Summer Foraging in the Driftless Area with Samuel Thayer

Saturday July 18, 2026, 9:00-4:00. Join guest expert Samuel Thayer for a Summer Foraging Workshop at Iowisota. Optional Mississippi River backwater canoe paddle on Sunday morning to view and discuss wetland plants and ecosystems.

Programming Cost:  $125/person for the Saturday workshop. Lunch is included. Additional $70 for canoe paddle on Sunday. Start registration by clicking the RSVP link; The form will allow you to sign up for just the Saturday session, or for both Saturday and Sunday. After you submit a registration, we will send you an invoice for payment.  

Location: on-site at “Iowisota”, 2472 IA-26, Lansing, Iowa. The additional backwater paddle will be to points TBA near the Winneshiek Slough (on the Wisconsin side across Mississippi River from Lansing, Iowa).

What to expect for the Saturday event:    We will start with a short overview of the site history and habitats, what plants we might expect to find, and tips on responsible foraging. We will spend most of the day in the field, learning to identify and use the plants we encounter along the way. There is a rich variety of plants on site. Expect to hike up to two miles. The lunch break (about an hour) will be a charcuterie/sandwich bar, giving ample opportunity to try some wild foods and to enjoy informal conversation with Sam and other participants. Maximum participation of 18.

Optional Sunday Canoe Trip: We plan to carpool across the Mississippi River at Lansing (the new bridge is under construction, so there is a free car ferry to get people across the River) to load into canoes at Winneshiek Slough at 9:00 am. Canoes (and permit to group tour within the Upper Mississippi Wildlife and Fish Refuge) will be provided by Steve Lawless of Merry Green Marvel tours. Samuel Thayer will provide plant/ecosystem interpretation. Life jackets will be provided. We plan to paddle in the backwaters from 9:00-noon, with stops to look at and discuss the vegetation and ecosystems we are viewing. We may get out of the canoes on some of the islands. We will try to avoid spending much time on the main channel and larger waters where motorboat traffic is common. We advise that you come prepared for wet feet and biting insects during this excursion. For agility, we are trying to minimize the number of canoes; we plan to have 2 or 3 people in each canoe. Maximum participation of 18. Saturday workshop participants have first opportunity to register for the Sunday canoe trip, then we will open any remaining slots to others.

Overnight “Bed and Breakfast” stay:  Additional $75/person/per night, or $100/room/night if there are more than one family member sharing a room. Lodging taxes will be added.  Friday and/or Saturday night.  Breakfasts are included.

·        Stay in one of our 6 guest bedrooms, with all the modern amenities. Most rooms have queen or double beds, two have bunk beds. (See the accommodations tab on the website for information on all the rooms).

·        If all our rooms are full, feel free to consult with Linda (Iowisota@gmail.com) about other local lodging or camping options.

About the speaker/guest expert: Samuel Thayer is a renowned author and forager and internationally recognized authority on edible wild plants. Along with speaking and writing, he is also a maple syrup producer, wild rice harvester, and owns a small organic orchard. In addition to wild food foraging, Sam is an all-around naturalist with particular interests in reptiles, amphibians, bird watching, botany, and mammals.

How to sign up and pay: Registration is limited to 18 participants. On-site accommodation is limited. Click the link for registration and then fill out the registration form. This will hold your space. Once you have completed the form, we will email you an invoice that you can pay by check, credit card, or PayPal. If payment has not been received within 2 weeks of registration, your spot will be released.