Urban Chickens Workshop
Have you ever thought about adding animals to your garden oasis? Love the idea of fresh eggs or unlimited "compost"? If so, then this workshop is for you!
Shelly began raising chickens so she'd know exactly the quality of eggs that she feeds her family. She's been raising chickens in her yard in University Heights for se veral years, and has been teaching others around San Diego at garden clubs, conferences and seminars. Alongside the practical information, she's got lots of humorous anecdotes and experiences from her flock to share with you.
- Date: Saturday, May 12, 1 to 3pm
- Cost: $25, or $20 for Friends of the Farm
- Instructor: Shelly Stewart
Shelly began raising chickens so she'd know exactly the quality of eggs that she feeds her family. She's been raising chickens in her yard in University Heights for se veral years, and has been teaching others around San Diego at garden clubs, conferences and seminars. Alongside the practical information, she's got lots of humorous anecdotes and experiences from her flock to share with you.
Introduction to Seed Saving & Spring Seed Swap
- Dates: Saturday April 28th, 3:30p, class is followed by the Spring Swap at 4:30p, and our monthly community potluck.
- Cost: $10-20. Workshop fee includes entry to our Spring Seed Swap ($5, or free if you bring seed to share!), which starts immediately following the class.
- Instructor: Misha M. Johnson, Farm Manager at Wild Willow Farm
- Details: In this introduction to seed saving, we will start with an overview of the subject, its importance for our own food security, and some common issues facing seed savers today, such as the proliferation of genetically modified organisms (GMOs). We will cover the basic terminology used in seed saving, discuss different methods for isolation, and discuss basic seed saving techniques. Some species covered will be: peas, beans, corn, tomatoes, lettuce and more. There will be plenty of time for questions and we'll also discuss our efforts to start San Diego's first seed bank!
Introduction to Beekeeping
WHATS ALL THE BUZZ ABOUT WITH BEES? Please join us at Wild Willow for a fun an informative afternoon fill with bees...and honey. If you have ever dreamt of getting to know honeybees a little better this is your chance. Get some hands on experience with our resident bees and beekeeper.
Paul Maschka teaches organic agriculture at San Diego City college and is co-manager of the Seeds at City Urban Farm on campus. He is retired after seventeen years working at the San Diego Zoo Horticulture Department as Lead Organic Horticulturist. Paul is a passionate conservationist - he studies, practices and lectures on a number of environmental topics including organic urban food production (edible landscaping), biointensive gardening, mycology (cultivation of culinary mushrooms), water conservation (rain water harvesting), beekeeping and urban bee rescue, composting, vermiculture (worm farming), native habitat restoration, home grown, home made, and whole live foods (cheese, canning, kimchi, tempeh, honey).
- Date: Saturday April 21st, time 10a-1p---join us afterward to volunteer in the fields!
- Cost:$25, $20 for Friends of the Farm
- Instructor: Paul Maschka
- Details: We will be doing a number of tasks that are common when caring for bees like observing bee behaviors, looking inside hives to see the activities and assess the needs of the bees, look for signs of pests, indications to honey production and attitudes of bees. We'll discuss honeybee society, types of hives, hive parts, hive tools used, and beehive etiquette (do's and don'ts). This talk will be focused on natural beekeeping methods. We will talk about how to start this amazing craft.
Paul Maschka teaches organic agriculture at San Diego City college and is co-manager of the Seeds at City Urban Farm on campus. He is retired after seventeen years working at the San Diego Zoo Horticulture Department as Lead Organic Horticulturist. Paul is a passionate conservationist - he studies, practices and lectures on a number of environmental topics including organic urban food production (edible landscaping), biointensive gardening, mycology (cultivation of culinary mushrooms), water conservation (rain water harvesting), beekeeping and urban bee rescue, composting, vermiculture (worm farming), native habitat restoration, home grown, home made, and whole live foods (cheese, canning, kimchi, tempeh, honey).
Lemon Balm Syrup for Relaxation for Immune Support
Lemon Balm is so safe and gentle it can be given to babies but so powerful it can prevent viral invasion. Learn how to use this sweet and refreshing herb in a calming and immune supportive elixer.
