Foraging Instructors
Foraging goat, Rodopou Peninsula, Crete (photo by Green Deane)
The quickest and safest way to learn foraging is with a local expert. You not only learn what there is to know but do not spend time learning things you don’t need to know. Further, you also get the local angle on plants, important information that is usually not found in foraging books published on a national or even regional level. The local expert can give you insights to climate and species variation. Also with a teacher you get the opportunity to have your identification skills honed and your judgment sharpened. That builds confidence.
Below is a list of about 100 foraging teachers and instructors from the United States, Canada and Europe. The beginnings of the list started in the 90s in a book by Dr. Peter Gail. It moved to the Internet via Sunny Savage. It has been expanded and maintain here since 2008. There is no charge for inclusion. It’s just a public service. If you know of someone competent to add to the list please let me know. There are also several states still missing teachers. To make corrections, additions or deletions contact me. Last updated: 1 May 2013 at 18:30.
And now to make my lawyer happy: Disclaimer: The listing of foraging and plant experts is provided on this website strictly as a reference tool and is not intended to act in any way as an endorsement, recommendation, testimonial, or certification of knowledge of the subject matter contained in this website. Any contact with persons identified on this list is strictly and categorically voluntary and as such is thus separate and detached from this website. The providers of this website, its advertisers, and principles shall accept no liability for statements, representations, opinions, guarantees, omissions, or any combination thereof made by foragers and plant experts referenced in this website. End of placating my lawyer.
United States, Canada, Europe
Alabama |
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| Darryl Patton, PO Box 8481, Gadsden AL. 35902, 256-547-2453 darryl@thesouthernherbalist.com |
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Alaska |
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Arizona |
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| Peter Bigfoot Reevis Mountain School, 7448 S. J-B Ranch Rd., Roosevelt, AZ 85545, bigfoot@reevismountain.org, reevismountain |
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| Joyce Latura P.O. Box 52 Tumacacori, AZ 85640, bjbinx53@aol.com |
 Joyce Latura |
| Michael Morearty, 4436 W Sierra St. , Glendale, AZ 85301 602-938-2275 (h) 602-909-9629 (mobile) mikeinphoenix@hotmail.com |
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| Mike Masek Flagstaff,AZ Mike Masek <mmasek@theforagerspath.com> http://www.theforagerspath.com |
 Mike Masek |
| Patty West PO Box 55 Flagstaff,AZ 86002, 928-607-3162 paw3333@yahoo.com |
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Arkansas |
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California |
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| Kevin Feinstein Oakland,CA, feralkevin@gmai.com, feralkevin.com |
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| Ellen Kelley, USC Wrigley Marine Science Center, Santa Catalina Island, PO Box 5069, Avalon,CA 90704 |
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| Headwaters Outdoor School
, PO Box 1698, Santa Cruz, CA 95061, 831-423-3830, info@hwos.com |
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| Christopher Nyerges
, 626-791-3217, christopher_nyerges@yahoo.com , ChristopherNyerges |
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| Heather Pier Auburn, California 916-996-1739 |
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| Jim Robertson Aboriginal Skills.Com 310-395-0943 j3rbrts@dslextreme.com |
 Jim Robertson |
| Sunny Savage, Topanga,CA 90290, 310-728-9943, info@wildfoodplants.com, wildfoodplants |
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| Hank Shaw, Sacranento, CA Scrbblr@hotmail.com http://honest-food.net/ |
 Hank Shaw |
| Urban Outdoor Skills 10500 Woldrich Street Sylmar, CA 91342 Pascal@urbanoutdoorskills.com UrbanOutdoorSkills |
 Pascal Baudar |
| Barbara Kolander Wild Mountain Services P.O. Box 1131 Crestline, CA 92325 909 337-1481 wildmtnwoman@hotmail.com. |
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Colorado |
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| Katrina Blair Turtle Lake Refuge, Rocky Mountain Retreat, 848 E. 3rd Avenue Durango, Colorado 81301 970-247-8395 turtlelakerefuge@yahoo.com turtlelakerefuge |
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| Diana Marie Dummer, 30503 Sun Creek Dr. , Evergreen, CO 80439, 303-679-8290 frhi@earthlink.net |
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| Brigitte Mars, 1919 19th St. D, Boulder, CO 80301 303-442-4967 brigitte@indra.com brigittemars |
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| Dorje Root PO Box 717, Crestone,CO 81131, 719-256-486 dorjeroot@yahoo.com rootsofhealing |
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| Farida Sharan, School of Natural Medicine, 3000 Folson St., Boulder, CO 80304 888-593-6173 school@purehealth.com purehealth |
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Connecticut |
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| Lorraine FrenchHartford areaLorrainefrench@comcast.net | |
