Meagan’s love of plants began early and has only deepened over the years. Meagan’s particular plant passions include home food crops, succulents, herbs, and edible flowers. She also loves sharing her love of the natural world and has been teaching life sciences in Saint Paul Public Schools for more than a decade. She holds a BS…

Meena Mangalvedhekar is a MN-based artist and woodworking instructor passionate about sharing the craft as a tool for creativity, mindfulness, and connection. Meena’s teaching practice focuses on empowering students of all backgrounds to explore woodworking fundamentals. Her approach blends tradition and innovation, encouraging hands-on learning and fostering community through craft. Meena’s classes emphasize the meditative…

Megan Connors is an Early Childhood and Special Education teacher with a deep passion for the outdoors and early childhood development. She currently leads nature-based parenting classes on local trails and in outdoor spaces, helping families connect with the natural world. Megan’s goal is to support parents and encourage time spent outdoors with young children,…

Michael is the author of Untamed Mushrooms and an educator with over 30 years of experience exploring the world of fungi. A passionate forager, there’s no place he’d rather be than in the woods searching for mushrooms. He is a member of both the North American Mycological Association (NAMA) and the Minnesota Mycological Society (MMS),…

Michelle Greenhouse leads textile workshops throughout the Twin Cities, including at Textile Center. She studied at Philadelphia College of Textiles and Science and graduated with a master’s degree in weaving, then worked in the corporate design industry for 20 years at Calvin Klein, Jack Lenor Larsen, and Target. Michelle also has a master’s degree in…

Molly Sanford advocates for reuse and repair by spreading hands-on skills like sewing, welding, woodworking, and general troubleshooting. Molly believes that extending the lifespan of our belongings can be a joyful way to combat consumerism and climate change. She has taught a variety of hands-on classes at Fireweed Community Workshop (formerly Women’s Woodshop), Leonardo’s Basement, and the University…

Meet Peg Medcraft, a devoted art educator and passionate creator. With ‘CRAFT’ in her surname, her creative path was destined. Affectionately known at school and in the community as “Crafty,” Peg has inspired over 2,000 learners during her 35-year teaching journey, nurturing a love for art and ceramics.

In the early ’90s a friend took me on my first true Boundary Waters canoe camping trip – a group of women. The camaraderie, the laughter, the solitude for reflection, the joyful teamwork as we gently paddled and portaged the wilderness…I WAS HOOKED! I’ve now racked up some 25+ years of wilderness trail experience, leading…

Petra Guenthner Johnson is a fiber artist who lives and works near the Kinnickinnic River in River Falls, Wisconsin. She studied art at the University of Wisconsin–Superior from 1998 to 2001 and earned her Bachelor of Science in Visual Arts from North Dakota State University in 2003. Petra believes that art has the transformative power…

Rachel Payne of Saga Bookbinding, trained at the North Bennet Street School as a bench trained bookbinder and returned home to be a studio bookbinder in the Twin Cities, MN. She makes and repairs books and boxes,  loves do-it-yourself projects, figuring out puzzles, organizing, being in the classroom, and amateur nature photography. 

Randy Gildersleeve has decades of experience playing, teaching, and recording music in many genres. He currently performs with North Shore Trail (bluegrass/acoustic), Saints of Swing (big band jazz), St. Croix Crossings (classic rock), and the Hosanna Lutheran Forest Lake worship band. As a teacher, Randy gives private lessons in guitar, bass, banjo, ukulele, mandolin, and…

Rosetta “Rosie” Peters is a poet, author, public speaker, storyteller, and activist. She is of Yankton, Crow Creek, and Oglala descent and is excited to be a part of the revitalization of her ancestral language, Dakota. Rosie is the recipient of a 2020 Minnesota State Arts Board Creative Support for Individuals grant and a 2021…

Ross Safford is a master baker. He has worked largely with at-risk youth and families, getting food to those in need. He currently works with at-risk youth in schools. He is a huge Boston Red Sox fan and loves to sing.  At MMFS, you can often find him teaching with Bryce Johnson, another community-focused baker.

Sara Wait is the founder of Slow Burn, a boutique beeswax candle company based in St. Paul, MN. With a background in mindfulness and sustainable practices, Sara creates handcrafted, locally sourced candles designed to inspire intentional living and a connection to nature. Her workshops invite participants to slow down, learn a timeless craft, and enjoy…