Showing posts with label urban farm school. Show all posts
Showing posts with label urban farm school. Show all posts

Wednesday, August 26, 2009

Lawn to Food: Converting Grass to Growing Space - 9.17.2009

The Urban Farm School & the Fruit Valley Sunshine Garden present:

Lawn to Food: Converting Grass to Growing Space
Thursday, September 17
6:00 to 8:00pm

Learn how to convert existing lawn to suitable space for planting a garden! Autumn is the ideal time to prepare new and existing garden beds for the spring season. Class will include how to easily suppress or remove grass, appropriate materials, amend soil, and encourage microorganisms. This will be a hands-on class held at the Fruit Valley Sunshine Garden where we will prepare a bed for this neighborhood project as part of the class. Bring your gloves and questions; it will be a great evening!

Fee: $15/person
Location: Fruit Valley Sunshine Garden, 2903 Weigel Avenue, Vancouver 98660
Registration and payment required: 360-852-3728 or e-mail

Tuesday, June 30, 2009

Urban Farm School Upcoming Classes & Events - July 2009

July is packed full of GREAT classes from Kendra and Toree and the Urban Farm School. Tons of information on canning, pickling, preserving, extending your harvest, and an evening of bat viewing at Ridgefield Wildlife Refuge! VERY COOL STUFF!!

Contact the Urban Farm School and sign up for some classes ASAP, 'cause they're filling up fast. Here's the schedule:

UPCOMING CLASSES

Jams and Jellies Primer
Thursday, July 9, 5 to 8pm
Submerge yourself in the wonderful world of jams and jellies. An easy way to reduce your grocery bills and increase the healthiness of the food you eat. We will discuss pectin options (including how to make your own!), seasonal fruits, sweeteners, and savory jellies as well as tools and materials needed at home. Workshop includes hands-on jam and jelly activity, all supplies, seasonal fruit for canning, and materials. You will leave this class with a bevy of jam and jelly options for home and the goodies you’ve canned in class.
Fee: $40
Location: Pioneer Grange, 3803 NE 199th St. Ridgefield, 98642,
http://www.wa-grange.org/pioneergrange.htm
Registration required: 360-907-5814 or e-mail.
Note: This class is limited to 10 people and requires payment in advance to secure your space.

Drying and Freezing the Harvest Primer
Sunday, July 12, 1 to 4pm
This workshop is designed to aid you in saving some of the harvest without canning. Learn about freezing fruits and vegetables, blanching, and storage as well as how to dry fruits and herbs for use throughout the year. Workshop includes hands-on drying activity, all supplies, seasonal herbs, and materials. You will leave this class with a bundle of knowledge, preservation confidence, and the goodies you’ve prepped in class.
Fee: $40
Location: Pioneer Grange, 3803 NE 199th St. Ridgefield, 98642,
http://www.wa-grange.org/pioneergrange.htm
Registration required: 360-907-5814 or e-mail.
Note: This class is limited to 10 people and requires payment in advance to secure your space.

Thursday, July 16, 6:30 to 8:30pm
Extending the Season’s Harvest
Learn about how to extend the growing and harvesting season throughout the fall and winter. Class will focus on seed selection, planting schedules, harvesting tips, mulching and other garden protectors.
Fee: $15
Location: Five Star Farms, 8806 NE 159th Street, Battle Ground, WA 98604
Registration required: 360-907-5814 or e-mail.

Canning for Couples and Food Tasting
Saturday, July 18, 9am to 1pm
We are happy to be offering a class through Vancouver-Clark Parks and Recreation at Luepke Center. Spend the day with someone special, exploring the wonderful world of seasonal foods and home preservation. Walk away with a canned
item, basic waterbath canning confidence, and a greater
knowledge of our local food system. There will be seasonal food snacks served during the event.
Fee: $75/couple
Location: Luepke Kitchen Multi-Purpose Room, 1009 E. McLoughlin Blvd., Vancouver 98663
Registration required: (Parks and Recreation office) 360-487-7050

Pickling Primer
Sunday, July 19, 1 to 4pm
There aren’t many things better than homemade pickles. Discussion will include appropriate foods for pickling, brine options, fermentation techniquesas well as tools and materials needed for home. Workshop includes hands-on pickling activity, all supplies, seasonal vegetables, and materials. You will leave this class with a new eye for pickling possibilities and the goodies you’ve pickled in class.
Fee: $40
Location: Pioneer Grange, 3803 NE 199th St. Ridgefield, 98642,
http://www.wa-grange.org/pioneergrange.htm
Registration required: 360-907-5814 or e-mail.
Note: This class is limited to 10 people and requires payment in advance to secure your space.