Nicole Plaisted Desert Sage is an artist, and medicine person. She works as a nutritionist and herbalist for Boney's Bayside Market in Coronado Ca. She has a Master's Degree in Education and has her certificate as a Waldorf Teacher. She is an active member of her community by volunteering her time as an educator for Shakti Rising www.shaktirising.org a woman-centered transformational recovery program and has helped to develop their first product "Shaktea" She specializes in herbal medicine and loves to help others “Get Planted” in the world of Plant Spirit Medicine. She offers classes, workshops, private consultations and healing treatments using natural medicine and Indigenous herbs. She is also a founding member of San Diego Herb Company, www.sandiegoherbcompany.com a co-operative of herbalists in San Diego.
- Date: March 31st from 12pm-2p
- Cost: $25, $20 for Friends of the Farm.
- Instructor: Nicole Plaisted MH
- Details: In this 2 hour class with herbalist and nutritionist Nicole Plaisted from San Diego Herb Company, and Shakti Rising, you will learn the medicinal properties of Lemon Balm as well as other herbs. You will walk away with a container of your own elixer and the new knowledge of how to craft a quick and easy delivery system for your own medicinal herbs. Dried Lemon Balm Communitea will also be available for sale if you wish to take some home for tea, etc.
Nicole Plaisted Desert Sage is an artist, and medicine person. She works as a nutritionist and herbalist for Boney's Bayside Market in Coronado Ca. She has a Master's Degree in Education and has her certificate as a Waldorf Teacher. She is an active member of her community by volunteering her time as an educator for Shakti Rising www.shaktirising.org a woman-centered transformational recovery program and has helped to develop their first product "Shaktea" She specializes in herbal medicine and loves to help others “Get Planted” in the world of Plant Spirit Medicine. She offers classes, workshops, private consultations and healing treatments using natural medicine and Indigenous herbs. She is also a founding member of San Diego Herb Company, www.sandiegoherbcompany.com a co-operative of herbalists in San Diego.
Natural Fruit Tree Care: Pruning, Grafting & Propagation
It’s not too late for doing your yearly Winter care for your fruit trees! Careful pruning is our way of communicating with the tree, and it is crucial to getting the most of your fruit tree.
Paul Maschka teaches organic agriculture at San Diego City college and is co-manager of the Seeds at City Urban Farm on campus. He is retired after seventeen years working at the San Diego Zoo Horticulture Department as Lead Organic Horticulturist. Paul is a passionate conservationist - he studies, practices and lectures on a number of environmental topics including organic urban food production (edible landscaping), biointensive gardening, mycology (cultivation of culinary mushrooms), water conservation (rain water harvesting), beekeeping and urban bee rescue, composting, vermiculture (worm farming), native habitat restoration, home grown, home made, and whole live foods (cheese, canning, kimchi, tempeh, honey).
- Date: March 3rd from 10a-2p
- Cost: $25, $20 for Friends of the Farm.
- Instructor: Paul Maschka
- Details: In this 4-hour class with City College agriculture instructor and long-time urban farmer Paul Maschka you’ll learn how to prune your deciduous fruit trees for their greatest fruit production and long-term health of the tree. You'll also learn grafting and propagation techniques to give you greater control and knowledge about how to manage your orchard. This workshop provided hands-on instruction and practice on Wild Willow Farm fruit trees. Instruction applies to pome fruits, stone fruits, figs, grapes, etc----not to citrus or guavas.
Paul Maschka teaches organic agriculture at San Diego City college and is co-manager of the Seeds at City Urban Farm on campus. He is retired after seventeen years working at the San Diego Zoo Horticulture Department as Lead Organic Horticulturist. Paul is a passionate conservationist - he studies, practices and lectures on a number of environmental topics including organic urban food production (edible landscaping), biointensive gardening, mycology (cultivation of culinary mushrooms), water conservation (rain water harvesting), beekeeping and urban bee rescue, composting, vermiculture (worm farming), native habitat restoration, home grown, home made, and whole live foods (cheese, canning, kimchi, tempeh, honey).
Vegetarian Holiday Cooking Workshop
Are you planning to make some important holiday meals this December? Then this is the perfect workshop for you!
