If you need further information, send questions to info@sustainableberea.org or call 859-985-1689.

• Many of these workshops are outdoors.

• Please dress for the weather and have footwear suited to rough and wet ground.

• A hat and sunscreen will give important protection.

• If you have an allergy to bee stings, please bring your own epi-pen or other medications.

• Dogs are not allowed on the farm.

• Children under age 16 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian.

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Feb 8      5:30pm – 8pm      Sustainable Berea Annual Meeting: A Winter Gathering to Celebrate Urban Agriculture. Tickets available at www.sustainableberea.org/wintergathering

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Feb 10     6:30 – 8:00pm     First Christian Church     Planning a Seed Garden in Central Appalachia    Megan Allen

Megan Allen, Care of the Earth Community Farm, Corryton TN, is an expert seed grower. She will discuss the basics of planning your seed-growing year including variety selection, isolation distances, and harvest techniques. If you are interested in growing and saving seeds, whether you are experienced or a beginner, this presentation will be of value. Held in the Fellowship Room, First Christian Church, 206 Chestnut St, Berea. Free and open to the public. No registration required.

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Feb 22     10 – 11am     Zoom Meeting    Introduction to Backyard Beekeeping     Richard Olson

For people with little to no experience with bees. We will touch on basic bee biology, types of hives (Langstroth, Top Bar, Layens), key aspects of managing a hive in your backyard. We will provide a list of resources for more in-depth learning, and details on hands-on learning opportunities with the BUF apiary. Free. To receive the zoom access codes, send a request to info@sustainableberea.org with the caption “Beekeeping zoom.”

 

Mar 8     10 – 11am     Berea Public Library     Intro to Raised Bed Gardening     Olson

 

Mar 8     3 – 4pm     Richmond Public Library     Intro to Raised Bed Gardening     Olson

Raised garden beds can extend growing seasons, increase yields, and fit well in urban settings. We will describe how to build a bed, where to locate it, best soil to use, and how to maximize yields through succession planting. We will explain how to purchase a bed through the Victory Garden Blitz and how to volunteer for the Blitz. There will be a drawing at each of the presentations for a free raised bed. Free. No registration required.

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Mar 15     11am – noon     Berea Urban Farm     Intensive Gardening     Richard Olson

An overview for the beginning gardener of how to optimize your use of small spaces. We will discuss planning, seeds, fertilizers, frost protection, pest control, and building soil. Free. Registration not required.

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Mar 15     1pm – 2pm      Berea Urban Farm     Grow Shiitake Mushrooms     Belland

An introduction for the beginner of how to grow shiitake mushrooms by inoculating and maintaining oak logs. This is a hands-on workshop covering the basic steps and providing sources of additional information. Cost of the workshop is $10. For an extra fee, participants may take up to two inoculated logs home. Register and pay here.

 

Apr 11 – 13     Daily     Berea Urban Farm     11th Annual Victory Garden Blitz

Join us as we build and install 175 raised garden beds in Berea and nearby areas. We need volunteers to build beds, bag soil, deliver and install beds, prepare food, and keep records. Help us increase local food security by helping our neighbors to grow food. You can learn more, donate or volunteer for the Blitz www.sustainableberea.org/berea-victory-garden-blitz

 

Apr 19     10am – noon     Berea Urban Farm     Backyard Fruit Growers Plant Distribution

This is only for people who placed an order last fall. We will be bringing the shrubs and trees to the urban farm from Peaceful Heritage Nursery. Experienced fruit growers will be available to answer questions about planting and care.

  

May 3    10am    Berea Urban Farm     High Tunnels For Urban Agriculture    Preston

Kayla Preston of Grow Appalachia has built most of the high tunnels on the BUF and more than 100 tunnels elsewhere in eastern Kentucky. She will discuss high tunnel construction and costs, and their use in season extension and protection against severe weather. Cost of the workshop is $10. Register and pay here.

 

May 3     1 – 2pm     Berea Urban Farm     Growing Common Medicinal Herbs     Amorim

Learn about native habitats and growing conditions for specific herbs from community herbalist Joana Amorim of Sylvatica Forest Farm. Hands-on propagation methods by seed, cloning and root division, and a tour of the BUF medicinal herb beds. Cost of the workshop is $10. Register and pay here.

 

May 10     1 – 2:30pm     Berea Urban Farm     Beekeeping with the Layens Hive     Olson

Not well known in the United States, the Layens hive is widely used in Europe. It is a horizontal hive (like the top bar) with much larger frames than the Langstroth. We think it offers some advantages over other types of hives, and have added several Layens hives to the BUF apiary this year. In this workshop, we will open a Layens hive and discuss its function. - Space is limited. Cost of the workshop is $10. Register and pay here.

 

May 10    2pm    Berea Urban Farm     Fairies on the BUF    Heather Dent

Kids ages 6 to 12 will make their own fairy house and wand using natural materials from the farm. (Fairy houses will stay on the farm!) - Space is limited. Cost of the workshop is $10. Register and pay here.

 

May 17     2 – 3pm     Berea Urban Farm     Holistic Sprays For Fruit Tree Health     Olson

Michael Phillips of Lost Nation Orchard pioneered the use of pro-biotic sprays to support fruit tree health and increase resistance to diseases such as fireblight and cedar apply rust. We will discuss the biology behind this method, show you how to mix a batch of spray, and how to apply it most effectively to the BUF apple trees. Cost of the workshop is $10. Register and pay here.

