Inspiration required! Foraging presentation

[Bowlander]

I've been asked at short notice to do an hours talk on 'Foraging' to a class of year 5's. Its on Monday afternoon

I'm confident presenting to nippers and using powerpoint but I'm just struggling to sort the various subjects out into some sort of order. Ideally I'd like to take some props in with me but other than a big pan of nettle soup and venison burgers I'm stumped!

Any suggestions or ideas for the talk would be much appreciated!

Thanks in advance.

 

[Macaroon]

First thing I'd do is use the four seasons as the basic framework to hang it all on and give it structure; and seasonality is the basis for any real understanding of foraging, but seems to be one of those rhythms of nature that folk have, by and large, lost touch with.

Good on you for accepting the challenge at such short notice - many would have retreated rapidly!

 

[Toddy]

…..and mind a quick discussion of the plants at risk lists too, and the 'just because you can, doesn't mean you should' bit.

I agree with Mac though; seasonality and availability. Forage a salad of assorted edibles and take that too. Might be elderflowers out down your way ? make up some fritters ? and some elderflower cordial ?

I'm sorry not to be of much help; but it's really kind of dependant on what is available where you are, that you can yourself forage.

There's the huge range of stuff we make from what we forage though, from amadou to cordage, basketry (can you prune some willow ? it's everything from basketry to cordage, to dye to aspirin) to cosmetics. (I have bog myrtle growing in a pot in the garden, I also have mugwort and lemon balm, those make an anti insect lotion)

Best of luck with it

atb,
M

 

[Bowlander]

Cool, thanks guys! On the last visit here the kids were fascinated with peeling rush (Juncus effusus) and kept them occupied for ages.

I'd thought about doing hill top down to coast but the seasons make more sense.

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[scotty205]

Hi Bowlander,,,,sorry to interupt,,i live in Garstang ,quite near to you,,tell me ,,do you know anywhere i can have a couple of nights bushcraft local,,,
Many thanks ,,,Scotty 205,,,

 

[Bowlander]

Hi Scotty,
Most of the land around here is managed for shooting so are a no go, I would go into Silverdale/South Lakes where folk are more tolerant of overnighters.


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[Quixoticgeek]

I am going to make some big general assumptions here, you have been warned.

Things I would cover: What could be edible? Most kids will see plants in the garden, and food in the super market, they won't have connected that a potatoe is a tuber and found in the soil, or that beans/apples are seed casings and found on the plant above ground, or that lettuce is the leaves of plants etc... And to suggest flowers are edible. Wow...

I find Primrose is really useful, the whole plant is edible (good source of carbs in the root). Shame it's not 4 weeks later, the blackberries would be out then...

J

 

[Stevie777]

Venison Burgers, where abouts does meat fit into foraging....surely that would fall under the Butchery and Meat preparation category. if you plan on covering meat i would suggest you take along a Bunny and dispatch like a pro in front of the Kids...Video or it didn't happen..

 

[Stevie777]

I just started a new thread, but i may as well post the link here as it fits well with what you are doing with the kids..

https://www.civilservicejobs.servic...Indeed&utm_medium=organic&utm_campaign=Indeed

 

[Joe tahkahikew]

Have you thought of gathering suitable wild foods and taking it to school? Rush in England tastes the same as our rush with big edible roots. Pignuts and other foods you could gather and get children to volunteer to taste them and see guess what kind of plant they may be eating. Maybe too late for birch sap in England? Just get them involved rather than talk.

 

[Bowlander]

Thanks Joe and Stevie. I was told not to take meat or any gory stuff in. To demonstrate how productive various habitats were I spent 30 mins foraging on moorland, in a wood and on the beach. The kids got to touch and smell the various items I'd collected but weren't allowed to taste anything for 'health amd safety' reasons.

They are doing firecraft today and shelter building tomorrow.

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[Macaroon]

Health & Safety? They'll never be as good as Morcambe & Wise!