Building skills for food security in hard times

 

“For the first time in January I’m eating from my garden thanks to these classes!  My beets, broccoli, arugula and kale have survived the winter and supply me with delicious winter salads topped with fresh eggs from my chickens.  While I can’t eat from my garden every day of the week in the winter, just the fact that I have some food from my garden year round keeps me connected to my role as an urban farmer and the simple reminder to value the food I eat.”

—-Stephanie, Year Round Harvest student

Serious about affordable, vibrant, home-grown food?

Next class:

Winterizing your Garden/Food Security 2025 – Oct. 12, 1-3:30, NE Portland

All classes at our farm in Cully, NE Portland, unless specified otherwise.

This 9-month course has been crafted to help you eat from your garden year-round.  We’ll teach you what, when and how to plant, plus how to care for your garden while keeping the time manageable.  Learn to get the freshest food you’ll ever eat onto your family’s plates (and even into your kids’ mouths).  An expert visit to your garden site will help you design for success, and support between classes will help you stay on track.  You’ll even receive plants and seeds, at the right time to plant them, as well as other garden materials.  And our DIY skills help you save money on your garden as well as on your grocery bills, using materials you already have or can find for free.

2024 Class Schedule 

A la carte/drop-in option available for all classes.

Join the mailing list for garden tips and updates on classes, tours and free work/learn parties. 

Feb. 3                     Mapping, Soils, Bed Preparation Sat 1-3:30

Feb. 24 /March 7   Planning for the Year-round Harvest, Sat 1-3:30, Mon. 6-8 ONLINE

March 16                 Bed Preparation/Soils/Waking up the Garden, Sat 1-3:30

April 13                    Composting/Better Garden Management, Sat 1-3:30

May 11                    Weeds, Harvest, Planting Sat 1-3:30

June 12                   Water Wise Gardening/Planning for the Winter Harvest, Weds 6:00-8:30

July 17                     Hot Weather Planting/Planning for Winter Eating, Weds 6:00-8:30

Aug. 15                    Food Preservation/Solar cooking, Thurs 6:00-8:30 

Aug. 27                    Dry Farming – Tomatoes and More, Tues. 6-8:30

Sept. 14                   Growing Seeds for your Garden and Community, Sat. 1-3:30

Oct. 12                     Winterizing your Garden/Food Security 2025, Saturday 1-3:30

Please note: Class 2B is online.  2025 schedule coming soon!

About the course

Costs:

Suggested donation $20-45 for most classes.  Trade and scholarships available.  No one turned away for lack of funds.  Many classes are fundraisers for justice. See class links for details.

Mini-Package:  Purchase any two a-la-carte classes – sign up for one at $45, second class is $30.  This offer also applies to any two friends attending one class.  

Full program: 12 classes, class notes, site visit, office hours, 10 plant/seed coupons.  $700/household  – Payment plans, trade, and scholarships available.  No one turned away for lack of funds.

$700.00Add to cart

Tell-A-Friend Rewards! Get more plants, seeds, or mentoring – free.

Want to learn, but can’t take the full program? All classes are open to drop-ins if space permits.  To register for individual classes, click on the respective class links. 

Details:

12 classes – monthly, two in February, two in August.  Plus bonus feedback sessions and work/learn parties.

Each class builds on those before it, and students who attend every class will get the most out of the program.

Tell-A-Friend Rewards! If they sign up for the course due to your referral, you get a free native or medicinal plant from our nursery.

Household: you may bring your garden partner (same garden) or well-supervised child to any class at no extra cost.  Additional household members are half-price – $350.  Learn with your family! 

Kids: Kids belong in the garden.  Children of any age are welcome with supervision by their adult.  We hope to offer childcare and kids’ programming soon.  Please contact us with interest in kids’ programming.

Coaching/Site visit – we will meet you at your garden site and help you make the most of your space.  We’ll also look at your tools and soil, advise you on care and what you might wish to add.  Value $150 – (additional charge for travel time over 1/2 hr)

Mentoring/office hours: support between classes, online and by phone – up to two calls per month included.  Valued at $75/hr for up to 4 hrs = $300 (but we estimate you’ll need less). 

Additional coaching/mentoring services available at 5% off our regular hourly rates.

Community support: Student listserv helps you to compare notes with your peers and learn from each other.

Total value of package = $490 + 150 + 300 = $940 Your price: only $700.  Joined later in the season?  Yes, we do prorate.

Plants and seeds:

At each class we’ll share some homegrown seeds and starts, and tell you which crops and varieties we’re planting this month, plus ideas for others you could plant at this time.  

On SNAP/EBT? You can use your benefits to buy plants and seeds for food plants.  Ask us for advice!

COVID-19 protocol

Classes are outdoors or online.  We will follow the latest CDC guidance.