features incredibly unique products and gift ideas harvested from the forest or for the forest explorer. There will be demos, workshops, refreshments, food, music, giveaways, book signings, stocking stuffers, a coloring station, AND SANTA WILL BE THERE TOO!
RSVP on the facebook event page to be alerted of updates and see pictures of vendors, products, and events. Free to attend. Easy, on-site parking.
ITINERARY (more to come):
10am – 4pm: Forest Vendors, book signings, food, music, refreshments, coloring station, mushroom display table
10am-12pm & 1pm-2pm: Pictures with Santa ($5/family)
12am-3pm: Face Paintings
12pm-1pm: Make a Spruce Gnome Workshop ($80)
2-2:30pm: Cooking with Dried Mushrooms Demo (Matt’s Mushrooms and More)
3-3:30pm: How to Make Hickory Nut Milk Demo (Forager Chef)
SOME ITEMS INCLUDE:
Mushroom Growing Kits, Dried Mushrooms, Mushroom Jerky, Natural Skin Care Products and Soap, Hand-crafted Jewelry, Nature-themed Pottery, Mushroom Calendars, Gift Certificates, Books, Mushroom-Themed Decor, Wood spirits, Christmas ornaments, Mushroom hunting bags and knives, Nature-themed Nails, And much more!!
Vendors:
-Chick of the Woods
-Forager Chef
-Pioneer Birchworks
-Matt’s Mushrooms and More
-Tiny Town Pottery
-Chaga Chick
-Kathy Yerich
-Matt’s Eye Ketchers
-Griebnik
-Celtic Carver
-Wayne’s World Agates
-Untamed Mushrooms
-Ron Spinosa
-MushroomCoreCo
-Ames Farm
-Northern Foragers
-Crooked Lake Tales
-Katelybears
-R&R Cultivation
Contact Chick of the Woods if you are interested in current or future vending opportunities.

Tree ID - Walk and Talk
2022-11-12 14:00 - 15:30 UTC | Bloomington, MN, Bloomington, MN
Learn how to identify trees without their leaves! Tree bark, shape, color, 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. And when you don’t need to look up at the leaves to identify a tree, it makes your mushroom mission much easier.
We will focus on identifying native trees found in this area and when applicable, discuss which choice edible mushrooms are associated with that tree. Trees we will learn about on this walk include elm, oak, aspen, hackberry, ironwood, ash, box elder, cottonwood, and black cherry. What if you want to know what the leaves look like? We will be able to find leaves on the ground that match the tree.
This will be a slow walk through the woods at a local park, staying on trail, and stopping to discuss trees along the way. The walk will be about 1 mile long and last about 1.5 hours.
Event will be held rain, snow or shine, but will be cancelled for severe weather (credit will be given for a future event). Exact location will be emailed to attendees at least 24 hours before the event.

Mushroom Hunt with (optional) Tasting
2022-10-16 13:00 - 16:30, 2022-10-02 13:00 - 16:30 UTC | TBD, but within 1 hour south of Mpls
Fall brings the largest variety and abundance of mushrooms, so let’s get out and see what we can find! Learn the basics of mushroom hunting, gain in-person experience and confidence hunting for common edible mushrooms, bring home what you find, and taste some delicious wild fall mushrooms after the hunt (optional). Feel free to bring food and beverage of your choice to enjoy with your new friends while you admire your bounty and Chick of the Woods cooks you up some wild, tasty shrooms!
Exact location of the hunt will be emailed to attendees by 4pm one day prior to the hunt, but will be located within 1 hour of Minneapolis.
Approximate Itinerary:
1:00-1:30 Foraging Talk
1:30-3:30 Woodland Walk
3:30-4:30 Wild Mushroom Tasting
*This is a rain or shine event, but if conditions are severe, the hunt will be cancelled and you can use your credit for a future event.
*The location may require a parking fee.
*The tasting may include dairy and gluten, but can be tailored to be vegan and/or gluten-free if requested.
*We will be walking off-trail on uneven terrain.

Weekday Mushroom Hunt
2022-10-13 13:00 - 15:30 UTC | TBD, but within 1 hour south of Mpls
This class is geared towards the beginner or inspiring forager. We will start by discussing the basics of mushroom hunting while focusing on how to find and identify which common edible mushrooms are currently in season, followed by in-person experience foraging in the woods to increase your confidence finding, identifying and consuming wild edible mushrooms.
Exact location of the hunt will be emailed to attendees by 4pm one day prior to the hunt, but will be located within 1 hour of Minneapolis.
Approximate Itinerary:
1:00-2:00 Foraging Talk
2-3:30 Woodland Walk
*This is a rain or shine event, but if conditions are severe, the hunt will be cancelled and you can use your credit for a future event.
*The location may require a parking fee.
*We will be walking off-trail and on uneven terrain.

