Urban Homesteading Workshop Series 2009
Little City Farm is a small-scale urban homestead and eco bed & breakfast in Kitchener, Ontario.
All workshops listed for 2009 will be held at Little City Farm, 508 Duke St. W, Kitchener.
Each workshop costs $20/person (family rate available). REGISTER AT: info@littlecityfarm.ca / OR call 519-575-9174
Fermented Foods – February 21, 1-3 pm – with Jackie McMillan (pre-registration required)
Let your taste buds tingle! Discussion will cover background on fermenting foods, how and why to ferment foods, health benefits, and a spectacular taste testing of various lactic acid ferments. Workshop participants will prepare colourful multi-vegetable sauerkraut as part of this interactive session. Jackie recently completed an intensive week-long workshop on Fermentation, Food Culturing & Medicine Making at the Algonquin Tea Company.
Starting Seedlings at Home – March 21, 1-3 pm – with Angie Koch from Fertile Ground CSA – Note cost: $5/person
It’s time to get the garden started! Enjoy a few hours with your hands in the dirt, learning about how and when to start various seeds, germination success, transplanting, soil mixes, organic techniques, where to purchase seeds, and more. Participants will take home sample seedlings for their own garden. Sponsored by Farmers Growing Farmers, a program of Everdale Organic Farm and Environmental Learning Centre. Angie Koch is a local organic farmer with Fertile Ground CSA and is also a vendor at the Kitchener Market. www.fertilegroundcsa.com
Beyond Band-Aids: A Homeopathic Approach to First Aid – April 18, 1-3 pm - with Rachel VandenBerg
Looking to stock your first aid kit with natural remedies that work? Look no further! In this workshop you will learn the basics of homeopathic prescribing including how to select and dose appropriate homeopathic remedies. Focus is on the most common remedies in a summer first aid kit. Rachel VandenBerg is a licensed naturopathic doctor with an additional specialty in classical homeopathy. She practices at Healing Path Centre for Natural Medicine in uptown Waterloo. www.healingpathcentre.com
7th Annual Organic Seedling Sale – Free Event! – May 23, 9 am-12 noon
Join us at Little City Farm as we host our 7th Annual Organic Seedling Sale! Find organic and heirloom varieties of vegetables & herbs ready for planting. Specializing in heirloom tomato varieties. This is a free event. Seedlings cost $2-$3/each.
Natural Twig & Willow Construction – June 20, 1-3 pm - with Alfred Rempel and Robbert Kramer
Learn to build simple beautiful structures using natural materials that can be sourced in your own backyard! During this hands-on workshop we will be building a low wattle fence/arbour using locally grown willow, dogwood, grapevine and Manitoba maple. Also info on coppicing, living fences, and other forms of natural construction.
Plant Sensory Awareness – June 27, 1-3 pm – with Heather Cain
During this workshop, we will use a number of techniques to awaken our senses, connect to our intuition and deepen our ability to perceive the world around us. Then we will explore the garden, tuning into the intelligence and spirit of the plants that grow there. Plants and all nature beings have wisdom and healing to share, if we are willing to learn how to listen. Bring an open mind and dress for the weather!
Making Herbal Salves & Tinctures – July 11, 10 am- 12 noon – with Karin Kliewer (pre-registration required)
Learn to make simple herbal home remedies! Salves & tinctures allow us to extract and preserve the many beneficial properties of herbs. During this workshop we will harvest organic calendula to make a simple skin salve, and discuss various ways to make tinctured extractions. Workshop will also cover general tips on growing, drying and storing herbs. All materials provided. Participants take home samples. Karin Kliewer operates Homestead Herbals creating natural soaps & organic herbal products. Herbs used are grown organically at Little City Farm. www.littlecityfarm.ca/herbals
Fresh fruit picked in season from your own backyard! From planting to tending, pruning to harvest, in this workshop you will learn which fruit trees grow best in our climate and organic methods for maintaining healthy trees. Also information on how to get involved as volunteers with the local Fruit Tree Project, harvesting fruit from abandoned trees in our city.
Herbs for Women’s Health – August 8, 10 am-12 noon – With Karin Kliewer (pre-registration required)
In this workshop we will be discussing a variety of useful herbs for women's health that can be grown/wildcrafted locally - including red raspberry leaf, red clover, nettle, yarrow and more. We will be making & tasting several herbal infusions, and covering tips on wildcrafting, growing, harvesting, drying and storing herbs. Karin Kliewer operates Homestead Herbals creating natural soaps & organic herbal products. Herbs used are grown organically at Little City Farm. www.littlecityfarm.ca/herbals
Seed Saving Basics – September 19, 1-3 pm – with Bob Wildfong from Seeds of Diversity
Saving seeds & knowing how to grow our own food may be some of the most important skills we can have, as food prices rise and crop diversity declines. Attend this workshop to learn proper techniques for collecting seeds from your own garden this season, from beans to tomatoes, herbs to flowers. Proceeds from this workshop go to Seeds of Diversity, Canada’s Heritage Seed Program. More info at: www.seeds.ca.
Making Natural Waldorf-Inspired Dolls – October 24, 1-3 pm – with Amaryah deGroot (pre-registration required)
Learn to make simple dolls from natural materials such as wool, cotton and silk. In the tradition of Waldorf education, these cuddly dolls inspire children’s creativity and fantasy. Their neutral features help to develop a child’s imagination to see the doll laugh, cry, sleep, etc. Participants will work on their own doll throughout the workshop. All materials provided. Amaryah makes reconstructed clothing and toys from reclaimed wool sweaters with her business Sew Oiseau. www.sewoiseau.com
Spinning Wool & Other Natural Fibres – November 7, 1-3 pm – with Nicole Ethier
Workshop details to be confirmed – contact info@littlecityfarm.ca.
Intro to Soap Making – November 14, 1-3 pm – with Karin Kliewer (pre-registration required)
Make beautiful, natural handmade soaps just in time to give as gifts this Christmas. Join local herbalist & soap maker, Karin Kliewer, to learn the simple art of traditional cold-process soap making. This is a busy hands-on workshop where participants will be asked to bring a variety of supplies to create their own soap. Organic herbs and basic essential oils will be supplied. List of supplies will be emailed upon registration.
Living Foods: Sprouting for Winter – November 21, 1-3 pm – with Karin Kliewer (pre-registration required)
It only takes a few minutes per day to reap the great rewards to sprouted “living” foods. Sprouted foods add tremendous health & vitality to your meals, and provide an inexpensive source of fresh local greens during the winter months. Learn simple ways to incorporate sprouted seeds, grains, beans and nuts into your diet. We will sample and share recipes for microgreens, sunflower sprouts, and wheatgrass, as well as sprouted “cheese”, sprouted milk, sprouted breads, and even sprouted dessert! Participants each take home a sprouting starter kit.
