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
• Saturday, July 27 — Perennial Pocket Workshop
• Saturday, August 3 — Create Your Own Flower Bouquet
• Saturday, August 10 — Tree and Shrub Identification
• Sunday, August 11 — Harvest, Taste, Create, & Play
• Wednesday, August 14 — Protected Growing With High Tunnels in a Changing Climate, hosted by NOFA-VT
• Friday, August 23 — Tomato Tour, Growing Tips, & Tasting
• Saturday, August 24 — Introduction to Using iNaturalist
• Sunday, September 1 — Plant Propagation for Beginners: Culinary Herbs
• Saturday, September 7 — Create Your Own Flower Bouquet
• Friday, September 13 — The Big 3: Invasive Insects in Vermont & New Hampshire
• Late September/Early October — Native Tree Species: Seed Collection
• Friday, October 18 — Control of Nature: The Connecticut River and Dams
• Mid-Late December (Exact Date TBD) — Native Tree Species: Winter Seeding
Financial Support Info
Perennial Pocket Workshop
Date: Saturday, July 27
Time: 9:30–11:00 a.m.
Cost: Free
Have a nook in your garden space that you are looking to fill? A troublesome area in your landscape where plants don’t thrive? Looking for plant combinations that play well together?
Come gather at CCFEC for a workshop where we will look at herbaceous perennial combinations that work well together and thrive in specific garden conditions. Bring a photo or description of an area you are looking to get input on and we can talk over options that might work well for your space and share resources for picking plants that suit your site needs and support ecological functions.
This workshop will include an introduction to our perennial plant program, a tour of what we’re growing, discussion of perennial plant groupings, and troubleshooting your specific garden questions.
Contact us at education@cedarcirclefarm.org to join the waitlist.
Create Your Own Bouquet
Date: Saturday, August 3
Time: 10:00–11:00 a.m.
Cost: $15 per person*
Spend a relaxing Saturday morning with us, learning about how to harvest flowers and making beautiful bouquets! During the workshop, we’ll discuss the different types of flowers grown here on the farm and their uses in flower arranging.
Learn proper cutting and handling techniques for harvesting flowers from the garden, as well as tips and tricks for arranging and keeping your arrangements looking fresh. You’ll get to cut the flowers of your choice and create your own bouquet to take home.
*Children under 14 may attend for free if they are working with their parent or caregiver on one bouquet. Please register and pay separately if they will be making their own.
This workshop is also being offered on September 7.
Tree and Shrub Identification
Date: Saturday, August 10
Time: 10:00–11:30 a.m.
Cost: $15 per person / Free for children under 14
Learning patterns and recognizing species of plants around you connects you to a place, and leads to greater understanding of the landscape and its ecosystems (health, disease, management, wildlife). In this workshop, you’ll learn which plant parts can help identify woody plants and become comfortable using dichotomous keys.
This workshop is part of the Local Ecosystems Learning Series, led by expert educator Jocelyn Duffy, which aims to provide participants with a comprehensive understanding of our vital ecological systems, their significance, the threats they face, and methods for their preservation and restoration.
Harvest, Taste, Create & Play - Open Farm Week 2024
Date: Sunday, August 11
Time: 10:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m. (10 & 11 a.m. sessions)
Cost: $5 per person per activity / $10 per family per activity. Kids’ activities are free!
Come experience our beautiful, certified organic vegetable, berry, and flower farm this Open Farm Week. Join us for one activity or all—your choice!
- Harvest & Taste (10–11am): From our farm to your table! Join us for a farm tour and morning harvest followed by a tasting sample created in our farm kitchen using the same produce you harvested. You’ll leave with veggies, a tasty farm fresh snack, and a recipe!
- Create (11am–12pm): Indulge your inner designer with a walk through our certified organic cut flower garden. Harvest your favorites for an arrangement that you’ll make with us and take home with you. Learn about growing, harvesting, and design techniques to maximize your enjoyment of blooms in this abundant time and throughout the rest of the year.
- Play (11am–12pm): Bring the whole family for a full morning of FREE fun! Alongside the Create workshop, our educators will be offering kid-friendly craft projects and activities during our weekly Little Farmers program.
Register by Thursday, August 8th to participate!
Protected Growing With High Tunnels in a Changing Climate
Date: Wednesday, August 14
Time: 4:00–6:30 p.m.
Cost: $40 for NOFA-VT members; $50 for non-members; free for BIPOC*
This workshop is coordinated and hosted by NOFA-VT. Visit NOFA’s website to read more about the workshop and to register. Pre-registration is encouraged, but walk-ins are welcome.
In our changing climate, many farms are considering or utilizing protected growing spaces to have more control over aspects like temperature and water. Commercial growers, learn about siting a new high tunnel and the management of water, heat, and wind for new and existing structures. Take a tour of and learn about the greenhouses at Cedar Circle Farm. Farm staff will showcase mechanical systems, siting, and construction considerations. UVM Extension’s Joshua Faulkner will discuss water management related to high tunnels, including planning to account for site hydrology and addressing drainage around new and existing structures. UVM Extension’s Chris Callahan will address extreme weather, like how to mitigate against wind storms. This workshop earns one RAP Agricultural Water Quality education credit.
Tomato Tour, Growing Tips, & Tasting
Date: Friday, August 23
Time: 5:00–6:00 p.m.
Cost: $15 per person / Free for children under 14
Join our Vegetable Production Team for a tomato tour and tasting! Explore the diverse variety of tomatoes grown here at Cedar Circle Farm, get a behind the scenes look at one way to grow this popular summer crop, and learn some tomato growing strategies that you can practice at home. You’ll also get to sample the many different tomatoes grown on the farm to compare the flavors, textures, and uses of these exciting and diverse fruits.
