AGRICULTURE-RELATED EVENTS
& ANNOUNCEMENTS  

CLASSES, WORKSHOPS
AND RELATED EVENTS

TRANSITION SINGLES, Feb. 9, 6:00 p.m., Boulder Meadows Community Room, 4500 19th St., Boulder. Finally, a group for singles with something more in common than just being single! Are you concerned about challenging events in the future or even tough times? Do you want to have more "like-minded" friends for social events? Or maybe be able to meet a potential partner, someone who understands your values? Transition Singles is a network of "transition aware" people looking to further their contacts to create a sense of well-being, security, and friendship during times of flux and change. New friends that share your interests in sustainability may be comforting as we charge into the great unknown ahead. This will be our first meeting. Optional potluck for those interested. Come out, share some food, and meet your people. All ages welcome and appreciated. RSVP to transitionevents@skybeam.com. 

POST CARBON CENTURY: FROM GLOBAL CRISIS TO COMMUNITY RESILIENCE, WITH DANIEL LERCH, Feb. 9, 5:00 p.m., Environmental Design Building, Room 134, CU-Boulder Campus; Feb. 10, 6:00 p.m., MBA Suite, CU Denver Campus. Daniel is Program Director of Post Carbon Institute, the author of Post Carbon Cities, and the lead editor of The Post Carbon Reader, a collection of original essays on the 21st century's interconnected sustainability crisis. Daniel has worked with urban sustainability and planning issues for nearly 15 years in the public, private and non-profit sectors, and is one of the few experts specializing in local government responses to global fossil fuel depletion. Part of the University of Colorado College of Architecture and Planning Spring Lecture Series.

WATERSHED TO WATERWISE STRATEGIES, Feb. 9 & 16, 1:30 - 5:30 p.m., 1505 University Blvd., Boulder. A CU Boulder Environmental Center Sustainable Practices course. This class will address watershed catchment and delivery systems, current water use patterns in the West, water in the city, water on the site, water reuse at small and large scales, rainwater capture, urban forest functions, values, climate appropriate plant selections and more. Pre-registration is required. This course is designed for the working professional who desires practical training in sustainability, or would like to work in the sustainability field. Complete 10 courses and receive a CU Boulder certificate in Sustainable Practices. Call 303-492-7438 for details.

HERBAL ALTERNATIVES AND NATURAL BABY CARE, Feb. 9, 6:30 - 8:30 p.m., Denver Botanic Gardens, 1007 York St., Denver. Learn how easy it is (and fun!) to make a basket full of natural herbal baby products to replace the chemical and preservative filled commercial products available. Belly butter for the itchy pregnant belly, healing baby powder, moisturizing milk bath, tub teas for fussy baby or baby with diaper rash, Sitz bath tub teas for newly delivered moms, refreshing baby wipes, baby massage oil, teething oil for babies sore gums, diaper rash treatment and prevention balm, medicinal teas for increasing milk flow, decreasing milk when it s time to wean, a calming tea blend for fussy babies, and more. This is a fun class for aunts and grandmas to be and of course, mom! Everyone takes home a jar of the diaper rash balm, a tub tea, and calm baby flower essence. Call 720-865-3580, or register online.  

PERMACULTURE: THE GROWING EDGE, Feb. 9 & 12, 6:00 - 8:00 p.m., New Belgium Brewing, 500 Linden, Fort Collins. Free screening. Learning about the first Permaculture Design Certification Course offered in the Fort Collins area, Mar. 12 - 27. Discussion with lead instructor Kelly Simmons.  

DIRT! THE MOVIE: PERMACULTURE FILM SERIES 2011, Feb. 10, 7:00 - 9:00 p.m., Boulder Meadows Community Room, 4500 19th St., Boulder. With Paul Stamets, Andy Lipkis, Janine Benyus, Fritjof Capra, Wangari Maathai, Wes Jackson, Alice Waters, John Todd, Vandana Shiva and more. ALSO showing, "BACKYARD FOOD PRODUCTION, Part 1: Water Systems." FREE (donations welcome). Sponsored by Transition Colorado, Real Earth Design, and High Altitude Permaculture.

