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 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Work & Learn Days | American River Ranch |
| Work and Learn Days are opportunities to gain knowledge, build hands-on skills and meet new friends. We will be working outdoors in Sustainability Square which will become a dynamic hands-on learning space for our adult and youth education programs. |
Register |
| Raised Bed and Container Gardening | American River Ranch |
| This hands-on class will show you how to grow plants successfully on a window, on your front porch or balcony and in a raised bed. Learn the various types and styles of containers, which plants grow well in each environment and strategies to maintain a flourishing garden in small spaces. |
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. $15 per class or $150 for series (save $30). |
Register | |
| Regenerative Agriculture Walk and Talk 8-21-21 | 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 |
| Growing Medicinal and Culinary Herbs | American River Ranch |
| This hands-on class offers instructions for growing an array of herbs and tips for harvesting and using what you grow. |
Register |
| Fall Gardening Clinic & Organic Plant Sale | American River Ranch |
| Learn how to grow vibrant, tasty and healthy plants from our knowledgeable staff and community educators. |
Register |
| Regenerative Agriculture Walk and Talk 9-4-21 | 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 |
| Seed Saving | American River Ranch |
| We will discuss the importance of seed saving, how to care for the plants to assure a good seed supply and how to create the right environment to save seeds. Learn the difference between open pollinated plants and hybrid seeds and get hands-on experience cleaning and storing seeds. |
Register |
| Gardening with Native Plants 9-18-21 | American River Ranch |
| Get a hands-on introduction to planting, growing and planning your garden with native plants. |
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