Introduction to Using iNaturalist
Date: Saturday, August 24
Time: 9:00–11:30 a.m.
Cost: $15 per person / Free for children under 14
Join us for an engaging workshop with host Dr. Ryan Rebozo, Director of Conservation Science at the Vermont Center for Ecostudies! Learn how to use iNaturalist, a powerful tool for identifying and documenting native species in your area. iNaturalist harnesses the collective knowledge of a global community of scientists and nature enthusiasts, making it easier than ever to contribute valuable data to biodiversity research.
Whether you’re a seasoned naturalist or a curious beginner, this workshop will equip you with the skills to confidently identify plants, and insects using your smartphone or camera.
Plant Propagation for Beginners: Culinary Herbs
Date: Sunday, September 1
Time: 10:00–11:30 a.m.
Cost: Free!
Learn the art and science of propagating common herb plants in this exciting, hands-on workshop. We’ll cover propagation of a wide array of popular culinary herbs, including: basil, sage, rosemary, thyme, oregano, lemon balm and chives.
This class is designed to empower you with practical skills to expand your herb garden and share the joy of plant parenthood. We’ll teach an introduction to propagation, including stem cuttings, division and offsets, how to choose the right plants and about their growing needs, step-by-step techniques for each propagation method, and troubleshooting for common issues.
Each participant will leave with newly propagated plants in pots or containers.
This workshop is perfect for anyone who loves plants and wants to expand their collection sustainably. Whether you’re interested in saving money on plant starts, expanding your herb garden, or giving unique gifts to friends, propagating plants is a rewarding skill that you can continue to enjoy for years to come.
Create Your Own Bouquet
Date: Saturday, September 7
Time: 10:00–11:00 a.m.
Cost: $15 per person*
Spend a relaxing Saturday morning with us, learning about how to harvest flowers and making beautiful bouquets! During the workshop, we’ll discuss the different types of flowers grown here on the farm and their uses in flower arranging.
Learn proper cutting and handling techniques for harvesting flowers from the garden, as well as tips and tricks for arranging and keeping your arrangements looking fresh. You’ll get to cut the flowers of your choice and create your own bouquet to take home.
*Children under 14 may attend for free if they are working with their parent or caregiver on one bouquet. Please register and pay separately if they will be making their own.
This workshop is also being offered on August 3.
The Big 3: Invasive Insects in Vermont & New Hampshire
Date: Friday, September 13
Time: 5:00–6:00 p.m.
Cost: $15 per person / Free for children under 14
Learn about three invasive insects of great concern to our landscapes and forests: jumping worms, spongy moth, and spotted lanternfly; their life cycles, identification and signs, and management techniques. This workshop will be held indoors and includes a PowerPoint presentation.
This workshop is part of the Local Ecosystems Learning Series, led by expert educator Jocelyn Duffy, which aims to provide participants with a comprehensive understanding of our vital ecological systems, their significance, the threats they face, and methods for their preservation and restoration.
Native Tree Species: Seed Collection
Date: Late September/Early October - Exact Date TBA
Time: TBD
Cost: $15 per person / Free for children under 14
Uncover the unique attributes of native trees and explore how they contribute to biodiversity, soil health, climate regulation, and overall ecosystem resilience. This workshop will offer valuable insights into why native trees matter and how each of us can make a difference in safeguarding their future.
We’ll learn how to identify and gather seeds on our target native species list—Butternut, Ash and Black Cherry—as well as how to seed and propagate each species. And, you’ll get to take some home with you! You will also learn how to participate in Brooke’s citizen science initiative to build an inventory of seed collection sites for her project restoring riparian lands with native seeds.
Join us in celebrating the beauty and significance of native trees and become a steward of our shared natural heritage!
This workshop is part of the Native Seed Learning Series with Brooke Fleischman of the Intervale Conservation Nursery. The series follows the phenological timeline of a few specific native tree species. Learn to identify them in full leaf-out, summer flowers, fall seed production, and winter buds; help collect seeds to contribute to the Intervale’s Conservation Nursery project; and, take some home to grow in your own yard.
Control of Nature: The Connecticut River and Dams
Date: Friday, October 18
Time: 5:00–6:00 p.m.
Cost: $15 per person / Free for children under 14
Physical (geomorphological) changes to a river system are key to understanding ecological impacts. Learn about the history of the Connecticut River, geomorphology of river systems, and why riparian corridors are important to humans. Recognize our changing relationship with the natural world during industrialization, and understand some of the effects of dams on riparian ecology and ecosystem services.
This workshop is part of the Local Ecosystems Learning Series, led by expert educator Jocelyn Duffy, which aims to provide participants with a comprehensive understanding of our vital ecological systems, their significance, the threats they face, and methods for their preservation and restoration.
Native Tree Species: Winter Seeding
Date: December 2024 - Exact Date & Details TBA.
Time: TBD
Cost: $15 per person / Free for children under 14
Winter tree bud identification is the practice of recognizing and categorizing tree species based on the unique characteristics of their buds during the dormant season. It involves observing factors like bud size, shape, color, and arrangement on branches to distinguish between different tree species without the presence of leaves.
In this workshop, you will: learn about the critical stage of winter stratification that is needed in order for the seeds to germinate; plant native tree seeds yourself to take home with you; and, learn how to participate in Brooke’s citizen science initiative to build an inventory of seed collection sites for her project restoring riparian lands with native seeds.
This workshop is part of the Native Seed Learning Series with Brooke Fleischman of the Intervale Conservation Nursery. The series follows the phenological timeline of a few specific native tree species. Learn to identify them in full leaf-out, summer flowers, fall seed production, and winter buds; help collect seeds to contribute to the Intervale’s Conservation Nursery project; and, take some home to grow in your own yard.
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