BIBA PARTY!, Feb. 10, 4:30 - 6:30 p.m., Boulder Outlook Hotel, 800 28th St., Boulder. Pre-party to the REAL awards (Recognizing Everything About Local). Kickoff to Boulder Independent Business Allilance membership drive. Gathering for awesome locals. Chance to win valuable prizes!

RAISING, KEEPING AND LOVIN' CHICKENS, Feb. 12, 3:00 - 5:00 p.m., Lyons Farmette, 4121 Ute Highway, Lyons. What is better than having your own back yard flock and getting fresh eggs every day? (Well, okay, there are actually a few things, but chickens are still pretty great!) We have many varieties of chickens here at the Farmette. We'll give you the chicken basics: Getting them as chicks and then what to do next. I'll also cover information about feed, care, legality, predator proofing and more. We also go out and visit the "girls" and take a look at different coops. $10 per person. Please RSVP to betsyburton@mac.com. Payment is required to reserve a space in this class. Please send your check to The Lyons Farmette, P.O. Box 312, Lyons, CO 80540. 

GARDENING 101, GROWING WITHOUT CHEMICALS, Feb. 13, 1:00 - 3:00 p.m., George Reynolds Branch Library, 3595 Table Mesa Drive, Boulder. What to plant when, pests you may encounter and what to do about it, avoiding pesticides/herbicides/chemical fertilizers, cultivars we recommend, solutions to water conservation, how to mitigate wind, hail damage. What has worked for us. And, alas, what has not. Mimi Yanus, Niki Hayden, Tracey Parrish, Boulder Culinary Gardeners.

TINCTURE WORKSHOP, Feb. 13, 4:00 p.m., 856 10th St., Boulder. Want to learn to make your own lotion and engage in discussion on how to take care of yourself, sans harmful chemicals, during the winter months? Please email us back (cugoinglocal@gmail.com) if you're interested so we know how much supplies we need to get. Also, there will be a small fee--but you get to keep your tincture creation! CU Going Local!

TOUR A WORKING PERMACULTURE FARM AND HERBAL CSA, Feb. 13, 1:00 - 3:00 p.m., Willow Way Wellness Permaculture & Herb CSA, 6481 N. 63rd St., Niwot. Learn about Permaculture for you and the world. Join the movement toward sustainable living: environmentally, financially, socially. Permaculture is about designing for balanced and sustainable human settlements. There is so much that one person can do. Focus on solutions. Know where your food comes from. Let's get sensible! Let your senses guide you... to connect to the land. Find out more. Come and experience for yourself. Bring appropriate clothing--boots, hats, gloves. We will share a special blend of our Tulsi rose tea and you'll receive a free sample of our love bath potpourri to celebrate Valentines Day.

DIRT! (THE MOVIE), Feb. 13, 2:00 - 4:00 p.m., The Link Rec Center, 1295 Reed St., Lakewood. The Movie Dirt!, local food, exhibits and a conversation on local food and urban farming in metro Denver and Jefferson County. Proceeds from donations will go to build a four season growing center at 1875 Wadsworth Blvd., Lakewood. This site will teach others how to grow local food in winter, summer, fall and spring using hoop house, cold frames, hoop covers for season extension and solar power. Learn and teach others what you learn. Together we can return the metro area to the fullness of our agricultural roots. 720-231-8337 for more information.

STARTING YOUR GARDEN FROM SEED: TIPS AND TECHNIQUES FOR INDOOR SEED STARTING, Feb. 13, 3:00 - 5:00 p.m., Lyons Farmette, 4121 Ute Highway, Lyons. Ever wanted to get a jump-start on your garden by starting seeds indoors? Join Erica Althans-Schmidt for an exploration of seed starting beginning with the story behind the seed and basic germination terminology. Determine what your perfect seeding system should be and what tools you'll need to get the job done. Learn how to calculate the ideal start time for different seeds and the basic techniques for starting seeds indoors and caring for them through germination. Discover why things go wrong and what you can do about them. And finally, learn how to harden off your seedlings and watch them flourish in your garden! The first 12 people to sign up will receive Beauty Beyond Belief wildflower seeds for their gardens! $15 per person. Please RSVP to betsyburton@mac.com. Payment is required to reserve a space in this class. Please send your check to The Lyons Farmette, P.O. Box 312, Lyons CO 80540.

