Three generations ago people from all over the world knew how to positively identify edible and medicinal plants in their surroundings. This widespread knowledge of how to cure and feed yourself from the environment has been slowly replaced by industrial agriculture and supermarket alienation.

Join renowned wild edibles expert Diego Bonetto on a 3.5 hour experience that will start the process of getting this knowledge back. Learn about the most common species growing in your garden, along the green belts and in parks and reserves. Find out how they have been used for food, craft and natural remedies. Discover ways to safely harvest from the urban 'wild' and enrich your diet with vitamins and minerals.

Learn about folk knowledge, traditional uses and current debates about weeds and their uses. To some, plantain, dandelion, chickweed and sow-thistle are a nuisance, to others they are a delicious salad and a seasonal treat. This workshop will include a walk through Green Connect's farm to discover the edible and medicinal plants that grow around you.

This is an informative workshop designed to empower people with identification skills. Participants will receive material on the day and follow up links so to progress with their own research. The knowledge is old and widespread and this learning experience will empower participants by giving the possibility to meet, touch, smell and even taste the plants.

Included:

Morning tea
A complimentary copy of Wild Stories, a booklet detailing 16 of the most common species found in and around Sydney, with full-colour images for easy identification.

Before you book, please consider the following:

The site is a working farm and visitors must participate in a safety briefing before entering.
The terrain at the farm is particularly steep and slippery in parts and is not accessible for prams or wheelchairs.
Plants love rain and so do we! We don’t cancel tours in wet weather unless there is a dangerous storm. Rain (and mud!) is all part of the fun.
Allergen advice: Our farm is home to domestic animals as well as bees, wasps and macadamia trees. Please pack an Epipen if allergic and keep it with you at all times.

All tour participants must:

Wear enclosed shoes or boots (no thongs or sandals ) and clothes you don’t mind getting dirty. Long pants are recommended.
Bring a hat and sunscreen or rain gear, depending on the weather forecast.
Bring a pen/pencil, notebook and camera if you wish to retain the information you learn.

About the facilitator:

Diego Bonetto is a wild food advocate based in Sydney, most famous for his offering of urban foraging workshops. Building on the knowledge acquired while growing up on a farm in Italy, Diego introduces people to the ever-present food and medicine plants that surround us. He collaborates extensively with chefs, herbalists, environmentalists and cultural workers promoting new understanding of what the environment has to offer. He works to enable convivial conversations around belonging, sustainability and agency. In other words he offers an alternative for people to re-engage with their neighbourhoods, streets and footpaths through edible adventures.

Questions?

Please contact the team on 4243 1537 or activities@green-connect.com.au