Midwest Women's Herbal

Keynote Addresses​

Barbora Batokova | Stories from the Forest: Exploring Ethnomycology in Czech Culture

Step into the world of Czech mushroom culture with Barbora Batokova, aka fungiwoman. In her talk, Barbora will share her personal journey into the fascinating world of mushrooms, highlighting the significance of ethnomycology as a vital field that connects culture, ecology, and culinary heritage. You’ll learn about the historical context of mushroom foraging in Czech society, and how this beloved tradition became a “national sport,” fostering family bonds and community connections. You’ll hear stories about culturally significant mushroom species, such as Boletus edulis, Amanita rubescens, or Craterellus cornucopioides, and learn about old mushroom legends like the origin story of how three forest spirits turned into famous Amanita species. Finally, Barbora will explore the culinary heritage through traditional Czech mushroom recipes: from hearty soups like přivařenka (Mushroom & Dill Soup) to mushroom classics like staročeský kuba (Wild Mushroom Barley Bake), you'll gain insights into how these dishes embody the flavors and stories of Czech mushroom heritage.​

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Mariah Rogers | Truffle Fungi of the Midwest

Truffle-forming fungi - cryptic, charismatic, and very much living right here in the Midwest. This includes genera like the genus Tuber with its rich culinary legacy as well as many, many other truffle-forming fungal species with fascinating and important ecological histories. This presentation will explore and introduce you to the diverse fungi which produce truffles and can be found in the Midwest region of North America.

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Sarah Foltz Jordan | Keynote Address

Description Coming Soon!

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Workshops ​

Alexandra Kois | The Microscopic World

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. 

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Alexandra Kois | Mycelium Magnified

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.

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Alexandra Kois | Crochet Your Own Wool Elf Hat!

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.

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Anna Marija Helt | Mushroomatherapy

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.

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Anna Marija Helt | Wild Mushrooms for Menopause

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.

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Anna Marija Helt | Women's Self Defense

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.

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Barbora Batokova | Cooking Demo: Traditional South Bohemian Přivařenka Soup (Mushroom & Dill Soup with Poached Eggs)

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! 

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Crystal Dawn Silas, MD | Mycelial Messages: An Entheogenic Breathwork Experience

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.

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Crystal Dawn Silas, MD | The Spirit in the Spore: A Journey Through Psilocybe Applications

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.

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Falcon River | Spirits of the Land, the Fey, the Hidden Folk: Living in Right Relationship with Otherworld Beings 

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.

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Gina Rivers | Medicinal Mushrooms and Immune Health

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.  

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Gina Rivers | The Talented Turkey Tail

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.

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Ingrid Daudert | Basic Foundations of Mushrooms

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.

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Ingrid Daudert | Deep Dive Shiitake

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.  

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Laura Adrian | Exploring Fungi through Symbiosis

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.

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Lauren Ré | Approachable Intermediate-Advanced Mushroom ID

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.

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Loni Jean Ronnebaum | Exploring Fungal Taxonomy with Poetry and Parody

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*

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Marci Zink| Back Exercises for the Forager and Active Woman

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.

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Marci Zink| Gentle Yoga

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.

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Mariah Rogers | Mushroom Spore Tour!

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.

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Melissa Klotka | Processing Mushrooms to Maximize their Potential

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.

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Ruth Barrett | Preparing For Samhain/Halloween: Entering the Season of the Crone

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.

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Ruth Barrett | The Women's Wheel of the Year

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.

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Theresa Kenney | Mycelium MagiK

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.

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Theresa Kenney | Soft Lino Cut Mushroom Print Workshop

Explore the process of block printing during this fun and easy workshop.  Students will have access to completed linoleum printing blocks.  All ink, materials and tools will be provided.  You can choose to print on various surfaces such as paper and fabric and walk away with a fun print and a wonderful memory of Mycelium Mysteries.  If you would like to print on a clothing item or fabric of your own, a variety of fabric inks will be available. Let’s make some fungal art together. 

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Victoria Boateng | Moribayssa: Women Overcoming Obstacles through the Power of the Djembe

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.

