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Urban Farming & Homesteading Classes at Wild Willow Farm

Goats and Cheese Class

Saturday, April 21, 1pm to 3pm

Do you love goat cheese?! Ever wonder about the creatures behind the milk and how it turns into one of your favorite cheeses?

This is a popular class and space is limited. Reserve your spot now!

Join us as we meet the Wild Willow goats while learning the basic care that they need to be happy and healthy. Afterwards, enjoy a sampling of simple farmer cheese and chevre as you will be taken step by step on how to make a beginner farmer soft cheese. Discover the various ways of flavoring your cheese from using farm fresh herbs or honey and lavender.

Goats and Soapmaking Class

Saturday, May 5, 1pm to 3pm

Learn how to make natural handmade soap using farm fresh herbs and goat's milk. These would make wonderful mothers day gifts handmade with love to show the mother you wish to honor how much you care! You will receive a bar of organic herbal soap made of premium oils and goat milk from our farm, a mold, and directions to take home with you.

Topics include

Visiting the goats and herb walk
The history of soap making and the benefits of milk in soap
How to make goat's milk soap using the cold process method and molds
Combining scents, herbs, and adding natural coloring
Health benefits of essential oils and herbs

Introduction to Beekeeping

Two-part

Introduction to Beekeeping

Open to all levels of students.*

Focused on natural beekeeping methods.

Beginning Beekeeping

Saturday, May 12, 9am to 4pm

Introduction to bee behavior and care.

Intermediate Beekeeping*

Saturday, May 19, 9am to 4pm

Includes interactive beehive visit to learn how to interact around a hive, harvest honey and honeycomb.
* To attend Intermediate class, you must attend the beginners class or have equivalent experience.

Cost: $60/class or $100/both (General Public)
Discounts available for farm school alumni or Farmers Guild member

Eventbrite - Introduction to Beekeeping

What's all the buzz with bees?

Please join us at Wild Willow for a fun and informative course about keeping bees. If you have ever dreamt of getting to know honeybees a little better this is your chance. Get some hands-on experience with our resident bees and beekeeper. We'll discuss honeybee society, types of hives, hive parts, hive tools used, and beehive etiquette (do's and don'ts).

We will be doing a number of tasks that are common when caring for bees, such as

Observing bee behaviors
Looking inside hives to see the activities
Assessing the needs of the bees
Look for signs of pests
Indications to honey production
Attitudes of bees

Farming 101

Farming 101
Introduction to Small-scale
Regenerative Farming

Seven-week Course, two days/week
Field Labs, Saturdays 9am to 4pm at Wild Willow Farm
6 Lectures, Wednesdays 6pm to 8pm in central San Diego

Wild Willow Farm's Farming 101: Introduction to Small-scale Regenerative Farming course offers students an introduction to techniques and strategies for small farming or agricultural advocacy, or to simply grow more of their own food.

Summer Session

July 14 through August 25

Six-Topic Package or Topics a la carte

Complete Six-Topic Package
($700 + early enrollment discount).

Click for More Information

NEW! Summer Classes a la carte*

Weekly two-part Lectures/Labs a la carte ($125/week).

Every week focuses on a different foundational food-growing topic. You can select the specific week you wish to attend according to the topic in which you want to expand your knowledge. Any experience level is welcome. Our education is based on sustainable regenerative farming using natural cultivation methods with minimal waste/water consumption and advocate against the use of environmentally harmful chemicals.

Each topic includes a two-hour lecture on Wednesday evenings in the evening in South Park followed by a hands-on lab work on the farm from 9AM-4PM. Attendance at the Wednesday class is required for participation in the Saturday Lab.

July 14 @ 9am Orientation/Course Introduction

(FREE, and highly advised)

Topic #1 "It Starts with the Soil"

Wed. July 18, 6pm to 8pm Class + Sat. July 21, 9am to 4pm Lab
Making & using compost, mulching, sheet composting, cover cropping

Topic #2 "Growing Fertile Soil"

Wed. July 25, 6pm to 8pm Class + Sat. July 28 9am to 4pm Lab
Proper use and care of farm tools; evaluating soil texture and moisture; bed preparation; mechanical and manual tillage; compost tea and extract.

Topic #3 "Propagation & Planting Techniques"

Wed. Aug. 1, 6pm to 8pm Class + Sat. Aug 4, 9am to 4pm Lab
Direct sowing and transplanting; starting seeds; planting practice.

Topic #4 "Irrigation"

Wed. Aug. 8, 6pm to 8pm Class + Sat. Aug 11, 9am to 4pm Lab
How water moves through the soil and efficient irrigation practices

Topic #5 "Integrated Pest Management (IPM)"

Wed. Aug. 15, 6pm to 8pm Class + Sat. Aug 18, 9am to 4pm Lab
Identifying pests, pathogens, and beneficial plants and insects

Topic #6 "Building Resiliency into Your Farm"

Wed. Aug. 22, 6pm to 8pm Class + Sat. Aug 25, 9am to 4pm Lab
Exploring permaculture practices and observing the farm with a holistic eye, plus a visit to our beehives. End of course pizza party!

VGSD: Gardening 101

Home Vegetable Gardening
3-part Course

Saturdays, May 12, 19, 26
9am to 1pm

in Harbison Canyon/Alpine
(address provided upon enrollment)

Click button for more info, what to bring, and tickets

Class Information: Class size is limited to ensure maximum participation. Acceptance into the class is on a first paid/first served basis. Walk-up purchases the day of class will be an additional $5 so make sure you purchase by 11:30PM the night before class! Space is not guaranteed if you have not purchased a ticket online.

 

Classes for the urban farmer, backyard gardener, homesteader, and anyone who grows or eats food.

You eat food every day. Why not grow and eat the best?

Wild Willow Farm has classes that teach techniques and strategies for making most of your organic garden, expand your knowledge of food and how to grow and prepare it, or to find effective ways to provide healthy, delicious food for your family.

Classes are open to the general public.

Class Calendar

More classes being scheduled. Check back often!