Foraging Friends Inc.

02/17/2026

Hello Foraging Friends,
Almost 3 years ago we began Foraging Friend. I have had the privilege of meeting and consulting with numerous groups on and off-line.
I had no idea, but I am delighted to know that so many people are interested in knowing, where their food comes from? Some want to have sovereignty over what food they are willing to eat to sustain a healthier lifestyle and are willing to forage, prep and share their knowledge with others.
I am humbled that Foraging Friends has grown from me to we!
So Far Foraging Friends has…
Hosted 15 workshops
35 forages
And a handful consultation and events by invitations from other organizations and groups that love nature and foraging.
I look forward to Foraging this year. hopefully with more people year after year. Thank you for being here and foraging in ways that make foraging a fun and sustainable practice.

🤗🌲🌳🪾🪵

02/14/2026

🤗 so much thought and preparation goes into foraging, but this is invigorating work!

02/14/2026

🌳 Love 💚 Always giving with their buds, returning and root systems nourishing and receiving nourishment from the soil.

You’re welcome Join me and Dr. Shaunna Barhart and a Place Studies Student from the Center for Sustainability & the Environment, tomorrow afternoon around 11:10 am and learn more about the trees in our area. Click on the event page for more details.

02/10/2026

Reflections;
"I have found foraging too be an aspect of becoming more connected with myself, nature and my neighbors."
On some cold, but not to frigid days we identified, stag horn Sumac, Pine, Oaks, rose hedges, and more.

Looking out our windows now, do you marvel at the seasons we experience here in the Northeast? I do, there is so much life teaming under the snow and below the soil.

As we try to navigate around the snow mounds, during these Winter days, that don't offer us rainbows, I have seen buds beginning to form on the maple and elderberry! Just remember warmer days are coming, and we have plenty to look forward to.

In the upcoming monthly Foraging Friends newsletter, learn more about the this month as I share simple ways to enjoy them.

02/03/2026

,
Hello Foraging Friends,
Did you know it’s easy to make prints? Although is only one part of mushroom identification, shape, color, gill or the lack of and more should be throughly exhausted first, through field guides or a mushroom forager with experience.
That said, After acquiring a few mushrooms, preferably, whole, mature ones. At home, you will want to gather a few items, black or white paper, even aluminum foil. The mushroom has to sit flush on the paper, to release its spores within 2-24 hours. Be prepared for this amount of time to see results.

Each mushroom has its own spore pattern and color, according to their species. Which deepen your learning, as you document each mushroom, it will be easy to keep track of in a journal too.

A few color identifying Examples:
White - oysters and toxic amanita species(destroying angel)
Brown/cinnnamon, to chocolate brown - common edible mushrooms from the Agaricus genus , button or portabella.
Black or Purple-black Coprinus species such as inky caps

Spore printing may take some of the guessing out of identifying your mushroom, especially when you have a look a like. You’ll also learn more about mushrooms and create some unique impressions. A natural stamp of mushroom prints.

Below is a brief step by step of the supplies and process.

Supplies
- Mature or gilled mushroom of your choice
- Paper or foil if you don't know the color using half black or white or just black paper so that you can see the print
- A container, a glass bowl or paper cup to cover the mushrooms
- Knife or scissors

Prepare the mushroom
- Remove the stems with your knife or scissors so that the Gills will be close as possible to the paper.
- Optional add moisture if the mushroom is dry, you can add a tiny drop of water on top of the cap to help it releases for us or just use a damp paper towel on top of the cap.

Printing set up
- Place the mushroom cap/pour side down on the surface paper/foil
- Cover the cap with a bowl or glass to prevent the air from scattering your pores, and to maintain the humidity
- Wait, let the mushroom sit 2 to 24 hours and the time depends on the freshness and humidity.

The Big Reveal
- Carefully remove the cover
- Gently lift the mushroom caps straight up to avoid smudging the print
- Examine the color which is critical for identification

*For identification, take a picture of the print alongside the mushroom and keep in a Foraging Journal.

*For cultivation use aluminum as it is sterile and easy to fold and store spores

*To preserve spray the dry print with an artist fixative or hairspray from 2 to 15 inches away.

*Finally for difficult specimens like polypus, you may need to wrap them in a wet paper towel overnight to encourage for release.

