Classes + Events
Off-Grid Solar with Batteries, with Jon Passi
In this class we will discuss types of batteries and how to connect and maintain them. We'll also introduce other elements necessary for setting up off-grid solar, including rack types, roof mounts, solar panels, charge controllers, off-grid inverters, and wiring.
DIY Dairy Ferments, with Laura Mathes
Fermented dairy is a wonderful way to incorporate probiotics into the diet, use extra milk, and can make dairy more digestible for some. In this class, participants will learn how to make easy dairy ferments, including yogurt, kefir, fresh cheese and cultured butter. We will discuss the health benefits of these foods, ways to use different animal milks in the recipes and fermentation troubleshooting.
Black Ash Plaited Basket, with Liandra Skenandore
Plaited baskets are simple but beautiful and still strong holders for many precious and humble items.
The Art of Kolrosing, with John Carlson
Kolrosing is an ancient form of wood surface decoration. Thin lines are incised into wood and a powderized substance, such as ashes, coffee grounds or cinnamon, is rubbed into the lines. Oil is applied to the wood, suspending and sealing the substance, creating colored patterns on the surface that are smooth to the touch.
Unlike woodcarving or woodburning, Kolrosing is not removing wood, but spreading the wood and filling the grooves. The technique is easy to learn and is commonly used to decorate wooden spoons and other utilitarian objects.
Pine Needle and Sweetgrass Basketry, with Linda Conroy
Explore the creative possibilities of this traditional skill as you design and complete a coiled basket using pine needles and sweetgrass. Herbalist Linda Conroy will guide and instruct you on how to coil and stitch a simple basket as well as integrate other materials into your basket, such as black walnut hull, pine cone, beads, and more.
Fruit Tree Grafting, with Rikardo Jahnke
Come learn the magic of fruit tree grafting! With this versatile skill you will be able to make your own apple trees at a fraction of the cost of purchasing them, and have the tools to clone any apple tree you happen to fancy.
Mushrooms A-Z: Preparing and Growing Fungi for Food and Medicine, with Linda Conroy
Whether you grow, forage or purchase mushrooms, it is easy to bring them into your kitchen and medicine chest. Learn how to best prepare mushrooms for optimal benefit and get inspired to incorporate them into your daily life through this informative workshop.
DIY Photovoltaics, with Jon Passi
Each class participant models their own solar project, and collects all the information they need to finance, construct, or manage their own solar project.
Windmills for Water Pumping, with Jon Passi
A windmill is both a rural icon and a time-honored method of pumping water - one that is still a viable method today.
Fruit Tree Grafting, with Rikardo Jahnke
Come learn the magic of fruit tree grafting! With this versatile skill you will be able to make your own apple trees at a fraction of the cost of purchasing them, and have the tools to clone any apple tree you happen to fancy.
Beginning Chip Carving, with John Carlson
"Chip Carving" is an ancient form of wood-surface decoration. It can be applied to wood surfaces both practical and decorative. Examples can be seen on jewelry, Christmas ornaments, boxes, furniture, door frames, spoons and more! In this class each student will have guided practice, then choose/create a traditional Rosette pattern to complete their own Chip Carving artwork.
Black Ash Mini Basket (With Kits), with Liandra Skenandore
In this class, students will make one mini basket made out of black ash splint material. Students will work with already prepared base and weaver pieces to weave a mini basket in the continuous weave style. Students will learn how to finish a basket by tucking in the uprights and how to fashion a rim system onto the basket with prepared rim and lashing pieces. A log pounding and splint splitting demonstration will be done where students can participate in the intricate process of attaining ash splint material. Students will also learn about Haudenosaunee traditions and histories of black ash basket weaving. A display table of baskets and basket books will be available for students to interact with.
Pine Needle and Sweetgrass Basketry, with Linda Conroy
Explore the creative possibilities of this traditional skill as you design and complete a coiled basket using pine needles and sweetgrass. Herbalist Linda Conroy will guide and instruct you on how to coil and stitch a simple basket as well as integrate other materials into your basket, such as black walnut hull, pine cone, beads, and more.
Beginning Chip Carving, with John Carlson
"Chip Carving" is an ancient form of wood-surface decoration. It can be applied to wood surfaces both practical and decorative. Examples can be seen on jewelry, Christmas ornaments, boxes, furniture, door frames, spoons and more! In this class each student will have guided practice, then choose/create a traditional Rosette pattern to complete their own Chip Carving artwork.
Beginning Chip Carving, with John Carlson
"Chip Carving" is an ancient form of wood-surface decoration. It can be applied to wood surfaces both practical and decorative. Examples can be seen on jewelry, Christmas ornaments, boxes, furniture, door frames, spoons and more! In this class each student will have guided practice, then choose/create a traditional Rosette pattern to complete their own Chip Carving artwork.
Pine Needle and Sweetgrass Basketry, with Linda Conroy
Explore the creative possibilities of this traditional skill as you design and complete a coiled basket using pine needles and sweetgrass. Herbalist Linda Conroy will guide and instruct you on how to coil and stitch a simple basket as well as integrate other materials into your basket, such as black walnut hull, pine cone, beads, and more.