Waterbath Canning Primer
Thursday, July 23, 5 to 8pm
The workshop will cover the basics of water bath canning including what foods are appropriate for water bath canning vs. pressure canning, safety, syrups, tools, and materials. Workshop includes hands-on canning activity, all supplies, seasonal fruit for canning, and materials. You will leave this class with a greater knowledge of food safety, waterbath canning confidence, and the goodies you’ve canned in class.
Fee: $40
Location: Pioneer Grange, 3803 NE 199th St. Ridgefield, 98642,
http://www.wa-grange.org/pioneergrange.htm
Registration required: 360-907-5814 or e-mail.
Note: This class is limited to 10 people and requires payment in advance to secure your space.

Pressure Canning Primer
Sunday, July 26, 1 to 4pm
The workshop will cover the basics of pressure canning including what foods are appropriate for pressure canning vs. water bath canning, safety, pressure and time requirements, food preparation as well as tools and materials needed for home. Workshop includes hands-on canning activity, all supplies, seasonal vegetable for canning, and materials. You will leave this class with a greater knowledge and confidence of pressure canning and the goodies you’ve canned in class.
Fee: $40
Location: Pioneer Grange, 3803 NE 199th St. Ridgefield, 98642,
http://www.wa-grange.org/pioneergrange.htm
Registration required: 360-907-5814 or e-mail.
Note: This class is limited to 10 people and requires payment in advance to secure your space.

Thursday, July 30, 6:30 to 8:30pm
Family Bat Night!
We’re batty for bats and the whole family can join us for an evening out! We will discuss the important role that these misunderstood mammals play in pest control and pollination. Class will consist of a lecture and short walk to view the bats in action. Come prepared for walking and outdoor weather.
Fee: $15/person, $30/family (up to 4 people)
Location: TBA
Registration required: 360-907-5814 or e-mail.


The Urban Farm School Web Site

Monday, June 1, 2009

A Clark County Farm Tour With the Urban Farm School - 6.14.2009

It’s time to take a tour!

Join the Urban Farm School on Sunday, June 14 for our Local Food Field Trip. We will be visiting Storytree Farm CSA, Bi-Zi Farms farm stand, Bethany Vineyards Winery, and Toree’s backyard farm. We are so excited about this event and the opportunity to share a little of the bounty that Clark County offers. We will be driving so you can enjoy the afternoon and a glass of wine or two with no worries. At each stop we will be taking a tour and learning a little about the farm itself and what part it takes in the local food community straight from the farmer’s mouths. Bring along your appetite as we will have a local snack prepared for you to eat at Bethany Vineyards to accompany your wine and be sure to bring your shopping bag to pick up some goodies for the week. This is a great event to share with friends or family, a great way to celebrate a graduation, birthday, or wedding.

We are thankful to all the farms for having us and for providing such a unique experience for Urban Farm School. We look forward to spending the afternoon with you all! Please, contact us soon to register as this is a limited space event! 360-907-5814 or via e-mail. $50/person. Fee includes: transportation, snack, education, and tours.

A little snippet of the farms ~

Bethany Vineyards (www.bethanyvineyards.com)
Located in Ridgefield, Washington, Bethany Vineyard and Winery combines the best traditions of winemaking with the nearly perfect growing climate of southwest Washington to produce a wine with distinct flavor and character. Their wines represent a careful selection of grapes, grown in small blocks, hand picked, and skillfully produced. Bethany Vineyards celebrated it’s 6th year in May 2009 and hosts a summer concert series “Music in the Vines.” Visit their site for details.


BiZi Farms (www.bizifarms.com)

Bi-Zi Farms is a family owned and operated farm originally established by Gabrial Zimmerman in 1872 when he purchased 180 acres from Gottlieb Wagonblast. The current owners are the 4th and 5th generations on the farm. The Farmstand is open year-round and offers Clark County and Pacific Northwest crops such as strawberries, asparagus, berries, lettuce, herbs, flowers, apples, squash, pumpkins, bread, eggs and a bevy of other in-season crops.


Storytree Farm CSA (www.storytreefarm.com)

Storytree Farm is a locally-owned and family operated CSA farm in the Pleasant Highlands neighborhood of Vancouver, Washington. Their mission is to grow fresh, tasty chemical-free vegetables, fruits & herbs using natural methods. They reject the use of GMO seed. All of their shares are sold out for the 2009 season but visit their site for information about their annual tour, classes, and other on-farm events.


Toree’s Urban Farm

Take a peak into Toree’s urban farm in the Fircrest Neighborhood and what can be done on a subdivision lot. Chickens, fruiting trees and shrubs, and prolific vegetable garden are all featured in this amazing backyard setting. See what hard work and vision can do in three short years.

Note from Glenn: I entered this blog post into the Food Renegade Fight Back Friday's Blog Carnival. Go check out the carnival to read more cool stuff about SOLE food.

SOLE (Sustainable, Organic, Local, and Ethical) food, traditional food, primal food, REAL food, the list goes on. ..

Wednesday, May 13, 2009

You're Invited to a Garden Party! - 6.02.2009

Here's an invitation to an upcoming Urban Farm School GardenforLife party.

You are invited to a GardenforLife Party in Camas!
Our hostess Eva has generously opened this party to the public.

