Midwest Women's Herbal

Dive into the realm of the tiny, where colorful patterns emerge among the exciting chaos of nature. In this hands-on laboratory, we will use microscopes to explore our invisible natural landscape, including: flowers, mushrooms, ferns, moss, algae, and more. Discover a slice of the beauty and interconnectedness of nature, which is hidden from us, yet surrounds us each day. Each woman will collect her own small sample from the surrounding area to examine under the microscope.

Zoom into the wonderfully weird world of fungi, with a microscope as our guide. Discover the endless colors and patterns that fungi weave beneath our feet, in this hands-on laboratory. We will compare spores and mycelium from local mushroom species, and explore the ecological role of these ancient creatures and some of their lesser-known relatives. Everyone will collect their own mushroom sample to view with the microscope. Hold tight onto a mycelial thread, and let it guide your curiosity deep down into the soil.

Crochet your own wool elf hat! Wool is flexible and can form to the shape of your body, absorbs up to 30% of its own weight in water, stays warm when wet, is highly durable, and easy to crochet with. Materials will be provided, or you can bring your own if you like. I will guide you through my beginner friendly pattern - no experience necessary! You will not finish your hat in this workshop, but you will leave with all of the materials and skills needed to finish on your own. Suggested donation of $10 for materials is appreciated but not required. This workshop is available to 10 participants, sign up at registration.

In this two hour mini session we will work with common and abundant dye fungi to create a simple yet elegant shibori inspired design. You will learn the basics of making a dye bath, working with alum and iron mordant, monitoring and adjusting pH, and how to use simple resist techniques for design. A practice scarf will be provided. Additional scarves will be available for purchase and range from $5 for very simple scarves to $80 for fancy scarves, payable directly to the instructor.

The scent of conifers and other plants is a well-known aspect of forest bathing, but so are the scents of forest fungi! In this hands-on workshop, you'll learn how to make mushroom-based perfumes for forest-bathing-on-your-wrists. We'll also dive into fungal aromatics, nerding out on what some of the most common scented mushroom chemicals are, what they smell like, what they do for the fungi, and what they might do for us.

Learning self defense isn’t a fix-all for violence against women, but it can change the outcome of a threatening situation. In this class, we’ll touch on situational awareness, then practice several basic techniques for defending yourself against being hit, choked, or dragged away. The focus in this class will be on just a handful of moves, with lots of repetition. While one class isn’t adequate preparation, practicing these moves regulalry with a friend can build muscle memory, so that you can react rather than freeze.

Menopause is a natural transition rather than the disease it's often made out to be. However, chronic stress, pervasive environmental hormone disruptors, and other factors can make it a bumpy ride for many. Mushrooms provide nutrients and other bioactive compounds that are supportive during perimenopause and post-menopause. We'll dive into some of my favorites, which I'll pass around in extract form for sampling.

Join me for a hands-on cooking demo where you’ll learn to prepare Přivařenka, a beloved South Bohemian mushroom and dill soup that captures the essence of Czech comfort food. This flavorful dish combines earthy wild mushrooms, fresh dill, and delicate eggs in a rich, creamy broth. Whether you're looking to explore Czech culinary traditions or enhance your mushroom cooking skills, this workshop will teach you tips and techniques for making this authentic, wholesome dish. By the end of the demo, you’ll have the skills to recreate this family recipe in your own kitchen and impress friends and family!

Are you concerned about the dwindling number of species? The loss of biodiversity is a critical issue intimately linked with our changing climate. The fungus kingdom is vastly underrepresented in global accounts of species diversity, yet it is so essential. In this session, you'll learn about the science and scientists working to help protect the landscapes and mycelial species we value as well as the ways mushrooms are helping solve sustainability challenges. Finally, we'll talk about what we can do individually and collectively, to support and nourish the diversity of living things in the places we live. Go home feeling empowered to protect what you love!