The Art of Kolrosing, with John Carlson
Kolrosing is an ancient form of wood surface decoration. Thin lines are incised into wood and a powderized substance, such as ashes, coffee grounds or cinnamon, is rubbed into the lines. Oil is applied to the wood, suspending and sealing the substance, creating colored patterns on the surface that are smooth to the touch.
Unlike woodcarving or woodburning, Kolrosing is not removing wood, but spreading the wood and filling the grooves. The technique is easy to learn and is commonly used to decorate wooden spoons and other utilitarian objects.
Black Ash Plaited Basket, with Liandra Skenandore
Plaited baskets are simple but beautiful and still strong holders for many precious and humble items.
DIY Photovoltaics, with Jon Passi
Each class participant models their own solar project, and collects all the information they need to finance, construct, or manage their own solar project.
Black Ash Mini Basket (with kits), with Liandra Skenandore
Tiny but mighty, black ash mini baskets are wonderful, strong holders of small treasures, spare change, or favorite rocks.
Black Ash Mini Basket, with Liandra Skenandore
Tiny but mighty, black ash mini baskets are wonderful, strong holders of small treasures, spare change, or favorite rocks.
Beginning Chip Carving, with John Carlson
"Chip Carving" is an ancient form of wood-surface decoration. It can be applied to wood surfaces both practical and decorative. Examples can be seen on jewelry, Christmas ornaments, boxes, furniture, door frames, spoons and more! In this class each student will have guided practice, then choose/create a traditional Rosette pattern to complete their own Chip Carving artwork.
Fruit Tree Grafting, with Rikardo Jahnke
Come learn the magic of fruit tree grafting! With this versatile skill you will be able to make your own apple trees at a fraction of the cost of purchasing them, and have the tools to clone any apple tree you happen to fancy.
Mushrooms A-Z: Preparing and Growing Fungi for Food and Medicine, with Linda Conroy
Whether you grow, forage or purchase mushrooms, it is easy to bring them into your kitchen and medicine chest. Learn how to best prepare mushrooms for optimal benefit and get inspired to incorporate them into your daily life through this informative workshop.
Biological Illustration, with Vicki Lynn Ramsay
Phenology calendars are a unique approach to nature study that allows the observer to take a short period of time to note down distinct observations as they relate to time of year, moon phase, temperature, weather, and other details.
Small Container/ Planter Workshop with Arwyn Wildingway of Thoreau’s Garden
This will be a simple workshop where we will discuss planter design, appropriate plants, sun vs shade planters, container types, herb and veggie planters, and care and upkeep.
Off-Grid Solar with Batteries, with Jon Passi
In this class we will discuss types of batteries and how to connect and maintain them. We'll also introduce other elements necessary for setting up off-grid solar, including rack types, roof mounts, solar panels, charge controllers, off-grid inverters, and wiring.
Beginning Chip Carving, with John Carlson
"Chip Carving" is an ancient form of wood-surface decoration. It can be applied to wood surfaces both practical and decorative. Examples can be seen on jewelry, Christmas ornaments, boxes, furniture, door frames, spoons and more! In this class each student will have guided practice, then choose/create a traditional Rosette pattern to complete their own Chip Carving artwork.
DIY Photovoltaics, with Jon Passi
Each class participant models their own solar project, and collects all the information they need to finance, construct, or manage their own solar project.
Permaculture in the Driftless, with Peter Allen of Mastodon Valley Farm
Peter is an ecologist-turned-farmer that owns and operates Mastodon Valley Farm, a 220-acre regenerative farm in Southwestern Wisconsin.
Hanging Basket Workshop with Sarah Mercer from Thoreau's Garden
Come spend an afternoon getting your hands dirty and learn behind the scenes tips and tricks to create two of your own hanging baskets to adorn your home this summer. We will discuss design elements of hanging baskets, how to choose appropriate plants, care and upkeep, tips on placement, shade vs sun baskets and so much more! Students will create two hanging baskets each, and 20$ for each additional hanging basket.
DIY Dairy Ferments, with Laura Mathes
Fermented dairy is a wonderful way to incorporate probiotics into the diet, use extra milk, and can make dairy more digestible for some. In this class, participants will learn how to make easy dairy ferments, including yogurt, kefir, fresh cheese and cultured butter. We will discuss the health benefits of these foods, ways to use different animal milks in the recipes and fermentation troubleshooting.
Windmills for Water Pumping, with Jon Passi
A windmill is both a rural icon and a time-honored method of pumping water - one that is still a viable method today.
Black Ash Tray Basket, with Liandra Skenandore (3 days)
In this three day course students will be immersed in black ash log pounding and black ash weaving to create their own tray basket that can be used in a variety of ways: a table centerpiece, a fruit and vegetable holder, office supplies tray, herb collecting, item displaying---such are a few named uses.
Pine Needle and Sweetgrass Basketry, with Linda Conroy
Explore the creative possibilities of this traditional skill as you design and complete a coiled basket using pine needles and sweetgrass. Herbalist Linda Conroy will guide and instruct you on how to coil and stitch a simple basket as well as integrate other materials into your basket, such as black walnut hull, pine cone, beads, and more.