Education
Wellspring’s mission is to inspire and teach people to grow, prepare and eat healthy food. In so doing, we transform food systems and build community. Many educational opportunities are available throughout the year for youth and adults alike. Please see below for information on Farm Visits for Groups, Youth Summer Programs, Preschoolers and Parents Farm Mornings, Home Garden Classes, Cooking Classes.
For the full scheduled of Wellspring classes, workshops and events, please visit our Events Page
For any additional questions or inquires, please contact:
Francie Szostak - Education Coordinator
Phone: (847)946–5565, Email: wellspringeducation@gmail.com
EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS FOR SCHOOL AND COMMUNITY GROUPS
Throughout the year, Wellspring hosts on learning opportunities for schools (K - 12), scouts, homeschoolers, youth and community groups on the farm. Through hand on activities, groups learn about systems working together on an organic farm and connect with where their food comes from. Field trips and visits are tailored to fit groups’ educational needs and goals, including Wisconsin curriculum standards.
Click to view the 2012/2013 Farm Visit Program guide
2012/2013 program guide
For questions and to schedule an educational farm field trip for your group, contact Francie Szostak, Education Coordinator at wellspringeducation@gmail.com or call (847) 946 −5565
Farm to School Program Partnerships
In pursuit of educating youth on the importance of eating healthy, local food, Wellspring has partnered both Kewaskum and Grafton Elementary schools, piloting initiatives to engage and connect students with where their food comes from. These “farm to school” programs involve fresh produce tastings in the school cafeterias, educational classroom visits from farmers, construction of school gardens and class field trips to the organic farm.
This winter, Wellspring is offering Farmer-classroom visits to other schools within the region. During an hour-long visit, students will participate in sensory based learning activities, while learning about healthy eating and how plants grows, asking questions to the visiting farmer and of course, enjoying a fresh produce snack.
If you are interested in setting up a visit for your classroom or homeschool group, or would like more information on the program, please contact Wellspring’s Education Coordinator.
YOUTH SUMMER PROGRAMS
Agricorp
Click for a printable version of the 2013 Agricorp flyer 2013 Agricorp Flyer
Ages 12 - 16
Agricorp is a weeklong summer program for youth to learn business planning skills through organic gardening. For the first five days, Agricorp members will work in the garden, and receive educational lessons, learning both how to grow veggies and various business skills that can be applied to any future endeavors. At the end of the week, the group harvests, creates a marketing and advertising plan, and gets the chance to sell with Wellspring at the Saturday, West Bend Farmers Market!
Over the course of the week, Agricorp members will:
- Learn how to grow produce through meaningful garden work and activities
- Attend guest lectures talks from local farmers and business people on beekeeping, soil nutrition and sustainable business practices
- Create a business plan and budget
- Develop marketing strategies for to generate market sales
- Experience selling at a local farmers market!
Cost: $75
2013 Dates and Times:
Monday, July 29th - Saturday August 3rd.
9 – 3 pm Mon. through Fri.
7 am to 10 am Saturday - MARKET DAY
Agricorp members will either meet at the farm or at the farmers market before experiencing selling produce at the West Bend Farmers Market!
Videos of the 2010 Agricorps Team: Learn how each member was impacted by the program: Sam, Hailey, Matthew, Bailey, and Harvest Night.
Registration and Payment: Please fill out the Application and return it by email at wellspringeducation@gmail.com or mail it to:
Wellspring
Attn: Agricorps
4382 Hickory Rd. West Bend, WI 53090
Please include a check for $75 or use the PayPal button below.
Youth Mini-Gardening Camps - Ages 6 −11
Click for a printable version of the 2013 Summer Gardening Camp Flyer 2013 Summer Gardening Camp Flyer
Kids learn practical gardening skills while experiencing how plants grow and connecting with where our food comes from. Learn about insects, vegetables, flowers, soil and worms while playing games, making art, reading stories and singing songs!
Three, two day camp sessions will be available throughout the summer. Each session will be three hours each day. Dates will have a morning and afternoon camp. Campers will have the option to attend both, making it a full day camp. Campers attending both sessions will have a 30 min break to enjoy their sack lunches.
