Wisconsin Man Forages All His Food

Robin Greenfield aims to live entirely off the land in his home state.

Apr. 6, 2026 at 10:17am

Robin Greenfield, an urban farmer from Ashland, Wisconsin, has embarked on a mission to forage all of his food from the natural abundance surrounding him. Greenfield believes that the edible plants and fungi growing freely in his local environment can provide him with a fully self-sufficient and sustainable diet.

Why it matters

Greenfield's foraging experiment highlights a growing movement towards self-sufficiency and a reconnection with nature, as more people seek alternatives to the industrialized food system. His story also sheds light on the potential for underutilized wild foods to combat food deserts and promote food security in urban and rural areas.

The details

Greenfield has spent years learning to identify and harvest a wide variety of edible plants, mushrooms, and other wild foods that thrive in Wisconsin's forests, fields, and waterways. He forages for everything from wild berries and greens to medicinal herbs and nutrient-dense roots, aiming to meet all of his dietary needs through this self-reliant approach.

  • Greenfield began his foraging journey several years ago.
  • He has been living entirely off the land for the past 6 months.

The players

Robin Greenfield

An urban farmer from Ashland, Wisconsin who is attempting to live solely off the wild edible plants and fungi found in his local environment.

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What they’re saying

“The abundance of nourishing foods growing freely all around us is truly remarkable. I'm excited to show my community how to tap into this natural bounty.”

— Robin Greenfield

What’s next

Greenfield plans to continue his foraging experiment and share his knowledge with others in his community who are interested in learning more about wild edible plants and sustainable food sourcing.

The takeaway

Greenfield's story demonstrates the potential for urban and rural residents to achieve greater food security and self-sufficiency by reconnecting with the natural world and learning to responsibly harvest the abundant wild foods that exist all around us.