Meet Vint, he grew up in Ohio where his fondness of foraging came from picking blackberries as a kid. At the age of 18 he moved to Berkeley, California. He was able to explore his love for the outdoors, working at a camping store. Vint’s traveled coast to coast and all of the lower 48! He’s been hunting morels for 20 years now, but it was his move to the Oregon Coast in 2010 that grabbed his interest in mycology from exploring the coastal range. Vint’s hobbies are beekeeping, rock hounding, foraging, herbalist farming and kayaking. He also makes art from nature; floating macrame end tables, mushroom shelves and plant hangers. Sometimes you’ll find him in his garage, crafting with wood and screen printing spore print designs on clothes. Vint’s muses are coastal lines, good eats and the trusty woods!

Steve Adams, LISW, CSAM is a Licensed Independent Social Worker and has been working as a mental health therapist in Northeast Ohio for the past 7 years. Graduating from Edinboro University (now Penn West University) in 2006 with bachelor’s degrees in Criminal Justice and Psychology, Steve started his career working in an inpatient mental health facility as a mental health technician. The experience of helping those with severe mental illness inspired Steve to get his master’s degree in Social Work, so he can provide mental health services individually on an outpatient basis. He has 18 years of experience in the mental health field providing group therapy and psychoeducation on many topics, such as emotion regulation, mindfulness and distress tolerance. Understanding the mental health benefits that music, community and a full stomach can provide, you can find Steve at local music festivals finding empty bellies to fill with the elaborate meals cooked by his wife Amy.

Amy Adams Organizer, Cooking Demo & Head Chef Amy is a native to NE Ohio and learned to appreciate and enjoy the great outdoors from an early age. She grew up next to a dairy farm, where she learned the value of a local food system. In her adult life she expanded her passion for food by working as a chef for over 15 years at area restaurants and food cooperatives, instructing cooking classes, obtaining a degree in Dietetics from YSU, and developing several food based businesses. In her free time Amy can typically be found at local music festivals where she finds the greatest joy in making new friends by feeding them elaborate meals. Amy is currently the owner and operator of a small batch artisan spice blend company called Peace Blends, LLC. PEACE BLENDS WEBSITE

Mike grew up in northeast Ohio about a half mile from the Rocky River Metroparks. He spent a lot of time as a kid camping and hiking throughout Ohio. He’s always been extremely curious and interested in the mechanics of nature. So naturally right away, Mike was attracted to mushrooms, and their enigmatic ways!    He has 20 plus successful years hunting and foraging edible wild mushrooms and other wild edibles, all over the United States. 

Kevin is an educator in topics ranging from mathematics to food literacy. His passions include foraging and local ecology. He has foraged wild mushrooms for 15 years, a hobby that Kevin’s eternally grateful for in how it brings him closer to nature. Kevin teaches mathematics in both high school and college. For his graduate thesis, he built a mathematical model to describe the symbiosis between ectomycorrhiza and trees in a forest ecosystem. He loves teaching others about the natural abundance around us and the benefits of sustainable local food systems. Kombucha fermentation has been a very fulfilling hobby from both a health and culinary perspective. Kevin enjoys the versatility of mixed culture fermentation and the innumerable possibilities for new applications. 

Kaley is a nature enthusiast with a passion for mushrooms & spreading the word on things she loves. Her passion for mushrooms started with a workshop in early 2019, learning the ways fungi around us could potentially benefit our lives. After making her first tincture, she was hooked on the help that these under-studied organisms seem to have to offer. Kaley is a multi-faceted artist with a heavy background in festival & event promoting, where she now utilizes those skills to assist others in marketing.

Desiree Harvestlove Marketing Director ​ Meet Desiree HarvestLove, a nature enthusiast and foraging expert on a mission to connect people with the beauty of the natural world. With a background in horticultural botany and environmental science, Desiree is not just an educator but a passionate advocate for sustainable living. Utilizing multiple platforms and resources, Desiree puts her skills to work to support community growth emphasizing the importance of traditional food and medicine.