Newton Resident Forages Berries and Mushrooms

Rich Stephens has been foraging for local produce since childhood.

Apr. 7, 2026 at 7:09pm

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

An impressionistic, blurred image of hands reaching into a bush to pick wild berries, conveying the tactile experience of foraging in a natural setting.A lifelong forager finds joy and connection in harvesting nature's bounty.Newton Today

Rich Stephens, a resident of Newton, Kansas, has been foraging for berries and mushrooms since he was a child. His hands would often turn purple from picking berries all day long. Stephens continues this tradition of foraging for local, natural produce as an adult.

Why it matters

Foraging for wild edibles is a long-standing tradition in many communities, providing access to fresh, nutrient-dense foods. As industrial agriculture has become more dominant, foraging has declined, but people like Stephens are keeping this practice alive and connecting with the land.

The details

Stephens has been foraging for berries and mushrooms since he was a child growing up in Newton. He would spend hours each day picking berries, which would stain his hands purple. As an adult, Stephens continues to forage for local produce, seeking out wild berries, mushrooms, and other edible plants in the area.

  • Stephens has been foraging for berries and mushrooms since childhood.
  • He continues this foraging tradition as an adult living in Newton.

The players

Rich Stephens

A resident of Newton, Kansas who has been foraging for berries and mushrooms since he was a child.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

The takeaway

Stephens' lifelong passion for foraging highlights the importance of maintaining connections to local, natural food sources, even as industrial agriculture has become more dominant. His story demonstrates how foraging can provide access to fresh, nutritious produce while also preserving cultural traditions.