Are you interested in learning how to grow your own vegetables in a sustainable manner? Join us for an evening-long workshop on how to grow your garden organically. We will discuss the basics of soil, the fundamentals of making and using compost, the principals of crop rotation, and how to incorporate green manures to manage nutrients in the garden. Other topics will include basic weed control strategies and cultural methods for dealing with pests. The instructor will be an experienced farmer or gardener from our area. We will even send you home with free seeds, a copy of the presentation, and a resource guide! All welcome - from first timers to experienced gardeners who want to experiment with new techniques. Limit 20 students.

We will discuss selecting, growing, and harvesting herbs, and how to use them in cooking. Join us and learn how to make your garden even more beautiful as well as useful with herbs. Limit 20 students.

Interested in learning what it was like to live at Fort Western during the French and Indian War (1754-1767)? Fort Western is the backdrop for this unique hands-on, learning experience. You will be introduced to the French & Indian War in Maine by walking through time in a tour of this 1754 fort. In the guard room you will be mustered into military service. In the barracks you learn what daily life was like for the soldier. In the camp kitchen you will start a fire with flint & steel and share the rations provided for you. On the parade ground you will learn to march and drill with wooden muskets. In the blockhouse you will learn how to fire a cannon. Please note: Rations may contain 18th century ingredients available at the time: flour, sugar, nuts, dairy and meat. Warning, cannon fire is loud. Attention Teachers! This is a great way to earn CEU’s. A $20 material fee is payable to Old Fort Western at the start of class. There may be opportunities for additional experience for an added charge for interested students. Limit 30 students.

Dig in to build and create your own indoor terrariums! You will learn about the types of plants to use and care for those plants when creating your own terrarium! You will build a large terrarium and small terrarium to display in your own home! This is an educational and hands on experience for all ages! A $30 material fee is payable to the instructor at the start of class. Limit 10 students. Storm date of May 4.

Learn the latest in the basics of designing or retrofitting a home to meet the Passive House Standard. Topics to be covered include the thermal performance of materials and assemblies, creating an air tightness control layer, the impacts of thermal bridging commonly seen in to-code construction, high efficiency heating and cooling appliances and the benefits of passive solar gain. Join us to review the best ways we can secure our energy future and create resilient buildings for the next generations. Great for homeowners, builders, designers, real estate agents, and lenders. Limit 25 students.

This will be a free session for any interested alumni and new students. The instructor will inspect worm bins, demonstrate and assist with harvesting, and answer any questions. The instructor will bring six harvest kits for alumni to use harvesting their own worm bins.