| The Three Foragers Robert, Karen and Gillian Norwich, CT kraczewski@comcast.net http://the3foragers.blogspot.com |
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Delaware |
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Florida |
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| Green Deane, POB 1793 , Maitland, FL 32751 GreenDeane@gmail.com eattheweeds |
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| Susan Marynowski 14001 SE 9th Place Gainesville, FL 32641 352-376-3784 sumar@fastmail.fm |
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| Emily Ruff emily@holisticlivingschool.org Florida School of Holistic Living |
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| Maribou Thomas unholding@gmail.com |
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Georgia |
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| Joyce Bisbee, 267 Three Oaks Dr. SE, Calhoun, GA 30701, 706-629-2638 |
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| Delilah Ann Gill 528 Napier St. Blackshear GA 31516 912-614-2750 Gillda1958@yahoo.com |
 Delilah Ann Gill |
| Mary MeyersNorth GeorgiaWild In Georgia |
 Mary Meyers |
| Mo Turcotte, 517 Sunset Dr, Rising Fawn, GA 30738, 770-402-0007 mturc@earthskills.net, earthskills |
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| Mark Warren, Medicine Bow Wilderness School , 104 Medicine Bow, Dahlonega, GA 30533, 706-864-5928, medbow@windstream.net |
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Hawaii |
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| Nat Bletter,
PhD., nbletter@yahoo.com, Nat Bletter |
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Idaho |
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Illinois |
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| Nance Klehm Chicago SpontaneousVegetation.net Nettlesting@yahoo.com |
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Indiana |
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| Creek Stewart Willow Haven Outdoor 2867 N. 200 E. Anderson, IN 46012317-703-9655Willow Haven Outdoor |
 Creek Stewart |
Iowa |
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| Andy Benson Midwest Wild Edibles & Foragers Society MidwestForagers@groups.facebook.com spiderfrets@hotmail.com |
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| Mike Krebill
, 150 Oakcliff Lane, Keokuk, IA 52632-2538, 319-524-4576, mikekrebill@aol.com |
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Kansas |
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| Prairie Wolf POB 96 Randolph KA 66554 785-293-5310 john@prairiewolf.net |
 John and Geri McPherson |
Kentucky |
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| Joe Bass Elise County jbplnt@yahoo.com 661-210-5792 |
 Joe Bass |
Maine |
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| Arthur Haines Delta Institute of Natural History, 219 Dead River Road Bowdoin, ME 04287 USA, 207-837-4920 , arthurhaines@wildblue.net arthurhaines.com |
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| Michael Douglas Program Staff Maine Primitive Skills School staff@primitiveskills.com |
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| David L. Spahr, 16 Nelson Ridge Rd. So., Washington, ME 04574, 207-845-2124, DSPAHR3D@aol.com, mushroom-collecting.com |
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Maryland |
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| Rick L. Hueston PO Box 26224 Baltimore, Maryland 21210-9998 Classes offered through Mid-Atlantic Primitive Skills Group |
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Massachussetts |
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| Russ Cohen Arlington, MA Russ Cohen |
 Russ Cohen |
| Blanche Cybele Derby, 2 Massasoit Ave, Northamptom, MA 01060 qs2t@hotmail.com tagyerit |
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| Ellen Evert Hopman
, POB 219, Amherst, MA 01004 413–323 4494 saille333@mindspring.com, elleneverthopman.com |
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| Iris Weaver, PO Box 5364 Gloucester, MA 01930 617-773-5809 rootsheal@juno.com |
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Michigan |
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| Ellen Elliott Weatherbee, and Heidi (German shepherd field assistant) 11405 Patterson Lake Drive, Pinckney, MI 48169-9748 (734) 878-9178, eew@umich.edu |
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Minnesota |
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| Matthew Alfs Midwest School of Herbal Studies, PO Box 120845, New Brighton, MN 55112, 612-781-2038, MHMinn@aol.com midwestherbalstudies.com |
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| Stephanie Williams Member of the White Earth Nation P.O. Box 360 White Earth, MN. 56591 makonce@hotmail.com |
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Missouri |
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| Bo BrownSpringfieldFirst Earth Wilderness School
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Mississippi |
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Montana |
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| Tom Elpel Co/ 12 Quartz Street Pony MT 59747-0697 wildflowers-and-weeds.com |
 Tom Elpel |
Nebraska |
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| Rick Hamilton info@spiritinthewind.com spiritinthewind.com |