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Victoria Boateng | Fe: The Strong Women, The Provider, and The Caretaker

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. 
Morning Activities

• Yin Yoga with Marci Zink    

• The Power of Connection through Mycelium Wisdom with Laura Adrian

• Mushroom, Mind, and Meditation with Laura Adrian

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Forays

 

Aimee Chenal | A Funny Foray with a Fun Gal

I have been a mushroom grower, forager, photographer/videographer, artist, and have used mushrooms as medicine for 10 years. I'd like to take you on a foray and tell you about it. 

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Barbora Batokova | In the Field:  Explore, Identify, and Document Mycodiversity

Whether you’re a beginner eager to discover the basics or an enthusiast looking to refine your identification skills, this hands-on experience offers something for everyone. Together, we’ll explore the rich mycodiversity of the conference grounds, practice essential field techniques for identifying mushrooms, and contribute to vital citizen science efforts through iNaturalist. This walk is your chance to deepen your understanding of mushrooms, their ecosystems, and the crucial role they play in nature—all while developing skills that can turn every outdoor adventure into a mycological exploration.

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Emilymae King | Forest Bathing  Join Emilymae for a moment of stillness where purpose is rekindled and a deeper connection to oneself and the environment is forged through intentional meditation and mindfulness. This session invites participants in “stilling the mind” with Shinrin Yoku Practices and Forest Bathing to expand your journey and relationship with the more than human world.  This practice offers solo and group exercises to support your journey of letting Nature be the guide.  Open to all ages, abilities and backgrounds.

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Lauren Re | Engaging the Senses for Mushroom ID

Mushrooms are famous for their variety of flavors when cooked, but it’s far less known that tasting and smelling mushrooms in the field can actually help you identify them correctly! In this workshop we'll cover how you can safely engage each of your senses to help deepen your relationship with fungi while also refining your ID skills. Participants will have the chance to interact with both dried and fresh specimens as we explore and experiment together.

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Lauren Re | Community Science Foray

Participants will learn about projects that have helped empower mycophiles around the world to contribute to our collective understanding of fungi. We’ll introduce the interactive app/website iNaturalist.org where anyone can share their fungal finds with the global community and learn more about what’s been found in their own neighborhood. Attendees will also learn the simple process of preserving their collections for further study. We’ll explore the area together and get hands-on practice using iNaturalist.

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Mariah Rogers | Let's Try Truffling!

I take a few people out with garden gloves and hand-cultivators provided and we go truffling together. Do we find anything? I can't say but I'll discuss best practices so far as I have learned them for minimizing environmental disturbance and having your best shot at finding them. Topics covered will include: identifying likely associate trees, looking for animal digs, and noticing mitotic spore mats.

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Melissa Klotka | Viewing Mushrooms Differently 

Fungi are all around us if we slow down enough to look for them.  During this foray, you'll get a hands-on look at the structures we use for indentification.  Learn how to observe mushrooms differently to understand them better and, as you become more famaliar with them, improve your indentification skills.  This foray is for beginner, intermediate and advanced mushroom lovers alike.

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Pat Armstrong | Talking Tree Walk: A Walk to Identify Trees

“The Ancient Oak to the Druids spoke, but any tree can talk to me” Bigger than a whale, older than Methuselah, Trees join Earth to Sky and hold millennia of wisdom. Your conversation with Trees becomes more intimate and personal when you honor them by knowing their names and how to tell them apart.

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Pat Armstrong | Looking for Lichens

“Algae met some Fungi. They all went a-hikin’. The Funji were hungri. The result was a Llichen.” The Tea Phytologist, 1943.  A Fungus and an Algae Plant living as one organism; how strange is that? Is it mutualism, benefiting both parts, or controlled parasitism? Let’s see how many different Crustose, Foliose and Fruticose Lichens we can find at Camp Helen Brachman. Bring along a magnifying glass or a 10-power hand lens to help you look for lichens.

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Rebecca Chandler | Mycelium Beneath Our Feet

Walk through the woods to explore both the fruiting bodies of fungi and the mycelial network just beneath our feet. On this foray, we’ll use all of our senses to discover the fungi growing above ground, as well as the hidden world below. We’ll discuss how to use field guides and helpful tools, create a field journal, make spore prints, citizen science and more. Whether you are brand new to foraging or already an experienced forager, this class is a great way to connect with the woods and other mycophiles.

Bring your curiosity, a notebook and pen.