KIDS & PARENTS COOKING TOGETHER: QUICK & EASY BREAKFASTS, LUNCHES, SNACKS, 4:00 - 6:00 p.m., Wednesdays, Feb. 16 - Mar. 9, Erie Community Center (#7551.102). Featuring Kitchen Coach Mary Collette Rogers. Together you and your child will learn about healthful eating. Get on the same page and introduce your child to lifelong skills in wholesome and healthful eating. An educational experience you and your child are sure to enjoy. Ages 9 and up. Erie resident $89; non-resident $111. Register online. Questions, 303-443-0353.

CREATE SATISFYING WORK, Feb. 17, 10:00 - 10:45 a.m. & Feb. 26, 9:30 - 10:15 a.m., Dragonfly Coffee & Tea, 1075 E. South Boulder Road, Louisville. Feeling trapped in an unfulfilling career? Paralyzed by the job hunting process? Unclear about what's next? Contemplating work that inspires you but aren't sure how to get there? How you resolve challenges like these affects the end results. Using willpower, sheer effort, or fear to "make something happen" is inefficient, ineffective, and unnatural. You can tap into greater resources, ideas, and opportunities when you know how to create satisfying work that aligns your skills and interests with emerging needs. Learn more in this free intro talk by Christine Gust and hear about upcoming classes. RSVPs appreciated, 303-444-4839. 

RESPONDING TO CLIMATE CHANGE WITH SEASON EXTENSION AND FOUR-SEASON GARDENING, Feb. 19, 11:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m., Lyons Farmette, 4121 Ute Highway, Lyons. Learn how you can use sustainable Permaculture gardening strategies to enjoy a longer harvest. The workshop is taught by Jeff Graef and will include instruction on year-round indoor salad & herb window-sill gardens, starting seeds inside, & selecting cold-tolerant plants. Learn about selecting effective garden locations, building soil in place using Permaculture techniques, and effective wildlife protection. Discover the power of season extension using row covers, and low-cost cold frames and low-cost greenhouses. Jeff is a certified Permaculture Teacher and has completed the Basic and Advanced Permaculture courses, Jeff has earned a BA in Solar Design and Energy Education and an MS in Higher Education. $25 per person. Payment is required to reserve a space in this class. Please send your check to The Lyons Farmette, P.O. Box 312, Lyons CO 80540.

GARDENING WITH NATIVE PLANTS/CULTIVATING POLLINATORS, Feb. 20, 1:00 - 3:00 p.m., George Reynolds Branch Library, 3595 Table Mesa Dr., Boulder. Why native plants are important in any garden. How to find those that fit your soil and water conditions. Why pollinators, both domestic (honeybee) and wild (bumblebee), are important. How best to help them thrive in your garden and why they are endangered. Instructors to be announced. Boulder Culinary Gardeners.

FREE PERMACULTURE, POLLINATORS & POLYCULTURE PRESENTATION, Feb. 20, 3:30 - 5:00 p.m., Lyons Town Hall, 432 5th Ave., Lyons. Learn about the 3 Ps! Showcasing new Willow Way movie followed by Q&A session. Get ready with everything you need to know to make 2011 a bumper growing season. 

