Workshops
Let’s learn, grow, and inspire positive change together with a focus on sustainability and organic farming! Join us for workshops on local ecology, sustainable agriculture, wild crafting, gardening, climate change mitigation, cooking with farm-grown organic ingredients, and more.
Upcoming
• January 26, 2025 — Winter Sowing Native Seeds: Trees & Herbaceous Perennials
• February 1 — Stellar Stories & Stargazing
Financial Support Info
Winter Sowing Native Seeds: Trees & Herbaceous Perennials
Date: Sunday, January 26, 2025
Time: 10:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m.
Cost: Free, in partnership with Thetford Conservation Commission & West Fairlee Conservation Commission
Tobi Schulman of Birds and Bee Native Plants and Brooke Fleischman of Intervale Center Conservation Nursery, co-host this hands-on demonstration workshop on winter sowing native trees and herbaceous perennial plants.
Participants will actively learn to propagate a variety of native species and, by the end of the workshop, will be equipped to propagate their own native trees and plants at home, enhancing their own gardens’ biodiversity and resilience.
Topics covered will include:
- A discussion of how a native plant is defined and why this definition is important ecologically.
- The big WHY—why we care and why we are doing this.
- What is cold stratification and how are we going to achieve this? What other methods could we use?
- Other seed dormancy issues that need to be considered: light dependence, darkness dependence, and scarification.
- Recommended resources for: finding species-specific information about germination requirements; and, where to buy seeds of straight species native plants, both local ecotype and from further afield when local sources are not available.
Participants will learn how to plant, care for, and overwinter their seeds, plus basic seedling care, from germination to transplanting into pots or garden spaces. Everyone will get to take home a pot of native tree and herbaceous perennial seeds, ready to overwinter and grow.
This workshop is ideal for gardeners of all levels looking to deepen their understanding of native plant propagation.
This workshop is part of the Cultivating Purposeful Gardens with Native Plants learning series with Tobi Schulman and the Woody Plants of Vermont: Native Seed Learning Series with Brooke Fleischman of the Intervale Conservation Nursery.
Stellar Stories & Stargazing
Date: Saturday, February 1, 2025
Time: 5:30–6:30 p.m.
Cost: $20 per adult, $15 per teen, free for children under 12
Join us for an enchanting evening of stargazing, storytelling, and hot cocoa—an experience the whole family will love! In this fun, family-friendly workshop, we’ll dive into the rich history of how different cultures have connected to the stars through myths and legends. You’ll learn how to identify constellations and planets in the night sky, while also exploring the impact of light pollution on our celestial connection.
After a 20-minute indoor session where we’ll teach you how to use star-wheels and navigate the winter sky, we’ll step outside for a 20-30 minute guided stargazing adventure. Cozy up with a warm cup of hot chocolate and slice of pizza (included with your registration) as you gaze at the wonders above. Bring a blanket, relax, and enjoy this magical evening with family and friends.
This event is perfect for all ages, and kids under 12 join for free (maximum of two per adult). Spark your curiosity and deepen your appreciation for the beauty of the cosmos!
Past workshops: Intermediate Gardening, Maple Sugaring: Backyard Basics, Design Your Own Annual Planter, Pollinators on Blueberry Farms, Identify and Manage Common Garden Pests, Harvest Taste Create Play, Farmer-Led Field Walk, Make Your Own Herb Planter, Create Your Own Flower Bouquet, Macrame & Lattes, Fiber Arts: Flower Printing
