FARM SCHOOL 2016
Anyone, with any amount of space, can grow food. Whether you want to build raised beds in your backyard or start a small-scale farm, this course will empower you to get the most food possible out of your space.
18 Reasons and the Bi-Rite Farm are delighted to offer the opportunity to get your hands dirty during this ten session immersion course, running May through September 2016.
FARM SCHOOL is geared for adults who want to learn about the life, economics, and labor of small scale organic farming practices. The course includes five lectures at 18 Reasons and five farming days at the Bi-Rite Farm, with additional excursions to surrounding farms and gardens. The Wednesday lectures will take you through the logistics and business of starting a rural or urban farm; the Saturday farm sessions will put you on-site digging, planting, weeding and harvesting - hands-on, experiential learning. While this is not a comprehensive, collegiate-level course, the 18 Reasons Farm School is perfect for folks who are interested in growing food and who desire to gain a deeper understanding of the politics and practicalities of small scale organic farming in the Bay Area.
ADDITIONAL PERKS: a free 18 Reasons membership (if you are already member, this can be applied when your current membership expires); a personalized crop plan (for an urban or suburban backyard garden, windowsill, or full-scale farm), bags of produce following harvest on Saturdays; on the final day, a farm to table lunch cooked by Sam Mogannam, owner of Bi-Rite Market!
INSTRUCTORS
Simon Richards, Bi-Rite Market's head produce buyer and Layla Aguilar, Bi-Rite Farm's farmer; co-led with Janine Gee, 18 Reasons' coordinator and gardening educator. Guest lectures may include Andy Griffin (the inspirational and pioneering owner of Mariquita Farm), Darryl Wong (Farm Site and Research Lands Manager at UC Santa Cruz's Department for Sustainable Ag), educators from Sonoma Garden Park, and more.
PRICE
$500
Class size capped at 20.
If you are unable to attend all sessions, you must still pay full price. Tickets are not discounted or pro-rated for any reason. *If you would like to set up a payment plan, you can send us three post-dated checks, each made out to 18 Reasons for $167. We will deposit the checks on April 1, July 1, and September 1. If this is the route you’d like to take, please contact Janine at janine@18reasons.org.
DATES, TIMES, LOCATION
Wednesday lectures are 6:30-9:00pm at 18 Reasons.
Saturday farm days are 8:00am-2:00pm at Bi-Rite Farm (carpools will be organized during the first meeting).
Wednesday, May 11 | Reception, Dinner, Inspirational Lecture
Saturday, May 14
Wednesday, June 8
Saturday, June 11
Wednesday, July 13
Saturday, July 16
Wednesday, August 10
Saturday, August 13
Wednesday, September 14
Saturday, September 17 | Finale with lunch prepared by Sam Mogannam
TRANSPORTATION AND FOOD
18 Reasons will help organize carpooling logistics but will not offer transportation to Sonoma. Students are responsible for their own food and water. Snacks and water are provided during Wednesday evening lectures.
This promises to be a extremely fun and in-depth introduction to farming!
