What is Food Forestry? A Guided Walking Tour

1779 Packard Street,Ypsilanti MI 48197

31 July, 2021

Description

A Guided Walking Tour Exploring How Forests Can Feed our Communities Forests are all around us, but we don’t often think of them as places that produce food. Learn about the history of food forests and take a walk with us to rethink how your local forest could supplement your diet in a local and sustainable way. We’ll learn to identify several plants - a few to avoid and others that are edible - as we stroll through a lush woodland. Date: Saturday, July 31st Time: 10 am - 12:00 pm Location: Grizzly Nature Trail (Meet in the Ypsi High Track & Tennis Court Parking Lot) Group Size: 15-20 Guides: Payton McDonald (Growing Hope), Summer Roberts (WCCD), and Rachel Osborn Mifsud (Will Forage for Food) COVID-19 Precautions: This activity takes place outdoors. Participants are encouraged to maintain social distancing. All unvaccinated individuals should wear masks. Fully vaccinated individuals are encouraged to wear masks based on their comfort level and when social distancing cannot be maintained. What To Bring: Water bottleSunscreenClosed-toed shoesSunglassesHatMask (for if/when social distancing cannot be maintained)Anything else you need to feel comfortable outdoors for 2 hours Your Guides: Payton McDonald Payton has spent a lot of time travelling and honing skills related to building sustainable communities. He’s an anti-capitalist, and believes that we can compost oppressive systems while we plant the seeds for liberatory ones. Payton has farm experience from across the country - including time on a 40-acre food forest in northern Washington - and currently manages the Growing Hope Urban Farm. He’s excited to help develop the movement for food sovereignty here in Ypsi. Summer Roberts After traveling around Michigan for five-years as an environmental consultant performing threatened and endangered species surveys, Summer joined the Washtenaw County Conservation District whose mission is to assist residents with the conservation, management and wise use of natural resources. Her appreciation for nature continues to grow as she connects residents with opportunities to learn about environmental issues and connects with other educators and organizations with similar missions. Rachel Osborn Mifsud Through years of practice, Rachel has learned to gather, process, produce, and preserve a large proportion of the foods, medicines, and household products that she needs. She is a lifelong student of the environment and primitive skills, with a special interest in understanding why nature creates those characteristics that give plants and animals their unique and useful qualities. She shares her knowledge through her business, Will Forage for Food. Growing Hope fosters an equitable and sustainable local food system where all people are empowered to grow, sell, buy, prepare, and eat nourishing food.