Sign Up Now for Spring and Summer Workshops Are you dreaming of spring yet? I know the slightly longer days have me feeling excited for seed starting and the gradual spiral out to the longest days of the year. We are on our way! I am going to host a series of workshops at the farm this summer and wanted to extend an invitation to you for the first two opportunities. The workshops will be "make-and-take:" you will learn about the process, get hands on and create items to bring home, and also go home with the knowledge to do the projects on your own later on. Space will be limited to 10 participants each to create a more intimate experience. Young people are welcome, but I recommend bringing an adult with for people under 12 years old. To sign up, simply send me an email ([email protected]) and I will send you the registration information. I will create a wait list if the classes fill up quickly. The two proposed workshops are: 1) Create your own Container Garden (May 21st) 2) Sarah's 3 Favorite Herbal Preparations (July 23rd) See more details about each workshop below. 1) Create your own Container GardenIn this workshop, participants will plant a container garden to bring home using vegetable and herb plants, potting mix, and planters provided. Learn tips and tricks for how to choose plants that will complement each other to create a "garden ecosystem" on your patio or deck, care and maintenance of your container garden, and ideas for harvesting and cooking with your herbs and veggies. Containers, plants, potting mix, and organic fertilizer will be provided-- you choose your plants and containers 'a la carte'. Bring your own containers to use if you choose. Some free container options will be provided. Date: Saturday May 21st Time: 2:00-5:00pm Location: Solar Fresh Produce, 1370 Eckert Ave SE, Buffalo Cost: $30 per person when signing up, plus cost of selected plants and containers (a la carte, to be paid after the workshop) 2) Sarah's Three Favorite Herbal PreparationsIn this workshop, learn about the medicinal benefits of plants and how to create three useful herbal preparations. Plants have many benefits like mood altering abilities, anti-viral and anti-microbial properties, skin softening, aiding in digestion, and many more. The plants are eager to help us humans out-- learn how to read their language, choose the right plant for the right type of preparation, and then make three herbal preparations to bring home with you. The three preparations created will be a balm (salve), a hydrosol, and an herbal tea blend. All plants used will be high-quality, potent, organic plant material grown at the farm. Participants will be able to customize the preparations to their needs depending on the herbs selected. Herbal preparations have delicious yet subtle scents and flavors ranging from earthy and herbaceous to floral and fruity. Combining and using these preparations taps into something primal and ancient, creating an aromatherapy experience free from synthetic preservatives and ingredients that our ancestors would approve of. The three preparations explained a bit further: 1) Balms: Combine botanical infused oils and beeswax to create a preparation that can be used for wound healing, chapped lips, skin softening and protection. Layer a balm with a hydrosol to create the ultimate skin softening and plumping experience. 2) Hydrosol: Use a copper alembic still to distill a hydrosol using plant materials harvested that day on the farm. Participants will choose what scent to make as a group, learn how to set up the still for distillation, and take turns monitoring the still. This ancient technique separates the plant's spirit from the solid materials to create a magical substance containing the plant alcohols, acids, and small amounts of essential oils containing fat soluble constituents. The resulting liquid is an ideal pH to balance the skin, potent with magical properties, and naturally the ideal dilution of essential oil to plant water that is safe to use externally or internally. 3) Herbal Tea Blend: Beauty starts from the inside out. Participants will blend their own herbal tea using dry herbs, selecting from the farm grown herbs provided. We will pause for light refreshments and conversation mid-afternoon. Finally, participants will package and label their creations before bringing them home to enjoy. Date: July 23rd (come back on the 24th if you need to finish anything) Time: 1:00pm-5:00pm Location: Solar Fresh Produce, 1370 Eckert Ave SE, Buffalo Cost: $150 which includes all herbs (fresh and dried), all materials, handouts, packaging, labels and refreshments I look forward to having you! |
Farmer Sarah
Musings from the Farm Archives
January 2024
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