Experiential Leadership Series: Gaining the Tools for Seasonal Observation and Growing

Title: Experiential leadership series: gaining the tool for seasonal observation and growing

3:00 - 4:30 pm, 3rd Sunday of each month, April - October

*Optional independent observation is encouraged starting at 2:30.

This will be a monthly train the trainer series in which participants will walk the land and build season-specific, place-based growing skills. Inherently different than our skillshares and practicums, this series teaches through observation so participants will learn what to look for throughout the growing season and then notice it happening on the ground in their own plots.  Walking the land, an idea rooted deeply in permaculture, expands your awareness and sharpens your ability to see nature.  These six sessions, held on the 3rd Sunday of every month are designed to deepen your connection with the land and develop nature-based leadership.  Topics will include garden planning, bed prep, planting seeds vs. transplants, watering, mulching, companion planting, crop rotations, succession plantings, weed management, pest and disease management, harvest techniques, cover crops, and end of the season garden clean up. Each class with have handouts that highlight environmental shifts happening each month, and some ways to respond.  As a training the trainer series, participants are encouraged to spread the knowledge learned and lead similar series in their own neighborhoods through the local food resource hubs.

LOCATION - Cornercopia Student Organic Farm - located on the Corner of Dudley Ave and Field Rd N- just two blocks off Gortner Avenue on the St. Paul Campus. Parking is available onsite although carpooling is appreciated- Bus 87 runs within 2 blocks of the farm! Map at: http://cornercopiafarm.blogspot.com/p/about-farm.html

Sunday, April 21st Pre-Session : Orientation, Planning & Logistics - PLEASE NOTE - due to inclement weather, this first class of the series will be held in the U of M Plant Growth Facility, Room 140, which is 1552 Gortner Ave, St Paul, MN 55108. 

Sunday, May 19th Session 1: Garden Planning, Bed Preparation & Planting Cool Season Crops

Sunday, June 16th Session 2: Planting, mulching & spring garden maintenance

Sunday, July 21st Session 3: Planting for fall harvest, crop rotation & harvest techniques

Sunday, August 18th Session 4: Harvesting & growing problem solving Q & A

Sunday, September 15th Session 5: Preserving the harvest & fall garden maintenance

Sunday, October 20th Session 6: Building Compost, putting the garden to bed and planning for next year

TEACHER - Courtney Tchida

Courtney is the Student Program Coordinator for the Minnesota Institute for Sustainable Agriculture and a member of PRI's Teacher's Guild. She coordinates Cornercopia Student Organic Farm at the University of Minnesota where they utilize lots of different growing methods to produce fruits, vegetables, herbs and flowers to feed their local community. She has completed training on Permaculture, SPIN Farming, Organic and Biointensive growing and has a BS in Environmental Horticulture and a Masters in Agricultural Education.

**Many of our classes do fill to capacity, so it is highly advised to reserve your spot by registering in advance.  Having problems with the website, or questions about registration in general?  Email emily@pricoldclimate.org.

 
If for some reason you can no longer attend this series, please see our Workshop Refund Policy.

PRI Members get discounted pricing on all series. Members, make sure to sign in using the member log in button at the top of the page before checking out to automatically receive your discount.

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