Come to this nurturing hands-on discussion and explore ways we can contribute to supporting the health of the places where mushrooms grow. We will begin with a grounding presentation about environmental challenges happening locally and more broadly. We’ll share stories about actions we have taken, or plan to take, to help ensure the mycelium world will thrive into the next generations. Using recycled materials, we'll create an intentional “north star” collage of the actions we will take as empowered women when we leave the conference. The session will provide time to learn, connect, and laugh while we inspire each other.

As children, being able to connect with others is vital to our survival. Eventually, we encounter tight spots where we feel forced into choosing disconnection—separating ourselves from others. These early 'disconnection points' shape how we deal with life challenges and also how we govern ourselves. Thankfully, by utilizing our brain’s capacity for change, we can transform our responses. With her characteristic warmth and humor, Cornelia will share how healing these early places can help you relinquish resentment about your upbringing, uncover kindness toward yourself and others, and achieve unimaginably smoother interactions. Come learn about how to lessen your misery and deepen your ‘connect-ability.’

Join Crystal Dawn Silas, MD for a transformative breathwork experience! As the mycelium spreads its network of communication beneath the Earth's surface, we can tap into her deep wisdom and renewal. Through cyclic breathing, music, and guided imagery, we'll journey into an extraordinary state of awareness to connect with her. Discover messages that will enhance personal and planetary well-being. Don't miss this opportunity to re-member, rebirth, rejuvenate, and connect with your higher self. Experience the entheogenic gifts of Clarity Breathwork. Consider to bring a yoga mat, sweater, scarf, shawl and/or blanket.

We invite you into the enchanted world of Psilocybe—revered by ancestral cultures and now reawakening as a wise grandmother spirit, guiding us through healing, transformation, and remembrance. Together, we’ll weave myth and medicine, science and ceremony, tracing her mycelial threads from sacred rites of the past to the therapeutic practices of today. Whether in ceremony or as a microdose, we’ll explore how these fungal teachers help mend trauma, ease transitions, expand consciousness, and root us more deeply in the ancient wisdom of the Earth.

Does lion's mane (Hericium erinaceus) truly promote neurogenesis as some companies suggest? Or, does lion's mane promote neuroplasticity? What is the difference? How does all of this relate to lion's mane's traditional uses for improved attention, memory, and cognition? This workshop will take a deep dive into the neuroscience and psychological effects of lion's mane mushroom. Students will be provided a summary of the lecture in a mini zine format.

In folklore of Northern Europe, Indigenous cultures of North America, around the world and throughout time, are beliefs in Otherworld Beings who share the natural world with humans. These beings live around us, attend to us, and who can help us and guide us with our work. The Folk are not Disney "cute", but are understood to be powerful sentient beings with whom it is important to be in good relations. This class will help participants learn who their neighbors are, how to honor them, and how to begin fostering a deeper relationship with them.

I know mushrooms are good for me, but why? If you want a thorough understanding of how mushrooms impact the immune response, this workshop is for you. We will discuss and explore four species of functional mushrooms, review basic immune system functioning, and the role the microbiome plays in immune health. Participants will be able to identify mechanisms of action within the body, as well as discover potential mushroom allies for immune health (and more). Finally, we will discuss beneficial herbs and nutraceuticals that may complement functional mushrooms in formula.

This sexy saprobe is found throughout the country, reportedly found in all 50 states. Just because it’s common, doesn’t mean it’s simple. This deep dive into the talented turkey tail will be an exploration of potential! We’ll discuss how to identify Trametes versicolor, true turkey tail, its possibilities in mycoremediation and land management, and explore the unique compounds found in this complex species. We will discuss clinical applications of this versatile mushroom and common preparations of extraction. Attendees will leave with the knowledge of how to easily identify true turkey tail and prepare their own turkey tail extract.

