Upcoming Transition Colorado and Related Events

RELATED CLASSES, COURSES AND WORKSHOPS

WHOLE KITCHEN COOKING CLASS AT ABBONDANZA, Thursdays, June 30 - July 28, 6:00 - 8:00 p.m., Abbondanza Organic Seeds & Produce, 10145 Oxford Rd., Longmont. Could there be a better way to learn about seasonal cooking and eating? Join us at Abbondanza's organic, sustainable farm where the seasonal rhythms of the farm flow right into the kitchen. Presented by Everyday Good Eating. Discover a week's worth of new ideas for this abundance of green that's so good for us, and so good tasting. Use the early summer bounty in everything from sides and entrees to pastas and warm-weather salads. Learn building block cooking skills plus easy ways to incorporate different cuisines. Click here for flyer. Register and more information at EverydayGoodEating.com, or 303-443-0353.

KIDS' HEALTHY COOKING CLASSES, Tuesdays, July 5 - 26, 2:00 - 4:00 p.m., Erie Community Center, 450 Powers St., Erie. Presented by Everyday Good Eating, this hands-on cooking class shows pre-teens (ages 9 - 12) how fun and interesting cooking can be, and how competent they can be in the kitchen! Students learn good eating fundamentals, kitchen safety, and the cooking basics to make actual meals the whole family can enjoy. Preparing and sampling delicious cuisine, they become more invested in mealtimes. Parent participation welcome but not required. Click here for flyer. Register online. Questions? 303-443-0353.

CLIMATE ACTION PLANNING, July 8, 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m., Sustainable Practices Program, 1505 Univ. Blvd., Boulder. The Sustainable Practices Program presents this course on climate action planning for organizations. This course will cover the concepts of "no net emissions of greenhouse gases or GHGs," climate neutrality, as well as the technical approaches that can be employed, and the analytical frameworks by which to evaluate these options. Come learn how to help your organization with carbon neutrality. Pre-registration required. More info here.

INDIGENOUS WILDLANDS RESTORATION WORKSHOP, July 8 - 10, Woodbine Ecology Center, 2584 N. State Hwy. 67, Sedalia. This workshop will share the holistic forestry philosophies and practices that guided Native American and Indigenous Peoples as well as some of the practical tools and techniques that have been adapted to forest and wildlands restoration and are being used at Woodbine. Both these tools and perspectives can be used for increasing the health of, and appreciation for, the forests and the communities that depend on them. Instructors are Robert Chanate, Pavlos Stavropoulos, and guests. In order to make our programs as accessible as possible while still covering our costs we have a four-tier fee structure. More information on registration, cost, lodging, meals, work-trade and scholarship opportunities, click here. Contact: info@woodbinecenter.org or call 303.380.7984.

GET TO KNOW CRMPI COMMUNITY WEEKEND, July 8 - 10, Central Rocky Mountain Permaculture Institute, Basalt. A work party/workshop/social networking retreat weekend. Participants will arrive Friday night by 7pm. We'll share a simple meal featuring whole grains and CRMPI veggies. Following dinner we'll have an opening circle. Saturday will be split into 2 blocks. One block features a CRMPI tour with Jerome Osentowski as well as an educational workshop based on participant's interests. The second block will be a work project centered on whatever projects are currently underway at CRMPI. This is a chance to see Permaculture in action at one of the oldest PC demonstration sites in the US. Sunday is a day of relaxing and fun. Participants will camp for the weekend. Meals will be prepared communally and everyone should bring items for the kitchen. Cost for the weekend is $50. Groups are welcomed and encouraged. Get 10 of your friends and spend a weekend at CRMPI!! Pre-registration required. Parking is limited. Please call or email for car-pooling information, to register for the weekend or with any other questions. jerome@crmpi.org or 970-927-4158.

