Education

Community Crops Education & Classes

Come learn with us! Classes and workshops are offered throughout the year on gardening and farming topics, cooking, and sustainable living.

Urban Grower Classes

This class series, running 2023 through 2025 will focus on teaching sustainable growing skills for gardeners and farmers. Class formats may vary between field days, lectures, online classes, and other alternative formats. Registration is required, but classes are free! Accommodations for translation can be made by request with advance notice of 2 weeks, and there is a question in the registration regarding translation needs. Please contact us with any questions. Registration forms close approximately 2-3 days prior to class or in some cases earlier due to the number of students signed up.

Upcoming Classes

March 11th, 6pm – 8pm, Grow your own Culinary Mushrooms, at the Family Service Lincoln office

Participants will learn how to grow their own mushrooms at home, using bags or bucket style methods. Different varieties of culinary mushrooms will be discussed and material needs for production will be covered. This class will provide a mushroom production kit for each student. Taught by community expert Luke Norris.

March 18th, 6pm – 8pm, Exploring Therapeutic Gardens for Community Health, at the Family Service Lincoln office

This class will explore what therapeutic gardens are and how they can benefit us physically, mentally, and emotionally. We will cover best practices, design principles, and plant choices for different therapy goals at this class. Taught by Liz Tylander of Grateful Growers.

April 15th, 6pm – 8pm, Seed Savers Skills: Planning for Seed Saving, at the Family Service Lincoln office

Join us for a hands-on, informative workshop on seed saving and planning your seed saving garden or farm plot. This class will cover the basics of seed saving, preservation and creating techniques. Genetics, breeding, patents, and best seed storage practices will be discussed. Taught by seed saving expert, Cait Caughey. This class is currently in the process of being rescheduled to a new date!

Business and Marketing for Small Scale Farmers

This free educational series focuses on developing farm business management and marketing skills for small scale specialty crop producers. This series is ideal for New American farmers and growers who are just starting out, but all are welcome to apply!

Arabic and/or Kurdish interpretation will be available at all classes. Sign up will close in early January. Students applying to complete the full series are eligible for per class stipends. Spots are limited for the full series – apply today! With questions contact Education Specialist, Amy Gerdes at agerdes@familyservicelincoln.org.

Upcoming Classes

RESCHEDULE TO April 2nd, 6pm – 8:30pm, Business Planning, at the Family Service Lincoln office

“Business Planning” is an interactive class designed to empower aspiring entrepreneurs with essential skills. Participants will learn the art of crafting a comprehensive business plan, gaining insights into the key elements necessary for success. This course also emphasizes the important role of business plans in guiding decision-making, securing funding, and measuring progress. It also provides strategies for setting and achieving growth-oriented goals, ensuring that students are well-equipped to chart a clear path towards success in their ventures. Taught by Community Crops staff.

Contact

If you want more information about our current classes, or have questions about your registration, contact aGerdes@familyservicelincoln.org.