Today, we talk with Ali and Joe Zokan from Forest Folk Fungi. Located in eastern Tennessee in the foothills of Appalachia, their connection with nature and dedication to their craft are deep and represent the essence of an ethical, small-scale, high-quality business.
We are very proud to carry their tinctures at the shop.
- Hi! Where do we find you right now, how has your day unfolded so far?
We are well! Ali is very pregnant and will be birthing our first child any day now!
*Note: Since our interview, Ali and Joe have a beautiful daughter - Congratulations!
- Let's start at the beginning... What is the origin story of your business? How and why did you start?
When Joe and I met in 2014 it was because we overheard each other talking about fungi. The mycelium connection has been weaving us together from the very beginning.
- What did you want to do/be as a child?
(Ali) I remember mashing up plants in the nooks and crannies of creek stones as a child. I was thinking, “This could be medicine that I’m discovering!” There was always an element of collaboration with the faerie folk in these explorations. Not much has changed!
- What are the foundational values of your business? What is really important to you?
Sustainable, ethical wildcrafting is central to who we are. As a company still dedicated to wildcrafting in a booming medicinal mushroom supplement industry, we do things a little differently. Rather than scaling up to lab-grown mushrooms, we are staying true to our roots in the forest by providing sunshine soaked, rain washed, wild fungi. Our foraging ethics mean that boutique-scale products of the highest quality are our end goal.
- What is the story behind the name of your business?
Our love story began in the forest with the wild ones. Connecting with each other while honoring and learning about the innumerable beings of these Appalachian coves is bedrock for us. Our love has since stretched out into the garden, but we will always have our roots of togetherness in the forest.
- What is your favorite of all the products you create, and why?
Oh gosh, hard question. Probably our Reishi Drinking Chocolate which is just so delicious and helpful. Oh wait, then there’s Guardian Throat Spray and Equanimity Elixir and our St. John’s Wort Oil. It’s honestly hard to pick just one favorite.
- What practices bring you joy and inspiration?
Connecting with plants and fungi. Long days in the woods. Creek walking. Camping. Making music with friends. Cooking beautiful meals. Growing food and herbs. Tending the heartbeat of our little family.
Thank you, Ali and Joe, for answering our questions; we appreciate you so much and honor the caring connections that go into your work!
You will find Forest Folk Fungi's amazing tinctures on our online store here.