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Nevada |
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New Hampshire |
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| Karen Lynn, Manchester, NH, 603-361-2084 |
 Karen Lynn |
New Jersey |
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| Robin Rose Bennett PO Box 367, Hewitt NJ 07421 973-728-5878 robin@robinrosebennett.com WiseWomanHealingWays.com |
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New Mexico |
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| John Duncan PO Box 261 San Cristobal, NM 87564 575-776-1628 johnallenduncan@yahoo.com osonegroschool.com |
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| Kiva Rose Anima Lifeways & Herbal School PO Box 688 Reserve, NM 87830 kiva@animahealingarts.org Animahealingarts.org/blog |
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New York |
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| “Wildman” Steve Brill, 320 Palmer Terrace, 2A, Mamaroneck, NY 10543 wildman@wildmanstevebrill.com wildmanstevebrill.com |
 Steve Brill |
| Leda Meredith, Brooklyn, NY, leda@ledameredith.net Leda’s Urban Homestead |
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| Sue Ulrich 6725 Sage Rd Boonville, NY 13309 315-942-2309 whwitch@hotmail.com. |
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| Marie Viljoen Manhattan info@ediblemanhattan.com |
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North Carolina |
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| Doug Elliott, 3831 Painters Gap Rd., Union Mills, NC 28167, 828-287-2960 doug@dougelliott.com dougelliott.com |
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| Will Endres 117 N. Occoneechee St. Hillsborough NC 27278, 919-732-9785 |
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| Ila Hatter 100 Cullsiah Cove Road, Robbinsville, NC 28771, 828-479-8999 ila@wildcrafting.com wildcrafting.com |
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| Marc Williams, Asheville, NC 828-231-4832 marc@botanyeveryday.com botanyeveryday.com |
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North Dakota |
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Ohio |
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| Donna Lynne Strong Brott, 2208 South Rd., Cincinnati, OH 45233 herbmomma@yahoo.com |
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| Dave Canturbury Pathfinders Wilderness School 740-253-6789 wildernessoutfittersarchery.com |
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| Chris Chmiel
, Integration Acres – PawPaw Pleasures, 160 Cherry Ridge Rd. Albany, OH 45710 740-698-2124 pawpaw@frognet.net integrationacres.com |
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| Dr. Peter Gail
, Goosefoot Acres 441 Bridge Pointe Lane, Brunswick Hills, OH, 44212 330-225-7184, dandyblend.com petergail@aol.com edibleweeds.com |
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Oklahoma |
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| Jackie Dill, 10202 S Meridian, Coyle, OK 73027 , 405-466-9899, tsitsalagi@gmail.com oklahomawildcrafting.com |
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Oregon |
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| Sergei Boutenko, P.O. Box 172, Ashland, OR 97520 , sergei@harmonyhikes.com harmonyhikes.com |
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| Angie Goodloe, Sandy, OR , makia1212@yahoo.com herbalistpath.blogspot.com |
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| John Kallas,Ph.D. Wild Food Adventures , 4125 N Colonial Ave, Portland, OR 97217, 503-775-3828, mail@wildfoodadventures.com wildfoodadventures.com |
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| Pat Patterson 950 W. 13th, Eugene OR 97402, 541-682-4243, pat.patterson@oregonstate.edu |
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Pennsylvania |
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| Len & Gerry Janus, RD#1 Box 345, Olyphant, PA 18447, 570-254-9895 wildflowerdeva@aol.com vilhrbfarm@aol.com |
 Len & Gerry Janus |
| Tina Sams, 1354 N. Strickler Road, Manheim PA 17545, essentialherbal@aol.com, essentialherbal.com |
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| Mr. Twenty Twenty PO Box 478 Connellsville, PA 15425 (772) 202 0207 2020@exhostage.com wayofthescout.com |
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| Ellen Zachos, Acme Plant Stuff, 917-805-5383, ez@acmeplant.com, acmeplant.com |
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Rhode Island |
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South Carolina |
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South Dakota |
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Tennessee |
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| Bonnie Marie Morris Wild Pantry 227 Smithfield Road Tellico Plains, TN 37385 423-261-2039 or 912-225-1424 wildpantry@earthlink.net wildpantry.com |
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| Alan Powell, 744 Bresslyn Rd., Nashville, TN 37205, 615-352-8588 dogbane@earthlink.net |
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| Larry Smith, 2530 Boston Branch Circle, Signal Mountain, TN 37377, 423-886-2798, lsmith3074@aol.com |
 Larry Smith |
Texas |
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| Amy Crowell Austin, Tx WildEdibleTexas |