CHICKS ONLY!! Mushroom Hunt and (optional) Maitake Taco Dinner
2022-09-25 10:00 - 13:30 UTC | TBD, but within 1 hour N or NW of Mpls
Bring your mom, grandma, daughter, sisters, aunties, nieces, girlfriends, or just yourself to this “Chicks Only” day! Even though no boys are allowed, we will be searching for fungis. We might even find an Old Man of the Woods. I’ll be bringing some of my best girlfriends in the world… the infamous “Goldies!” You will meet Annie which can start a fire in a hurricane, Tiffany that can kill a deer with her eyes closed and carry it out of the woods on her back, and Gina that can identify every plant known to (wo)man while biking at 25mph!
In addition to meeting some new amazing women in your life, you will learn the basics of mushroom hunting, gain in-person experience and confidence hunting for common edible mushrooms, and eat a delicious lunch of wild mushroom tacos after the hunt (optional).
Approximate Itinerary:
10:00-10:30 Discussion
10:30-12:30 Mushroom Hunt
12:30-1:30 Fungi Feed and social hour
*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 north of Minneapolis, Minnesota.
*If conditions are extremely dry in this general area, we may choose another location within 1 hour of Minneapolis that has had more rain. If this impacts your ability or desire to make it, refunds will be given.
*This is a rain or shine event, but if conditions are severe, the hunt will be cancelled.
*The location may require a parking fee.
*The meal may include dairy, but will be vegetarian. If you have any food restrictions, feel free to email me to see if we can accommodate. If you opt out of the food option, feel free to bring your own.
*Please bring your own beverages.
*We will be walking off-trail on uneven terrain.

Easy-Peasy Foraging with Optional Tasting
2022-09-18 13:00 - 15:30 UTC | within 45 minutes NW of Mpls
This event is intended for anyone that would like to learn about hunting for mushrooms and other wild edibles, but isn’t able to, or doesn’t want to, tromp through the deep woods for hours. There is plenty to see right from the trail! We will stick to a trail that is relatively flat and easy walking which may be a combination of dirt or paved trails. You must be able to walk slowly for up to 1 hour.
We will first spend time discussing the art of foraging before heading to the trail. Then, we will look for mushrooms and other edible plants and berries along the trail, but focus more on learning how to find and identify trees and habitat that are good for mushrooms. At the end of our stroll, we will taste some delicious wild mushrooms while learning more about nature and your new friends. Feel free to bring some food, snacks, or beverages to enjoy during the tasting.
Approximate Itinerary:
1-1:30: Discussion about Foraging
1:30-2:30: Stroll along the Trail
2:30-3:30: Wild Mushroom Tasting and Social Hour

Mushroom Hunt with (optional) Tasting
2022-09-11 13:00 - 17:00 UTC | TBD, but in the east side of the metropolitan area of Mpls
Fall brings the largest variety and abundance of mushrooms, so let’s get out and see what we can find! Learn the basics of mushroom hunting, gain in-person experience and confidence hunting for common edible mushrooms, bring home what you find, and taste some delicious wild fall mushrooms after the hunt (optional). Feel free to bring food and beverage of your choice to enjoy with your new friends while you admire your bounty and Chick of the Woods cooks you up some wild, tasty shrooms!
Exact location of the hunt will be emailed to attendees by 4pm one day prior to the hunt, but will be located somewhere on the east side of the metropolitan area of Minneapolis.
Approximate Itinerary:
1:00-1:30 Discussion
1:30-4:00 Mushroom Hunt
4:00-5:00 Fungi Feed
*If conditions are extremely dry in this general area, we may choose another location within 1 hour of Minneapolis that has had more rain. If this impacts your ability or desire to make it, refunds will be given.
*This is a rain or shine event, but if conditions are severe, the hunt will be cancelled.
*The location may require a parking fee.
*The tasting may include dairy and gluten, but will be vegetarian.
*We will be walking off-trail on uneven terrain.

Labor Day Mushroom Hunt and Tasting
2022-09-05 13:00 - 17:00 UTC | within 1 hour south of Minneapolis, MN, United States
Rain has blessed the earth after a dry summer and mushrooms have been waiting to show their fleshy faces. Fall brings the largest variety and abundance of mushrooms, so let’s get out and see what we can find! Learn the basics of mushroom hunting, gain in-person experience and confidence hunting for common edible mushrooms, and taste some delicious wild fall mushrooms after the hunt (optional). Feel free to bring food and beverage of choice to enjoy with your new friends while you admire your bounty and Chick of the Woods cooks you up some wild, tasty shrooms!
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 south of Minneapolis, Minnesota.
Approximate Itinerary:
1:00-1:30 Discussion
1:30-4:00 Mushroom Hunt
4:00-5:00 Fungi Feed
*If conditions are extremely dry, we may choose another location within 1 hour of Minneapolis that has had more rain. If this impacts your ability or desire to make it, refunds will be given.
*This is a rain or shine event, but if conditions are severe, the hunt will be cancelled.
*The location may require a parking fee.
*The tasting may include dairy and gluten, but will be vegetarian.
*We will be walking off-trail on uneven terrain.