Cost: $35 per two-day mini camp - one session only; $60 for both the morning and afternoon session
Extended Care: 8 am till the start of camp; end of camp till 4 pm. Cost: $10 per AM or PM, $17 per both
Dates and Camp Themes:
Monday, June 10 & Tuesday, June 11
9:30 am to noon - A Bugs Life! Ages 6 - 11
Spend two mornings exploring the world of insects in the garden! Hunt for insects, build bug habitats, explore the world of pollination through interactive games, art projects and trail walks.
12:30 to 3 pm – Dirt Made my Lunch! Ages 6 - 11
Learn where our food comes from and what plants need to grow healthy and strong. Discover the magic of composting and Wellspring’s worm bins. Use tools to help tend to the gardens. Harvest fresh produce for an afternoon snack!
Thursday, July 25 & Friday, July 26
9:30 am – noon – Art in the Garden
Spend two days letting your creativity flourish in the garden! Use plants, flowers and veggies to create garden art! Make your own hand bound garden journals and projects to bring home!
12:30 to 3pm – Dig in!
Campers will learn about the plant cycle while they plant, water, weed, and sow in the Garden. Campers will explore the Wellsprings’ gardens and natural areas while learning where our food comes from and how different plants grow!
Monday, August 5 & Tuesday, August 6th
9:30 am to noon – Dirt Made my Lunch! Ages 6 - 11
Learn where our food comes from and what plants need to grow healthy and strong. Discover the magic of composting and Wellspring’s worm bins. Use tools to help tend to the gardens. Harvest fresh produce for an afternoon snack!
12:30 to 3pm – Dig in!
Campers will learn about the plant cycle while they plant, water, weed, and sow in the Garden. Campers will explore the Wellsprings’ gardens and natural areas while learning where our food comes from and how different plants grow!
Registration and Payment:
Please fill out the Application and return it by mail it to:
Wellspring
Attn: Francie Szostak
4382 Hickory Rd.
West Bend, WI 53090
Please include a check for the total or call (847) 946–5565 to pay and register over the phone.
Preschoolers and Parents Farm Mornings
Ages 2 - 5 welcome.
Preschoolers and their caregivers experience a morning on the farm. Get your hands dirty and learn where our food comes from! Plant seeds, meet Wellspring’s chickens, play garden based games, create nature art and harvest and try new veggies from the garden!
Cost: $5 per Child. Parents are free
Dates:
Wednesday, May 29th: 9:30 to 10:45 am SOLD OUT!
Wednesday, May 29th: 12:30 to 1:45 pm SOLD OUT!
Tuesday, September 10th: 9:30 to 10:45 am
Tuesday, October 15: 9:30 to 10:45 am
To sign up, please use the PayPal buttons below or call (847) 946–5565 to register over the phone.
September 10th
October 15
HOME GARDENING WORKSHOPS
Wellspring offers a variety of hands on gardening courses with a focus on organic growing practices.
2013 Classes:
Seed Savers Workshop and Seed Swap
April 20th, 1 to 4 pm
Learn the importance of preserving our food crop heritage. Wet and dry seed saving techniques will be covered through this hands on demonstration lead by Seed Savers Exchange!. Go home with the skills to begin saving your own seeds season to season.
A seed swap will be hosted after the workshop. Bring any untreated seed to share with the group and go home with some new varieties!
Composting 101
April 27th, 9 to 11am
Learn composting basics including:
- what can be added to compost
- pile maintenance
- how to harvest finished compost
- and compost application to garden beds.
Different styles of composting will be introduced. Decide which is best for your home!
Container Gardening Workshop
May 18th, 9 to 11 am
Who says you need a large yard to grow your own food! Container gardening can be a great way to make use of a small space or simply a decorative way to grow veggies and flowers. In this hands-on workshop, we will cover the principles for growing a successful container garden as well as creative container ideas. Participants should bring their own container or planter. Soil and seedlings will be provided as we work together to create a garden you can take home.
Worm Bin Workshop
June 8th, 9 to 11 am
Worms are great way to compost those kitchen scraps and a great learning tool for youth! Learn about vermiculture and how to start a home worm composting system.
-Learn how to handle and collect worm castings, black gold for your garden!
- Create your own worm bin to take home.