FOOD PRESERVATION WORKSHOP: VIVA SALSA!, July 9, 9:30 - 11:00 a.m., Arapahoe County Extension Office, 5804 S. Datura St., Littleton. Salsa is one of the most popular condiments in America! Learn how to prepare and water-bath can salsa using a recipe that has been tested and is safe for home canning. Workshop fee $20. To register, call Sheila Gains, 303-730-1920 or sgains@co.arapahoe.co.us.

MEDICINAL & CULINARY HERB WORKSHOP, July 9, 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m., Central Rocky Mountain Permaculture Institute, Basalt, with Mary O'Brien and Jerome Osentowski. Mary has been studying and practicing herbal medicine since 1987, completing the Chartered Herbalist program with Dominion Herbal College and studying with various teachers. She has taught herbal medicine and medicine making in Steamboat Springs and Edwards, Colorado. Her emphasis is on using native and locally grown plants for medicine rather then bringing in plants from other bioregions. After recently returning from the Peace Corps in Kenya, she is now expanding her learning and practice into Permaculture design. Pre-registration is required. To RSVP or for more info email jerome@crmpi.org or call 970-927-4158, www.crmpi.org. Workshop costs: $50 (includes course materials & lunch). Meet at Basalt Public Library for carpooling at 8:45 a.m.

INTRODUCTION TO AQUAPONICS, July 9, 10:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m., GrowHaus, 4751 York St., Denver. This class will provide participants the opportunity to learn the fundamentals of aquaponics in a living classroom environment at The GrowHaus (www.thegrowhaus.com), a non-profit urban farm and marketplace in the Elyria-Swansea neighborhood. The course will be a combination of classroom lecture and hands on work among three different aquaponics systems. The course covers the benefits of aquaponics, system components, system designs, fish selection and health, plant selection and health, bacteria and the nitrification cycle, system design ratios, system startup procedures, ongoing maintenance procedures, and tips and tricks. Click here to register.

APPRECIATING THE GIFT OF MULCH, July 9, 10:30 a.m. - 1:00 p.m., Applewood Permaculture Institute, 14020 W. 32nd Ave., Golden. In traditional gardening the conflict between what wants to grow in your garden and what you want growing is a battle. With deep mulching, we can build a lasting peace. $25, except no charge for Gardening Team members. You are invited to a tour and discussion of techniques to incorporate nature's abundance into your gardening strategy. We have been experimenting with mulching at API for over 30 years. There are several experiments currently underway. You will learn techniques that you can apply immediately to increase the pleasure of your gardening experience. Declare peace in an age old war. Learn to accept the Gift of Mulch. David Braden, 303-549-9787.

LANDSCAPING WITHOUT CHEMICALS with Mikl Brawner, July 9, 1:30 p.m., Harlequin's Gardens, 4795 N. 26th St., Boulder CO 80301.Plants do not need petroleum fertilizers and toxic pesticides. They do just fine with organic products and methods. Learn how. Mikl has been researching and testing this for 35 years. More info at www.harlequinsgardens.com/classes/.

BACKYARD GOAT KEEPING, JULY 9, 5:00 - 7:00 p.m., 4460 Winona Court, Denver. Presented by Denver Botanic Gardens, an accessible introduction for anyone who's interested in raising backyard dwarf dairy goats. The attendees will have lots of opportunities for hands-on time with friendly goats! Topics covered include choosing the perfect goats (best breeds and how/where to purchase); housing and fencing; feeding; medical care & hoof trimming; common goat challenges; all about the milk; financial considerations; livestock permitting process. For more information: www.botanicgardens.org, 720-865-3580.

ECO BUILDING AND HANDS-ON NATURAL PLASTER EXPERIENCE, July 10, 8:15 a.m. - 6:00 p.m., 9386 N. 39th St., Longmont. Gather at the whimsical Jamestown Town Hall to learn about ecological building, including: passive solar design; strawbale construction; building with natural materials; cordwood construction; appropriate technology and energy conservation related to shelters: AND apply that knowledge in a village design exercise. Then, travel to the wild and funky strawbale home of Oak Cezar (of Vox Feminista fame), where we'll mix and apply earthen plaster and enhance the home's rainwater harvesting system. Learn with your hands, learn with your heart in it! We will carpool to Jamestown from the Altona Grange. Please arrive by 8:15. We will leave promptly at 8:30. Meet at 9:00 a.m. at the Jamestown Town Hall, 118 Main Street. Registration is $60. Call Zia Parker, 303-530-1415, or visit Willow Way Wellness to use PayPal.

