Calling all herbalists, primitive skills enthusiasts and Earth lovers — Forest to Field welcomes you to a gathering of like-minded folks from across the state and beyond for a weekend of wholesome exchange just over McClure Pass at Big B’s Delicious Orchards, nestled between Paonia and Hotchkiss.
As described by Kat Mackinnon, one of the event’s two founders, the offering was “created by people who wanted it to exist.” Mackinnon and Briana Wiles, owner of Rooted Apothecary in Gunnison and Crested Butte, had attended gatherings in other states and yearned for a Colorado-based event which blends the wild wisdom of the forest with the nourishment humans create with land they cultivate. Thus, Forest to Field, a family-friendly festival, is specific to our southwest bioregion. “There’s also an abundance of really talented people who are in their stomping grounds,” Mackinnon added.
An extensive cast of teachers will offer workshops on everything from basket weaving to natural dyes, soap making to foraging, meat preservation to beauty care, plant propagation to beekeeping, corn nixtamalization to herbal first aid — to name only a few. “Basically, human skills,” Mackinnon summarized, “showcasing the complexity of human nature, as well as things that are just inherently fun.”
Among the teachers, Antoinette Yarrow, a Carbondale resident, will teach about herbs and sexuality — plants for healing trauma as well as herbal aphrodisiacs. “All of the plants are my favorites,” she spoke, “but I have a special connection to yarrow” because of its protective powers, hence her adopted name. Other plants Yarrow enjoys working with are rose, hawthorn, shatavari and damiana. “Sexual energy is also creative energy and creative energy is part of our life force,” she stated.
Yarrow has attended women’s gatherings and is pleased that Forest to Field is co-ed. “There’s something about bringing both sexes in to really learn together and celebrate together,” she said. “It’s also family-oriented.”
“Sickness comes from separation,” Mackinnon noted. Her desire is to bring people together who are passionate and know plants and animals and the land of this region. “For me, it brings sanity in an otherwise kind of unstable feeling world.” Mackinnon continued, “People are dying for connection and community. I mean — they’re living for it.”
The immersive weekend festival will begin with a large wild foods potluck and include ceremony and live performances. A vendor’s market will be present throughout where crafters sell their goods. The Healer’s Garden will allow participants to experience affordable and accessible massage, body work, herbal sessions, energy work, acupuncture and other healing modalities.
Coming off last year’s success was the recognition that people needed more time to drop in and be together, so the festival was extended from two nights to four. In a place with spotty cell phone signal, “people are able to dip out and be together with people, deepening older connections and also creating new ones,” Mackinnon described. “When given the chance to slow down and be around other people in a fairly organic gathering, the result is often just simple joyfulness.”
A weekend pass covers camping at Big B’s, so participants needn’t miss a beat. Performances will include Lindsay Lou and Ayla Nereo playing music, the Singing Bone Medicine Show with shadow puppets, DJ Soul Candy bringing the dance vibes and even a talent show for anyone and everyone present to share. It’s recommended people bring cash for the market and Healer’s Garden.
In a Nutshell
What: Second Annual Forest to Field
Where: Big B’s Delicious Orchards
When: Sept. 5-9
Tickets: www.bit.ly/forest2field
