Traditional Skills

A pair of leather gloves, a slightly dull sickle, and the delusional optimism of a sunny morning. My mission: take down a small army of Asian Honeysuckle, Canadian thistle and …

There’s no smell quite like freshly cut cedar in springtime, especially when the sap is running and it’s acting like glue-remover on the bark! I’m standing here in the middle of my clearing, bark-spud in hand, looking at a pile of cedar that's about to become the sturdy structures for future projects. I start at …

Foraging for morels is part Easter egg hunt, part high-stakes treasure hunt, and 100% woodland magic! When spring wakes up, these brainy, honeycomb-textured treasures pop up around dead elms or in old orchards, playing hide-and-seek with your eyes. It’s a "springy" adventure where we find ourselves walking like a zombie, staring intently at the ground, …

Spring turkey hunting is essentially a high-stakes, caffeine-fueled chess match played in a sunrise-lit, waking forest. It is arguably one of the most interactive hunts, where you are not just waiting, but actively screaming (via calls) at a bird that often screams back in a boisterous, adrenaline-pumping gobble that makes the hair on your neck …

We'll turn our backyard’s pink explosion into something edible! With a big basket we'll strip some of the gorgeous magenta blooms from the Eastern Redbud branches—they taste surprisingly like tart.   The result? A stunning, jewel-toned, jelly that smells slightly floral and tastes like a delicate blend of strawberry and grape. It’s sweet, floral, and …