Class Descriptions
Urban
Animal Husbandry
listed alphabetically
WHY ARE THERE NO DATES?
New dates will be listed on February 15th, 2012.
Our 2012 session starts March 15.
Yes, the class you are interested in will most likely be offered again, we are busy making sure that happens right now.
The best way to know when your class is scheduled is to subscribe to our newsletter, which you can do using our contact form, link on left sidebar.
Thanks for your patience !!!!!
Additions and changes in RED. Classes in GREY not yet open for registration.
Classes without dates are not currently being offered, but may be offered again in the future.
Pre-registration is required and exact location is given once you have registered.
Many classes will repeat if there is enough interest. If a class is past or you do not get in on time, please contact us and we will let you know if another session is forming. Classes are for age 12 and up unless other wise
indicated
Backyard Chickens
Instructor: Jeannie McKenzie & Frankie Morrow
Location: Montclair
Cost: $30-60
Fall in love with backyard chickens!
This class will introduce you to the fascinating world of backyard chickens and give you the information you need to get started with your own low-effort backyard flock. We’ll discuss life cycles, coop designs, breed selection, care and feeding for health and egg production, protection from predators and ways of integrating your chickens into your garden. You'll meet our flock, see our set-up and get hands on experience chicken wrangling. Plus we'll give you information on where to purchase your chickens and feed and resources for learning more.
Bees and Backyard Beekeeping with the Kenyan Top Bar System
Saturday September 24 10am-4pm Honey Harvest
Location: North Oakland
Instructor: K.Ruby Blume
Cost: $50-80
Keeping bees is a great way to practice animal husbandry in the city, produce some of your own food and stay in tune with seasonal cycles. In this course you will learn about the life cycles and biology of the honey bee, basic management
strategies and equipment needed to get started as a backyard beekeeper using the Kenyan Top Bar Hive, a low input natural beekeeping system. Information on common troubles that arise, how to get bees and where to go for continued learning and support will also be covered. The class will culminate in a hands-on practice session working a beehive.
Beyond the Basics Beekeeping
Advanced Topics for the Beginner to Intermediate Beekeeper
Location: North Oakland
Instructor: K.Ruby Blume
Cost:$20-40
This is an evening gathering for people already keeping bees to talk about their bees and get answers to current questions and concerns in organic and top bar beekeeping. There will be a go around, gathering of topics to address and discussion of topics of concern to the group.
Home Butchering: Fowl
Teacher: Jim Montgomery & K.Ruby Blume
Location: West Berkeley
Cost: $70 - 100 plus $5 supply fee to be paid on day of class
As people who are used to getting our meat in the freezer section of the grocery store, one of the big questions about raising animals for meat is…Can I do it? Can I slaughter and process my own? This introduction to butchering addresses not only the why and how of it, but the deeper aspects of what it means to take life for our own sustenance and how to do it with the least suffering on the part of the animal.In this class will will learn to slaughter humanly, dress and section fowll. We will talk about recipes for older birds, uses for organ meats and hygenic handling of meat. There will be a demonstration, hands-on experience of wielding the knife, cooking and eating afterwards.
Integrated Urban Animal Husbandry
Instructor: Jim Montgomery
Location: West Berkeley
Cost: $30-50
After a tour of Green Faerie Farm and a description of the animal systems there (rabbits, goats & chickens), we will explore how livestock can be integrated into an urban garden with a focus on raising livestock for small-scale production of meat, dairy products, eggs, pelts and fiber. We will learn a little about each species and their practicality for different situations, look at permaculture principles and how they may be applied in partnering animals and plants, get information on the local laws related to livestock and discuss best practices for housing animals humanely, allowing them to lead happy lives where their natural inclinations are considered. We will discuss problems that can arise and learn about preventative measures. Time allowing, the class will culminate with a design clinic in which participants get support to design or improve their own urban farms, with a focus on including animals.
Micro-Farming: Quail
Instructor: K.Ruby Blume
Location: North Oakland
Cost:$15-30
perhaps you like the idea of chickens and having your own eggs, but don't have the space for them. Quail can be raised in a small space, as little as 2 x 3 square feet and are one of the best "protein converters" around. For about $30 cost per season, you can have 15-25 dainty little eggs every. week. The more adventurous can hatch their own fertile eggs and eat their quail for dinner. Quail can be kept on a balcony or on a porch are not a lot of work and a great way for kids to learn appreciation for farm animals.
Put a Bee in Your Bonnet: An introduction to bees for adults
Instructor: K.Ruby Blume
Location: North Oakland
Cost: $25-50
This is an introduction to the world of bees, pollination ecology and bee friendly gardening for folks who are curious and want to nurture an awareness for these beloved hardworking critters. We will learn about the lifecycles and biology of social and solitary (native) bees and the differences between the two, the special relationship between bees and flowers and what you can provide to support more bee and insect life in your garden. We will learn about the Kenyan top bar hive as an option for sustainable beekeeping, touch on beekeeping equipment and strategies, learn how to provide habitat for native bees, observe both honey bees and native bees at work,, taste honey and get the lowdown on Colony Collapse Disorder.
The Buzz & The Bloom: Kids Day on the Farm
Instructor: K.Ruby Blume
Location: North Oakland
Cost: $20 - 40 per family
In this afternoon playshop we will explore and observe the growing world through the eyes of an urban farmer. We will observe honey bees and native pollinators, learn a bit about pollination and how flowers and bees interact. We'll hold a baby bunny, eat quail eggs, taste honey, look at natural beecomb, make bee headbands and color in the pollination coloring book. An array of delights for the budding urban homesteader.. This is a class for kids age 4-8 and their parents
Urban Goat Farming
Instructor: Jim Montgomery
Location: West Berkeley
Cost: $30-60
Meet the goats at Green Faerie Farm and learn what you need to start an urban goat dairy. We will discuss the various breeds of goats, their strengths and weaknesses and practicality for different uses as well as issues specific to goats as ruminants. We will learn about goats' minimal needs and how to keep their lives vibrant and happy. This will include nutrition and preventative health measures, pen design and equipment, breeding and raising young. We will also talk about the process and equipment needed to run a small dairy including handling milk and dairy products that can be easily produced on a small scale.
Urban Rabbitry: Raising Rabbits for Fun, Food, Fertilizer & Fur
Instructor: Jim Montgomery
Cost: $30-60
Raising Rabbits is an excellent way to include animals on a small urban farm with limited space. They provide lean meat, fur and ample fertilizer for your garden. This class will cover the basics to get started with your own urban rabbitry. We will meet the rabbits at Green Fairies Farm and learn how to safely handle them. We will discuss approaches to housing rabbits, feeding and breeding, what to look for in choosing rabbits, available breeds and uses for each breed. We will learn how rabbits can be integrated into an urban garden and what other species complement them. Resources for continuing your learning, including books and online communities will be included.
Rabbit Butchering and Tanning Demonstration
Instructor: K.Ruby Blume
Saturday October 15, 2:4:30pm
Cost: $35-50
Following a tour of the rabbitry and a brief discussion on the benfits of rabbits as urban livestock we will demonstratte humane slaughter and dressing. Also included will be ideas for preparation of both rabbit meat and organ meats. Then the instructor will take you through a step by step demonstration of the tanning process. Some hands on will be possible.