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.

In this three part mini course you will learn the basics of permaculture through its twelve guiding principals, how you can create a sustainable perennial food bearing landscape while working with nature, and the benefits of permaculture practices to individuals and the planet. A $15 material fee is payable to the instructor the first night of class. Limit 15 students. Storm date of Mar. 19.

This beginner bee-keeping course will educate those interested in getting involved with BEES. Some of the discussion will be about assembling bee equipment, installing a nuc, controlling swarming, and dealing with varroa mites. Other topics will be how and when to harvest HONEY, split hives, and winterize the bees. A $50 material fee is payable to the instructor at the start of class. This fee covers the cost of the book and membership for one year to the Somerset Bee Keepers Club. Assignment of a mentor will be available. Limit 25 students.

Come and learn how to construct, set up, and maintain a worm bin to compost kitchen vegetable waste in order to recycle it as plant food. Join Jock Robie as he discusses the harvesting of worm castings and vermicompost for gardening and houseplants as well as “worm tea”! Each student will set up their own worm bin with worms to take home. All materials and worms are supplied at no extra charge. Jock Robie has over eight years of practical experience designing, building, and using worm bins to compost kitchen waste. He feeds his 40 worm bins close to 35 pounds per week of kitchen scraps. He has also just received the 2019 Ecomaine Eco-Excellence Award in the Business Category for leading the charge in reducing landfill waste and increasing recycling in our communities. Visit Jock’s blog at mainelywormbins.blogspot.com for more information about worm composting. Limit 10 students.

Be ready for Turkey season or get your hunting card ahead of the fall rush. Offered by the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife and covers the proper handling of firearms, hunter responsibilities, landowner relations, ethics, map and compass reading, first aid, and survival. There will be homework and you must attend all class time and pass the test in order to get your card. A parent or guardian must accompany students ages 10-17. Please bring a notebook, pen or pencil, and backpack or shopping bag for your study materials. Pre-registration is a must. Limit 40 students.

Tuesday, 5:45-9:00 p.m., Mar. 10 & Sunday, 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m., Mar. 22 (2 sessions)

Native plants play a critical role in providing food and habitat for birds, bees, butterflies, and other insects. In this class you will learn more about native plants’ ecological role, their growing requirements, and how to use them in your gardens. Limit 20 students. Storm date of Mar. 12.

Let’s plant creatively! This course is designed to teach you unique, crafty ways to design your own planters to plant flowers indoors and out! We will discuss ways to create your own planters, cheap ways to design planters, and discuss ways to create planters for small spaces for a wide variety of indoor plants. Then get crafty and create your own planter with a spin to take home with you! A $30 material fee is payable to the instructor at the start of class. Limit 10 students. Storm date of Mar. 31.

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.