Interested in learning about Beekeeping, Growing Mushrooms or Wild and Medicinal Plants? Just Food will hold a series of three workshops in September, presented by some of our very own local producers at the farm. These workshops are open to the public, farmers, gardeners and anyone looking to gain new skills. No previous farm experience or knowledge is necessary. Bring your friends and come learn new, creative and tasty ways to appreciate local goods this fall! Registration is required. See below for schedule, registration and workshop descriptions.
*Please note*
Registration is now full for all three workshops. To be put on the waiting list, please send an email to startupfarm@justfood.ca with your name, email address, and indicate which workshops you would like to attend. Should there be any cancellations, we will contact those on the waiting list and invite them to attend the workshops. We apologize for any inconvenience. Thank you.
Workshop Schedule
Saturday September 13th: Beekeeping with Ron St. Louis
Saturday September 20th: How to Grow Mushrooms with Shelly Lambert and Lukasz Wozniak
Saturday September 27th: Wild Edibles and Medicinal Plants with Amber Westfall
Time: All workshops will take place from 10am to 12pm
Location: Just Food Farm, 2389 Pépin Court, Ottawa K1B 4Z3
Fees and Registration
One workshop: 10$
Special for all three workshops: 20$
Fees can be paid at the door in cash or cheque
Registration is required in advance. All workshops are currently full. To be put on the waiting list, please send an email to startupfarm@justfood.ca.
Workshop descriptions
Beekeeping with Ron St. Louis – Saturday September 13th
Ron St. Louis of Radical Homestead will host an introduction on bees, their behaviors, and a quick overview of what’s involved in beekeeping. Weather permitting, we will open up some beehives to have a personal look inside. Watch the bees go about their business, identify honey, pollen, eggs/larvae/brood/bees, and maybe even spot the queen and taste some fresh honey!
For many years, Ron has found creative ways to reduce his consumption, become more self-reliant and deepen his connection with the Earth. With a Permaculture Design Certificate, Ron has developed many skills that allow him to make the most of nature’s riches. In addition to beekeeping, he is also passionate about home brewing beer and mead, cooking and food preservation.
How to Grow Mushrooms with Shelly Lambert and Lukasz Wozniak – Saturday September 20th
Are you interested in growing mushrooms at home? Whether you are new to mushrooms, or already dabbling in the mushroom arts, this workshop will help you understand some key requirements to growing great mushrooms. Shelley Lambert and Lukasz Wozniak from Nanabush Food Forests present some basic information about mushrooms, their requirements, growth patterns, nutritional profiles and solutions to some common problems home growers may face. The workshop will end with some hands-on activities to demonstrate how to create your own oyster mushroom kits, with the option to buy what you built at a discounted rate at the close of the workshop. If you love mushrooms, then plan to attend, as they will share some of their experience and passion about mushrooms.
Shelley and Lukasz are avid mushroom foragers and growers, as well as food lovers who focus on creating nutrient rich soil. They have established non-certified organic food forests within the City of Ottawa with emphasis on permanent, sustainable agriculture. Team Nanabush focuses on creating healthy soil for healthy food and healthy people.
Wild Edibles and Medicinal Plants with Amber Westfall – Saturday September 27th
Discover the wild edible and medicinal plants of Eastern Ontario. This walk will introduce participants to wild food and medicine through plant identification skills, ethical harvesting practices, as well as preparation and uses of a variety of wild plants. Herbalist, forager and farmer, when Amber Westfall is not in a patch of weeds somewhere, you’ll find her in the kitchen cooking up wild greens and herbal brews.
Through her business The Wild Garden, Amber provides community members with local and sustainably harvested wild foods and organically grown herbs. She also leads educational walks and workshops on wild edible and medicinal plants.
