Grade 6-12 Workshops
Here is a list of 2-hour workshops I offer for youth in Grades 6 to Grade 12, organized by season. Each workshop will be offered at Earthstar Botanicals’ Herb Farm at Sundance Commons’ Woodbine site: 4078 Entrance Rd, Etobicoke, near Highways 401 & 427. The farm is transit accessible, and there is parking available.
For school groups, the fee is $500 for a 2-hour workshop with 25-30 students and 2-3 teacher chaperones.
For homeschoolers, the fee $40 per student for a 2-hour workshop, and a minimum of ten students are required to run a workshop.
To book a workshop, contact us with your name, the name(s) of the workshop(s) you are interested in, and potential dates that work for you.
Early Spring - March/April
-
Sprouting & Microgreens
Students will explore growing microgreens and sprouts indoors for food, and the economics of winter food production. They will see how farmers start seedlings to grow crops. They will taste a variety of microgreens (Amaranth, Red Clover, Alfalfa, Mustard, Sunflower, Fenugreek, or Peas), before planting their own mini tray of microgreens to take home.
-
Start Growing Food
Jumpstart students into growing food! They will explore which crops can be direct sown outdoors, which can be started outdoors in cold frames, and which must be grown in heated spaces. No space to grow? Learn how to grow vegetables and herbs in containers. Students go home with herbs sown in a 4” pot, or in a 2L bottle 'greenhouse'.
-
Worm Composting
Students will learn about all Red Wigglers, by meeting the worms in a composting bin, and exploring their anatomy and life cycle. Feed the worms by adding ‘greens’ (veggie scraps) and ‘browns’ (shredded paper & leaves) to the bins, and learn what NOT to add to the bin. Make ‘worm tea’ from worm castings to take back home/to school & use as fertilizer.
Late Spring - May/June
-
Spring Foraging Walk - Edible & Medicinal Plant ID & Tasting
Students learn the basics of safe and ethical foraging by taking a spring foraging walk. They will get to know their plant neighbours with their senses, and learn their gifts of food and medicine. Meet Dandelion, Wild Strawberry, Lambs’ Quarters, Daisy and more.
-
Pollinators & Perennials Part 2
Students will pot up the seedlings that have sprouted from the native perennial seeds they sowed back in Nov (see below). After studying Woodbine pollinator garden, they will design their own pollinator garden, and decide how to create it at home, school, or in the community with their seedlings.
-
Worm Composting
Students will learn about all Red Wigglers, by meeting the worms in a composting bin, and exploring their anatomy and life cycle. Feed the worms by adding ‘greens’ (veggie scraps) and ‘browns’ (shredded paper & leaves) to the bins, and learn what NOT to add to the bin. Make ‘worm tea’ from worm castings to take back home/to school & use as fertilizer.
Early Fall - September/October
-
Fall Foraging Walk - Edible & Medicinal Plant ID & Tasting
Students learn the basics of safe and ethical foraging by taking a fall foraging walk. They will get to know their plant neighbours with their senses, and learn their gifts of food and medicine. Meet Wormwood, Goldenrod, Burdock, Plantain, Chicory, and more.
-
Herb Harvesting & Tea Tasting
Students will smell and taste teas made from fresh herbs grown at the farm: Calendula, Tulsi, Anise Hyssop, Lemon Balm. They will choose a herb to harvest & learn how to dry it, to use the rest of the year. Students will learn how to save seeds from herbs and vegetables grown on site, to plant next season.
-
Herb Infused Oils
Herbalism is more than tea and tinctures. Herb infused oils and fats are an ancient remedies that benefit the whole body. In this hands-on workshop, students will make fresh Lavender-infused olive oil to take home. Learn how to make infused oil with dried herbs, as well as when to choose fresh vs. dried herb to make infused oil.
Late Fall - November
-
Pollinators & Perennials Part 1
Learn why many native perennial plants are essential for pollinators, and the crucial role pollinators play in farming. ‘Winter sow’ native perennials seeds in upcycled jugs that stay out all winter. In the spring, students can return for Part 2 (see above), to pot up the perennial seedlings & design pollinator gardens.
-
Herbal Oxymels
Herbal oxymels (syrups made with apple cider vinegar & honey) are a delicious way to integrate herbs and their benefits into your life. Take home your own raw Tulsi or Lemon Balm oxymel or vinegar using herbs grown at Earthstar Botanicals herb farm. Will include a demo on how to make immune-boosting Elderberry oxymel.
-
Worm Composting
Learn about all Red Wigglers, by meeting the worms in a composting bin, and exploring their anatomy and life cycle. Feed the worms by adding ‘greens’ (veggie scraps) and ‘browns’ (shredded paper & leaves) to the bins, and learn what NOT to add to the bin. Make ‘worm tea’ from worm castings to take home & use as fertilizer.