This wonderful vegetarian cooking class on the farm will supply you with some great ideas and tips on how to prepare delicious vegetarian meals for the holidays that all your friends and family will enjoy. Class includes instruction from a professional culinary instructor, is a totally fun demonstration, and everyone get to enjoy farm fresh organic produce (direct from the source) at its best!
For any other questions about this class or private classes, please contact Chef Jenn at (858) 212- 9054 or follow me on twitter Chef_Jenn www.chefjenncooks.blogspot.com
This wonderful vegetarian cooking class on the farm will supply you with some great ideas and tips on how to prepare delicious vegetarian meals for the holidays that all your friends and family will enjoy. Class includes instruction from a professional culinary instructor, is a totally fun demonstration, and everyone get to enjoy farm fresh organic produce (direct from the source) at its best!
- Date: December 11th, 11a-1p
- Cost: $25 or $20 for Friends of the Farm.
- Instructor: Chef Jenn
- Details: You'll learn all steps of the cooking process from beginning to end, and recipes are provided for you to take home. Menus are to be determined, by Mother Nature! Classes will be held outdoors at Wild Willow Farm, and we suggest that you bring your own plate, fork and cup! (The farm will have some for those who do not).
For any other questions about this class or private classes, please contact Chef Jenn at (858) 212- 9054 or follow me on twitter Chef_Jenn www.chefjenncooks.blogspot.com
Fall Fermentation Workshop
Did you know that all ferments are pickled, but not all pickles are fermented! Fermented pickles start with brine instead of vinegar to preserve the food; they are probiotic; they take more time, but it's well worth the wait. They taste much better than "quick" pickles!
Date: October 15, 2011 3:30-4:30pm----same day as our monthly community potluck at the farm, so stick around afterward for a farm tour, and some great fun and food. See website for more details.
Cost: Suggested Donation is $10-20 per person to attend the workshop. You can take a hands-on lesson in fermenting and take home your own 1-GALLON JAR of fermented veggies for an additional $10!
Instructor: Austin Durant, Founder, Fermenters Club.
Details: During the workshop, you'll learn about the basics of food fermentation; what its benefits are, what Fermenters Club is doing locally and globally to promote this lost art, and see a demo on how to start a seasonal vegetable ferment. Then you’ll have a chance do it yourself! Stick around to roll up your sleeves and start your own ferment from fresh, local, vegetables, and you’ll have the opportunity to keep a one-gallon jar of pickles!
Date: October 15, 2011 3:30-4:30pm----same day as our monthly community potluck at the farm, so stick around afterward for a farm tour, and some great fun and food. See website for more details.
Cost: Suggested Donation is $10-20 per person to attend the workshop. You can take a hands-on lesson in fermenting and take home your own 1-GALLON JAR of fermented veggies for an additional $10!
Instructor: Austin Durant, Founder, Fermenters Club.
Details: During the workshop, you'll learn about the basics of food fermentation; what its benefits are, what Fermenters Club is doing locally and globally to promote this lost art, and see a demo on how to start a seasonal vegetable ferment. Then you’ll have a chance do it yourself! Stick around to roll up your sleeves and start your own ferment from fresh, local, vegetables, and you’ll have the opportunity to keep a one-gallon jar of pickles!
Urban Chickens with Patricia Foreman
Saturday, November 19, 2011, 1 to 3pm
at Wild Willow Farm & Education Center
$20 general, $15 for Friends of the Farm
Come for the workshop, stay for the potluck!
Join Patricia Foreman, author of City Chicks: Keeping Micro-flocks of Chickens as Garden Helpers, Compost Makers, Bio-recyclers and Local Food Suppliers, as she shares her humor, passion, and extensive knowledge about raising chickens in the cities and suburbs of America.
There are many books on how to keep chickens, but City Chicks is the only one that tells you how to employ a flock's skill set for insect and rodent control, weed abatement, fertilizer & compost creation, and as biomass-recyclers. All this, and enjoy fresh, healthy eggs, that only travel a few feet from your kitchen!
