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February 22nd Seed Matters

Seed as small as it is, is an important part of a sustainable food system.  We need to know where our seed is coming from, how it is bred and developed, who profits from it and what are ethical, sustainable sources for our seed.  Join us for a presentation about the politics of seed and the movement to keep seed in the hands of the people.Taught by Sara McCamant, Garden Manager at Ceres Community Project.

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March  22nd :  Backyard Regenerative Gardening

Be a force in the world (from your own backyard) for nurture, resilience and self-reliance.  Care for the plants and animals and birds and soil and they will care for you.  Revitalize your bit of earth, repairing what is damaged, recovering practices that have been lost, and support regeneration.  Grow your own mulch, save your own seed, understand and apply the basics of fertility. Outside class, cancelled if raining.

Taught by Peggy Rose is a  lifelong lover of plants and landscapes. She was a commercial organic farmer in the 90’s.   Peggy currently tends a half-acre food forest near Sebastopol.

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April 26th cancelled due to Apple Blossom Parade traffic

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May 24th- Seed Saving Basics-

People have been saving seeds for thousands of years, preserving some of the seeds of the most productive crops to grow again the following year. Practice informal plant breeding by choosing to save seeds from plants that have the best traits like fruit quality, yield, maturity date, disease resistance or other qualities. Being a successful seed saver doesn’t require an advanced degree, but it does demand careful planning and a basic understanding of plant reproduction. This class will provide a helpful overview of the basics of seed saving from the backyard garden. Learn about plant families, the difference between hybrids and open pollinated varieties and how to prevent cross-pollination. Find out what are some of the easiest plants to grow out for seeds. With a little practice you'll be able to contribute to the seed library we curate and share your homegrown seeds with the community!

 Taught by Matt Drewno of  Ecology Action Center.  Matt runs the research garden, teaches sustainable agriculture and manages the Victory Gardens for Peace Seed Bank, a collection of over 1600 accessions of locally grown seeds on the coast of Mendocino County. Matt loves seeds and people who love seeds. 

 

June 28th-Seed Garden Tour-

Come see the Community Seed Garden in all of its end of June glory! Everything in the garden is being grown for seed for our seed library. We’ll talk about the varieties we’re growing and discuss seed saving in the home garden. Bring your seed questions and your curiosity. 

CSE Volunteers.

 

July 26th-Harnessing Lunar Rhythms: An Introduction to Biodynamic Practices

Discover the transformative power of biodynamics, a holistic and regenerative approach to agriculture that aligns farming practices with the rhythms of nature. This class will delve into the foundational principles of biodynamic farming, including the role of lunar and cosmic cycles in influencing soil health, plant growth, and vitality. Learn practical techniques for planning planting schedules using lunar rhythms, and cultivating a deeper connection to the living ecosystem of your farm or garden. Perfect for farmers and gardeners looking to harmonize their work with nature's energetic flows.

Taught by Eytan  an Organic & Biodynamic farmer, gardener, herbalist and educator with 20 years of experience in the field of Regenerative Agriculture and Landscape Design. He has designed, implemented, managed, and maintained farm and garden projects throughout California, including Sonoma and Napa Counties, coastal Santa Cruz County, Malibu and beyond. 

August 23- Summer break- no class

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Sept 27th-Processing Seeds After Harvest

 Seed saving gives us the opportunity to work with full life cycle of a plant not just the edible parts. Once you've collected your dry seed it's important to know how to separate this seed from the chaff! If you have not winnowed seed before it can be an incredibly satisfying task that connects us to our ancestors who saved seeds from foraged and grown crops.  In this hands-on class, you will learn a variety of seed processing techniques. Techniques will vary depending on the seeds we will use simple winnowing techniques using bowls and fan as well as using an assortment of seed screens.

CSE Volunteers

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Oct 25th- Growing Great Garlic Panel- our Annual Garlic Growing Class-

This year hear from a panel of enthusiastic and knowledgeable garlic growers about what it takes to grow a great crop of garlic.  There are different ways to approach growing garlic. We will be convening a panel of experts to share their approaches and different ways to get a great crop.  Join us for the class and then if interested select some garlic to grow out for the Chester Aaron Garlic Stewardship Program. Become a garlic steward and help care for our diverse collection.

Sara McCamant with 30 years of garlic growing experience will moderate.

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