BACKYARD CHICKEN KEEPING, July 10, 9:00 - 11:30 a.m., Denver Botanic Gardens, 1007 York St., Denver. Join us for an introduction to raising backyard hens. Topics covered will include choosing the perfect chickens (best breeds and how/where to purchase); chick care; housing and fencing; feeding; common chicken challenges; all about the eggs; financial considerations; livestock permitting process. The instructor will bring her pet chickens to class for a demonstration, and she will host a separate open house at her urban farm in NW Denver. For more information: www.botanicgardens.org, 720-865-3580.

CHEESE MAKING CLASS, July 10, 9:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m., The Lyons Farmette, 4121 Ute Hwy., Lyons. We will discuss the broad spectrum of cheese from fresh to aged, stinky to mild, and bloomy to washed rind. We will focus on making cheeses that are easily made in the home specifically mozzarella and ricotta, as well as pairings for cheese. Hilary Van Dusen made artisanal goat cheese for Haystack Mountain Goat Dairy for three years. She worked primarily with the raw milk cheeses, which have won several awards at the American Cheese Society and World Cheese Competition. $35 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.

SEASON-EXTENDING FOR FALL & WINTER HARVESTS with Eric Johnson, July 10, 1:30 p.m., Harlequin's Gardens, 4795 N. 26th St., Boulder CO 80301. Learn how to grow veggies thru the winter w/o extra heat & with low-tech solutions. Eric has studied horticulture and has 20 years experience, gardening & experimenting. More info at www.harlequinsgardens.com/classes/.

FOOD PRESESRVATION WORKSHOP: SAUERKRAUT AND KIM CHI, July 12, 6:00 - 8:00 p.m., Boulder County Extension Office, 9595 Nelson Road, Longmont. Natural fermentation is one of the oldest means of food preservation. Learn the science of making and canning sauerkraut and kim chi safely in this hands-on workshop. Workshop fee $25 (includes a jar of kraut). To register, contact Ann Zander, 303-678-6238, azander@bouldercounty.org.

ONLINE INTRODUCTION TO AQUAPONICS, July 12 & 14, 6:00 - 8:00 p.m., Colorado Hydroponics. Learn about aquaponics online at the time and place that is most convenient for you. View as two live interactive online sessions July 12th and 14th, or as a recording with email chat sessions as needed. This class will provide participants the opportunity to learn the fundamentals of aquaponics--a sustainable food production method that incorporates aquaculture (growing fish) and hydroponics (growing plants in a soil-less media) in a recirculating system. Aquaponics can be scaled from a basement or backyard for personal food production, to large scale community, school or commercial systems. Click here for details and to register.

THE FUN OF PICKLING, July 13, 6:00 - 8:30 p.m., Denver Botanic Gardens, 1007 York St., Denver. Most anything can be preserved by pickling! Learn an updated and safe method of water bath canning by making pickles using local seasonal produce. Discuss helpful tools and techniques. Also watch a 15-minute video on the basics, taste some interesting pickles then take home sample jars of your newly created pickles. Be prepared to participate! This course is taught by a certified food safety advisor from CSU Extension Office's Master Food Safety Advisor Program. For more information: www.botanicgardens.org, 720-865-3580.

OVERVIEW OF SUSTAINABLE BUSINESS PRACTICES, July 15, 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m., Sustainable Practices Program, 1505 Univ. Blvd., Boulder. What are the tools and techniques that consultants and business professionals use to implement sustainability initiatives? Come learn the fundamentals of business sustainability, including understanding basic sustainability terminology and frameworks. Students will also learn about the history and evolution of sustainability in business and will go over examples of companies that have been successful in implementing sustainability. Students will learn the components of building a business case along with understanding current consumer market and trends. Pre-registration is required. Click here for more information and to register.

