***Christmas/Early Bird Offer now $50 off until January 1st.
Please note: We do expect this course to sell out. We are offering one more introduction course on Thursdays, if Saturday sells out or doesn’t fit your schedule.
About: The Red Maple has made it possible for many people with little or no agricultural experience to learn farming techniques quickly and efficiently. Save yourself years of disappointment and learn from our mistakes. We’re here to show you the ropes.
What you’ll learn: How to Grow Your Own Food. This introduction combines biology, economics, engineering, chemistry, community development, and more.
1. Introduction to Farming
January 25th - 10-12pm
The first class: Step 1 is getting to know each other. Everyone will introduce themselves in a relaxed environment and share their experience in growing food - if any. Renee will explain the course details and what you have to look forward to, as well as share valuable resources.
This class will help you get going on your 2025 garden. Or, you can decide to grow food on our farm with us. All of these details will be included in class 1.
2. Homesteading
February 8th - 10am - 12pm
Homesteading is a life style of self-sufficiency and sustainability. It involves everything from growing your own food, to producing your own energy. This is where the course gets a little deeper into the “lifestyle”, and what it means to be both dependent on your community, and independent on your own.
What you’ll learn: learn to produce and provide all that you need to live. This includes covering the topics on the true basics of cooking from scratch, canning/pressure canning and preserving food, as well as keen insight into what it’s like to actually live the life of a homesteader.
3. Make Your Own Medicine
March 1st 10-12pm
Step into a world you maybe never even knew existed. Compare stories with friends and learn how to create your own medicinal garden at home.
4. Bees
March 29 10am - 12pm
Bees are a super organism. Harnessing the power of the individual for the benefit of the collective is central to the organization of all super-organisms, including humans.
What you’ll learn: Beekeepers not only introduce you to bees, but their function/importance in our life.
Course Delivery Methods - Instructor-led workshops
Our classes consist of face-to-face training sessions to facilitate networking and group dynamics. Instructors will be teaching through experiences whenever possible.
Please note: All classes will occur in a classroom setting, and will take place Saturday mornings. Students will be shown what it’s like for us to put together our garden for 2025 and can simultaneously start their own garden at home. Or you can farm with us.
We’re here to help and can figure it out.
If you ever can’t make one of these classes you can join the other group on their Thursday evening class.
We will also be hosting a bbq at the end of the season for all students to talk over our experiences from the season.
Class size maximum 15 people.
Once you’ve completed your introduction term, more classes will be available throughout the season to continue your homesteading journey. These will be offered as individual classes, and will include things like how to pressure can, preserving foods, and more in depth, hands on farming classes as well.