As we search for more integrated solutions for urban problems, we discover chickens may be the answer. City Chicks explores the civic side of chickens as they help turn waste destined for landfills into food, fertilizer and compost. A few hundred households keeping micro-flocks of laying hens can divert tons of yard and food waste from trash collection, saving municipalities thousands, even millions of tax dollars. While Americans struggle with income loss and question unsustainable agriculture methods of commercial food production, home hen-keeping can feed families, while helping to eliminate our reliance on chemicals for farming, reducing oil-dependency and our carbon footprint.
City Chicks goes on to explain why hens are not just utilitarian but fun and companionable, and can help build family and neighborhood bonds with grow-your-own food and bounty-sharing practices. Locally produced nutritious food helps keep America strong and safe.
Patricia Foreman graduated from Purdue University with degrees in Pharmacy and Agriculture. At Indiana University's Graduate School of Public and Environmental Affairs she earned a Master of Public Affairs degree, with majors in Health Systems Administration and International Affairs. She completed the Virginia Master Gardener's program in 1999 and a Permaculture Design Course with Bill Mollison 1991.
Pat has kept poultry for over 20 years. Her experience includes operating a small-scale farm raising free range, organic layers, broilers and turkeys. She keeps a backyard flock of heritage chickens. Pat is also the co-author of "Chicken Tractor, Day Range Poultry, Backyard Market Gardening, and A Tiny Home to Call Your Own".
at Wild Willow Farm & Education Center
$20 general, $15 for Friends of the Farm
Come for the workshop, stay for the potluck!
Join Patricia Foreman, author of City Chicks: Keeping Micro-flocks of Chickens as Garden Helpers, Compost Makers, Bio-recyclers and Local Food Suppliers, as she shares her humor, passion, and extensive knowledge about raising chickens in the cities and suburbs of America.
There are many books on how to keep chickens, but City Chicks is the only one that tells you how to employ a flock's skill set for insect and rodent control, weed abatement, fertilizer & compost creation, and as biomass-recyclers. All this, and enjoy fresh, healthy eggs, that only travel a few feet from your kitchen!
As we search for more integrated solutions for urban problems, we discover chickens may be the answer. City Chicks explores the civic side of chickens as they help turn waste destined for landfills into food, fertilizer and compost. A few hundred households keeping micro-flocks of laying hens can divert tons of yard and food waste from trash collection, saving municipalities thousands, even millions of tax dollars. While Americans struggle with income loss and question unsustainable agriculture methods of commercial food production, home hen-keeping can feed families, while helping to eliminate our reliance on chemicals for farming, reducing oil-dependency and our carbon footprint.
City Chicks goes on to explain why hens are not just utilitarian but fun and companionable, and can help build family and neighborhood bonds with grow-your-own food and bounty-sharing practices. Locally produced nutritious food helps keep America strong and safe.
Patricia Foreman graduated from Purdue University with degrees in Pharmacy and Agriculture. At Indiana University's Graduate School of Public and Environmental Affairs she earned a Master of Public Affairs degree, with majors in Health Systems Administration and International Affairs. She completed the Virginia Master Gardener's program in 1999 and a Permaculture Design Course with Bill Mollison 1991.
Pat has kept poultry for over 20 years. Her experience includes operating a small-scale farm raising free range, organic layers, broilers and turkeys. She keeps a backyard flock of heritage chickens. Pat is also the co-author of "Chicken Tractor, Day Range Poultry, Backyard Market Gardening, and A Tiny Home to Call Your Own".
Natural Building
Hand-sculpting your own shelter is a truly empowering act. Re-skilling our selfs in the crafts of our ancestors gives us an insight into the collective knowledge of early humans. People today still practice natural building with local natural resources. Even in this modern age it's believed that more people on Earth live in homes built of earth than any other building material. In the superb growing climate of Southern California free high quality building materials abound in every direction----especially at Wild Willow Farm!
Cost: TBD
Instructor: Paul Maschka
Details: A number of the plants usable for natural building are non-native and abundant. Some examples are Mexican Fan Palms (Washingtonia robusta) good for roofing, Giant Reed (Arundo donax) it resembles a wild bamboo, Salt Cedar (Tamarix) long strait logs and many varieties of Eucalyptus with logs and branches of all sizes. Many of our native plants (such as willows) are fast growing and renewable and were use extensively by the local Native Americans. In this workshop we'll will construct a shade structure at Wild Willow Farm using de-barked round poles, woven willow branches, Arundo canes and fan palm fronds---All harvested right from the farm!. We will practice the art of cordage making by hand, lashing techniques , joinery using wooden dowels, preserving wood naturally and bracing.
