(Offered in conjunction with the Polly Hill Arboretum)

Come learn to see and gather wild plant foods and medicines in the early fall season.  Traditional people around the world understand that food does not just represent calories but it supplies also important nutrients and protective compounds.  For these people, food is a defining feature of their culture and is incorporated into their collecting tools, containers, songs, and rituals.  Important to note is that people who still enjoy their traditional diet are free from many of the chronic ailments that plaque modern societies in every country―cardiovascular diseases, neurological diseases, diabetes, inflammatory diseases of the digestive and musculoskeletal systems, and autoimmune disorders.  Aside from such serious topics, wild plants offer variety in our diet and can provide unique flavors and textures to liven up dishes that may be frequently prepared in our households.  They also provide us with many effective medicines that can be conscientiously gathered free of charge from the areas around our homes.  Participants will spend time on the Polly Hill Arboretum grounds learning to identify and sample various wild food and medicine plants.  Come prepared for the elements, as this class will be spent outside.  This class will be offered from noon to 1:00 to 3:00 pm at Polly Hill Arboretum, West Tisbury, MA (Marthas Vineyard).  The tuition is $25.00 ($15.00 for Polly Hill Arboretum members).  People interested in registering for this class should contact Karin Stanley via phone (508-693-9426) or email:  karin@pollyhillarboretum.org.