There’s nothing like a good mushroom hunt to kick off the fall festivities! A foraging class will be held at McFarland Park at 9:00 a.m. Saturday, for those interested in learning what edible gems await in the Iowa woods.
This three-fold event costs $25, running from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., where Chelsea Rowcliffe — a naturalist from Osage, Iowa — will teach attendees to identify, harvest and cook wild goods.
“Please wear appropriate clothing and footwear for hiking. Bring a water bottle, notebook and/or camera for taking notes, a writing utensil and your curiosity!” Story County park staff advise.
The event begins with a class based on plant identification, sustainable harvesting practices and some handy tips on surviving in the Midwest wild.
Next, the forage! Rowcliffe will lead a mild hike — a mile or less — to the gathering site, where participants will be supplied with harvesting tools and will set off on their search, with the birds chirping them on.
Fall Foraging concludes with cooking and eating of all that is gathered! Guests will learn how to prepare and cook their findings safely, using recipes that turn these forest-grown treats into a delicious meal.
Whether in it for the skills, the hunt, or the snacks, McFarland Park is the place to be this Saturday. About half the size of Ada Hayden, and near Peterson Pits, McFarland Park sits just north of Ames city limits.
The park offers views of wildlife, hammocks available for check out and a hard-surface trail that skirts McFarland Lake, with ADA access to picnic tables and a dock where fishing is welcome.
“It’s beautiful out. The trees are just starting to turn different colors, we’ve got lots of monarchs flying about letting us know that the fall season is coming around,” McFarland Park Naturalist Amber Carpenter said.
Step away from the busy day-to-day and get back to your frolicking roots.
Register for Fall Foraging here.
