Registration Requirements: Preregistration required.

Intended Audience: This program is designed for adults. Youth ages 12 and up who are interested may register and must be accompanied by an adult.

Program Description: You might already be planting native species for wildlife…but did you know many of those same native trees, shrubs, and plants are edible and nutritious species for us, too? Whether you’re a homeowner, small farmer, edible plant enthusiast, or foodie, you’ll be inspired to add an edible layer to your landscape on this walking and tasting tour. 

This behind-the-scenes tour centers of our native edible plots during which we’ll provide you with:

• an introduction on how native edible species offer perennial food for us…not just for wildlife.
• a number of taste samples to allow you to culinarily understand the plants.
• an overview of how we use the polyculture (growing many species together) plots of native perennial plants serve to celebrate hyper-local food through harvesting, cooking, education, and events.
• tips on incorporating native edible trees, shrubs, and plants into your home landscape through the lens of a “good for you, good for wildlife” approach.
• tips on balancing feeding wildlife and producing human food using common sense agricultural approaches to reduce conflict.
• an opportunity to see productive, full size native edible plants including elderberry, American persimmon, American wild plum, black walnut, native passionfruit, black chokeberry, serviceberry, pawpaw, ancient corn, Jerusalem artichokes, wild raspberry, sochan, and many other species.
• tips on laying out your own polyculture plot and bringing old fields or scrubby woods into native food production as well as tips on how to integrate a few edible species into your home landscape.

What to Expect:  This is a walking tour, with many stops.

• Trails/areas used during this program are rated as easy (mild hills, gravel trails) for a planned distance of .25-.5 mile at a slow pace.
• This program is mostly outdoors with indoor options available in the case of severe weather.
• Program runs rain or shine.
• Restrooms are available throughout the program.

What to Bring:

• Water bottle
• Optional: You are invited to bring your own portable chair.

What to Wear: Dress for the weather and to be outdoors the entire time. We may be off trail for part of this tour.

Where to Meet: Registered participants will meet at the Creekside Barn at our Long Branch Farm & Trails location. (6926 Gaynor Rd, Goshen, OH 45122)

Cost: Ticket fees include daily admission (admission is free at Long Branch Farm & Trails on July 12 and 13, 2025).