Course

Sustainable Foods, Farm & Gardens

Build a Native Bee Hotel
Tunnel nesting bees are important pollinators for fruits and vegetables. Unlike honeybees, tunnel nesting bees do not live in colonies or move in swarms, so they are also often called solitary bees. Participants in this class will learn how to build and manage a bee hotel to support their local tunnel nesting bees. Each participant will be able to take home a bee hotel at the end of the class.
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Mushroom Cultivation
Learn to grow gourmet mushrooms from locally available materials. The class will cover techniques for growing oysters, shiitakes, wineacaps, portabellas, reishi and more. Students will learn to produce substrates and create good environments for mushroom growth.
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Reading the Fine Print - Decoding Food Sustainability Marketing Claims
Food labels are influential in the food buying decisions of many people, but the labels used to communicate these qualities on the foods we buy can be confusing or even misleading. This class will go over the different certification programs and labels associated with food production with the goal of empowering food buyers to make informed decisions. Some of the terms covered will include: Organic, Natural, Non-GMO, Grass Fed, Pastured Raised, Cage Free, Antibiotic Free, Hormone Free, Local, Marine Stewardship Council, and Fair Trade.
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Season Extension with Low Tunnels for Farm and Garden
Stretch your harvest further into the winter and start harvesting earlier in the spring by using low tunnels. Using our hoop bender, you'll make a set of 6' by 3' low tunnels for your farm or garden, and learn what and when to plant for a successful winter and early spring harvests. Low tunnels can be used directly in the ground, inserted into raised beds, or used inside a hoophouse to provide additional protection.
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So You Want To Be A Beekeeper? (December)
If you are interested in beekeeping but not sure what it takes to be a successful beekeeper, this class is for you. Join instructor Charlotte Hubbard in this 3-hour session where you will learn about the financial, time, physical, and emotional commitment required for beekeeping. You will also learn about the essential equipment needed, where to locate hives, the various options for obtaining bees, and a timeline for making it happen.
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So You Want To Be A Beekeeper? (November)
If you are interested in beekeeping but not sure what it takes to be a successful beekeeper, this class is for you. Join instructor Charlotte Hubbard in this 3-hour session where you will learn about the financial, time, physical, and emotional commitment required for beekeeping. You will also learn about the essential equipment needed, where to locate hives, the various options for obtaining bees, and a timeline for making it happen.
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Tour of Kalamazoo Valley's Valley Hub
ValleyHUB is a farm, food hub, and education center based at the Food Innovation Center at Kalamazoo Valley Community College. The Urban Farm at ValleyHUB showcases a range of sustainable agricultural practices. The five-acre site includes an indoor grow room, a heated greenhouse, outdoor raised beds, and a passive solar hoophouse. The Food Hub is a licensed food processing facility equipped to produce fresh-cut fruits and vegetables at a range of production scales. Join us on this *FREE* tour to explore our beautiful site and learn about our programs and practices.
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