Chris Baker

Chris Baker is a certified mushroom forager, gardener, full-time parent, and founder of Chicory Naturalist, an online resource and shop for budding naturalists of all ages. She has an M.A. in Social Sciences from the University of Chicago with a focus on the cultural ramifications of shifting food systems, and a diverse range of professional experience in the culinary, arts, and agricultural fields. Baker is a passionate lifelong learner, and a strong believer that knowledge is meaningful only to the extent it is shared. She lives in the Hudson Valley with her partner and toddler, who is a constant source of inspiration to question a priori assumptions, and to look deeply and daily at the natural world.


Past Olios with Chris Baker


Krumville // Fall Mushroom Walk

Traverse the mysterious, myceliated woods with a knowledgeable guide and learn ground rules for a safe and sustainable foraging practice. Through our foray we will appreciate the wild range of mushrooms the autumn rains have brought and gain a deeper appreciation for the many roles fungi play in our biome. After collecting our specimens we will return to Krumville Schoolhouse to learn some foundational mushroom ID skills.

Venue: None

Teacher: Chris Baker

Oct. 10, 2021, 2:30 p.m.

Fall Foray Mushroom Walk

Traverse the mysterious, myceliated woods with a knowledgeable guide and learn ground rules for a safe and sustainable foraging practice. Through our foray we will appreciate the wild range of mushrooms the autumn rains have brought and gain a deeper appreciation for the many roles fungi play in our biome. After collecting our specimens we will return to Krumville Schoolhouse to learn some foundational mushroom ID skills before enjoying some wonderful fresh and foraged autumnal foods together.

Venue: None

Teacher: Chris Baker

Oct. 10, 2021, 11 a.m.

Scarcity and Abundance: Foraging as an Ecosystem Service

In this Olio we will learn identifying characteristics of five freely found "weeds" in our ecosystem, and how they can be used for food, medicine, and art. We will cover foraging safety, specifically in an urban context, and the potential role of introduced species in establishing food sovereignty.

Venue: None

Teacher: Chris Baker

June 5, 2021, noon

OlioHouse 2021: Spring Awakening Day Pass

Venue: None

Teacher: Chris Baker

June 5, 2021, noon


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Olio: A miscellaneous collection of art and literature.