Join wildcrafter, Lea Sevigny, for guided foraging experiences in 2026. Under her mentorship participants will learn ethical harvesting practices, plant identification skills, ways to preserve the harvest, ideas for using the plants to create food, herbal remedies, art, and ritual.
The primary foraging location is in Ada, but Foraging Circle will meet at varied locations in the Grand Rapids, MI area throughout the season.
Foraging Circle is for anyone regardless of skill level or experience with wildcrafting. This experience may be for you if you…
Want to be part of a community
Want to feel more confidence identifying wild plants
Want ideas for what to make with plants you find in the wild
Want a “spray free” place to forage
Want to forage with others
Would like to taste sample recipes
Want to practice ethical foraging principals
Want to connect with Nature through ritual
Want a community with whom to share recipes, ideas, questions, etc.
Participation includes guidance and mentorship in all of the following:
10 in-person foraging events with the Circle community
Practice Honorable Harvest ethics as taught by Robin Rose Kimmerer
Identify and gather plants from spray-free land
Sample Lea’s food and herbal remedies
Wildcrafting instruction and recipes on how to process, preserve, and use the harvest, including a Google Doc with a growing list of resources
Signal App group chat to share questions, recipes, progress, etc. with the cohort (optional)
Ritual practices, such as breathing with the plants, gratitude, mandala/altar building, etc.
Other Information
LOCATION–The primary location of Rooted Artisan Foraging Circle is Quail Ridge Golf Club located at 8375 36th St. SE, Ada, MI 49301. The stewards of this land are committed to healing the soil of the nearly 300 acres of golf course with non-chemical, organic products. Rather than using pesticides, they are working long-term to heal the soil, which in turn supports turf that is healthier and better able to withstand issues such as disease and drought. Consequently, runoff from the course isn’t contaminating the land from which we’re foraging. The two acre area at Quail Ridge we connect with doesn’t receive inputs of any kind. It is managed by twice yearly mowing.
RAIN DATES–In the unlikely event a class is canceled, it will be made up on the closest subsequent date, either on Tuesday, July 21 at 6:30pm or Tuesday, October 20 at 5:30pm.
MISSED CLASSES–Information about the harvest and what to do with it will be updated on the Google Doc soon after each meeting, so participants who have to miss a class will have the information.
ARE KIDS WELCOME?–Only paying participants attend Foraging Circle meetings; however, all of Lea’s plant walks are free to children/students and donation-based for adults. Look on the website for “Walk on the Wildside” events.
REFUNDS–There are no refunds for the Rooted Artisan Foraging Circle.
Saturday, 5/16 10:30am - 12:30pm
Tuesday, 6/2, 6:30pm - 8:30pm
Saturday, 6/13, 10:30am - 12:30pm
Tuesday, 6/30, 6:30pm - 8:30pm
Saturday, 7/18, 10:30am - 12:30pm
Saturday, 8/8, 10:30am - 12:30pm
Tuesday, 8/25, 6:30pm - 8:30pm
Saturday, 9/12, 10:30am - 12:30pm
Tuesday, 9/29, 5:30pm - 7:30pm
Saturday, 10/17, 10:30am - 12:30pm
Tickets : The Foraging Circle is offered at a sliding scale.
Unlimited Tickets are available at the actual cost of $350
2 Reduced Rate Tickets are available at $260
2 Reduced Rate Tickets are available at $175
A $75 deposit holds your spot and counts toward the cost of the program. Balance is due May 1, 2026.
$350 is the actual cost of the class. If you choose a ticket price below the top tier you are receiving a discount.
The reduced rate of $260 is for those who are able to meet their basic needs but have little-to-no expendable income. Paying for this class may qualify as a sacrifice but it would not create hardship.
The reduced rate of $175 is for those who struggle to meet basic needs and paying for this class would still be a significant hardship.
I appreciate Alexis J. Cunningfolk at Worts and Cunning Apothecary for sharing her experience and ideas about offering a sliding scale.
Lea Sevigny, Foraging Circle Creator and Guide
Lea connects with nature in many ways, but she especially enjoys foraging for items to make food, herbal remedies, and artistic creations. Through her business, Joyful Wildcrafting, she guides others to embrace the natural world as well. First inspired by plants she was removing with students from their school yard, such as Garlic Mustard greens and Autumn Olive berries, Lea’s been cooking with wild food for almost 20 years. Although she’s always learning from the plants, Lea completed Rachel Mifsud’s Foraging 101 season-long course and immerses herself in books on wildcrafting. Her in-person herbal studies include a current apprenticeship, The Green Witch Path of Herbal Medicine & EarthSpirit Wisdom, with Robin Rose Bennett, and completion of the Lindera Herbal Intensive with Jim McDonald. A student of plant communication, Lea has studied with Jen Fry on Co-Creating Sanctuary. She is committed to practicing and teaching sustainable and ethical foraging practices rooted in place, most often in West Michigan.
Lea connects with nature in many ways, but she especially enjoys foraging for items to make food, herbal remedies, and artistic creations. Through her business, Joyful Wildcrafting, she guides others to embrace the natural world as well. First inspired by plants she was removing with students from their school yard, such as Garlic Mustard greens and Autumn Olive berries, Lea’s been cooking with wild food for almost 20 years. Although she’s always learning from the plants, Lea completed Rachel Mifsud’s Foraging 101 season-long course and immerses herself in books on wildcrafting. Her in-person herbal studies include a current apprenticeship, The Green Witch Path of Herbal Medicine & EarthSpirit Wisdom, with Robin Rose Bennett, and completion of the Lindera Herbal Intensive with Jim McDonald. A student of plant communication, Lea has studied with Jen Fry on Co-Creating Sanctuary. She is committed to practicing and teaching sustainable and ethical foraging practices rooted in place, most often in West Michigan.