10:00 am
BioChar is a “Foundational piece in Soil Regeneration…Soil, not Dirt…” – $20 – Biochar is a carbon-rich, charcoal-like material made from organic waste that’s been partially combusted in a limited amount of oxygen. It’s used in a variety of ways, including: Soil amendment, Carbon sequestration to address climate change, Water treatment, Land reclamation, Green infrastructure, Cattle feed and Roofing material recycling.
10:00 am
Summer ideas for SWFL gardens (Walking Tour) – $30 – Growing in Southwest FL is not like growing in Northern states, as you probably know. In this workshop, the instructor will walk through some options for managing your garden in the hot, humid summer months. Options will include various cover crops, a few highlighted tropical crops, and pest management in the off-season. Participants will take home 3 packets of SWFL summer-appropriate seeds to try at home: a legume, a leafy green, and a vegetable.
12 pm
Tropical Tasting Lunch – $25 – Enjoy a farm-fresh lunch in our community garden! Offered Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday!
1:30 pm
Got Goats? – $20 – Whether you are considering raising goats or have kept these fun ruminants for many years and are looking for new ideas, come join Julie and Seth as they co-teach about goats. Topics will include parasite control, rotational grazing, potential forages, general husbandry and pitfalls to avoid. They will also demonstrate a fecal test for parasites.
10:00 am
Seed Saving for Gardeners – $30 – This workshop will provide an overview of the basic skills required to begin the art and practice of seed saving in your garden. Relevant for home and community gardeners. Topics covered will include information on plant reproduction, planning for the seed garden, seed harvest, drying, processing, and storage, with hands-on activities to tie it all together. Plus, take home some ECHO-grown seeds to try it out for yourself!
12 pm
Tropical Tasting Lunch – $25 – Enjoy a farm-fresh lunch in our community garden! Offered Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday!
1:30 pm
How to Grow and Use Moringa – $20 – Moringa is a fast-growing tree that produces nutritious leaves with many health benefits. The leaves can be eaten fresh or dry. In this workshop, you’ll learn how to grow moringa, harvest, and use the leaves. There will be a hands-on opportunity to convert dried moringa leaves into high-quality powder that can be stored and incorporated into various foods.
10:00 am
Regenerative Practices for Edible Landscapes – $25 – Southwest Florida presents a variety of unique challenges for home gardeners. Poor drainage, sandy and infertile soils, salt inundations, high pH water, and winter frost among others can lead to poor growth and discouragement as you struggle to help your plants survive. Regenerative approaches to agriculture harness the ability of natural systems to restore and rebuild soil fertility, organic matter, and biodiversity over time. At Ecovision, we incorporate some of these practices into our edible landscape design and management and are encouraged by the results. Come learn about how you can use regenerative practices in your edible landscape as well as share your experience.
12 pm
Tropical Tasting Lunch – $25 – Enjoy a farm-fresh lunch in our community garden! Offered Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday!
1:30 pm
Basics of Earthbag Building – $30 – Earthen building is one of the oldest forms of construction. Over the millenia, earthen structures have proven to be some of the most durable and long standing structures. Come learn how to build your own earthen structure! This workshop will offer hands-on experience in earthbag building techniques as well as offer a brief introduction to earthbag structure design.
1:30 pm
The Beekeeping Experience (Walking Tour) – $15 – Join Expert Steve Eisele on a walking tour of ECHO’s beehives. Want to be more self-sufficient? Want to connect with nature? Learn the basics about keeping bees, or just learn more about these fascinating creatures that mean so much for our ecosystem!
10 am
Fermentation Fun, with Focus on Water Kefir and Sourdoughs – $25 – Participants will be given demonstrations, samples to try, and containers with starters so they can begin their fermented creations at home.
12 pm
Tropical Tasting Lunch – $25 – Enjoy a farm-fresh lunch in our community garden! Offered Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday!
1:30 pm
Yard to Table: Tropical goodness you can grow and eat – $10 – Recipes will be demonstrated that use ECHO or Farmer’s Market vegetables and fruits to make fun, beautiful additions to your family’s table. Taste the tropics during this interactive workshop and go home with recipes and the knowledge and experience to do it yourself.
1:30 pm
Grafting Theory and Techniques – $20 – The grafting workshop will include a presentation about the history, purpose, science, and techniques of grafting, a demonstration of several types of grafts, and plenty of time for you to practice grafting!