BROOMFIELD COMMUNITY CONTRA DANCE AND DRUMMING CIRCLE, Feb. 20, 3:00 - 8:00 p.m., Crescent Grange, 7901 W. 120th Ave., Broomfield. Drumming Circle 3:00 - 4:15 p.m.: Free. Bring any percussion instrument and join the fun. We will also drum for a while during the dance break at about 6:30PM. Contra Dance:  $10 at the door. Lesson 4:15 p.m. Dance from 5:00 - 8:00 p.m. Teacher: Don Studinski. Caller: Duffy Boyule. Band: Balance & Swing. Great fun dancing. No experience necessary! Live band! Dancing is where the JOY is. Sponsored by CFOOTMAD (Colorado Friends Of Old Time Music And Dance) in cooperation with Transition Westminster/Arvada/Broomfield (rebuilding community resilience and self-reliance) and Crescent Grange. Curious? Check out Contra dancing on-line at www.cfootmad.org.

STARTING YOUR GARDEN FROM SEED, Feb. 22, 6:00 - 8:00 p.m., Denver Botanic Gardens, 1005 York St., Denver. Few things excite a gardener more than "birthing" new plants for their gardens, especially if the plants are exotics, unusual or heirlooms. Second-only to the creation of new plants is the financial benefit of growing your own plants, whether flowers, herbs or vegetables. This class will demystify the seed-starting process for the novice gardener, as well as exploring unusual seeds for the more advanced gardener. We will cover simple botany and the process of best practices for successful seed germination, successful transplanting, and seed collection and storage. Please register online or call 720-865-3580.

GREATER GOOD ACADEMY, Feb. 22 - Apr. 12, 6:00 - 9:00 p.m., Mi Casa Resource Center, 360 Acoma St., Denver. The Greater Good Academy (GGA) is an 8-week business development program for Denver area entrepreneurs from underserved communities in how to use sustainable and triple bottom line business thinking and practices to become more profitable. Throughout the course and for several months afterwards, the entrepreneurs are connected with key players in the economic development, angel capital and socially responsible business communities. By the 8th week, each entrepreneur has completed a triple bottom line (TBL) business plan that lays out their company's mission, operations, marketing, pricing and related growth strategies and describes how they will integrate environmental and social elements into their overall business strategy. 

30-MINUTE MEALS: KEEP YOU AND YOUR FAMILY HEALTHY ON A TIGHT TIME BUDGET, 10:30 a.m. - noon, Tuesdays, Feb. 22 - Mar. 22, Erie Community Center (#7529.102). Nutritious meals made in 30 mins. or less, it can be done! Join Healthy Eating Coach Mary Collette Rogers and learn how to plan for and prepare well-balanced meals for your family with minimal time commitment. Perfect for the family on the go or those who don't like to spend too much time in the kitchen. Hands-on class: make a light lunch then share together at the end of class. Parents can take advantage of on-site child care. Erie residents $94; non-resident $118. Price includes light lunch and copy of Take Control of Your Kitchen. Register online. Questions, 303-443-0353.

"THE ECONOMICS OF HAPPINESS" DENVER PREMIERE, Feb. 23, 7:00 - 10:00 p.m., Green Spaces Colorado, 368 28th St., Denver. A socially conscious cooperative transforms a warehouse to beautiful, eco-friendly hub for the community. Join us for our launch event. We have united with our partners to create a beautiful space for the community that is 100% solar powered, all natural clay walls, solar tube lighting, a cooperative, wind powered internet, and an eco-fireplace. Come unite with us. We will be serving popcorn and refreshments. Space is limited, reserve your tickets here. 

CU GOING LOCAL BOOK CLUB, Feb. 24. It is winter and its is freezing! Garden days are still far in the distance. But do not be discouraged! Thankfully there are many ways to learn about locality, sustainability, and food. CUGL will be starting a book club to do just that. Our first book will be Animal, Vegetable, Miracle by Barbara Kingsolver. We plan to meet the fourth Thursday of every month to discuss, rehash, brainstorm, etc. We also would like to combine viewing relevant TED talks at these meetings to further explore ideas and topics. Check out the book and if this is something you are interested in please email dakota-rae.westveer@colorado.edu.  

