Beginner's Foraging Classes!

Come with me on a series of guided plant walks and receive instruction on how to identify choice wild edibles in-season, and in their natural habitat! I will also discuss delicious ways to incorporate these plants in your daily diet. We will walk a well-maintained trail with bathrooms available on-site. 

Date: 1st and 3rd Saturday of every month April-October

*Please Note: The May 18th plant walk will NOT be at the Outlet Park! It will be held as a pop-up walk at the Wild Food Fair where we will be teaching a demo on making Wild Syrups and hosting a Wild Soda Bar as well! There may be other pop-up walks scheduled from time to time. Follow our Facebook page here for announcements!

Time: 10am-11am (there will also be time after the plant walk for extra questions!)

Location: Pomme de Terre Dam Outlet Park

Adult cost: $30 per drop-in class, or $350 for a season pass to all 14 classes, if you'd like to attend them all!

Child (17⬇): Free

*There is a limit of 20 per class to ensure everyone can hear/see! Children are free, but MUST be accompanied by an adult for liability reasons.

To Book:

Learn to Forage YOUR land!

This option is wonderful for anyone wanting to learn more about the edible and medicinal uses of the plants growing right outside your front door! I will come to your property and walk with you while flagging plants you can use for food, medicine, and/or fiber. I will flag trees you can gather edibles from or tap for syrup in the winter! You can also add on any of the classes I teach (scroll down!) for a completely one-of-a kind experience!

Date/Time: Custom! 

Cost: The base cost for a 3 hour plant walk on your land is $350 if you are within a 1 hour drive of Urbana, Mo. The base cost for a plant walk within a 3 hour drive of Urbana, Mo is $500. The cost for adding classes or catering depends on the number of participants in your group.

Contact vaughanwildcrafts@gmail.com or call (573) 694-4111 to discuss your event and price your package!

Wild-Infused Mocktails

Learn to craft impressive drinks with the wild bounty available this season!

I consider mocktails to be a specialty of mine! I have been pregnant 5 times and each time I have enjoyed crafting healthy (and TASTY!!) non-alcoholic beverages with wild ingredients! In this class you will learn to create 4 delectable wild-infused mocktails with handcrafted syrups, bitters and juices made from what is currently in-season! You will also get 4 recipe cards (with a photo and description of the wild ingredient featured) to take home. This class will also include wild-infused appetizer pairings with each wildcrafted beverage! 

Dates:

April 20, 2024     Time: 3-4:30 PM

May 11, 2024     Time: 9-10:30 AM

June 8, 2024     Time: 3-4:30 PM

September 2024     Time: TBA

Cost: $80

Wild-Infused Bitters

Learn to craft bitters with the MANY wild bitter plants right outside!

A bitters is a tincture of botanical matter created for a bitter or bittersweet flavor. Originally developed as medicine, bitters are now used for digestive support and can be added to many different drinks for flavor as well! Typically, today you will see bitters being added to cocktails. In this class you will formulate one jar of bitters to take home and recipe cards for inspiration on how to use it! A wild-infused mocktail and appetizer will be served in this class! This is a great stand-alone class, but pairs REALLY well with our Wild-Infused Mocktails class!

Dates: 

April 20, 2024     Time: 5:30-6:30PM

May 11, 2024     Time:11:30AM-12:30PM

June 8, 2024     Time: 5:30-6:30 PM

September 2024     Time: TBA

Cost: $60

Wild-Infused Vinegars

Learn to craft wild-infused vinegars from the scraps of your forage! 

This class is a great way learn how to use EVERY LITTLE BIT of that flavorful plant goodness! I have a cabinet at home FULL of different vinegars made from things like persimmon, paw paw, pine needles, fragrant everlasting, cantaloupe, apple, juniper berries, etc. In this class you will be provided with the materials to make 1 jar of a vinegar starter to take home! Once you learn the basic technique and the easy-science behind fermentation, you will be able to turn just about anything into a tasty vinegar! Not sure what to do with your vinegar once it's made? No worries! I'll send you home with a bottle of your own infused-vinegar and recipe cards for ideas on how to use it! A wild-infused mocktail and appetizer will be served with this class!

Dates: 

April 21, 2024     Time: 3-4 PM

May 11, 2024     Time: 2:30-3:30 PM

June 9, 2024     Time: 3-4 PM

September 2024     Time: TBA

Cost: $50

Wild-Infused Seasoning Salts

Learn to craft wild-infused seasoning salts from the most common plants in your back yard! 

My first experiment in working with wild-infused foods was making wild garlic salt! Salt is an amazing preservative and as you learn more about wild foods and what is commonly available in your environment, making flavorful seasonings from free plants in your back yard becomes so easy you will never again catch yourself without a jar of your own special blend! Participants will go home with a jar of their own hand-crafted seasoning salt and recipe cards! A wild-infused mocktail and appetizer will be served to munch on while you learn!

Dates: 

April 21, 2024     Time: 5:00-6:00PM

May 11, 2024     Time: 4:30-5:30PM

June 9, 2024     Time: 5:00-6:00 PM

September 2024     Time: TBA

Cost: $40