FOOD PRESERVATION WORKSHOP: VIVA SALSA!, July 16, 9:30 - 11:00 a.m., Arapahoe County Extension Office, 5804 S. Datura St., Littleton. Salsa is one of the most popular condiments in America! Learn how to prepare and water-bath can salsa using a recipe that has been tested and is safe for home canning. Workshop fee $20. To register, call Sheila Gains, 303-730-1920 or sgains@co.arapahoe.co.us.

INTRO TO PRESERVING SUMMER PRODUCE, July 16, 9:00 a.m. to noon, Growing Gardens Greenhouse, 1630 Hawthorne Ave., Boulder. Learn to extend the garden season by putting up the fresh produce of summer months to enjoy in the winter. Come join us to make the most of your garden and farmers market. Demonstrations and hands-on activities will prepare you to start canning and freezing at home. Chef Deb will demonstrate how to preserve chutney, jelly, and salsa. We will also cover freezing preparations for fresh garden herbs by making a variety of creative and tasty pestos. You will be able to take home some of the delicious creations. Instructor Chef Deb has worked as a corporate and personal chef, culinary instructor, and is a tireless supporter of fresh food and farmers markets. Cost: $35 includes materials. 303-443-9952 or www.growinggardens.org.

FOREST GARDEN WORKSHOP, July 16, 9:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m., Central Rocky Mountain Permaculture Institute, Basalt. Learn how to create your own edible landscape with the concept of Forest Gardening. Using fruit trees, berry bushes/shrubs and underlying annuals, create microhabitats that support both human and natural needs. Learn to turn your yard into a living garden at the oldest forest garden demonstration site in the US. Pre-registration is required. Workshop costs $75 (includes materials and lunch). Meet at the Basalt Library at 8:45am to carpool. To RSVP or for more info email jerome@crmpi.org or call 970-927-4158, www.crmpi.org.

INTRO TO RAINWATER HARVESTING with Jason Gerhardt, July 16, 1:30 p.m., Harlequin's Gardens, 4795 N. 26th St., Boulder CO 80301.The focus is on what we can do legally to benefit from rainfall,for water conservation, economy & plants. Jason is a permaculturist and teacher of permaculture design at Naropa & other. More info at www.harlequinsgardens.com/classes/.

GREENHOUSE WORKSHOP, July 17, 9:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m., Central Rocky Mountain Permaculture Institute, Basalt. Grow tropical bananas in the Rockies? That's right. Learn how to grow your own food year-round, even tropical fruits, using Climate Battery technology. Learn the intricacies and design of greenhouse growing with an emphasis on perennial poly-culture and making the most of your space. Learn how to stack functions to make your greenhouse more effective and efficient. Or, if you don't have a greenhouse, just come to see how this low-tech greenhouse design produces papayas, bananas and other tropical goodies at 7,000+ feet above sea level. And eat a couple Papayas while you're at it! Pre-registration is required. Workshop costs $75 (includes materials and lunch). Meet at the Basalt Library at 8:45am to carpool. To RSVP or for more info email jerome@crmpi.org or call 970-927-4158.

EARTHEN OVEN WORKSHOP #2: INSULATION LAYER, July 17, 9:00 a.m. - noon, The Lyons Farmette, 4121 Ute Hwy., Lyons. In this workshop we will learn how to cut and size the door opening for the oven. We will learn how to install the outer insulative layer that helps to keep the heat in. Also, we will explore the sculptural possibilities that can be achieved with earthen materials. $50 per person. RSVP to betsyburton@mac.com. Payment is required to reserve a space. Please send your check or call to give a credit card number to The Lyons Farmette, P.O. Box 312, Lyons, CO 80540, 303.746.6266.

