become a rebel forager
About the Exhibit
This virtual exhibit aims to immerse visitors in the captivating histories and delicious recipes of 5 edible weeds in North America. These plants share stories about the land and the people who have inhabited it across generations. Plus, the invasive plants can be made into delicious snacks!
In the exhibit, visitors will dive into topics includingg lawn culture in the suburbs, how anti-foraging laws have been used to control Black, Indigenous, and other communities of color, and how colonization has influenced invasive species. By the end, visitors will be inspired to rethink common plants growing around their homes.
About Me
Hey there! My name is Katherine and I am so excited to share my foraging guide on
5 edible non-native plants.
I studied Environmental Science & Sustainability with a minor in Biology at Allegheny College. When I was a little kid, I would make 'salads' out of grass, wildflowers, and whatever greens I could find in my backyard. I always wished I could actually eat my crazy concoctions. But I was taught that none of the wild-growing plants are edible. Instead they were weeds that had to be removed by pulling or spraying with herbicides. So during the pandemic when I eventually went down the foraging rabbit hole, my inner child was overjoyed.
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Besides discovering delicious recipes, becoming a forager unlocks a huge vault of knowledge. I stumbled across significant historical events and customs that I would have never known about. I wanted to share some of that history. ​
The exhibit covers five edible invasives, each with its own story relating to a bigger theme. Choosing just five was a challenge, but I hope to encourage readers to continue exploring the wonderful world of foraging on their own. If there is one thing I want readers to take away from this is that foraging is more than frolicking around in a field, foraging is an act of empowerment.