The Farms: INTRODUCTION TO WILD MUSHROOM IDENTIFICATION
Experience Level: Beginner
Learn all about the magical world of mushrooms at Introduction to Wild Mushroom Identification from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. on Saturdays, August 3, 10, 17 and 24 in The Studio* and outdoors. Participants will learn to identify various types of wild mushrooms, including some of the most popular and common edible mushrooms. Instructor Lee Schuler will also share information on safety and sustainability.
Classes will begin with a short lecture and slide presentation, then move into the woods for hands-on training. Question and answer periods will also be included.
$110 for the entire series (SOLD OUT) or $35/class**. Register here by Aug. 2 or one day prior to subsequent classes. All sales are final.
*The Aug. 10 session will be held in the Greenhouse Auditorium.
**Individual class links:
— Aug. 3: Fungi anatomy, ID, life cycle basics, intro to scientific classification. Deadly, toxic and psychoactive species information. ID education walk with field guide and ID apps discussion. Q&A.
— Aug. 10: Covering the “big five” and other popular edible species: Morels, chanterelles, oysters, lions mane, chicken of the woods and others. Learn to positively ID and talk about “look-alikes” and cover more complex ID information. ID walk (weather permitting)
— Aug. 17: Foray Day! This session will be out in the woods, collecting what we can and pulling them together on an ID table to see what was found. This is where participants will apply the anatomy and ID skills that have been learned. A guest naturalist will also be in attendance. In case of severe weather or drought, the topics in classes 3 and 4 will be swapped.
— Aug. 24: Best harvesting, cleaning and cooking practices. Medicinal preparation and indoor cultivation basics. Cooking advice and flavor profile discussion
If you will need disability-related accommodations to participate, please email owarren@illinois.edu.
About the instructor
Lee Schuler recently moved from Illinois from Pennsylvania, where she taught fungal identification and edibility at environmental education centers for the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources and for private land owners. She is certified as a wild edible mushroom expert and licensed to harvest and sell to restaurants and markets in the State of Pennsylvania. Schuler is also a contributing culinary author for a wild mushroom trade journal.
A graduate of East Stroudsburg University in Pennsylvania, Lee has worked as a field biologist and environmental educator, and currently works in public health. She is an artist and cook and enjoys acquiring new and useful skills as much as she loves sharing them.
About The Farms
The Farms: An Allerton Folk School, offers classes, workshops, and gatherings focusing on art, outdoor education, science, storytelling, and wellness. All experiences value hands-on, experiential teaching and learning, and are facilitated by and for the members of the community.
See the complete summer course schedule here.
