Foraging for Community: How the Woods Bring Us Together

Mike Kempenich examining a wild mushroom deep in the Minnesota woods — where years of solo foraging eventually sparked a community movement

Solo Beginnings, Shared Curiosity

For a long time, foraging was something I did alone. I didn’t mind — I liked the quiet, the focus, the feeling of being tucked into the woods with no one else around. But somewhere along the way, I started to wonder: were there others out there who felt the same pull? People who noticed the same details, who were just as content wandering through the understory with no real plan, just curiosity?

Eventually, I put out a Craigslist ad — nothing fancy — something like, “Hey, I hunt mushrooms. Anyone want to come along?” To my surprise, a few people replied. Some of them are still friends to this day.

A diverse group of foragers in the forest — illustrating how mushroom hunting often leads to something more meaningful: shared purpose and friendship.

The Unexpected Draw: Connection

That small response planted a seed that’s grown in unexpected ways. I’ve quietly watched this foraging community grow over the years — at this point, thousands of people have come out to learn, walk, and connect in the woods with me. And while many come curious about mushrooms, a surprising number tell me they’re mostly there to meet like-minded people. The mushrooms are just the excuse.

I’ve had folks tell me they love being outdoors, but they just didn’t feel comfortable being out there alone — and being part of a group made it easier to enjoy. Others were new in town or going through a rough patch and just wanted to do something real. And they found it. They almost always do.

Strangers become companions in the woods. Foraging walks foster connection, curiosity, and the kind of presence you can’t fake.

Something Changes in the Woods

There’s something about a group of strangers walking through the woods with a shared purpose — even if that purpose is “I’m not really sure what I’m looking for, but I hope someone else will point and say ‘that one’s good.’” It strips away a lot of the usual social noise. Nobody’s posturing. You’re just out there, scanning the ground, laughing about weird mushrooms, and helping each other figure it out.

Scientific research backs what foragers already know — that working together in nature strengthens community, mental health, and lifelong well-being.

It’s Not Just Anecdotal — It’s Backed by Research

A study published in Proceedings of the Royal Society B found that people working together on a foraging task performed better when they could communicate — better coordination, better outcomes, and stronger group cohesion (Fawcett et al., 2010)【source】. Sounds about right.

There’s also some interesting research from the University of Washington showing how even urban foraging strengthens social ties — bringing together people from all walks of life through shared knowledge, food, and a bit of exploration【source】.

Widen the lens even more, and you’ll find studies showing that social species — including humans — tend to live longer, healthier lives when they operate in groups rather than going it alone. Cooperation, shared experience, and that feeling of belonging matter more than we often give credit for (Lukas & Clutton-Brock, 2021)【source】.

You can even look to the Hadza of Tanzania — one of the last remaining hunter-gatherer societies — where foraging is deeply communal. Decisions are made together. Food is shared. No one is left behind. The sense of community isn’t a bonus — it’s built in【source】.

The Power of the Foraging Community

So yeah, folks might leave one of our events with a bag of black trumpets or a couple shaggy manes. But what they really carry home — whether they realize it or not — is that feeling of belonging. Of being part of something. Of showing up and being welcomed in.

A shared moment at a Gentleman Forager event — where mushrooms may bring people together, but community is what keeps them coming back.

A Gentle Reminder

And it’s worth saying — gently — that this is one of the reasons I’ve been uneasy about recent attempts to limit group foraging on public lands. These outings aren’t just about picking mushrooms. They’re about connection. For some people, they’re one of the only ways left to comfortably step into the woods, meet others, and feel part of a community again. It’s something I hope we continue to make room for.

Anyway — just something that’s been on my mind. I’ll keep leading these walks for as long as people keep showing up curious and open. Because in the end, it’s not about species lists or basket weights. It’s about people. And the woods have always been a good place to find them.