Dandelion coffee, goosefoot pie, stinging nettle soup and buttered milkweed buds are among the nutritional options that will be discussed at the Northern Center for Lifelong Learning’s next program, “Friends or Foes: Wild Foods and Medicinal Plants of the U.P.” The event is scheduled from 6-8 p.m. Wednesday, June 24, in 404A Cohodas Hall at Northern Michigan University.

Presenter Jeannie Wratschko will explain how some of the plants we try to eradicate from our lawns and garden have more medicinal value than anything we try to cultivate. Many plants considered weeds were actually brought to America for their food and medicinal value and other common plants have been ignored after centuries of use by Native peoples. Wratschko will discuss responsible and ethical foraging techniques, share recipes and basic remedies and lead participants on a tour outside Cohodas, weather permitting. Participants are invited to return to NMU the following night from 7-9 p.m. for a community presentation on indigenous uses of plants by students in NMU’s Native American studies program.

The cost for the workshop is $4 for NCLL members and $7 for nonmembers. Advance registration is required by Monday, June 22. Contact Carol Margrif at 249-9975.