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"Urban homesteading is about life - it is a way of life founded on pleasure, not fear. Our preparedness comes not so much through what we have, but what we know. We are recollecting the almost-lost knowledge of our great- grandparents, those most essential human skill sets: how to tend plants, how to tend animals and how to tend ourselves... but frankly, it is pleasure that inspires us to do more. Urban homesteading is not about deprivation or suffering, it is about reclaiming your heritage, and your right to real experience."
- Authors Kelly Coyne and Erik Knutzen, Los Angeles urban homesteaders
Guided and inspired by the book The Urban Homestead, the 2009 series of workshops, classes, and hikes provide a guidebook for urban living in a sustainable way. Classes will empower you with the tools to become more self-sufficient while learning to engage and experience nature within an urban environment. Attending these courses will enrich your life and plant the seeds of a sustainable future for our community.
2009 Urban Homestead Workshops:
Spring 2009
Urban Homestead Classes
Natural Pruning with Jim Gerber– Learn how to prune your landscape plants with conscious awareness of your relationship to your plant community, through hands-on work in the garden. Discover creativity in the art of pruning, safely change the form in individual plants, and become mindful of a reverence for all forms of life on Mother Earth. Tobacco ceremony before pruning work begins. Professional grade pruning tools available for the pruning class; you may purchase your new pruning tool for $15.00 after the class.
Saturday January 10, 10 am. $25 tuition
Roots of Herbalism – An introduction to the art and science of plant-based healing. 6 week course starts Jan 11, $260 tuition includes herbal materials.
Organic Gardening 101 – This gardening primer will provide introductory information into organic gardening. Essential for those transitioning from non-organics, those new to gardening in Florida, or for anyone digging in for the first time. Sat Jan 31, 10 am. $25 ($20 by December 31)
Container Gardening – Tips and tricks for gardening in tight spaces. Learn how to successfully grow food on a porch or balcony.
Saturday January 31 12:30 pm.
$25 ($20 if registered by December 31)
Herbs for Spring Gardens – Learn the best herbs to plant in your spring garden, plus tips and tricks for a successful garden, and harvest techniques. Saturday January 31 2:30 pm.
$25 ($20 if registered by December 31)
Veggies for Spring Gardens – Learn the best veggies to plant in your spring garden, and harvest techniques. Saturday January 31 4:00 pm.
$25 ($20 if registered by December 31)
Healthy Home Cleaning – Make your own non-toxic cleaning products using ingredients from your kitchen cabinet. Take home samples to use and share. Thursday Jan 21, 7 pm.
$25 ($20 if register by December 31)
Worm Composting 101 – Discover the most efficient form of composting, how it works, and how to implement it in your own backyard. Includes worm tea and worm castings to take home and try. $25
Introduction to Canning: Jams and Jellies This interactive workshop prepares you to make your own jams, jellies, and preserves. Learn the process from start to finish, and take you’re your own jar of jelly! Saturday Feb 28, 10 am, $25
Garden Pest Management Discover the safest, most effective, and most simple methods for managing common pests in your Florida garden. Sat Feb 28, Noon. $25 ($20 before Dec 31)
Indoor Pest Management Learn how to use ingredients in your kitchen cabinets, and other non-toxic supplies, to manage common pests inside your house. Learn effective methods that are safe for kids and pets! Sat February 28, 2:30 pm. $25 ($20 if registered before Dec 31)
Introduction to Beekeeping This workshop offers an introduction to the art and practice of beekeeping. Ongoing, hands-on instruction opportunities are available following this introductory course. $15-20, Sat Mar 14, 10 am
Rainwater Catchment Discover how to implement rainwater catchment into your backyard or garden with simple steps. Learn how to create a catchment system suitable for a small herb garden – or your entire lawn!
Saturday March 14, 1 pm, $20
Introduction to Canning: Preserving Food This interactive workshop prepares you to store your veggies from the garden through canning. Learn the process from start to finish, with recipes to try. Saturday March 14, 3 pm, $25
Survival Skills This monthly course provides an introduction to the traditional knowledge required to survive in the outdoors for the modern individual. Learn the skills necessary to make you feel at home almost anywhere on earth (with an emphasis on Florida). With voluntary field trips to apply your skills! Workshop First Saturday of the Month.
February – Introduction and Knives
March – Survival Kits and Tools
April – Shelter
May – Fire – Starting, Safety
June – Water – Make Wild Water Safe
July – Orienteering/Navigation
August – Ecology
September – Plants
October – Awareness
November – Animals
December – Cooking and Food
January 2010 – Caretaking and Sweat Lodge
$29 per class, or sign up for 12 session series for $290
Sliding scale and scholarships available
Also coming soon:
Transplanting & Propagating | Biofuel in your backyard
Seed Saving and Planting | Greywater to your Garden
Making your own Compost | Cheese & Bread making
Urban Foraging Hikes | Soap and Candle Making
Solar Cooking | Urban Hydroponics | Culturing Foods
Brewing 101 | Mycology | Chickens & Goats
Multiple class discounts or family discounts
available for some classes – please inquire
Year long series, sign up for one workshop or the entire presentation
Education Center, 604 N Thornton Ave, Orlando varies depending on specific workshop