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Classes + Events

March 2025
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Filtering by: “Classes”
Fruit Tree Grafting, with Rikardo Jahnke
Apr
13

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. In the class we will discuss and demonstrate whip-and-tongue and cleft grafting in detail. The basics of bridge grafting, bud grafting, and top working older trees will be covered. The care and protection of young trees, selection of root stocks, and sources of grafting scion wood will also be discussed…

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DIY Photovoltaics, with Jon Passi
Apr
26

DIY Photovoltaics, with Jon Passi

Are you curious about alternative energy or photovoltaics and want to know more? Would you like to put solar panels on your house or property? Are you curious about conserving energy, and the costs of alternatives?

This course will give you practical, real-world, and background information on solar panels, solar electricity, and various PV systems. Each class participant models their own solar project, and collects all the information they need to finance, construct, or manage their own solar project. The class comes with a take-home DIY manual that can be used with any solar setup, and also includes lists of resources. There will be a tour of existing working systems, installation basics for roofs and racks, and a means for estimating costs of parts and installations on all systems. Class includes a fifty-page DIY PV booklet.

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Windmills for Water Pumping, with Jon Passi
May
3

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.

This class will introduce you to windmill parts and types, and the basics of constructing a foundation for the tower. The class will have access to Jon's Aeromotor 403 B windmill, which operates as his main water pump.

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Mushrooms A-Z: Preparing and Growing Fungi for Food and Medicine, with Linda Conroy
Jun
7

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. The second part of the day will be spent learning to grow mushrooms and everyone will take home their own inoculated log…

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DIY Dairy Ferments, with Laura Mathes
Jun
28

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.

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Pine Needle and Sweetgrass Basketry, with Linda Conroy
Mar
23

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.

This class is a great opportunity for both beginners and intermediate weavers to learn and expand on their skills.

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Beginning Chip Carving, with John Carlson
Feb
8

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.

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Winter Wilderness Skills, with Nicholas WazeeGale
Jan
25

Winter Wilderness Skills, with Nicholas WazeeGale

This will be an immersive experience in the winter woods learning to get more comfortable with winter conditions, learning skills to care for our needs in this season, learning sources of food, and enjoying the rare beauty of this season. We will hike out into a wild area along the Wisconsin River, observing the dormant plant life and signs of less dormant animal life, and then setting up a space for our afternoon activities. After roasting some goods and cooking a hearty local stew on the fire we will learn about setting up winter shelter, picking good sheltered locations, lost-proofing and safety. We'll cover sourcing various materials, fire making under adverse conditions, and more in the wondrous winter woods. A moderate amount of physical fitness will be required for this experience.

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Pine Needle and Sweetgrass Basketry, with Linda Conroy
Nov
29

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.

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The Art of Kolrosing, with John Carlson
Oct
12

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.

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DIY Dairy Ferments, with Laura Mathes
Jun
1

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.

View Event →
Beginning Chip Carving, with John Carlson
Apr
6

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.

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Black Ash Mini Basket (With Kits), with Liandra Skenandore
Mar
23

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.

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Pine Needle and Sweetgrass Basketry, with Linda Conroy
Mar
10

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.

View Event →
Beginning Chip Carving, with John Carlson
Feb
10

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.

View Event →
Beginning Chip Carving, with John Carlson
Dec
9

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.

View Event →
Pine Needle and Sweetgrass Basketry, with Linda Conroy
Nov
24

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.

View Event →
The Art of Kolrosing, with John Carlson
Nov
18

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.

View Event →
Beginning Chip Carving, with John Carlson
May
27

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.

View Event →
Beginning Chip Carving, with John Carlson
Apr
15

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.

View Event →