Skilled pruning increases the quality of your harvest and provides for better access to air, wind and sun for your apple trees. Now is the time to learn what you need to know: the tools needed for pruning, the principles guiding best practices in pruning, best timing for pruning and spring thinning, and year by ... Read more
We’ll start with seeing ourselves as part of nature- our gardens as part of the larger ecosystem, and how we can build simple systems to make lasting changes. We’ll go over the design process, consider soil life, how to work with water, build plant communities and best of all, ways to tend the permaculture garden ... Read more
Spend a day learning the basics and benefits of growing hazel in the Upper Midwest. We will discuss the various species that grow in our region; ecosystem benefits of these plants; strategies for establishment, maintenance, harvest, and processing; and end the day learning about coppicing and how to craft a wreath with coppiced hazel stems. ... Read more
Do you find yourself depleted from living out your passion? Have you noticed physical, mental or emotional changes in yourself through excessively stressful times? Whether you are a farmer, a homesteader or a person who works hard – this course is for you. The ideas covered in this class will give you insight on how ... Read more
This practical workshop will take you through the planning and preparation to care for your own backyard poultry. Through guided discussion, resources, and hands-on experience you will discover everything you need to confidently and humanely raise chickens for eggs, meat, or just for fun. This is a project-based learning experience in which you will document ... Read more
Seedsaving for Beginners and Equinox Seed Swap Class March 22, 2025 at WEI's Amador Hill Farm and Orchard in North Branch All the foods we eat came from somewhere and the seed is where it all begins. Join Clint Freund of Cultivating the Commons to explore this lost relationship and find out more about the ... Read more
Women and Chainsaws March 29, 2025 9am at WEI's Amador Hill Farm and Orchard in North Branch If you don’t already love your chainsaw, you will after this class. We will focus on chainsaw safety and operation, and briefly touch on maintenance. We will discuss finding and caring for PPE (personal protective equipment) that fits ... Read more
Create Your Own Orchard: Make Fruit Trees by Grafting April 5, 2025 9:30 at WEI's Amador Hill Farm and Orchard in North Branch Have you ever wanted to grow fruit trees in your own backyard and harvest home grown fruits or start a small orchard? This class will give you the skills and hands-on experience ... Read more
Create Your Own Orchard: Make Fruit Trees by Grafting April 26, 2025 at WEI's Amador Hill Farm and Orchard Have you ever wanted to grow fruit trees in your own backyard and harvest home grown fruits or start a small orchard? This class will give you the skills and hands-on experience to learn how to ... Read more
Discover the joy and immense nutritional value of growing your own microgreens. In the class, students will learn the terms associated with growing microgreens, the equipment needed, where to source seed and how to record growing data. We will talk about options for small scale to larger scale grows. Students will learn strategies to overcome ... Read more
Gardening from Scratch Session 1: Building and Planting May 10, 2025 at WEI's Amador Hill Farm and Orchard This is the first class in a three-part series with sessions in spring, summer, and fall. Come learn how to start and maintain your own garden from scratch. This family-friendly gardening course will include 3 sessions throughout ... Read more
Foraging with Hope May 18, 2025 1pm-4pm at WEI's Amador Hill Farm and Orchard in North Branch Course Description: You don’t want to miss this foraging class with Hope Flanagan from the Turtle Clan. Hope is an elder who has learned about plants and foraging from her family lineage, Native elders and teachers, and the ... Read more
