Photo by Philip Brown on unsplash.com.
A brand new year is almost here. It’s time to brush off those resolutions and do something healthy for yourself as well as the planet. We have another great line-up of sustainable workshops planned for 2019. Once again, we are co-hosting workshops with Rodgers Ranch Heritage Center, the City of Pittsburg, and private homeowners to bring you timely topics on saving water, organic gardening, growing your own food, and living more healthily while acting more responsibly and sustainably. For up-to-date information on workshops and registration, please check Sustainable Contra Costa’s website (www.sustainablecoco.org) regularly as we are working hard to finalize details on dates, times, and locations. Here's a sneak peak at what's ahead.....
Workshops at Rodgers Ranch Heritage Center in Pleasant Hill
On January 17, 10a, - 12pm, we kick off the year with one of our favorite workshops, Fruit Trees 101with master gardener Helen Erickson. Learn how to choose, prep, plant, prune, and maintain fruit trees while nurseries have their best selection of bare root plants.
Back by popular demand, superstar master gardener Marian Woodard returns with her poplar six-part permaculture series on February 2 – March 9. Each week, from 9:30am to 12pm, you’ll learn about a different area of focus: garden design, soil health, water, trees & food forests, seeds & seed starting, herbs & herb spirals, and more. You can take classes individually for $40/each or the whole series for $200 (save $40).
The month of Valentines brings one of our favorite workshop topics – beekeeping! On February 21, 10am - 12pm, An expert from the Mt. Diablo Beekeepers Association will teach us about bee biology, equipment, installation, seasonal management, and bee-friendly gardening.
New this year, we are excited to bring you a workshop on growing and using medicinal and culinary herbs with East Bay Herbals expert Anna Marie Beauchemin. Scheduled for March 21, 10am – 12pm, this workshop will teach you all about herbal medicine, preserving herbs, the basics of planning a pollinator-friendly herb garden, and much more!
On May 16, 6 – 8pm, Rodgers Ranch President Denise Koroslev teaches Clean Up Your Act:Taking Care of Your Home and Body Naturally, a workshop that helps you identify and reduce toxins in your home. You’ll take home samples of natural laundry soap and hand cream.
New this year, Cannabis 101 on June 20, 6 – 8pm, will explore the benefits and pitfalls of using marijuana, current laws on growing and selling it, the differences of THC and CBC, and more. We are also pleased to bring a new workshop on home dairy products on July 18, 6 – 8pm, in which we learn how to make simple yogurt, cheese, and kefir. Continuing with the culinary theme later in fall, we’ll present a workshop on healthful home fermentation with kombucha and pickling on October 17, 6 – 8pm. All workshops except for permaculture cost only $25 each. Materials fees may apply.
Workshops in Pittsburg
We also have workshops in the planning stages in conjunction with the City of Pittsburg that may include drip irrigation, family-friendly gardening, and small container gardening. These take place either at Pittsburg Environmental Center or Pittsburg Library. Please check back for final details on those, however, the workshop on lawn replacement is already confirmed for January 26, 10am - 12pm. Certified landscaper and East Bay Times garden writer Patrice Hanlon will teach you the step-by-step process of converting your thirsty lawn into a beautiful, low-cost, drought-tolerant garden. This workshop, Replace Your Lawn With A Water-Smart Garden, occurs at Pittsburg Library and includes a visit to the nearby Pittsburg Living Green Garden. Best of all, it's FREE, thanks to extra sponsorship from the City of Pittsburg and Contra Costa Water District! Pre-registration required (Go HERE).
Workshops in Private Homes
Several hands-on workshops will take place in private residences (dates and locations to be determined). Topics include grey water systems, rainwater catchment systems, aquaponics, sheet mulching, and keeping chickens. In Backyard Chickens, on March 16, 10am -12pm, you’ll learn all about coop designs, bedding, and all the benefits to your garden from these peaceful, low maintenance animals. Be sure to check back regularly for confirmation of dates, times, and locations.
We hope to see you at our “oldie but goodie” workshops as well as our brand-new offerings. For more details and descriptions and to register for all workshops, remember to check www.sustainablecoco.org under Upcoming Events. If you'd like to give someone a gift certificate for a workshop, please request one by writing to info@sustainablecoco.org. We invite you to visit the Rodgers Ranch website as well: www.RodgersRanch.org.
Happy Holidays!
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