Please Bring: Water, Food for pot luck lunch Sun hat, Comfortable gloves, Close toed shoes
Other things to bring if you have them: Machete, hand pruners, long handled pruners, pruning saw, saw horses, 6 foot and 8 foot step ladder, Hand operated auger with bits
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Paul teaches organic agriculture at San Diego City college and is co-manager of the Seeds at City Urban Farm on campus. He is retired after seventeen years working at the San Diego Zoo Horticulture Department as Lead Organic Horticulturist. Paul is a passionate conservationist - he studies, practices and lectures on a number of environmental topics including organic urban food production (edible landscaping), biointensive gardening, mycology (cultivation of culinary mushrooms), water conservation (rain water harvesting), beekeeping and urban bee rescue, composting, vermiculture (worm farming), native habitat restoration, home grown, home made, and whole live foods (cheese, canning, kimchi, tempeh, honey).
Cost: TBD
Instructor: Paul Maschka
Details: A number of the plants usable for natural building are non-native and abundant. Some examples are Mexican Fan Palms (Washingtonia robusta) good for roofing, Giant Reed (Arundo donax) it resembles a wild bamboo, Salt Cedar (Tamarix) long strait logs and many varieties of Eucalyptus with logs and branches of all sizes. Many of our native plants (such as willows) are fast growing and renewable and were use extensively by the local Native Americans. In this workshop we'll will construct a shade structure at Wild Willow Farm using de-barked round poles, woven willow branches, Arundo canes and fan palm fronds---All harvested right from the farm!. We will practice the art of cordage making by hand, lashing techniques , joinery using wooden dowels, preserving wood naturally and bracing.
Please Bring: Water, Food for pot luck lunch Sun hat, Comfortable gloves, Close toed shoes
Other things to bring if you have them: Machete, hand pruners, long handled pruners, pruning saw, saw horses, 6 foot and 8 foot step ladder, Hand operated auger with bits
--------------
Paul teaches organic agriculture at San Diego City college and is co-manager of the Seeds at City Urban Farm on campus. He is retired after seventeen years working at the San Diego Zoo Horticulture Department as Lead Organic Horticulturist. Paul is a passionate conservationist - he studies, practices and lectures on a number of environmental topics including organic urban food production (edible landscaping), biointensive gardening, mycology (cultivation of culinary mushrooms), water conservation (rain water harvesting), beekeeping and urban bee rescue, composting, vermiculture (worm farming), native habitat restoration, home grown, home made, and whole live foods (cheese, canning, kimchi, tempeh, honey).
Drawing with Nature
Encounter some basic approaches to drawing, both wet and dry. Engage with the environment. Use what’s at hand. Play with dirt! Draw with mud! See the color of a leaf mark as it draws across the page. Get the feel of the farm close up.
Miriam Sievers, M.F.A.: Art instructor community colleges, National University and San Diego Museum of Art; Miriam has taught in the areas of drawing, three dimensional art, jewelry and art history My favorite place to draw is outside. It is a great place to interact with the actual object and is a wonderful way to connect with the environment.
- Dates: POSTPONED
- Cost: Suggested donation of $10-20 at the door.
- Instructor: Miriam Sievers, M.F.A.
- Details: Materials will be provided and we will add to the experience with leaves, twigs, straw, or whatever we find on the farm! Plant roots make great brushes; discover the varied textures made by mixing dirt or sand with paint!
Incorporating natural materials with our own natural expression makes a masterpiece you can enjoy before composting or recycling! Later on, enjoy the potluck event. If your creation is wet or needs to rest, pick it up after the potluck.
Miriam Sievers, M.F.A.: Art instructor community colleges, National University and San Diego Museum of Art; Miriam has taught in the areas of drawing, three dimensional art, jewelry and art history My favorite place to draw is outside. It is a great place to interact with the actual object and is a wonderful way to connect with the environment.