"QUEEN OF THE SUN: WHAT ARE THE BEES TELLING US?", July 20 - 24, Boedecker Theater, Dairy Center for the Arts, 2590 Walnut St., Boulder. Documentary film theatrical premiere of a profound, alternative look at the global bee crisis from Taggart Siegel, critically acclaimed director of the grass-roots hit "The Real Dirt on Farmer John." This engaging and ultimately uplifting film weaves an unusual and dramatic story of the heartfelt struggles of beekeepers, scientists and philosophers from around the world including Michael Pollan, Gunther Hauk, and Vandana Shiva. Together they reveal both the problems and the solutions in renewing a culture in balance with nature. Click here for schedule and tickets.

TOOLS AND TECHNIQUES FOR SUSTAINABILITY, July 22, 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m., Sustainable Practices Program, 1505 Univ. Blvd., Boulder. Assessing, measuring, tracking and reporting are all key skills in sustainability work. Add skills to your sustainability work with this class. This course provides an introduction techniques by which to develop, execute, and measure strategies related to sustainability efforts. The course introduces analytical approaches by which to track and evaluate sustainability efforts. The content also covers climate action planning that focuses on short-term results. Click here for more information and to register.

HARVESTING AND PRESERVING MEDICINAL PLANTS, July 23, 8:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m., Feed Denver Urban Farms & Markets. From basic harvesting, drying and storing methods, through blending teas and making oil infusions, this hands on class will provide the information you need to preserve a variety of medicinal plants. Mary O'Brien has been working with plants in some form for most of her adult life. She has taught herbal medicine, led edible and medicinal herb walks, built and maintained a medicinal garden for a local botanical park and made herbal products for local distribution. Her emphasis is on using native and locally grown plants for medicine. Her teaching has now expanded into permaculture and creating personal healing gardens. Click here for details.

INTRODUCTION TO AQUAPONICS, July 23, 10:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m., Woodbine Ecology Center, 2584 N. State Hwy. 67, Sedalia. This class will provide participants the opportunity to learn the fundamentals of aquaponics in a beautiful mountain setting at Woodbine Ecology Center, a living classroom environment addressing the fundamental social and ecological issues of our times. Woodbine programs offer the skills and resources necessary for egalitarian, self-reliant, and sustainable living. By promoting and integrating indigenous values and sustainable community we seek to re-establish our balance in the circle of life. Click here for details and to register.

EATING RAW, July 23, 1:00 - 3:00 p.m., Growing Gardens Greenhouse, 1630 Hawthorne Ave., Boulder. Learn to prepare produce straight form the garden when it is in its most vital state. Eating raw food in season offers an amazing culinary experience-while giving you maximum nutrition. If your summer has been too hot to cook, but not too hot to eat come join us. Instructor: Michelle Cerise is a graduate of the Living Light Culinary Arts institute and a Raw Food Chef and Instructor. She shares her passion for food through classes consultation and as a personal chef. Cost: $35 includes materials. 303-443-9952 or www.growinggardens.org.

SAVING YOUR SEED with Janis Kieft, July 23, 1:30 p.m., Harlequin's Gardens, 4795 N. 26th St., Boulder CO 80301. Learn how to save flower and veggie seeds from your garden. Topics include: isolation, selection, harvesting, seed storage, testing & more. Janis is a professional with 30 yrs experience. More info at www.harlequinsgardens.com/classes/.

HANDS-ON AQUAPONICS, July 24, 10:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m., Woodbine Ecology Center, 2584 N. State Hwy. 67, Sedalia. Join us for a hands-on aquaponics intensive workshop providing valuable information and skills. The cost of the course will help cover the system materials required to build an IBC aquaponics system. This class will provide participants the opportunity to learn the fundamentals of aquaponics in a beautiful mountain setting at Woodbine Ecology Center, a living classroom environment addressing the fundamental social and ecological issues of our times. Woodbine programs offer the skills and resources necessary for egalitarian, self-reliant, and sustainable living. By promoting and integrating indigenous values and sustainable community we seek to re-establish our balance in the circle of life. The course will include a brief classroom lecture and hands on construction building a personal aquaponics system using an IBC container. It is recommended (but not essential) that participants have previously attended the Introduction to Aquaponics workshop (provided at Woodbine on Saturday July 23rd for an enjoyable and informative Aquaponics Intensive weekend. Click here for details and to register.

