9 Bean Rows Farm hosts on-farm learning

From staff reports

Growers interested in getting the literal dirt on seed saving, beekeeping and soil health are gathering Sept. 30 for the Crosshatch Field School at 9 Bean Rows Farm on M-204 between Lake Leelanau and Suttons Bay.

Crosshatch Center for Art & Ecology has brought on-farm, intensive learning to farmers and homesteaders this season with three field schools. The last event in the series will take place at 9 Bean Rows Farm and will focus on seed saving, advanced beekeeping, and farm resilience. The Beekeeping track will cover bacterial diseases and winterizing the hive. The Farm Resilience track will discuss soil management in permanent beds and a look at whole farm management and design. In the Seed Saving track, learn how to hand pollinate and process dry seed by threshing and winnowing. Packing and storing seeds will also be covered. Crosshatch Field Schools will also include one-on-one consulting with farm experts, a local food lunch, and a post-workshop social networking hour with local beer and cider.

The opportunity to gather growers in the fields to share hands-on knowledge has been a powerful way of keeping with our mission to build our economies and ecologies through continuing education,” says Crosshatch Field School coordinator, Jeannie Voller. “Growers that learn from growers create a network of support that will enable our local food economy to continue to thrive.”

Tickets are on sale now through Sept. 22. More information and tickets can be found online at Crosshatch.org/events.