Get ready to drum, laugh, and groove! Helen will guide you into the vibrant world of West African hand drumming—teaching fun rhythms that come alive when we play together. No experience? No problem! Absolute beginners, seasoned drummers, and everyone in between are welcome. Bring your drum if you have one—extra drums will be on hand to keep the beat going. Come as you are and let the rhythm move you!

Learn how to make clean, safe water using BioSand Filter technology. BioSand Filters are based on traditional slow sand filters removing pathogens and suspended solids from water. Helen will share how her nonprofit, Motherland Rhythm Community, builds and delivers these life-changing filters in Guinea, West Africa and show you how you can do it too.

This talk is a view of mushrooms from 30,000 feet, a broad introduction to the many benefits of mushrooms for our gardens and our bodies as well as a brief glimpse into how our planet has evolved thanks to the help of these poorly understood organisms. Some of the topics covered will be the general characteristics of mushrooms and their life cycle, the medicinal properties of some common mushrooms, how to grow them in your garden, and how we are starting to work with these organisms to help heal the world.

Come learn about this wonderful edible mushroom that has been cultivated in China since 1100 AD, and in the US since 1972. This wonderful edible mushroom is so much more than a tasty mushroom. As a medicinal it has properties that are great for mitigating arthritis symptoms, diabetes, cholesterol, and immune deficiency. In Japan it is used as an adjunct for some cancer treatments. Ingrid will share her knowledge about log grown shiitake mushrooms and several ways to incorporate them into your diet.

A container for grief, praise and contemplating the edges of our existence. Join us to share our hearts over chocolate truffles, allow space for grief, and offer homage to Death and all the lessons that come with the process. In this workshop participants will pair up with a few different individuals to enjoy decadent herbal and medicinal mushroom infused truffles wrapped in thought-invoking prompts. These questions will open us up to our own beliefs, edges and experiences around Death, creating a container for contemplative heart-opening connection. With multiple rounds, everyone will be able to pair with different participants with varying experiences and perspectives and drop us into heartfelt contemplations.

This experiential workshop invites us to enter the mycelial forest of grief, where loss is not something to fix or avoid, but to compost—together. Through embodied practices, communal ritual, and deep listening, we’ll honor personal, collective, and ecological grief, allowing what is dying (loved ones, more-than-human kin, identities, and paths) to be laid down with reverence. As we soften the cultural taboos around death, we open ourselves to live more passionately and love more deeply in this sacred dance of impermanence.

Fungi are the great connectors of the forest and they often form mutually beneficial relationships with other organisms. The Wood Wide Web is a great example of how fungi pair with tree roots to form an incredible network that provides benefits to the whole health of the forest. In this workshop, we’ll explore symbiosis in the forest as well as in our own lives.

Do you find yourself working to identify mushrooms but end up feeling stuck and discouraged in the process? You’re not alone! Together, we’ll cover frequently used terminology found in field guides/keys as well as how to break down and remember taxonomic names in an approachable way. We'll also discuss field skills such as photography and preservation for scientific purposes, taking measurements, microscopy and more. This workshop is great for anyone looking to take their mushroom identification practice to the next level.

Mnemonic devices are rhymes, songs or jingles organized to help us remember information, making it easier to learn and recall. Please bring field guides, notepads, and pure imagination to participate. We may share with our fellow fungals to help them remember the terminology and characteristics used to ID our favorite mushrooms. *No mushroom should be identified based on poetry alone*

As a Forager and an Active Woman our backs can take a beating. Long hours spent bending over in the woods and in the garden causes strain for even the most fit. In this class, we will alternate between exercising the abdominal muscles and back muscles. Most of these exercises will be done on the floor. These specific exercises are designed for the active woman and generally help ease low back pain, as well as upper back, shoulder, and hip discomforts.

This is a gentle form of yoga that offers a wide variety of postures including standing and floor postures and some stretching. Easy transitions from standing to the floor with variations offered for different challenges. Please bring a yoga mat and a towel.