Topic: Good Bugs/Bad Bugs
We'll discuss beneficial insects, how to attract them, and the importance of them in the garden as well as organic control for pests

Date: Tuesday, June 2
Time: 6 to 8pm
Please, call 360-852-3728 or E-mail the Urban Farm School to register.

Have you scheduled your GardenforLife Party yet? Now is the time for great summer fun with friends and family!

For details visit:
http://urbanfarmschool.com/gardenforlife-parties/

Tuesday, April 28, 2009

Happy Birthday to You. Happy Birthday to You....

Happy Birthday Uuuuuurbaaaaaaan Faaaarm Schooooool! Haaaaaaaappy Biiiiiiirthdaaaaaaay Tooooooooooooo Youuuuuuuuuuuuuu!!

I want to express my sincere thanks to Kendra & Toree for spreading the gospel of dirt digging, urban farming, sustainability, and home economics to our community. We all live in a better place because of you and your work here. Best wishes for many, many more years of the Urban Farm School doing it's thing here in Clark County.

A Very Happy Birthday to You Indeed!!


Urban Farm School’s One Year Anniversary Party
Sunday, May 3, Noon to 4pm
Toree’s Urban Farm, 1113 NE 122nd Ave. Vancouver, 98684

Join us in celebrating our one year anniversary with a plant and garden doodad sale, plant exchange (please, mark your starts), and of course there will be goodies! Rain or shine. Thank you for your continued support.

Wednesday, April 8, 2009

Urban Farm School - Garden Essentials Class - 4.14.2009

The busy gals over at the Urban Farm School have a great food producing garden class coming up next Tuesday for all of you dirt diggers out there. Here's the scoop from Kendra & Toree:

Good afternoon, everyone!
We are happy to be partnering with Ecolution NW again to provide a fabulous and intimate space to hold our next class, "Just One Thing: Essentials for the Year-round Garden." We will be focusing on the three or four tips and tricks that should be done in the garden each season to make it a healthier and more productive food producer for you and your family. This is a "conversation" class. Have questions about your garden that you need answers to? Bring them along! We are excited to build a community of gardeners while focusing on your particular needs during this busy time of year.
We look forward to seeing you next Tuesday night!
Just One Thing: Essentials for the Year-round Garden
Tuesday, April 14, 6:30 to 8:30pm
Ecolution NW, 1709 Broadway, Vancouver 98663
Please, call 360-907-5814 or E-mail us to register
Fee: $15/person

Farmingly,

Toree Hiebert & Kendra Pearce, Owners
Urban Farm School
PO Box 393
Ridgefield, WA 98642
360-907-5814 or 360-852-3728
www.urbanfarmschool.com

Tuesday, March 24, 2009

Upgrade Your Wardrobe...







...with a groovy new t-shirt from the Urban Farm School!

You can get yours for a reasonable $18 by contacting Kendra or Toree at the Urban Farm School.
Did I mention the shirts are made with 100% organic cotton? Sweeeeeet...

Wednesday, February 25, 2009

Urban Farm School Upcoming Classes & Events

Here's an excerpt from a recent post on the Urban Farm School blog all about the good stuff they have planned for us this year. Very cool stuff!

In the spirit of new opportunities we are introducing a new series of classes this summer called “Primers” that will focus on a small classroom environment, intensive instruction and lots of hands-on/take home activities for preserving in-season foods from your garden as well as local sources. These classes are a great opportunity for people to decrease their grocery bills while increasing good, healthy, local food for their families while supporting their local food community. We look forward to seeing you at a Primer!

We are also excited to re-establish our relationship with Sherian Wright, the local native bee lady. Her website can be found at: http://www.mountainbugs.com and is a wealth of native bee information, box designs, easy how-to lessons and more. We are also excited to form a new relationship with ecolutionnw, a local Vancouver business that specializes in green building products, floors, counter tops, insulation and more. Join us for our first chicken class of the year March 10th at their store. visit their website at: http://www.ecolutionnw.com for store and product details.

For our second year we will be participating in the Marshall Center Earth Day Celebration, April 18. We’ll be conducting two basic canning information classes as well as having a booth. We’ll be available throughout the day to answer your questions and just talk gardening! This is a great family event with lots of information for all ages.

For the first time we will be participating at the Home and Garden Idea Fair at the Clark County Fairgrounds April 24-26. We will have an informational booth in the Exhibition Hall and will be conducting a “Food Gardening for Small Spaces” lecture Saturday at 1pm again this year. We are excited to be exhibitors in this annual event; it’s one we always look forward to visiting as guests!

Tuesday, October 14, 2008

Urban Farm School Dinner Party - November 6th

On Thursday, Nov. 6, Urban Farm School will be hosting a garden-to-table dinner party in Ridgefield. Titled and themed "New Thanksgiving Traditions," the three-course dinner will feature chef Anna Petruolo's take on three fall vegetables: pumpkin, apple and kale.

Reservations are $25 and may be made by calling 360-852-3728 or emailing urbanfarmschool@gmail.com. Prepayment is required.