Joyful Wildcrafting

08/17/2026

Walk on the Wild Side with Joyful Wildcrafting: Edible and Medicinal Plant ID

This month, MEET on the north side of the parking lot (to the right as you're driving in). It's shaded and grassy, and there are picnic tables in the area.

Join us for wild edible and medicinal plant walks this summer. Learn to read the landscape and practice your ID skills during these 60 to 90-minute-long experiences. We’ll discover the landscape together, talking about how to identify plants and use them as food and for herbal remedies. No pre-registration is necessary for these wildcrafting-focused walks.

Everyone is welcome!

6:30 - 8:00 PM
Palmer Park
1275 52nd St SW, Wyoming, MI 49509
MEET in the parking lot near “Open Picnic Shelter A”

The standard price for plant walks is $15, however, this class is “pay what you can.” You may pay via cash, check, or PayPal https://www.paypal.com/ncp/payment/B28EGXSD9RH4E. If you choose the standard $15 rate, using a CC at this link is also an option https://link.waveapps.com/ntm3wv-8bycrj.

Upcoming walks will take place on the dates below. Locations TBD:
September 15
October 13

08/14/2026

The format of this class is so much fun. Together, we'll forage, cook, and eat.

I hope you can make it out next week! See the registration link in the shared post to get your tickets today.

The land at and near the Neal Fitness Center is a hidden pantry of wild edibles. These "weeds" are nutrient-dense and flavorful—you just need to know where to look! 👀

Join our special guest, Lea Sevigny from Joyful Wildcrafting, for an immersive experience that bridges plant identification and culinary art. This foraging and cooking class is designed for anyone looking to deepen their connection to the West Michigan landscape. 🌱

Sign up for this fun end of summer event with friends & family members 10 and up.
All supplies provided, samples too!😋
$40 fee / $35 for NFC members

Call or follow link to register - spots are limited.
☎️ 231.375.7041
https://nealfitnesscenter.com/events/the-hidden-pantry-foraging-cooking-west-michigans-wild-edibles

08/10/2026

Spots still available!

Our yards can serve as an important refuge for native plants and the wildlife that depend on them.

Matt Dykstra, of the Calvin Ecosystem Preserve and Native Gardens, will provide an introduction to native plant gardening. The program will cover why native gardens are important, how to establishing a garden at your home, and common challenges that new native plant gardeners encounter.

The program will include a tour of the plants available for sale. Participants can select any one perennial plant to take home as part of the program, and will be able to purchase other plants ahead of the main sale on Saturday.

Cost: $20, program limited to 25 participants

Registration is required. Register here:
https://commerce.cashnet.com/calvinCUS?itemcode=CUS-NAT22

Contact: [email protected] with questions.

08/06/2026

What do all these plants have in common? They can all calcium-rich herbs whose bone-building properties can be accessed by infusing them in apple cider vinegar.

Join me at Roselle Park on Wednesday, August 12 at 6:30 PM to learn how make and use this healing infusion. Cost is $15

Participants will start an infusion to take home.

Registration is required https://apps.daysmartrecreation.com/dash/x/ada/programs/level/165?facility_ids=1

07/30/2026

I highly recommend Hum Wildcraft Herbal Products. This reminds me of a CSA model--such a good idea!

It's BAAAAACK!
Hello--- I have lots of herbal ideas percolating and products "simmering" getting ready for the fall season.
I could use your help! For every $25 you pay now you will receive an additional $5 credit! so 25=$30 $50=$60 credit $100 = $120

If interested you may venmo me and note "promotion" in the comment section. Or message me for other options like check or Cash.

How do I keep track of things? Old fashioned pen and paper. I have a notebook that I track everything in. 🙂

As I strive to expand my offerings and gear up for the needs of my community I could use your help. Your help now will be rewarded later!

Though I harvest a lot of my own herbs, I also purchase from high quality vendors like Golden Hour Herb Farm and Profound Existence Cal Janae Wolfpack. Between the cost of herbs and the cost of bottles/jars labels and extracting mediums like Organic Glycerin and trying to improve my equipment the price adds up this time of the year!
You could also support me now by purchasing some of my products!

I also have a lot of products available ( I have been bad at promoting). I have the foraged fruit jams available, Saint Johns Wort Oil, Echinacea tincture, yarrow tincture and Glycerite, Motherwort Glycerite, Blue Vervain glycerite, Foghorn tincture blend and others.
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07/30/2026

I just sent the August edition of my monthly newsletter. If you aren't signed up, read this one here and click SUBSCRIBE. If you think you've subscribed in the past but aren't receiving them, check your spam folder.
https://mailchi.mp/cfd227e43632/embracing-nature-upcoming-events-17239522

07/29/2026

Join me for "Making the most of Sam Thayer’s Field Guide to Edible Wild Plants."

Learn to identify the wild edible and medicinal plants around you. In this hands-on workshop participants will learn key elements of what to look for in identifying plants, including differentiating similar looking plants that could be harmful. Through practice with specimens at Wittenbach Agri Science Center, participants will learn key identification features and terminology.

The initial teaching portion will be in the nature center followed by guided practice and teaching in the field. With a combination of previous knowledge, a phone app, and Sam Thayer’s Field Guide, participants will leave this hands-on event equipped to find wild edible and medicinal plants and with a sense of sustainable gathering and plant conservation ethics. Although not required, Sam Thayer's Field Guide to Edible Wild Plants of Eastern & Central North America, will be used as a teaching guide during the workshop and can be purchased at the point of registration or onsite.

Wittenbach Wege Center - Agriscience and Environmental Education
11715 Vergennes Lowell, Michigan 49331
August 1, 2026
10:00 AM - 12:00 PM

$12-workshop fee

$30-optional book purchase: Sam Thayer's Guide to Edible Plants of Eaten and Central North America

Register here: https://forms.gle/JbFsxEJxm3oKyY6Z7

04/11/2026

Please join us in healing the land by gathering roots of Common Teasel and Oregon Grape for personal use. Below are three special locations on different dates that are open to us to deepen our relationships with these plants. You might consider making herbal remedies or dye, or connect with them in a different way.

Opportunities include:
*TEASEL - Wednesday, April 15, 4:30pm. Calvin College Ecosystem Preserve. 1750 East Beltline Ave SE, Grand Rapids, MI 49546

*OREGON GRAPE - Sunday, April 19, 10:00am. Aman Park. 0-1859 Lake Michigan Dr, Grand Rapids, MI 49534

*TEASEL - Sunday, April 26, 1:00pm. Cedar Springs, MI 49319 (interested persons should DM for more info)

This is open to anyone. Reach out to Lea Sevigny with questions here, by DM, or by email to [email protected]
Registration is not necessary, although I'd love to know who is planning on it!

OREGON GRAPE ROOT (Mahonia aquifolium) If you live in West Michigan chances are you have fond memories of seeing the spring ephemerals at Aman Park. Our group has an opportunity to help heal the land at Aman Park by removing Oregon Grape. The area has not been sprayed, so you can safely use the root and stems to make herbal preparations or dye. There is a little hike into the area where we’ll be working, but it is easily accessible and flat. Most of the plants are smaller and scattered around one area of the park, so removing them now will make an incredible impact.

COMMON TEASEL (Dipsacus fullonum)
Two locations: There is a small amount of Teasel at the Calvin College Ecosystem Preserve, so we’re invited to remove it now which makes an enormous difference for the future. Teasel is also growing on land that is primarily an incredible, high-quality nature sanctuary in Cedar Springs.