 Amy Crowell |
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Cathy Murphy, 113 Ben Drive, Houston, TX 77022 713-692-6590, trailguide@lonestartrail.org |
 Cathy Murphy |
| Merriwether, Dr. Mark Vorderbruggen Houston, Texas merriwetheradventurer@yahoo.com houstonwildedibles.blogspot.com |
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| Michael Harrison
, 210-691-8498, mkh-harrison@sbcglobal.net |
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Virginia |
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| Tim MacWelch, Earth Connection , PO Box 32 Somerville, VA 22739 540-270-2531 , earthconnect@earth-connection.com , earth-connection.com |
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| Mike Rasnakes 21372 Sand Pit Rd , Zuni, VA 23898, 757-242-6221 Rasnakes@hotmail.com |
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| Vickie Shufer, The Wild Foods Forum P.O. Box 61413 Virginia Beach, VA 23466-1413 wildfood@cox.net ecoimages-us.com |
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Washington |
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| Shari Brewer LPN PO Box 701 Darrington, WA 98241 360 436 1771 shari@glacierview.net |
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| Arthur Lee Jacobson
, 2215 E. Howe Street , Seattle, WA 98112 (206)328-TREE, alj@consultant.com, arthurleej.com |
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| Miriam Kramer Outdoor Eduquip, Box 25, Boyds, WA 99107, outdooreduquip@yahoo.com |
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| Dave Sansone, Perennial Harvest, PO Box 172, Marblemount, WA, 98267 360-333-5051, perennialharvest@gmail.com perennialharvest.org |
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| Karen Sherwood, Earthwalk Northwest, PO Box 461 , Issaquah, WA 98027, 425-746-7267 , sherwood@earthwalknorthwest.com , earthwalknorthwest.com |
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| Jon Young Wilderness Awareness School PO Box 5000, Duvall, WA 98019 800-340-6088 , wildernessawareness.org |
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Washington DC |
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| Matthew Cohen 202-841-1874 mattshabitats.com |
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West Virginia |
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| Brian Lucas, 103 Ridgeview Drive, Fairmont, WV, 26554, 304-816-7439 , brianleelucas@yahoo.com |
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Wisconsin |
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| Sam Thayer N8757 Breakneck Rd. Birchwood, Wisconsin 54817 715-767-5826, sam@foragersharvest.com, foragersharvest.com |
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Wyoming |
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| Contact me, Green Deane, for a Wyoming instructor near Laramie who is willing to teach but does not want to be published. |
 Deane & Ollie |
International |
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Canada |
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Ontario |
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| Sherri Canjar Whitby Ontario Sherri.Canjar@theforaginggourmet.com theforaginggourmet.com |
 Sheri Canjar |
Finland |
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| Henriette Kress, henriettesherbal.com |
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Germany |
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| Peter Becker Wildfood-Workshop Campus Klarenthal 65197 Wiesbaden peter.becker@campus- Peter Becker NewTritionInk Knottyfood Manufactory Carl-von-Ossietzky-Str.60 65197 Wiesbaden newtritionink@email.de www.newtritionink.com |
 Peter Becker |
Switzerland |
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| Francois Couplan, CH-1692 Massonnens, Switzerland, 011 41 26 653 19 78, fc@couplan.com couplan.com |
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United Kingdom |
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| Fergus Drennan, info@wildmanwildfood.co.uk , www.wildmanwildfood.co.uk |
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| Marcus Harrison, fwd2cluk@yahoo.co.uk, www.wildfoodschool.com |
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| Miles Irving, 13 Tillard Close, Petham, Kent CT4 5RA, Great Britain, 01227 700141 information@forager.org.uk, www.forager.org.uk |
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| Andrew Shaw 14 Eastern Close Peterborough PE1 4PP Phone 07817 679174 Andrew@fragilearth.co.uk Fragile Earth |
 Andrew Shaw and students |
{ 8 comments… read them below or add one }
Please add Michael Douglas, Maine Primitive Skills School to your list of foraging instructors. Thanks!
Will do.
Because I do a lot of editing, I can’t turn my editing eye off when reading anything any more. Thought you’d like to correct the typo on the spelling of Idaho.
Thanks. I can misspell in several language… it was a gene I didn’t get.
I am looking for a local expert in Mississauga Ontario Canada. I know a little bit of foraging. I would like to know even more. All I can find locally are dumpster foragers. I like weed.
Thanks
Hi GreenDean, Can you recommend and foraging instructors for Australia/New Zealand please?
I think Pete Lanz still holds classes.
Hi Green Deane I live in Socal low desert are there any foraging instructors out this way?