Mushroom Madness: Wild Mushroom Identification Class

The September 26 wild mushroom identification class went beautifully! Over 20 people from the public came to join us to learn, seek out and celebrate wild mushrooms. The weather was most helpful, with plentiful rain coming down in the earlier part of the week. Just to the liking of many mushrooms. On the day of class we were blessed with sunshine.

From Mushroom Class at ALDERLEAF

During our field portion we found a rich and diverse abundance of species. This included some tasty wild edible species such as chanterelles, crack cap boletus and oyster mushrooms. Everyone jumped in on looking for the mushrooms and we even discovered several previously unknown patches of chanterelles. We harvested them, and cooked them up using the dry-sautee method. For more information on this, check out our Alderleaf Commons site here: http://wildernesscollege.ning.com/group/mushrooms/forum/topics/cooking-mushrooms-the-dry

From Mushroom Class at ALDERLEAF

As you can see from the expressions in this photo, the students at the class were very intent on the cooking process. We ended the day with a wild mushroom feast that gave everyone an opportunity to taste their catch of the day.

The day was amazing, and everyone who attended left for home with a new appreciation and inspiration for wild mushrooms. Even the instructor...

From Mushroom Class at ALDERLEAF

October 2009 Update

October has been a busy month at Alderleaf. Here's some photos to illustrate a few of the things we've been up to:

The Wilderness Certification Program students learned about stone tool making. This photo shows a few of the hand-crafted stone knives they created.

Two ponds have been created as part of Alderleaf Farm's Permaculture Plan. The ponds will create a greater diversity of habitats on the farm, attract more wildlife, solve winter flooding problems, store water for garden use, and provide the opportunity to raise fish! The pond is just starting to fill with water now that the rains have returned.

Alderleaf instructor Filip Tkaczyk, taught several wild mushroom foraging classes in September and October. They were a ton of fun - many tasty treats were discovered in the forest.

The Wilderness Certification Program just returned from their annual field trip to the Oregon Dunes. We had some inclement weather this year, though the coyote, fox, and raccoon trailing was amazing on our final full day in the field. Other highlights - harvesting 40 cups of evergreen huckleberries, and of course, jumping off the huge dunes!