This webinar is part of EFAO’s Indigenous Outreach and Engagement Initiative, which is supported by the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs.

All Indigenous growers, land stewards and community members are welcome to attend this webinar free of charge! Please use the coupon code: INDG2024 when filling out the registration form to receive free admission. 

Join Annaleigh Males for an introduction to fungal ecology and mushroom cultivation, covering both indoor and outdoor methods, substrate preparation, and basic maintenance tips for beginners. This session aims to equip participants with foundational knowledge in mushroom production while emphasizing the integration of traditional practices with modern approaches.

In addition, participants will learn about The Wild Basket – an initiative of the Timiskaming First Nation’s natural resources department, Ni Dakinan – exploring its inception, values, and goals. The Wild Basket, started in 2013, harvests non-timber forest products to offer a wide-range of items including flavoured carbonated water, fresh mushrooms, forest teas, and mushroom soup. The initiative not only generates revenue but also addresses food security and food sovereignty by empowering community members to take active roles in the sustainable preservation of their territory and in the transfer of traditional knowledge.

About the host

Annaleigh Males is a passionate advocate for sustainable ecosystems and preserving the local Temiskaming environment. She works hard to blend her scientific expertise with her cultural roots, being born and raised in the Temiskaming region as well as being a proud member of Timiskaming First Nation. Currently employed as The Wild Basket Coordinator, she completed her degree in life sciences and Indigenous studies from Queens University, and later, a certificate in Mycology from the University of Victoria. Annaleigh’s work as The Wild Basket Coordinator not only showcases her commitment the Timiskaming traditional territory to but also highlights her dedication to reviving local Indigenous food systems.

In order to make our training and community building events accessible to all farmers and future farmers in Ontario, EFAO strives to reduce financial barriers for registration by using a Pay What You Can model. To register please complete this form!