Workshops

Workshops focus on empowering people with knowledge and hands-on experiences so they can develop a more direct relationship to affordable and sustainable food sources, as well as herbal medicine. This is about learning how to thrive as sovereign beings among the broken systems.

All workshops are offered with sliding scale pricing to assist those struggling financially. Paying a price below the value in the middle of the price range is available for those where paying the middle price would result in hardship (i.e., inability to pay bills or buy groceries). This differs from making a financial sacrifice (i.e., attending this workshop rather than buying a new sweater, or going out for dinner). Paying a price above the middle value, is a pay-it-forward opportunity to support your fellow community members.  

* Please note payments for all workshops are non-refundable but registration is transferable to another individual.  In the event of cancellation due to low registration or other unexpected circumstances, refunds will be issued within 30 days.  

 

You will learn:

  • How to assess the health of fruit trees
  • Is it worth restoring your fruit tree vs planting a new one?
  • Pruning at different times of the year
  • Fruit tree structure & growth
  • Pruning techniques
  • Different tree forms - their benefits and drawbacks
  • Tools needed
  • Most of this workshop is applicable to other fruit trees too!

BONUS - Potential in-field practice opportunities available, please email for details!

Additional important info:

  • TO REGISTER please send an email to rootedbythebluffs@gmail.com.
  • This workshop will be entirely on-line, at your own pace.
  • On-line training will be provided through videos. Videos include methodology, processes, and detailed images for explanation, as well as in-field demonstrations covering all techniques learned. 

 

Through this workshop you will learn how to prune a variety of fruit trees, how and when to train branches over pruning branches, how to assess the health of fruit trees, why pruning might be completed at different times of the year, proper tools and disinfection options and much more.

 

We will be spending the full time outside. Pruning cannot take place in the rain. If needed, we will reschedule to the same time on Wednesday, April 1. You will be notified via email by Tuesday 9 a.m. if this workshop is being rescheduled.

 

Please bring clean and sharp pruning tools e.g. hand pruners, lopers, saws. This is a hands-on class.

 

Maximum 15 people.

TO REGISTER please send an email to rootedbythebluffs@gmail.com. An e-transfer will be required to confirm your registration.

 

Through this workshop you will learn seed collection ethics, different stratification methods for different species, when to use different mediums, and the processes associated with successful native seed germination.

 

We will be spending the full time outside rain or shine. Please check the weather before you come, and dress accordingly.  If the weather is really rainy (> 5mm), we will be under some shelter. If there is severe weather we will reschedule to the same time on Thursday April 9.

 

Maximum 15 people.

TO REGISTER please send an email to rootedbythebluffs@gmail.com. An e-transfer will be required to confirm your registration.

 

We’ll take a taste testing tour through the forest and orchard property with a focus on plants that are truly wild and some that I have planted here too.  The focus of my foraging workshops is how to harvest ethically, how to use plants safely, and becoming familiar with the plants by growing them in your backyard.

Sign up for BOTH the spring and autumn foraging workshops for a reduced rate! 

We will be spending the full time outside. Please check the weather before you come, and dress accordingly.  If the weather is really rainy (> 5mm), we will reschedule to the same time on Wednesday, May 27. 

Maximum 15 people. 
TO REGISTER please send an email to rootedbythebluffs@gmail.com. An e-transfer will be required to confirm your registration.

Wild edible plants will be available for purchase after the workshop.

AUTUMN Workshop details are below.

In this intimate workshop we will wander through the gardens and collect plants that are great for teas and infusions. We will demonstrate the processes from start to finish. There will be various wild teas available to taste test. And you will leave feeling refreshed and ready to grow your own teas.  You will also take home fresh plant cuttings to dry for your own teas and infusions.

We will be spending the full time outside. Please check the weather before you come, and dress accordingly.  If the weather is really rainy (> 5mm), we will reschedule to the same time on Sunday, July 12. 

Maximum 10 people. 
TO REGISTER please send an email to rootedbythebluffs@gmail.com. An e-transfer will be required to confirm your registration.

 

Learn about a variety of edible plants you can find in the wild, including how to sustainably harvest them, how to prepare and use them safely, and how to grow your own. We’ll take a taste testing tour through the permaculture orchard tasting plants that are truly wild and some that I have planted here too. We will focus on plants that are  different than those covered in the spring workshop.

We will be spending the full time outside. Please check the weather before you come, and dress accordingly.  If the weather is really rainy (> 5mm), we will reschedule to the same time on Sunday, September 20. 

Maximum 15 people. 
TO REGISTER please send an email to rootedbythebluffs@gmail.com. An e-transfer will be required to confirm your registration