Free classes, talks and tours. Learn how to grow vibrant, tasty, and healthy plants from Soil Born Farm’s knowledgeable staff and community educators. This is a rain or shine event. Registration will occur at the event ONLY and be on a first-come, first-served basis.
Vermicomposting, the science of composting with worms, is an effective and easy way to put nutrients back into the soil and reduce waste in landfills. In this free class, we’ll discuss the basics of how to start and maintain a thriving vermiculture bin. You will learn which foods, types of bins and temperatures that provide an optimum environment for your worms as well as how to use your vermicompost in your containers, gardens, yards, or community green spaces. Participants who are Rancho Cordova residents will receive a free composting bin (one per family) after showing proof of residency. All participants will be entered into a raffle to win prizes.
Body care products that nourish the skin and are free of harmful additives and chemicals are an important part of taking care of ourselves. Learn the connection between healthy skin and overall health, and learn to make several body care products, including creams, lip balms, body scrubs and more. Participants will make body care products to take home.
Raising chickens in your yard is educational, fun and rewarding. Besides fresh eggs, they provide the added benefits of soil fertility and pest control. You will learn how to choose the right breeds, provide proper housing, and make sure your chickens are healthy and producing the best eggs you’ve ever tasted.
This class is cancelled due to low enrollment. Making your own jelly gives you access to all kinds of flavors you can’t buy. Jelly can be sweet or savory as a marinade and rub. In this hands-on class, we will use seasonal fruit to prepare a simple jelly recipe. We’ll cover the basics of making jelly at home and talk about both sweet and savory jellies: selecting and preparing the fruit, making the juice, preparing and filling the jars, and processing. Each participant will leave with their own half pint of jelly and the confidence to make more at home.
Harvest, cook and share a meal together using farm fresh, organic produce grown at the American River Ranch. Families will build community and connect with each other while sharing stories and making a hearty soup from scratch. This program is designed for youth (ages 5 through 18) and accompanying adults.
Start your morning off with a pleasant walk around American River Ranch. We will experience a variety of resident birds along with winter, migrant, or summer birds depending on the season. Cliff will point out other critters and plant life along the way. This walk is ideal for beginner to intermediate birdwatchers.
This introductory class will cover simple herbal remedies you can make at home, and when and how to use them. We will discuss herbal teas, tinctures, oils, salves, and herbal foods. Participants will practice medicine-preparation techniques and make remedies to take home.
Join Cliff Hawley for an opportunity to observe what nature has to offer on a walking tour of the American River Ranch. We’ll explore the plants, animals, and relationships that make up the environment of this special place. This walk is family friendly, but recommended for kids 5 and up.
Learn how to plan your garden space and prepare, plant and care for an abundant, thriving spring garden. This class is for new gardeners or for gardeners who are new to the region.