BUF Workshop Schedule 2024
As an educational market garden, we are committed to teaching and helping our neighbors to grow some food. We of course grow food, but mainly to demonstrate regenerative growing techniques and showcase species and varieties that do well in our climate and soils. Achieving local food security will take all of us, not just one urban farm.
Our workshops are tailored for beginners whether they are gardeners, beekeepers, herbalists or fruit growers. This year we have five workshops on the urban farm specifically for kids.
All workshops are free except the Annual Meeting (ticket required) and the Pick Your Own Bouquet workshops, which are $10 to cover the cost of the bouquet you take home.
The basic schedule of BUF workshops and events is below. Details on each workshop are available below the chart.
Most of the workshops do not require pre-registration, but some labeled (REG) do. See the description of the workshop below for instructions on how to register.
Questions about any workshop can be sent to info@sustainableberea.org or call 859-985-1689.
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Workshop Topics: B = Beekeeping, E=Social Event, F=Pick Your Own Bouquet, G=Gardening, H=Medicinal Herbs, K=Kids workshop, O=Orchards and Fruit Trees
Descriptions of 2024 BUF Workshops and Events
If you need further information, send questions to info@sustainableberea.org or call 859-985-1689.
-Many of these workshops are outdoors.
-Please dress for the weather and have footwear suited to rough and wet ground.
-A hat and sunscreen will give important protection.
-If you have an allergy to bee stings, please bring your own epi-pen or other medications.
-Dogs are not allowed on the farm.
-Children under age 16 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian.
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Feb 17 10am Zoom Planning Your Garden Betty Brinegar
Planning your garden - Choosing the tools needed. Deciding on the right location and the size that's right for you. Preparing the plot, testing the soil, amending the soil, preparing the beds and choosing the seeds. To receive the zoom access codes, send a request to info@sustainableberea.org
Feb 24 10-11am Zoom Introduction to Backyard Beekeeping Richard Olson and Jamie Hart
For people with little to no experience with bees. We will touch on basic bee biology, types of hives (Langstroth, Top Bar, Layens), key aspects of managing a hive in your backyard. We will provide a list of resources for more in-depth learning, and details on hands-on learning opportunities with the BUF apiary. To receive the zoom access codes, send a request to info@sustainableberea.org
Mar 9 10-11am Berea Public Library Intro to Raised Bed Gardening Cheyenne and Richard Olson
Mar 9 3-4pm Richmond Public Library Intro to Raised Bed Gardening Cheyenne and R. Olson
Raised garden beds can extend growing seasons, increase yields, and fit well in urban settings. We will describe how to build a bed, where to locate it, best soil to use, and how to maximize yields through succession planting. We will explain how to purchase a bed through the Victory Garden Blitz and how to volunteer for the Blitz. There will be a drawing at each of the presentations for a free raised bed.
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Mar 16 11am-noon Berea Urban Farm Spring Crops for Your Garden Betty Brinegar
Direct sowing and transplanting your cool weather seeds and plants. Example: Lettuce, Onions, Cabbage. Remove any weeds that are coming up. Keeping a journal.
Apr 12-14 Daily Berea Urban Farm 10th Annual Victory Garden Blitz
Join us as we build and install 275 raised garden beds in Berea and nearby areas. We need volunteers to build beds, bag soil, deliver and install beds, prepare food, and keep records. Help us increase local food security by helping our neighbors to grow food. You can learn more, donate or volunteer for the Blitz https://www.sustainableberea.org/berea-victory-garden-blitz
Apr 20 10am-noon Berea Urban Farm Backyard Fruit Growers Plant Distribution
This is only for people who placed an order last fall. We will be bringing the shrubs and trees to the urban farm from Peaceful Heritage Nursery. Tree mentors will be present to answer planting and care questions.
Apr 27 1-2pm Berea Urban Farm Managing weeds, pests, and diseases in your garden Barnes
Learn how to effectively control weeds and pests without toxic chemicals and without excessive labor.
May 4 1-2pm Berea Urban Farm Growing Common Medicinal Herbs Kallmeyer
Community herbalist Lauren Kallmeyer will take you on a tour of the BUF Medicinal Herb Garden while she covers the basics of growing your own medicinal herbs. There will be opportunities for hands-on learning by helping to plant some of the herb beds.
May 11 1-2:30pm Berea Urban Farm Beekeeping with the Layens Hive Olson and Hart
Not well known in the United States, the Layens hive is widely used in Europe. It is a horizontal hive (like the top bar) with much larger frames than the Langstroth. We think it offers some advantages over other types of hives, and have added several Layens hives to the BUF apiary this year. In this workshop, we will open a Layens hive and discuss its function. - Space is limited so registration is required. To register email info@sustainableberea.org
May 11 2-3pm Berea Urban Farm Holistic sprays for fruit tree health Chang
Michael Phillips of Lost Nation Orchard pioneered the use of pro-biotic sprays to support fruit tree health and increase resistance to diseases such as fireblight and cedar apply rust. Ruwen Chang of Gaia’s Food will discuss the biology behind this method, show you how to mix a batch of spray, and how to apply it most effectively to the BUF apple trees.
