Wild Food And Ecology Tour Planned At Sticks And Stones Farm

On Saturday, September 27, naturalist and author “Wildman” Steve Brill will lead one of his “Wild Food and Ecology Tours” at Sticks and Stones Farm, 201 Huntingtown Road in Newtown. The 60-acre stone masonry farm and retreat features a wide variety of habitats — a mountain, meadows, woods, cultivated areas, and fields, and wetlands — all loaded with their associated wild plants and mushrooms.

This will be Mr Brill’s first tour in Newtown, so there will be surprises for the leader as well as the participants.

A 30-minute talk and 90-minute walking tour will begin at 2:30 pm. 

Nuts are at their peak now, so Mr Brill and participants will be on the lookout for black walnuts, butternuts, shagbark hickories, white oaks, and hazelnuts.

Autumn fruits will also be in season. Expect to find smooth sumac, which makes pink lemonade; wild raisins, which taste like bananas and prunes; American hackberries, which taste like the candy coating of M&Ms; flavorful wild apples, hawthorn berries, somewhat similar to apples; autumn olives, which taste like a combination of raspberries, currants, and pomegranates; and common spicebush berries, an allspice-like seasoning.

Herbs, greens and roots such as ramps, sassafras, lamb’s-quarters, burdock, common evening primrose, field garlic, sheep sorrel, mullein, and wild carrots may also be in evidence.

This is also a great time for mushrooms, especially if there has been a lot of rain beforehand. Mr Brill will lead the search for chicken mushrooms, hen-of-the-woods, honey mushrooms, puffballs, meadow mushrooms, and oyster mushrooms.

Cost for the program is $25 for adults and $10 for ages 12 and under. Reservations are requested; call 270-8820.