Before refrigeration, our ancestors mastered the art of food preservation—an essential skill that not only kept them nourished through lean months; but also deeply connected them to the land and seasons. In this hands-on workshop, we’ll dive into those timeless traditions and rediscover the magic of preserving food using age-old methods that are just as relevant (and delicious!) today.
Join Marissa Percoco, Executive Director of Firefly Gathering and passionate protector of ancestral wisdom, for a deep and delicious exploration of five foundational preservation techniques: drying, freezing, canning, pickling, and fermenting. Through stories, tastings, and hands-on practice, you’ll learn which methods work best for what foods—and why our guts, palates, and pantries all benefit from this reconnection.
We’ll work with abundant summer harvests like peaches, beets, okra, tomatoes, cabbage, turmeric basil and more, as well as wild-foraged treasures like sochan, black walnuts, nettles, and chestnuts. We’ll collectively create krauts, pickles, chutneys, salsa, mead and more! You’ll leave with knowledge passed down through generations—and a jar of homemade fermented goodness to savor at home.
This class is for everyone who eats—no prior experience needed; but even seasoned foodies will learn something! Whether you’re looking to deepen your relationship with your food, become more self-reliant, reduce food waste, reconnect with ancestral practices, or simply enjoy the satisfaction of preserving your own harvest, this workshop offers a beautiful and empowering way to further your journey of wellness through food, wherever you are along the way.
This class will be held outdoors on Saturday, September 6th, 2025, from 11:00 am – 5:00 pm near Barnardsville, NC.
This class is suitable for everyone and all ages! Participants under 16 must be accompanied by an adult.
Marissa Percoco is a spiritual being wrapped in a vulnerable meat sack who loves reading, writing, and all things farm-steady! Also a mother to 4 grown kids, 5 Shetland sheep, 3.5 cats, many many bees, and some very happy chickens! She finds joy in the minutiae and mystery under every stone. As the Executive Director, she sees The Firefly Gathering as an opportunity to collectively listen, and explore an alternative and sustainable way of being with Earth.
Transplanted many years ago from the West, she is deeply rooted in anti-oppression work and now, these old Appalachian hills. Learning traditional foodways, building strong & resilient communities based on education and mutual aid, and tending the land are her loves, along with exploring lofty mountain tops, sandy beaches, arid deserts, healing hot springs and epic ancient ruins. Working to topple hierarchies, nurture nature, and inspire a flood of fierce love, you can find her at fireflygathering.org, at Firefly Gathering July 8-13, 2025, or scampering in a forest near you!
In order to make our workshops more accessible, we offer two price options for each class, with an additional Equity Discount for qualifying individuals. Please consider these options and select your price at checkout.
Thank you for helping transform the world into a culture of abundance, resilience, and opportunity for all.
*Please check your pricing options before you register for your first Perennial Workshop. The pricing options are the same for all events, so you only need to do it once!
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PO Box 18758 Asheville, NC 28814
Subscribe to our Newsletter for updates on all things Firefly, such as Perennial Workshops, Book Nook, and Annual Gathering News.
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Lily is an artist, creator, and dreamer. Since a very young age, she has been immersed in the natural world and draws heavy inspiration from the wild. Though her medium changes frequently, Lily’s art and expression always incorporate an element of the organic and unpredictable. She got her associate in fine arts in 2023, and now volunteers at her school as a ceramic studio monitor. She hopes to open a studio of her own one day to have a place to teach and inspire others. In addition to doing commission work, Lily has been creating many graphics for The Firefly Gathering since 2019. Lily grew up in the Earthskills community from the time she was eight years old, so having the opportunity to grow and give back in so many ways has been incredibly fulfilling. No matter where she ends up, this group of people and ideas will always hold a special place in her heart.
