The Backyard Farmer series of workshops offer adults a hands-on introduction to real skills.  Most workshops focus on topics that relate to small scale home farming or gardening.  Past workshops have included cheese and yogurt making, bee-keeping, canning and food preservation, and poultry slaughter.  Please let us know if there is a specific topic you're interested in that you don't see on the schedule.

All workshops are held at the Morris Farm.

Upcoming Backyard Farmer workshops:

Saturday March 1

Bee Keeping School 1

This 2-session workshop will teach you everything you need to know about bee keeping and bee maintenance. You will be able to set up your own backyard bee hives and enjoy honeybees and bee products all summer long.

9:00am - 12:00noon

$15.00 for both sessions

Friday & Saturday, March 14 & 15

Wool Handling School

For more information contact the Cumberland County Cooperative Extension Office.

Phone: (207) 780-4205 or 800-287-1471

PO Box 9300

Portland, ME 04104-9300

E-mail: cecmb@umext.maine.edu

Friday 6:00-8:30pm                      Free

Saturday 9:00am-4:00pm         $35.00      Lunch  provided

Saturday March 29

Basketry

Make your own egg basket in time for spring and summer harvest seasons. In this workshop we will make a double bottomed basket using prepared cane. Bring with you: bag lunch, cutting pliers, utility knife, clothespins, and a towel.

Limit: 6 participants

9:00am - 2:00pm $25.00

Saturday April 5 - EVENT!!!

Welcoming Spring to the Morris Farm

Bring your Family & Friends to welcome this year's baby animals to the farm. A variety of activities will take place all day, including egg dyeing, baby animal introductions, sheep & goat shearing, carding & spinning, wool felting, seed planting, and more!

10:00am-2:00pm

$5 per person, $20 per family

Saturday & Sunday April 19 & 20  *CLASS IS FULL**

Appleton Creamery Cheese Making

Learn how to make several cheeses during this 2-day long workshop taught by Caitlin Hunter of Appleton Creamery. We will make basic goat, cow, and possibly even sheep cheese. You will be able to take with you plenty of fresh made cheese and recipes that will be easy to make at home!

Limit: 10 participants

9:00am-3:00pm $100.00

Saturday May 3

Raising Poultry

Have you ever had farm fresh eggs or fresh farmgrown chicken? Have you always wanted to raise your own laying flock or broiler chickens but never knew where to start? You will be pleasantly surprised at how simple it is to keep a small home flock of chickens.

This workshop will teach you the basics of raising poultry, starting with choosing the right breed for you, feeding techniques, housing choices, and keeping your chickens healthy.

9:00am-12:00noon $20.00

Saturday May 10

Bee Keeping School 2

Continuation of bee and bee product management.

9:00am-12:00noon

Saturday May 17

Volunteer Work Day at the Farm

Join Friends and Staff as we spruce up the farm for the summer season. Pot flowers, build picnic tables, work on the trail system - many activities will be going on all day where YOU can help!

9:00am - 3:00pm

Food and drink will be supplied by the farm staff.

Saturday June 7  EVENT!!

The Morris Farm Annual Plant Sale

Come early to see what all the excitement is about! The Morris Farm will once again be offering perennial plants, shrubs, and annual seedlings for sale in the barn.

Beverages and baked items will be available in the education center all day.

8:00am-3:00pm

Don't forget to check our full calendar of events!