Cost: $40 till 6/6, $50 after - Includes portable worm bin and red wiggler worms
Additional family members - $20/ person (For those sharing one bin)
To register, please us the PayPal button below or call (847) 946–5565
Composting and Fall Garden Prep Workshop
October 5th, 9 to 11 am
Though it might look dead out there, your garden is alive and kicking throughout the winter! Learn how to improve your soil fertility over the winter and save work for yourself come spring through this hands-on workshop. We will cover composting, cover crops, soil amendments and’‘’ lasagna gardening. Decide which soil nutrition method is right for your garden.
Cost: $25 before 10/3, $30 after
To register, please us the PayPal button below or call (847) 946–5565
FOOD PRESERVATION CLASSES
Learn to preserve you garden or farmers market bounty and eat local all year long. Mary Ann, the founder of Wellspring has over 35 years of food preservation experience. Join her as she shares not only her tasty recipes, but knowledge on food preservation safety.
Two classes will be hosted throughout the season so students can learn with seasonal produce.
June 22nd, 9 am to noon Rhubarb and Strawberries
Learn food preservation techniques such as canning, freezing, and dehydrating in this hands on class. Bring home a jar of canned garden goodies - Think strawberry rhubarb jam!
Cost: $35 till 6/20, $40 after
To register, please us the PayPal button below or call (847) 946–5565
September 7th, 9 am to noon Tomatoes
Learn food preservation techniques such as canning, freezing, fermentation and dehydrating in this hands on class. Bring home a jar of canned garden goodies featuring tomatoes
Cost: $35 till 9/5, $40 after
To register, please us the PayPal button below or call (847) 946–5565
SEASONAL PRODUCE COOKING CLASS
One of the best parts of the growing season is the diverse variety of produce that varies month to month! Wellspring offers a series of monthly cooking classes, inspiring students based on veggies during their peak season. In each class, organic cooking coach KC Thorson demonstrates four healthy recipes which students taste and receive recipes to try at home. Wine is provided to accompany the tastings.
Classes are held the 2nd Thursday of each month from 6–8 pm at Wellspring
Cost: $25 for those preregistered the Monday before class, $30 at the door
$150 for the entire series
2013 Season Class Schedule
- Classes may be taken as a complete series or individually.
May 9 - Asparagus
June 13 - Rhubarb
July 11 - Herbs
August 8 - Eggplant
September 12 - Peppers (Sweet and Hot)
October 10 - Squash varieties
November 14 - Thanksgiving dishes
To register, please you the PayPal button below or call (847) 946–5565
Individual Classes - Pre-registered: $25, At the door: $30
- For individual classes, please make sure to indicate the dates you wish to attend
Complete Series - $150
Registration and Payment:
Please fill out the Application and return it by mail it to:
Wellspring
Attn: Francie Szostak
4382 Hickory Rd.
West Bend, WI 53090
Please include a check for the total or call (847) 946–5565 to pay and register over the phone.
WOODLAND HARVEST PERMACULTURE PROJECT in Partnership with Riveredge Nature Center
A community based permaculture and local foods project between Riveredge Nature Center and Wellspring Organic Farm and Education Center. Woodland Harvest is an exciting collaboration between Wellspring and Riveredge. The project is expected to be a regional model for sensible and sustainable land use at any scale. Permaculture is a holistic approach to landscape design that integrates several disciplines, including farming, biology, ecology, agriculture, architecture, gardening and community building. On the Woodland Harvest site, a diversity of woody and herbaceous perennial plants are interwoven in a way that mimics the structure, energy flow and nutrient cycling of our regional woodlands. The result is an agriculturally productive, stable and resilient ecosystem requiring minimal human intervention.
Click here to see a map of the project that details the different design elements within the overall plan. We have already planted Hybrid Hazelnuts, Persian Walnuts, Korean Stone Pine and Service berries and future plans include a variety of nut, shrub and fruit trees.
“What permaculturists are doing is the most important activity that any group is doing on the planet. We don’t know what the details of a truly sustainable future are going to be like, but we need options. We need people experimenting in all kinds of ways and permaculturists are one of the critical groups that are doing that.”
-Dr. David Suzuki
Allergy Disclaimer: House cats are kept in one of our indoor learning facilities. They are not allowed to roam the building, but dander may be an issue for those with severe allergies.
