Winter 2010 Adult Programs

 

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Community Events

 

BOOK DISCUSSION SERIES
Discuss titles related to sustainable living in a mutually supportive and encouraging atmosphere. Join us for all five sessions, or select a discussion or two of particular interest. The books will be available at the Wellesley Booksmith at the "book club" discount.
When:
January 27 One Square Inch of Silence: One Man's Search for Natural Silence in a Noisy World, by Gordon Hempton and John Grossmann
February 24 Lives Per Gallon: The True Cost of Our Oil Addiction, Terry Tamminen
"...takes a hard look at the health, environmental, and national security costs hidden in every barrel of oil...an unblinking assessment of the true price of petroleum and a prescription for change."
March 24 Our Choice: A Plan to Solve the Climate Crisis, by Al Gore
"Gore's new volume is the indispensable one-stop shop for the cutting edge thinking about how we're going to solve this problem." Bill McKibben
April 28 Radical Simplicity: Small Footprints on a Finite Earth, by Jim Merkel
"Imagine you are first in line at a potluck buffet. The spread includes not just food and water, but all the materials needed for shelter, clothing, healthcare, and education. How do you know how much to take?"
May 26 Water: A Natural History, by Alice Outwater
"...the unforgettable story of the symbiosis that existed between the country's water, the land from which is springs, and the life the two support together"
Time: 7:30 - 9 p.m.
Fee: Free
Please call the Farm at 508-655-7666 or send an e-mail to Regina to pre-register!
Facilitator: Melissa Kenny Probst, NCOF member and parent

 

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Classes and Workshops

 

Candlelight yoga at the farm
Join Sivananda Hatha instructor Melissa for a candlelight yoga class this winter and warm yourself by the Farm's wood-burning stove! Class will be a meditative, relaxing flow style suitable for all levels. Beginners are welcome. For more info, please call at 508-651-9229.
When: Tuesdays
Time: 6:30 - 7:45 p.m.
Fee: $15 (registration is not through NCOF)
Instructor: Sivananda Hatha teacher Melissa LaScaleia Yoga teacher since 2004

 

SWEET FUN - MAKING YOUR OWN MAPLE SYRUP
A short course on the principles and practice of making maple syrup, from identifying the maple tree to bottling the syrup. Practical advice on simple procedures and equipment for each step will prepare you for an enjoyable lat winter outdoor experience and a sweet reward. You will go home with a bucket, lid, spile and hook - ready to jump into the upcoming season.
When: Saturday, February 6
Time: 10 - 12 noon
Fee: $40 NM/$36 M
Instructor: Charlie Williams, backyard sugarer and tour guide at NCOF
                                                
BEE KEEPING: TOP BAR HIVE CONSTRUCTION
This beehive has a simple design; it is easily made from scrap wood and has the advantage of a natural management system:
*It creates few disturbance of the bees during beekeeper's visits,
*The hive better matches the environment a colony would choose, and
*It affords a sustainable colony development
For this design you will need to bring wood (cheap scrap wood, pine preferably: 2 12"x36", 1 7"x36", 2 18"x12"; plywood 20"x40"; hardwood 1 1/4"xx11/4" approx. 50-53 feet), some basic wood cutting tools (hand or circular saw).
You will leave this workshop with a functional hive you can stock with a honeybee package come spring (order them now!)
When: Saturday, February 20
Time: 10 - 12 noon
Fee: $30 NM/ $27 M
Instructor: Jean Claude Bourrut-Lacouture, Assistant Director of NCOF

 

WINTER VEGAN COOKING WORKSHOP
Spend a cold winter's night by the fire immersing yourself in the gastronomic bliss that is winter vegan cooking. Workshop taught by the Farm's yoga instructor Melissa LaScaleia. Come share food, fellowship and fun and support the Farm's ongoing committment to sustainabl agriculture, and preservation of our land. In keeping with the Farm's mission, wherever possible food will be organic and seasonal. Come hungry and with a notebook.
When: Friday, February 26
Time: 6:30 - 9:30 p.m.
 Fee: $38 NM/ $34 M
Instructor: Melissa LaScaleia

 

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SEEDY NIGHT
Bring your seed catalogues for an informative evening around the wood stove with NCOF Assistant Director Jean-Claude Bourrut. Let's talk about variety choices suited for your garden. Learn to read between the lines of glossy descriptions.
When: Thursday, February 25
Time: 7:30 - 9 p.m.
 Fee: $27 NM/ $24 M
Instructor: Jean Claude Bourrut-Lacouture, Assistant Director of NCOF