EARTHEN OVEN WORKSHOP #3: FINISHES, July 24, 9:00 a.m. - noon, The Lyons Farmette, 4121 Ute Hwy., Lyons. In this workshop we will explore the various materials and methods for finishing the oven with plaster. We will cover basic earthen and lime plaster options. $50 per person. RSVP to betsyburton@mac.com. Payment is required to reserve a space. Please send your check or call to give a credit card number to The Lyons Farmette, P.O. Box 312, Lyons, CO 80540, 303.746.6266.

HOMEMADE ICE CREAM AND FROZEN SUMMER TREATS, July 24, 4:00 - 6:00 p.m., The Lyons Farmette, 4121 Ute Hwy., Lyons. Nothing says summer like ice cream! Making ice cream can be a rigorous, and arduous task, or it can be a lot of fun for the whole family. This hands-on class will show you several different ways to make ice cream and to experiment with the basics. The class will work with standard milk and yogurt recipes and discuss the best ingredients (and how to prepare them). We will work with a traditional hand-crank machine, an electric crank, some crank-less varieties and there some alternative ways to make ice cream using dry ice and other "molecular gastronomy" techniques. Materials and equipment will be provided. There will be plenty of tasting and no-one is ever grumpy when they have ice-cream!!! Taught by Kenyon Waugh. $15 per person. RSVP to betsyburton@mac.com. Payment is required to reserve a space. Please send your check or call to give a credit card number to The Lyons Farmette, P.O. Box 312, Lyons, CO 80540, 303.746.6266.

ENERGY LEGISLATION AND POLICY ANALYSIS, July 29, 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m., Sustainable Practices Program, 1505 Univ. Blvd., Boulder. Legislation and policy can have a profound effect on the energy choices we make. It is incumbent upon the sustainability professional to be familiar with, or at least conversant, on the key policies and laws that impact the field. New policies around renewable and traditional energy can directly impact the bottom line of sustainability businesses and efforts. Among other things, this course will provide students with knowledge, research techniques and resources to track developing policies and legislation that affect their businesses. Pre-registration is required. Click here for details and registration.

MAKING AND USING FLOWER ESSENCES, July 30, 9:00 - 11:30 a.m., Denver Botanic Gardens, 1007 York St., Denver. Flower essences are a form of vibrational healing similar to homeopathy and acupuncture. They are incredibly simple to make and wondrously effective for emotional, psychological, behavioral problems or traits such as procrastination, hyperactivity, jealousy, fear, lack of focused creativity, depression etc. They are practical and effective for our pets and children as well. Everyone takes home an extensive handout and an all purpose Trauma Remedy and the very popular Fear Remedy. For more information: www.botanicgardens.org, 720-865-3580.

USER-FRIENDLY RENEWABLE ENERGY, July 31, 8:30 a.m. - 6:00 p.m., Eagle Rock School, Estes Park. Journey with us to Eagle Rock School, a progressive private high school near Estes Park, for a team presentation on renewable energy, including conservation, solar thermal, solar electric. Explore community design considerations for the highly integrated design that permaculture is known for. Collaborate with Eagle Rock students in design exercises to envision the next step toward Net Zero for Eagle Rock School. The Willow Way teachers team up for this event, including: Jeff Graef, Adam Brock, Coco Gordon and Zia Parker. For bios, click here. Meet at 8:00 a.m. at the Altona Grange, 9386 N. 39th Street, Longmont, 1/2 mile north of the intersection of US36 and Nelson Road. Cost $60. To register, call Zia Parker, 303-530-1415, or visit Willow Way Wellness to use PayPal.