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. 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.  

Learn how to create patches of thriving plants that readily yield food, medicine, beauty, and habitat! A guild has a few different definitions, but we will focus on creating a patch of a variety of plants that support each other and a central or key plant, in this case a fruit tree or shrub. Our designs will aim to emulate the patterns of healthy habitats creating an ecologically balanced, and resilient ecosystem.

The goal of this workshop is to work with you to design your very own guild for your property.

Part 1: Guild Preparation & Planning, Sat. March 1, 2025, 9:30 a.m. to 12 p.m.

Workshop will take place indoors. Snacks and tea will be provided.

• Guild location considerations
• Suitable fruit trees/shrubs for success on your site
• Site preparation
• Plant species and their functions for support the fruit tree

What to bring: knowledge about your property’s climate and micro-climates (e.g. soil type, sun, wind, moisture in different areas) and what you might want to plant – some general ideas will be helpful for your progress in Part 1. Also bring a notebook, writing utensils, water bottle.

$55 to $75, sliding scale pricing for Part 1.

Part 2: Tour & Design, Sat. June 1, 2025, 9:30 a.m. to 12 p.m.

Workshop will take place partially outdoors, so please dress for the weather.

• Tour will focus on demonstration fruit tree guilds, what worked and what didn’t work. It will also focus on short-term and long-term guild maintenance needs.
• Reviewing your plant selections
• Building your design 
• Guild succession
• How to implement your design

What to bring: Please bring along coloured pencils, notebook, water bottle, appropriate clothing to be outside.

$55 to $75, sliding scale pricing for Part 2.

Maximum 8 people. 
Email to register. An e-transfer will be required to confirm your registration. 
Plants will be available for purchase after the June workshop. 

This workshop will teach you:

• 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 - Three in-field practice opportunities available, please email for details!

Additional important info:

• 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. 
• Your individual link will be provided to you after registration via email. Videos are accessible until March 31.

Email to register. An e-transfer will be required to confirm your registration.