A Google search of “how to take a mushroom sport print” will bring up this and more information and resources for making your own sport print. It’s easy once you find a mushroom.
I highly recommend teachers like…

Shane Alden Edwards The Wild Dryad
https://www.facebook.com/share/r/1DjuLF67oV/

Adam Haritan on Learn Your Land
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vQlYZh0q_t8

Or
Aaron Hilliard
Mushroom Land Identifying by Microscope
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6_cVihM8rzQ

How to Spore Print
https://www.waysidegardens.com/blogs/gardening-tips-guides/creating-a-spore-print

The Wilderness Awareness, sells a kits if you’d rather go that route.
https://wildernessawareness.org/store/alumni-authored/mushroom-id-kit/

02/01/2026

Hello Foraging Friends,
I hope everyone is keeping warm, temps are below average for our area this time of year, but not to worry, in on the Horizon! I created calendars highlighting in and nearby Forest or State Parks. Each month I share something about that specific tree. If the weather and governing bodies allow, maybe we'll get to try tapping some area trees?! I'll keep you posted.
With little to no tools and just a few minutes, you'll learn what the land offers when funds are low. Also become aware of what's forgeable each season. The Calendar allows us time to prepare and be ready when the weather breaks. You're welcome to join me on these walks. The best part about Winter foraging is the crisp air is good for your lungs and mental well being, visibility throughout the wooded areas, and hibernating bugs. 🐛
Feel Free to print or download the calendars.

01/27/2026

Have a good Mushroom Monday Marcy Ann Stump , Meet our newest buddy! 🙏🏾💫🍄‍🟫

01/20/2026

Hello Foraging Friends!

This mushroom Monday, as I share a quote, from Martin Luther King. It is along the lines of messages Dr. King said.

I also want to highlight ”, also known as the naked goblet or mushroom. Submitted by Ken. Its smooth stem and cup resemble a wine goblet. While it’s valued for culinary use, it must be cooked completely. It has a to violet color that fades to brown.

I wouldn’t look for this mushroom alone, if it’s not purple and has all the other identifiable characteristics just admire, take photos, at best take a spore print to make a match. Too many other mushrooms resemble this one in my honest opinion. However, it grows from leaf litter, compost, and forest floors.

Mushrooms are a good source of protein, but sometime people that have a scarcity mindset covet locations, and the knowledge. If I know something I am going to share it here, so we all can have access to the knowledge and access to good food sources.

Another consideration too , when it comes to eating mushrooms, understand how they suit your body. Just because many people enjoy a mushroom doesn’t mean it’s good for you. Thankfully there are plenty and there’s a mushroom for anyone who wants mushrooms.

Take into account the interactions of each mushroom with nature. They have specific purposes in nature, and knowing yourself is crucial when considering ingesting them. Ex. Mushrooms on pine aren’t recommended for consumption.
I’m not talking about allergies, which tend to be known early on in life. However, if you have gut issues, blood pressure concerns, or medications, certain mushrooms may not be suitable for you. If at all.

There’s a vast world of food choices, and access to them is for everyone. But first, know yourself. Consult a healthcare professional, nutritionist, dietitian, or forager who can provide information on the benefits and contraindications of the herbs you’re interested in. Approach your food and supplement intake from a whole person perspective.
-And study, forage, then study more and eat to your health!

🙏🏾🕊️✌🏾

As a lifelong advocate for food security and racial equity for all, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s envisioned a world where everyone has the fresh, healthy food they need to thrive.

The Department of Agriculture and Markets is proud to honor Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s vision, fighting for all New Yorkers to have better access to fresh, healthy food that nourishes our communities. By working to increase, sustain, and diversify our agricultural community and food systems, we hope to build a stronger, more resilient, and more equitable New York.

01/13/2026

Sunday, my neighbor Melanie called to ask about going for a walk with Taffi. I had just cracked open a Hubbard pumpkin from to get some Pumpkin seeds processed. I used the pulp to make a vegan Pattie which turned out really yummy 😋. Earlier I made myself a and eye infusion, which worked great! grateful for my eyes🙏🏾 and Rosemary Gladstar’s beginner Herbal medicine book.

Goodness it was really cold, but when Melanie, arrived I was alsmost ready she waited for me and we got caught in the Swarl on the way home.
We both enjoyed it and it was nice to get out and back into our warm homes after. Thank you Melanie for being such a good neighbor. 🤗

01/06/2026

Hello Foraging friends,
A delicious way to flavor quick breads is with infused herbs, added to carrot and zucchini mini-muffins.

01/03/2026

Here we are #2026 and three days in. 🫣💁🏾‍♀️
Each year goes by faster. May we meet on the trails or venues for an even Happier 🤗✨🙏🏾🌲🌳🌻🌼

11/21/2025

Enjoying indigenous month; I enjoyed the Wisdom of Lorinda Johns, shared with me by my dear friend Professor Shaunna Barnhart. Thank you 🙏🏾

Based in Gowanda, New York, the Cattaraugus Territory of the [...]