A Conversation about Forest Schools with Erin and Tyler of Foragers Farms
I live in Northumberland County, nestled between Rice Lake and Lake Ontario, surrounded by farms. One of my neighbours is Foragers Farms, where I go weekly from spring until nearly December to get fresh fruits, vegetables, meat, preserves, and more. Truth be told, I don’t just go for the food—I also go to connect with the people who grow it and the community that gathers at their little farm store. However brief my visits, I always leave feeling enriched by the conversations and the fresh air on the farm.
This is a view of all of the fields and infrastructure on the farm today.
Recently, we visited Foragers Farms to learn more about the farm itself and, in particular, their experience with forest school for their child. Warmth and Weather serves a large forest school community, and our goal is to provide everything needed to ensure that children are dressed for success. This includes base, mid, and outer layers. We've been fortunate to collaborate with Erin and Tyler over the years to photograph our Warmth and Weather products.
We hope you enjoy getting to know these wonderful farmers, dear friends of mine.
W&W: Tell us a bit about yourselves, your work here on the land, and why you chose to do what you do?
ERIN: I’m Erin, and this is Tyler. We’re the creators of Foragers Farms, where we have about 50 acres. We currently manage four acres for vegetable production, and we also raise laying hens. We have a farm store, run a CSA program, and do farmers markets including Evergreen Brickworks Farmers Market and the Downtown Peterborough Farmers Market.
TYLER: Yeah, we actually met during an East Coast Road Trip where we were submerged in nature the entire time. Erin taught me a lot about foraging, and I was really into plant identification and bushcrafting back then. That experience inspired us to look at our lives and assess what we really wanted. We decided to move out to the country, wanting to raise a family immersed in nature. It felt right to be out of the suburbs and in touch with the land.
Sed Erin and Tyler's Calendar of events on their website.
W&W: What’s your mission and vision here at Foragers?
ERIN: (laughs) Our mission evolves every year. We started as veg farmers at farmers markets, but after facing some serious droughts, we realized we needed to diversify. That’s how we got into education—we were already teaching foraging workshops, so it felt natural to expand that side of things.
TYLER: Our main goal is to feed our community with healthy, organic food and be valuable members of our community. We also host workshops related to health, healing, and foraging. Ultimately, the vision is to grow this farm into something bigger for the broader community while continuing to build and develop everything we’ve started.
W&W: You build it, and they will come, right?
ERIN: (laughs) They will come!
TYLER: We also have a volunteer program where people from the city can stay in our cabin overnight. They come out, have dinner, volunteer on the farm, and head back to the city with fresh vegetables. It’s a great way for them to connect with the land.
Base layers are the foundation for success in dressing to be outside - a thin layer of protection under everything else. We carry base layers in merino wool, merino wool/silk and 100% silk for sensitive skin.
W&W: Why have you chosen outdoor education for your child?
ERIN: I believe nature is deeply regulating for the nervous system, and it's essential for building a good human. Learning about wild plants and self-sufficiency at a young age connects you to the land in a profound way. I didn’t feel that connection myself until I was a teenager.
TYLER: My summers with my grandparents in Prince Edward County left a lasting impact on me. It wasn't formal nature education, but being immersed in nature influenced me in so many ways. We want our kids to have those experiences, to see the world beyond constructed environments, and understand what it means to live in harmony with nature.
ERIN: Our son, already knows so much about the land. He can identify poison ivy, dandelions, and sprouting carrots. His confidence in nature is incredible.
Disana sweaters and lettings create the perfect mid layer - soft, flexible and not too bulky for wearing under outer layers - makes getting dressed easy!
W&W: What benefits are you seeing in your child after several years of outdoor programming?
ERIN: Confidence, for sure. When his friends come to visit, he becomes a leader because he knows the boundaries of the land. He’s also learning independence and how to make smart decisions.
TYLER: He’s more aware of his body too. Climbing trees, jumping on rocks, running through tall grass—it’s all part of his physical growth. He’s also able to release pent-up emotions by going for walks or runs, which keeps him content.
Erin and Tyler's son is wearing Disana's boiled wool jacket, knitted hat and Pickapooh mitts!
W&W: What does he love the most about outdoor school?
ERIN: Being outdoors!
TYLER: He loves learning from the older kids, especially about bushcrafting. There’s a natural mentorship happening between the different age groups, and after school, he shows us what he’s learned. It’s more than just school—it’s an exchange of skills and ideas that he’s excited to share with us.
Forest schools, like the one Erin and Tyler have created for their son and the community of children around the farm, offer children a space where they can explore, learn, and grow in harmony with nature. It’s more than just an education; it’s an experience that fosters confidence, independence, and a deep connection to the natural world.
Learn more about Foragers Farms by going to their website: https://foragersfarms.ca/.
Head to our home page to see all we have to offer for base, mid and outer layers for your outdoor adventures!