Skill Seeker Short Courses
2016 Short Courses
The North Farm is hosting a series of Extension short courses starting in April on topics designed for market gardeners, small farms, and skill-seekers interested in gardening and farming. These short courses are an in-depth exploration of farming fundamentals and best practices taught by multiple instructors. Come to The North Farm for 5-hour learning sessions with an emphasis on hands-on activities so you can practice what you learn in class. Each short course includes the cost of materials for a project that is part of the instruction. “We want everyone to leave with something in their hands that they can use on their own farm when they get home,” said Abbey Palmer, Education Coordinator at The North Farm. Activities include using low hoop benders, building a strap hoe, saving seeds, and learning to test soil respiration. COST $30 for each course · $100 for all 4 FARM RATE AVAILABLE for multiple attendees from one farm $45 for each course· $150 for all courses The North Farm · N5431 Rock River Road· Chatham |
Register Here!
SEASON EXTENSION
Sunday, April 17 · 1-6pm
Growing food for more of the year increases food security and can bolster your farm’s earnings. This course will be valuable for individuals in the planning stages of hoop house construction.
Hands-on
Bend hoops for a 4’X12’ bed
Topics
Which hoop house is right for your operation?
Siting considerations
Hoop house planting schedules
Crops for year-round production
SMALL FARM SYSTEMS
Sunday, June 26 · 1-6pm
A farm is greater than the sum of its parts. This course looks at several farm systems and how they intersect. Get tips and tricks for building a lean, efficient farm.
Hands-on
Build a strap hoe
Topics
Transplant care and schedules
Irrigation
Fencing
Low-cost and farm built tools
Time management
Recordkeeping
WHOLE FARM HEALTH
Sunday, August 28 · 1-6pm
Viewing the farm as an organism makes us consider all the living beings that affect everyday life on the farm. From creating a nourishing environment for soil microbes to ways to control pests organically, this short course examines best practices for soil, water, and insect management.
Hands-on
Take a soil sample (or bring one from home) and test respiration
Topics
Cover cropping
Soil testing
Integrated pest management
Environmental verifications
Pollinators
SEED SAVING
Sunday, October 9 · 1-6pm
Saving seeds gives individuals the ability to select UP-hardy plant varieties and carry them on for future generations. Consider the percentage of your budget that goes to open pollinated seeds each year – replacing even a portion of that with seed saved from the farm saves money and creates a story you can tell your buyers.
Hands-on
Save seeds from open-pollinated plants using wet and dry process
Topics
Basic plant genetics
Planning a seed-saving garden
Harvesting and storing seeds
Wet process/dry process
Seed saving as a commercial enterprise
Sunday, April 17 · 1-6pm
Growing food for more of the year increases food security and can bolster your farm’s earnings. This course will be valuable for individuals in the planning stages of hoop house construction.
Hands-on
Bend hoops for a 4’X12’ bed
Topics
Which hoop house is right for your operation?
Siting considerations
Hoop house planting schedules
Crops for year-round production
SMALL FARM SYSTEMS
Sunday, June 26 · 1-6pm
A farm is greater than the sum of its parts. This course looks at several farm systems and how they intersect. Get tips and tricks for building a lean, efficient farm.
Hands-on
Build a strap hoe
Topics
Transplant care and schedules
Irrigation
Fencing
Low-cost and farm built tools
Time management
Recordkeeping
WHOLE FARM HEALTH
Sunday, August 28 · 1-6pm
Viewing the farm as an organism makes us consider all the living beings that affect everyday life on the farm. From creating a nourishing environment for soil microbes to ways to control pests organically, this short course examines best practices for soil, water, and insect management.
Hands-on
Take a soil sample (or bring one from home) and test respiration
Topics
Cover cropping
Soil testing
Integrated pest management
Environmental verifications
Pollinators
SEED SAVING
Sunday, October 9 · 1-6pm
Saving seeds gives individuals the ability to select UP-hardy plant varieties and carry them on for future generations. Consider the percentage of your budget that goes to open pollinated seeds each year – replacing even a portion of that with seed saved from the farm saves money and creates a story you can tell your buyers.
Hands-on
Save seeds from open-pollinated plants using wet and dry process
Topics
Basic plant genetics
Planning a seed-saving garden
Harvesting and storing seeds
Wet process/dry process
Seed saving as a commercial enterprise
Register Here!