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 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gardening with Native Plants 1-22-22 | American River Ranch |
| This class is cancelled. The instructor is sick. It will be rescheduled (date/time TBD). Get a hands-on introduction to planting, growing and planning your garden with native plants. |
Register |
| Regenerative Agriculture Farm Tour 1-29-22 | 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. |
Register |
| Winter Fruit Tree Pruning | American River Ranch |
| Shawn Harrison, Soil Born Farms Founder and Co-Director, will cover tree basics and early winter care including basics of |
Register |
| Native Plants Walk 2-5-22 | American River Ranch |
| Take a leisurely tour of Elderberry Farms Native Plant Nursery which grows about 120 different local native plant species. Learn about the benefits of growing native plants and their adaptability to limited water resources and climate change. |
Register |
| Ask a Farmer - A Grow Your Groceries Class Series on Zoom |
| Join us for an inspiring presentation on a seasonal gardening topic each month on Zoom. The classes will provide basic information plus time for your questions. You’ll learn tricks of the trade that will help you create and maintain a thriving edible garden. Get expert advice and learn practical strategies to grow organic nutritious food for you and your family. Beginners and seasoned gardeners will benefit. |
Register | |
| Seed Sowing for the Home Gardener and Farm Enthusiast | American River Ranch |
| Learn how to make a balanced potting soil mix, sow for succession planting, germinate seeds and ensure that your seedlings thrive. |
Register |
| Families on the Farm: It Starts with the Soil | American River Ranch |
| Join us in the Youth Garden to learn about cover crops, composting, and all the bugs that help keep our soil healthy and thriving |
Register |
| Regenerative Agriculture Farm Tour 3-5-22 | 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. |
Register |
| Preparing a Spring Garden 3-12-22 | American River Ranch |
| 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. |
Register |
| Native Plants Walk 3-26-22 | American River Ranch |
| Take a leisurely tour of Elderberry Farms Native Plant Nursery which grows about 120 different local native plant species. Learn about the benefits of growing native plants and their adaptability to limited water resources and climate change. |
Register |
| Urban Backyard Beekeeping for Beginners | American River Ranch |
| This class focuses on natural beekeeping practices in an urban setting and strategies to keep bees healthy. Learn the practical skills you will need to prepare your own backyard beehive and discuss bee biology, beekeeping equipment, maintenance and basic troubleshooting. |
Register |
| Families on the Farm: Spring Gardening with Kids | American River Ranch |
| Join our Youth Education team for a morning of hard work and dirty hands as we prepare our garden beds for an abundant spring. |
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