EXPLORING A LOCALLY-BASED FOOD & AGRICULTURE SYSTEM: ADVANCING BOULDER COUNTY'S SUSTAINABLE AGRICULTURE, Feb. 24, 11:30 - 1:00 p.m., Congregation Har HaShem, 3950 Baseline Road, Boulder. Sponsored by Restoring the Soul: Faith and Community Partnerships, a local non-profit organization that puts on forums on timely countywide issues, this forum will feature panelists representing the various community interests in sustainable agriculture--government, non-profit, faith organizations, for-profits, and farmers themselves. The forum will be recorded by KGNU for broadcast the following month.

SUSTAINABILITY FOR MUNICIPALITIES, Feb. 25 - Mar. 24, a CU Boulder Environmental Center Sustainable Practices course. This course provides practical examples of how to get a municipality on a sustainable track by generating new models of organizational action and engaging the community. Preregistration is required. This is an online, non-credit course, designed for the working professional seeking who desires training in sustainability or would like to begin working in the sustainability field. Complete 10 courses and receive a Certificate in Sustainable Practices. 

FOOD JUSTICE WORKSHOP, Feb. 26, 12:00 - 4:00 p.m., The GrowHaus, 4751 York St., Denver. In this workshop, we'll be examining the issues of food justice from a variety of angles, from the local to the global. Through interactive activities and discussions with local food justice leaders, you'll learn about the day-to-day reality of living in a food desert, and find out how you can get involved here in Denver to make our food system not only more sustainable, but more just, as well. Online registration: $27.37. Day-of registration: $35. FREE for residents of Elyria-Snsea!  

FREE PERMACULTURE PRESENTATION, Feb. 26, 2:00 - 4:00 p.m., B2 Conference Center, Denver Public Library, 10 W. 14th Ave. Pkwy., Denver. Informational talk and video by Zia Parker, from Willow Way Permaculture in Niwot, Colorado. Overview of Willow Way design features and goals, including the herb farm, bioremediation and mycoremediation (remediation with Fungi) of the pond, season extension designs and their results, micro-climate designs such as our berm/swale systems. Also, a brief report on the first year's findings from the CSU Specialty Crops grant for our Natural Weed Control Study. Q & A discussion, including info on our 2011 Permaculture Design Course. Learn about the Community Supporting Agriculture (CSA) movement, why it is important, and Willow Way's Herbal CSA.

PLANNING AND LEARNING ABOUT A POLYCULTURE GARDEN, Feb. 26, 3:00 - 5:00 p.m., Lyons Farmette, 4121 Ute Highway, Lyons. Learn about a polyculture garden that provides food for the soil, for wildlife, and you. Class will discuss microclimates, seasonal timing, companion planting, edible natives. Dave & Lina started their careers in Environmental Science and applied that knowledge to the earth that we maintain and utilize for food and pleasure. David has lectured for colleges, taught classes and has been published as a leader in the expanding field of Urban Ecology. Lina has been studying as a Native Plant Master for 4 years in addition to building edible gardens for our clients and studying the numerous benefits of our local herbs and plants. $15 per person. Please RSVP to betsyburton@mac.com. Payment is required to reserve a space in this class.  Please send your check to The Lyons Farmette, P.O. Box 312, Lyons, CO 80540.

BEE KEEPING CLASS, Feb. 27, 3:00 - 5:00 p.m., Lyons Farmette, 4121 Ute Highway, Lyons. Come on down to the Farmette on for a presentation on backyard beekeeping. Our instructor, Ben Rodman is a Lyons resident with his wife Jasmine Lok. He has been a sideline beekeeper since 2004 and has been performing structural colony rescue and removals for several years, is a moderator of the online beekeeping forum Beesource.com, and is an award-winning meadmaker and home brewer. We'll discuss equipment choices, management styles, colony inspection, the life of a colony and bee biology, and of course honey and other colony products. We'll have equipment, books and protective gear to examine, and depending on interest participants can get together on orders for bee equipment and packages of honeybees for Spring! $20 per person. Please RSVP to betsyburton@mac.com. Payment is required to reserve a space in this class. Please send your check to The Lyons Farmette, P.O. Box 312, Lyons, CO 80540.