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May 24    2pm    Berea Urban Farm     Tea Party on the BUF    Heather Dent

This event is for ages 7-12. We will learn about different herbs and get creative by making up our own original tea recipes! Using the herbs from the garden each participant will prepare their own unique tea for the rest of the group to try. Light tea time refreshments will be provided. Cost of the workshop is $10. Register and pay here.

 

June 14     9 – 11am     Berea Urban Farm     U-Pick Flowers Program     Jamie Hart

Also every Saturday (except July 5) through August 30.

Berea Urban Farm has a beautiful selection of colorful flowers that changes with the seasons. Our cut flower program welcomes individuals and groups to cut their own bouquet. This is a fun experience to share with friends and family! We will guide you on cutting stems and will have a table set up for flower arranging. Each registration covers approximately a quart size bouquet. Our cut flower program is on Saturdays beginning on June 15. Guests can arrive between 9-10 AM and we will be open until 11 AM. To register fill out the form on the BUF Cut Flowers page. The price is $12 which covers the cost of the flowers and vase. Please register early as registration is limited. Drop-ins are welcomed if space is available.

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June 14     10 – 11am     Berea Urban Farm     Home Composting     Olson

Learn how to transform your yard and kitchen wastes into a natural fertilizer. Save money while enriching your soil. Cost of the workshop is $10. Register and pay here.

  

June 21     10:30am – noon     Berea Urban Farm     Medicinal Plants and Play     Sacha Louise

Young ones learn through their senses and play about plants for minor First Aid uses. Bring your own stuffed animal or doll to practice on. Ages 2-7. Space is limited. Cost of the workshop is $10. Register and pay here.

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June 28    TBD    Berea Urban Agriculture Open Houses and Reception on the BUF for ARK Project

Some of Berea’s premier urban agriculture households invite you to visit, ask questions, and share your experience with growing food in small spaces. No charge. Details at www.sustainableberea.org/urban-garden-open-house

 

July 12     10am – noon     Berea Urban Farm     Seed Saving Workshop     Slowkowski and Olson

Saving your own seed can save you money, guarantee that you have the seed you need, and lead to the development of varieties best suited to your particular soil and climate. We will describe the basics of seed saving and demonstrate some of the techniques. Cost of the workshop is $10. Register and pay here.

 

July 19     10am     Berea Urban Farm     Mid-summer Herb Care and Harvesting    Joana Amorim

Learn about Herb garden maintenance, harvesting and drying practices for best results in long-term storage. Cost of the workshop is $10. Register and pay here.

 

July 19     2pm – 4pm     Berea Urban Farm     Weaving with Medicinal Herbs     Sacha Louise

Kids ages 7-14 will sensorially learn about several quality medicinal plants, and then weave them together to take home a beautiful medicinal plant tapestry. Cost of the workshop is $10. Register and pay here.

  

August 9     2pm – 4pm     Berea Urban Farm     Flowers of Summer     Sacha Louise and Heather Dent

Kids explore the wonderful nature of flowers, their edibility, and make nature art. Ages 6-12. - Space is limited. Cost of the workshop is $10. Register and pay here.

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August 16     10-11am     Berea Urban Farm   Herbs for Sleep and Dreaming     Brandi Monnett

Explore the deep-rooted connection between herbs that support healthy sleep cycles, enhance dreams, & promote relaxation. Learn about herbal preparations & practical remedies to deepen your understanding of the body’s natural restoration. - Space is limited. Cost of the workshop is $10. Register and pay here.

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September 6     9am – noon     Berea Urban Farm     Berea Blooms     Hart

Please join us on September 6th, 9am to noon, for the Berea Blooms Community Flower Distribution, where you can make yourself a flower arrangement at no charge when you make a second arrangement and give it to someone in the community as thanks for their service (e.g. police, fire, EMS, teachers, city workers, and many others....). Bring vases or large jars if you can. BUF staff will guide you in cutting and arranging. No registration needed. Free and open to everyone. Berea Urban Farm, 201 Adams Street

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September 13     10am     Berea Urban Farm     Winter Gardening Workshop    Belland

Master gardener Sky Belland will discuss variety selection, planting dates, and bed preparation for growing into the winter. We will install a winter bed at the BUF, and participants will receive seeds to use in their own winter greens bed. Cost of the workshop is $10. Register and pay here.

 

​September 27    1pm    Berea Urban Farm    Harvesting and Processing Medicinal Herbs    Amorim

Learn how to harvest herbs and how to make extracts using different methods to be used in product making. Here we can make some products like salves, tinctures and/or seasoning blends. Cost of the workshop is $10. Register and pay here.

 

October 4    10am    Berea Urban Farm    Sourdough Bread and No Knead Bread Making Workshop   Hart

Learn how to make sourdough bread by participating in making and baking a loaf. Participants will take home an active sourdough starter. Cost is $20 and pre-registration is required. Register and pay here.

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October 11     10am     Berea Urban Farm     Sauerkraut Workshop     Mudd

Learn the basics of vegetable fermentation and help to make a fresh sauerkraut. Each participant will take home a jar of kraut to finish the fermentation process at home. Cost is $20 and pre-registration is required. Register and pay here.

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October 11     1pm     Berea Urban Farm     Kombucha Workshop     Hutchinson

Learn how to make fresh kombucha in your own kitchen. Participants will take home a plain kombucha to finish fermenting at home and a flavored kombucha. Cost is $20 and pre-registration is required. Register and pay here.