Fall Mushroom Hunting for Beginners
2021-09-19 10:00 - 13:00 UTC | within an hour west of Minneapolis, MN
Rain has blessed the earth and mushrooms have been waiting to show their fleshy faces! Let’s get out and see what we can find! Fall brings a large variety of mushrooms so there will surely be some fun fungi to find! Learn the basics of mushroom hunting and gain in-person experience and confidence hunting for common edible mushrooms. Exact location of the hunt will be emailed to attendees one day prior to the hunt, but will be located within an hour west of Minneapolis, Minnesota.

Fall Mushroom Hunting for Beginners
2021-09-12 10:00 - 13:00 UTC | within 20 minutes of Chaska, MN
Rain has blessed the earth and mushrooms have been waiting to show their fleshy faces! Let’s get out and see what we can find! Fall brings a large variety of mushrooms so there will surely be some fun fungi to find! Learn the basics of mushroom hunting and gain in-person experience and confidence hunting for common edible mushrooms. Exact location of the hunt will be emailed to attendees one day prior to the hunt, but will be located within 20 minutes of Chaska, Minnesota.

End of Summer Mushroom Hunt
2021-08-29 10:00 - 13:00 UTC | within an hour of minneapolis
Rain has blessed the earth and mushrooms have been waiting to show their fleshy faces! Let’s get out and see what we can find! Summer and fall brings a large variety of mushrooms so there will surely be some fun fungi. Learn the basics of mushroom hunting and gain in-person experience and confidence hunting for common edible mushrooms. Exact location of the hunt will be emailed to attendees one day prior to the hunt, but will be located within an hour of Minneapolis.

Summer Mushroom Hunt
2021-08-08 09:00 - 12:00, 2021-07-24 09:00 - 12:00 UTC | within an hour of minneapolis
Summer brings a large variety of mushrooms! Join this class to learn the basics of mushroom hunting and gain in-person experience identifying mushrooms and other wild edibles. Exact location of the hunt will be emailed to attendees prior to the hunt, but will be located within an hour of Minneapolis.

Summer Mushroom Hunt
2021-07-18 09:00 - 12:00 UTC | Mankato, MN Area
Summer brings a large variety of mushrooms, including chanterelles, oysters, chicken of the woods, and more! Join this class to learn tips for finding and identifying mushrooms, berries, trees, and other wild edibles! This class will be geared for the beginner mushroom hunter, but anyone is welcome! We will meet at a park, briefly discuss mushroom basics, then head out for a beautiful hike in the woods.
No experience required, but you must be able to traverse off-trail in uneven terrain.
Exact location of the hunt will be emailed to attendees prior to the hunt, but will be located within an hour of Minneapolis.

Morel Mushroom Hunting 101
2021-05-23 10:00 - 13:00 UTC | Southwest Metro Area of the Twin Cities, TBD, MN, United States
This is the perfect workshop for the beginner forager interested in learning how to hunt for morel mushrooms. We will first discuss foraging basics and tips and tricks to finding and identifying morel mushrooms. Then we will wander into the woods seeing first-hand what to look for.
Morels are not the easiest mushroom to find and there is a lot of competition out there. This workshop is an educational event and not necessarily intended to find morels, however we will be looking in areas they have been found. We will bring morels for you to see, touch, smell, and admire in case none are found.
While out in the woods, we will point out and discuss some other edible species along the way – whether it be mushrooms or plants.
The exact location will be disclosed in an email at least 24 hours before the event, but this event will take place somewhere in the SW Metro region of the Twin Cities.

Morels and More - Spring Foraging Adventure
2021-05-15 09:00 - 12:00 UTC | Southwest Metro Area of the Twin Cities, TBD, MN, United States
This is the perfect workshop for the beginner forager interested in learning how to hunt for morel mushrooms. We will first discuss foraging basics and tips and tricks to finding morel mushrooms. Then we will wander into the woods looking for morels while stopping to point out other tasty spring edibles along the way.
Morels are not the easiest mushroom to find and there is a lot of competition out there. It is not guaranteed we will find morel mushrooms. However, if we don’t find any, you will have had a great walk in nature and learned how to increase your chances of finding them at a later date.
The exact location will be disclosed in an email at least 24 hours before the event, but this event will take place somewhere in the SW Metro region of the Twin Cities.