 

basic fruit tree pruning
Learn how to get the most out of your fruit tree with a few easy pruning techniques. We'll discuss the do's and don'ts of spring pruning, as well as the basic growth habits of various fruit trees. After a brief demonstration, you'll have an opportunity to practice your pruning skills in the Farm's orchard. Please come prepared to work outside and bring a pair of hand pruners. Queries and questions are welcome.
When: Saturday, February 27
Time: 10 - 11:30 a.m.
Fee: $23 NM/ $21 M
Instructor: Kate Wood is delighted to share her knowledge of pruning. She holds a Certificate of Horticulture and over five years of experience as a horticulture professional. In addition, she has a lifelong passion for designing, cultivating and conserving marvelous gardens.

 

MOSAIC FLOWER POTS
Learn how to mosaic a 10" flower pot using colorful broken tiles and pieces of broken plates or pottery. Design, mosaic and grout your own beautiful pot. We will provide the tiles, a 10" clay pot, mastic and grout. You bring your imagination, a hammer, a pair of tile nippers, a 1/4" flexible painting/palette knife (available at a craft or hardware stor), and any broken plates or bowls you'd like to use on your pot. The tools are available in the tile department of a hardware store.
When: Monday, March 8, 15 and 22
Time: 7 - 9:30 pm
Where: 97 Woodland Street @ the Krentzman residence !! not at NCOF
Fee: $90 NM/ $81 M; all materials included
Instructor: Carol Krentzman designs custom mosaics and stained glass. For more information please go to her website www.piecefulcreations.com.

 

DE-TOX PROGRAM FOR OPTIMAL HEALTH
One of the most important steps we can take to immediately improve our overall health is to detoxify our bodies. We are exposed to an enormous amount of toxins daily from the air we breathe, the food we eat, and the water we drink. As a result, we increase our chances of manifesting diseases such as cancer, chronic fatigue syndrome, ADHD, ADD, and autoimmune disease. Cleanse your body by removing toxins and strenthening the organs involved in the body's detoxification process. Nurture and revive your body systems by eating an abundance of healthy foods. Whether your goal is to eat better, reduce stress, reduce choloesterol, lose those extra pounds, or lessen your risk of disease, we will examine how the foods we eat impoact our health and wellbeing. Program components: De-tox Book, Two educational meetings, Daily e-mail inspiration, Support thorughout the de-tox.
When: Thursday, March 11, 18 and 25
Time: 7-8:30 pm
Fee: $45 if registered by March 12
Register by visiting www.innerbalanceyoga.net, no registration through NCOF or NAE (sorry, no member prices)
Instructors: The Wellness Advisory Group

 

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BEYOND ICEBERG - PICK A WINTER SALAD
Come out to the Farm and sample the range of winter greens grown in our solar greenhouses. Learn about cultivating greens year round in New England and pick your own 1/2 pound of mixed salad greens.
When: Saturday, March 13
Time: 10-11 a.m.
Fee: $20 NM/ $18 M
Instructor: Liz Keohan, local farmer and NCOF instructor

 

BREAD BAKING
Experience the satisfaction of baking your own bread. Starting with the grain, we will grind, mix and knead. You will go home with the dough for a whole grain Anadama bread and the dough for a delicious, no-knead, crusty artisan bread. Please bring your own mixing bowl and 9x5" loaf pan.
When: Saturday, March 13
Time: 10 - 1 p.m.
 Fee: $60 NM/ $54 M; includes all materials
Instructor: Cindy Cheever is an avid soap maker, baker, spinner, weaver and knitter.

 

HEALTHY SOILS
Most agriculturists will agree that the soil is one of the major natural resource available to mankind. Yet it is and has been abused by us to the point of self-destruction. Many past civilizations have perished due to their abuse of the soil.
In the soil are nutrients and trace elements which plants require for growth. Soil moves continually in a natural cycle aided by oxygen, water, minerals and decomposing animal and plant matter. These elements create life in the soil. We speak of healthy soil if it works well and nutrients continue to be available to the plant.
This class will present ways to maintain and improve soil fertiliy, organic matter, and biological life using sustainable growing methods.
When: Monday, March 15
Time: 7 - 8:30 p.m.
 Fee: $27 NM/ $24 M
Instructor: Jean Claude Bourrut-Lacouture, Assistant Director of NCOF

 

NM = Non member
M = Member

 

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To check on your membership status please send an e-mail to rfritz.ncorganic@verizon.net

If you would like to become a member or would like to renew your membership you can do so at the same time you sign up for a program.