Grow Your Groceries
Classes and Courses for the Urban Farmer
Soil Born Farms’ Grow Your Groceries program is a beginning farmer and gardener training program designed to provide knowledge and hands-on experience to the aspiring urban grower. Our instructors are experienced masters of organic agriculture and horticulture and experts in farm entrepreneurship. We offer single day classes in diverse subjects such as: preparing spring, summer, fall and winter gardens; building soil fertility; garden design and seasonality; irrigation and water management; natural pest management; composting; fruit tree care; seed saving; beekeeping; foraging wild edibles and more.
Intensive long-form courses include Beginning and Intermediate Home Gardening. Designed for those interested in growing an ample amount of fruits and vegetables in a home, school, or community garden, this course provides in-depth training on concepts and best practices in sustainable annual and perennial fruit and vegetable production.
| Event | Venue | Date | Description | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fall Companion Planting for Your Garden Beds 10-4-23 | American River Ranch |
| Learn about companion planting layouts that will maximize your garden bed’s growing space. |
Register |
| Cool Tools for Controlling Pests 10-7-23 | American River Ranch |
| Learn ways to prevent and control garden and landscape pests using integrated pest management concepts. |
Register |
| Seed Saving 10-14-23 | American River Ranch |
| Saving seeds is not only thrifty, it builds the resilience of our food system! Join us to learn about the different types of seed saving and get hands-on practice processing seeds for saving. |
Register |
| Fruit Trees for the Home Garden 10-21-23 | American River Ranch |
| Proper planting and care of fruit trees can boost their health and maximize their production. In this informational and hands-on workshop, we will cover general fruit tree care, varieties, and how to prepare your trees for winter and early dormant season pruning. |
Register |
| Regenerative Agriculture Farm Tour 10-28-23 | American River Ranch |
| Take a tour of the farm while learning the principles of regenerative agriculture. See how our farmers implement regenerative practices that revitalize the land and restore the historic American River Ranch. Many of these principles can be applied to your home garden. Everyone can play a part in creating a climate-safe California. |
Register |
| Propagating Plants by Cuttings, Divisions and Seeds 11-4-23 | American River Ranch |
| Learn to propagate your beloved outdoor perennial plants to expand your garden and share with your friends. Observe and practice making cuttings, taking divisions, seed starting and more throughout the farm. |
Register |
| Lasagna Garden Workshop 11-11-23 | American River Ranch |
| Lasagna gardening makes use of local, low-cost materials to build a nutrient rich growing medium in place. Join us in this hands-on workshop and learn how to build a lasagna garden. |
Register |
| Black Gold: Making Compost for Your Home Garden 11-18-23 | American River Ranch |
| In this class, we’ll discuss the basics of how to start, maintain, and harvest compost for your containers, gardens, yards, or community green spaces. |
Register |
| Regenerative Agriculture Farm Tour 11-18-23 | American River Ranch |
| Take a tour of the farm while learning the principles of regenerative agriculture. See how our farmers implement regenerative practices that revitalize the land and restore the historic American River Ranch. Many of these principles can be applied to your home garden. Everyone can play a part in creating a climate-safe California. |
Register |
| Lawn to Garden 12-9-23 | American River Ranch |
| Learn how to turn your lawn into a thriving food forest! We will cover how to get rid of the grass, what to plant when, amending soil, ongoing care, irrigation, and more! |
Register |
| Regenerative Agriculture Farm Tour 12-16-23 | American River Ranch |
| Take a tour of the farm while learning the principles of regenerative agriculture. See how our farmers implement regenerative practices that revitalize the land and restore the historic American River Ranch. Many of these principles can be applied to your home garden. Everyone can play a part in creating a climate-safe California. |
Register |
Attending the Grow Your Groceries course helped jump-start my farm career. I have always dreamed of starting a flower farm and, after just 2 or 3 classes, I was selling my flowers wholesale to a local florist. ~ Amber Gardner, Amberchella Flowers
