Calendar of Events

Join us to explore the world of forest farming during farm tours and workshops to develop an understanding of the wealth and history of woodland botanicals and forest products. Participants will dive into plant propagation and production, forest stewardship and observation, and alternative & value-added products. These tours will include hands-on workshops and site visits to offer beginning and advanced forest farmers valuable learning opportunities.

Workshop 1: Integrating Forest Farming into Existing Farm Enterprises
Date & Location: June 5th, 2022, in Leicester, NC, 2-6 pm.

Organic Growers School offers this series of forest farm tours and workshops in partnership with the Appalachian Beginning Forest Farmer Coalition (ABFFC). ABFFC is dedicated to increasing opportunities for farmers and forestland owners in Appalachia and beyond.

Learn more and register today,
https://organicgrowersschool.org/farmers/forest-farming/

If you’ve been wanting to try a new and vibrant medium that works on a wide variety of materials and surfaces, you’ll love alcohol inks! As you drip, blow, and manipulate the brilliant colors of this art form, you’ll be amazed at the intricate patterns that emerge!

Veteran artist and teacher Robyn Crawford will show you how to create beautiful, professional-looking artwork with very little effort. You’ll leave with at least one print suitable for framing, a ceramic coaster(s), and one or two other home accessories. Only you (and your fellow classmates, of course!) will know how quick and easy your masterpieces were to make!

Integrated Pest Management techniques are helpful for reducing pesticide use and cutting costs in the long run. They can also create a deeper understanding of your garden and the various roles different plants play within it. Join Lisa Gonzalez, Clay County Extension Director, for an overview of Integrated Pest Management as well as a deeper look into select strategies to manage and prevent garden damage from pests using ecosystem-based knowledge and approaches.

June 14, 2022 at Smith Mill Works Greenhouse, 6-8 pm

$20 – $25

Register: https://organicgrowersschool.org/product/gardening-june/

Although the exquisitely detailed patterns of Shibori, a form of tie dye, look complicated, they can actually be quite easy to make—especially if you learn from a pro. In just a few hours, veteran textile artist Camille Duanno will teach you everything you need to know to get started with this ancient Japanese art.

Camille will begin by presenting an overview of Shibori, including its history, materials, and tips and tricks for success. Then, she’ll demonstrate four basic Shibori techniques using wooden blocks, popsicle sticks, tied bundles, and a small pole wrap. You’ll be invited to follow along, creating your own samples.

You’ll take home two beautiful scarves (an 8”x54” silk scarf and an 11”x60” chiffon scarf), as well as a couple of smaller pieces of Shibori that will be suitable for hanging.

No dyeing experience necessary!

Join writers and poets from across the country each month for a virtual writing workshop. A link will be added to their name when more details and sign-up information becomes available. These workshops are geared towards amateur writers, ages 16 and older recommended. Follow us on Facebook for notifications too.

Poetry of the Spirit with Luke Hankins

This class will focus on contemporary poetry that engages the “spirit” in some way, from a range of perspectives, both religious and non-religious. Some of the aspects of spiritual poetry that will come under discussion are the experience of transcendence, the longing for connection to something larger than ourselves, and the search for overarching meaning that might guide us throughout our lives. In addition to reading and discussing sample poems, we will do an in-class writing exercise aimed at writing from or to whatever “spirit” means to each participant.

Luke Hankins is the author of two poetry collections, Radiant Obstacles and Weak Devotions, as well as a collection of essays, The Work of Creation. A volume of his translations from the French of Stella Vinitchi Radulescu, A Cry in the Snow & Other Poems, was released by Seagull Books in 2019. Testament, a chapbook of poems, is forthcoming from Texas Review Press. His poems, essays, and translations have appeared in a wide variety of periodicals, including 32 Poems, American Literary Review, Image, New England Review, Poetry International, Verse, World Literature Today, and The Writer’s Chronicle. Hankins serves as an Associate Editor at Asheville Poetry Review and he is the founder and editor of Orison Books, a non-profit literary press focused on the life of the spirit from a broad and inclusive range of perspectives.

This workshop is open to writers of all skill levels and is a fun way to find inspiration from a new prompt or revise current work. It is hosted by the Friends of Carl Sandburg at Connemara and will use Zoom for the virtual connection. The link will be sent by the morning of the presentation. Check your junk folder if you have not received it by then.

Sun printing (aka solar printing) is a wonderful way to capture the summer sunshine! In this fun and easy workshop, textile artist Camille Daunno will show you how to create beautiful, personal pieces of art by applying SolarFast™, a non-toxic, light-reactive dye, to a “resist” and exposing the surface to light. The results are stunning and unlike traditional cyanotyping, which produces only blue images, can be quite colorful!

You’ll start by painting paper or fabric with SolarFast™ and then arranging stencils, paper pieces, or other flat objects to create a design. Camille will offer suggestions for manipulating your designs and layering colors so you can experiment with different looks. Then, you’ll expose your piece to a light source and watch the magic happen. Within minutes, your masterpiece will develop!

You’ll take home a beautiful canvas tote bag and an 8”x54” silk scarf, as well as a couple of smaller sun prints that will be suitable for hanging.

No dyeing experience necessary!

Join Emily Bell of Rhythm & Ritual for an evening of broomcraft and connection.

More than a handcrafts class, Emily creates a ritual space for participants to settle in and create with intention. Everyone will have an opportunity to make their own large AND small turkey wing whisk brooms for practical or ritual use (or both!)

This class is open to those who identify as women.
Class size is limited, so register early!

Note: this is a two-day course which takes place on Saturday, July 23, and Sunday, July 24, 9:30AM-5PM each day.

This is a beginners class for students wanting to learn the skills, exercises, and the fundamentals of mediumship. (Students need to bring a pen and notebook. Printed handouts will be also provided.)

Anthony Mikolojeski will be teaching students the foundation and techniques behind mediumship, and all healing aspects. Students will begin to learn various exercises in how to expand their energy to connect with loved one’s in the spirit world. Students will be engaging in exercises with each other while being mentored by Anthony. They will learn the boundaries, the responsibilities and professional ethics surrounding doing this work.

We will be doing a few singing bowl meditations, practice in meeting spirit guides we haven’t met before and learning techniques on how to build your personal power.

(Because of the summer tourist season and increased high traffic, students will be expected to allow extra traveling time so you arrive promptly for class.) We will start at 9:30 am sharp.

I just love what I do and look forward to to working with everyone in class!❤️

Lunch will be provided along with water, coffee, teas, and chilled beverages. (Please indicate if you have any specific dietary restrictions or allergies, please email Anthony at: [email protected].

Anthony has studied with some of the best mediums in the U.S and U.K such as James Van Praagh, Tony Stockwell, Mavis Pitilla, and Sheila French, just to name a few. He has completed a mentorship in mediumship with James Van Praagh and advanced mentorship with Mavis Pitilla. Anthony has also studied at the prestigious Arthur Findlay College in Stansted, England, in advanced mediumship.

Anthony Mikolojeski is known as the Asheville Medium. He has traveled internationally demonstrating mediumship on stage and provided personal readings. You can read more about his background, how he works or to book your next appointment at his website: ashevillemedium.com