Learn about fungal spores! How are they produced? How are they distributed? How gorgeous and diverse are they?! Get a visual tour of these littlest jewels of the woods and stick around after the presentation for hands-on learning with making your own spore-viewing slide from fresh fungal specimens.

Learn how to best process your mushrooms to increase their storage life span, and retain as much nutrition in them as possible. Also, learn how to take them out of storage to best use them to revive their natural properties and flavors as you use them in your kitchen.

Learn all about Reishi from tasting a Reishi infusion to discussing the tissue states Reishi supports and exploring the scientific evidence of Reishi for immunity, mental acuity, as well as in the spiritual fields. Receive a Biofield Tuning and Guided Meditation to connect with Reishi as a powerful guide and learn how this spiritual deity relates to you. Once in the contemplative state, you'll be prompted to free write or sketch to deepen your personal, sovereign relationship to this ancient mushroom deity. Biofield tuning uses tuning forks to read & modulate the body's electrical system. This Sound therapy model efficiently helps us feel centered, grounded, and more alive.

Discover how mushrooms can nourish and support your skin naturally. Many fungi are rich in antioxidants, anti-inflammatory compounds, and polysaccharides that help hydrate, soothe, and protect the skin. Mushrooms offer a wide range of benefits for skin care and healing that we will discuss. In this class, we’ll explore the skin-supporting properties of different medicinal mushrooms and create a couple of samples for you to take home.

Latin is an old dead language, which makes it understandably intimidating; yet, it has some pretty standard and straightforward rules. Once those are shown and recognized, it opens a whole new world of understanding to the herbalist/mycology enthusiast. For example, binomial literally means two names. Knowing common latin terms tells you a lot about a species, and some of it is actually fairly intuitive. In this workshop you'll learn the basics of latin grammatical forms and the etymology behind commonly used terms in a fun, interactive round table session, rather than a lecture with a powerpoint.

Perfect for crafters and miniature enthusiasts. The workshop will start out with a quick overview on how to dehydrate organic materials for preservation in a sealed glass terrarium, and how to treat moss and lichens with alcohol based pigments to preserve color. Women will then create their very own tiny mushroom terrarium from prepared materials in a miniature glass cloche, globe, or domed pendant with cord necklace. There is a $5 material fee payable to the instructor. Women are welcome to make more than one terrarium.

The holy day of October 31st in the Northern European agricultural calendar marks the first day of Winter, and the closing of the old year. It is a time to honor our Beloved Dead and prepare to enter the liminal space between endings and new beginnings. Learn traditional customs and themes of this holiday, and how we can ritualize this holiday with meaning for today with consciousness and reverence.

The Wheel of the Year refers to the Solstices, Equinoxes, and cross-quarter days that mark the seasonal holy days based in the Northern European agricultural calendar. Distinct from other pagan and Wiccan traditions, the Women's Wheel of the Year celebrates the interconnectedness between the earth’s seasonal cycle, the mythic cycle of the Goddess, and the correspondences to the female life cycle. This class is an overview of how a goddess and female-centered spiritual tradition creates meaning and celebration for women today as both we, and She, "dances" through the cycle of the year.

Come enjoy a fun, mushroom-lovin' class! In this workshop, we’ll create a vine and moss crescent moon adorned with handmade mushrooms from scratch. it will be a relaxing and creative endeavor with a finished project that will be perfect for your garden or cozy nook.

Discover the powerful rhythm of Moribayassa, a traditional rhythm of healing and transformation. This workshop honors women who have triumphed over adversity. Through drumming, storytelling, and community, we’ll explore fear, pain, and resilience, celebrating strength and sisterhood. Join us as we use the djembe and dununs to uplift, release, and reclaim our voices.

Join us as we learn Fe, a vibrant Malinke rhythm meaning “gourd. This uplifting workshop highlights the role of women in village life through dynamic drumming and cultural connection. Come celebrate their strength and service through rhythm, movement, and unity.