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May 11 6-7pm Berea Urban Farm BUF Soup
BUF Soup will also be held June 8, July 13, August 10, September 14 (at 5pm), October 12 (at 5pm)
Each month we will make a big pot of soup over our fire pit and provide it free to all. Come join us for hearty food using local seasonal ingredients, good conversation, and to enjoy the beauty of the farm.
May 18 11am-noon Berea Urban Farm Summer Crops for your Garden Betty Brinegar
Direct sowing and transplanting your warm weather seeds and plants. Example - Beans, Peppers, Cucumbers. The importance of keeping weeds under control. Continuing to keep a journal and why it's important. Watching for diseased plants.
June 8
We are working on another herb workshop for this date. Stay tuned.
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June 15 9-11am Berea Urban Farm Cut Your Own Bouquet Jamie Hart
Also every Saturday (except July 6) through September 7.
Berea Urban Farm has a beautiful selection of colorful flowers that changes with the seasons. Our cut flower program welcomes individuals and groups to cut their own bouquet. This is a fun experience to share with friends and family! We will guide you on cutting stems and will have a table set up for flower arranging. Each registration covers approximately a quart size bouquet. Our cut flower program is on Saturdays beginning on June 15. Guests can arrive between 9-10 AM and we will be open until 11 AM.
To register fill out the form on the BUF Cut Flowers page. The price is $10 which covers the cost of the flowers. Please register early as registration is limited. Drop-ins are welcomed if space is available.
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June 15 2-3pm Berea Urban Farm Fairies on the BUF Heather Dent
Kids ages 6 to 12 will make their own fairy house and wand using natural materials from the farm. (Fairy houses will stay on the farm!) - Space is limited so registration is required. To register email info@sustainableberea.org
June 15 10-11am Berea Urban Farm Home Composting Tammy Barnes
Learn how to transform your yard and kitchen wastes into a natural fertilizer. Save money while enriching your soil.
June 22 5-7pm Berea Urban Farm Agri-Culture Garden Reception
Everyone is invited to view the African American and Hispanic Gardens and learn about 36 culturally relevant heirloom plants. Refreshments will be served.
June 29 10:30am-noon Berea Urban Farm Medicinal Plants and Play Sacha Louise
Young ones learn through their senses and play about plants for minor First Aid uses. Bring your own stuffed animal or doll to practice on. Ages 2-7. - Space is limited so registration is required. To register email info@sustainableberea.org
July 13 10am to noon Berea Urban Farm Seed Saving Mike Lewis
Saving your own seed can save you money, guarantee that you have the seed you need, and lead to the development of varieties best suited to your particular soil and climate. Mike will describe the basics of seed saving and demonstrate some of the techniques. Participants can bring their own seed to swap.
July 13 2-3pm Berea Urban Farm How to be a Naturalist Heather Dent
Create your own nature journal and learn to use all 5 senses to observe and record your natural surroundings. Ages 6 – 12. - Space is limited so registration is required. To register email info@sustainableberea.org
July 20 10am to noon Berea Urban Farm Mid-summer Herb Harvesting. Lauren Kallmeyer
Join community herbalist Lauren Kallmeyer for a walk-through of the BUF medicinal herb garden and a discussion of proper harvest and preservation techniques for some of the herbs.
July 27 2pm - 4pm Berea Urban Farm Herbal First Aid Kit for Kids Sacha Louise
Older kids are welcome to create a take home first aid kit with help from the plants and bees. Ages 7-14. - Space is limited so registration is required. To register email info@sustainableberea.org
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August 3 11am to noon Berea Urban Farm Planning Your Fall Garden Betty Brinegar
Planning your fall garden - Removing your finished summer plants and composting them. Amending the soil, direct sowing fall/winter crops. Example - Mustard Greens and Turnips. Sowing winter cover crops and why.
August 10 2pm - 4pm Berea Urban Farm Flowers of Summer Sacha Louise and Heather Dent
Kids explore the wonderful nature of flowers, their edibility, and make nature art. Ages 6-12. - Space is limited so registration is required. To register email info@sustainableberea.org
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August 17 10am to 11am Berea Urban Farm Preparing Your Garden for Winter Olson
It is time to start thinking about cover crops, mulch, cleaning up crop residue and other steps to prepare your garden beds for winter.
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October 5 1pm to 3pm Berea Urban Farm Harvesting and processing medicinal herbs Kallmeyer
Help us with the final fall harvest of the BUF Medicinal Herb Garden and take some herbs home.
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