Garden Education
Wellspring’s mission is to not only grow organic food, but to teach the community the importance of growing, eating, and living sustainably. Many educational opportunities are available at Wellspring through out the year. Please see below for information on our Education Programs for Groups, Home Garden Course, Cooking Classes, Kids Quest - Summer Gardening Camp and Agricorps- Summer Program for Teens.
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, home schoolers, 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. Programs are available for all ages and visits are tailored to fit groups educational needs and goals.
Programs offered:
Farm tour - During the 2-hour tour, groups will be introduced to the Wellspring farm and how components such soils, plants, animals, and the environment work together on an organic farm.
Day programs - Day programs last 4 hours and include a farm tour, a mini-harvest (Season permitting (June –October), a break for lunch, and the groups’ choice of farm related activities
Overnight Programs - For groups wanting to experience farm life more fully, overnight programs are available. Students will receive a farm tour; participate in farm chores, the group’s choice of activities list above, and enjoy a campfire in the evening
Program fees cover our programming costs, and vary depending on group size and activity.
Click to download our complete Educational Program Guide
To schedule custom tour or program for your group, contact Francie Szostak, Education Coordinator at wellspringeducation@gmail.com or call (847) 946 −5565
Related Literature:
Educational Program Brochure
Kindergarden and Preschool Program Guide
HOME GARDENING COURSE
There is nothing more rewarding or stress reducing as gardening; nurturing seeds and watching their progress until they are harvested and enjoyed at your table, knowing that the flavor is amazing and the nutrients are healthful for your body, mind and spirit! Wellspring’s specialty for over 29 years has been teaching others to grow organically. The 7 classes may be taken as a series for a discount OR attended as individual classes to meet your special needs and interests. The series starts in March and runs through Sept. The full series includes the opportunity to have private consultation AT your own garden space; email support; opportunity to obtain Wellspring organic seedlings; and experience at Wellspring’s gardens.
Classes meet on Saturday mornings from 9 a.m. - noon and include:
March 10 - Garden Plan - design your garden plot, choose your favorite crops, guidance in ordering seeds
March 24 - Soil Building - soil as community, soil horizons, soil testing, composting, relationship between soil and plants
April 14 - Bed Preparation & Seedlings - prepare beds for transplanting, direct seeding, use of hand tools, irrigation system
May 5 - Bio-Intensive Basics - interplanting, companion planting, crop rotation, correct spacing, bio-dynamic sprays
June 2 - Garden Maintenance - weeding, mulching, irrigation, support structures, natural pest control, grooming the garden
August 15 - Harvest Feast - identify peak harvest time, post-harvest handling, proper storage, share a meal from the garden
September 25 - Food Preservation - canning, dehydrating, freezing, fermenting, putting food by for the winter
Class sizes are limited to encourage individual attention. Registration is taken on a first come basis. Email or call Wellspring if you are interested - wellspringeducation@gmail.com or 262–675–6755.
Complete Series - $190 - includes all 7 classes, the private garden consultation, and a separate field trip to Growing Power’s Urban Farm in Milwaukee.
Individual Classes - $20 each
Private garden consultation is included in series. Separately it is $100 (1.5 hours at YOUR garden, recommendations and follow-up)
Payment plans can be arranged upon request.
Wellspring Dirty Hands Discount
Participants have the option of working in Wellspring’s demonstration garden (weeding, watering, transplanting, harvesting, etc.) to offset a portion of the Workshop Fee. In addition to valuable hands-on experience, participants will receive a $15 credit for each 3 hour commitment. This discount does not apply to single classes.
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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 monthly of cooking classes, inspiring students based on veggies that are ready to be harvest at that points in the season. Each month a different veggie is selected and featured from Wellspring’s garden. Each Class, Chef KC Thorson develops and demonstrates four, healthy recipes that students get to taste and bring home the recipes for. Wine is provided to accompany the tastings.
2012 Season Class Schedule
- Classes may be taken as a complete series or individually.
May 10 - Salad Turnip and Radishes
June 14 - Chicory Bitter Greens/Asian Greens
July 12 - Culinary Herbs
August 9 - Beets
September 13 - Root Veggies
October 11 - Brussel Sprouts
November 8 - Winter Squash
Students may register by phone: (262)675–6755, Email: wellspringeducation@gmail.com, or online buy clicking the PayPal “Buy” button below.
Cost: Complete 7-Class Series - $120
Individual Classes - Pre-registered: $20, At the door: $25
- For individual classes, please make sure to indicate the dates you wish to attend
Kids Quest
- Summer Gardening Camp -
Monday, June 18th - Friday, June 22th - Youth ages 7–11
In an outdoor classroom setting, children will be introduced to the topic of sustainable gardening. Hands on activities will be designed to engage campers’ senses, while learning about growing food organically.
Camp activities and experiences include:
• Observing soil structure
• Learning about garden life cycles
• Searching and observing insects in the garden, learning about their impact
• Planting seeds and seedlings in container to take home at the end of the program
• Caring for the plants started
• Learning when plants are ready to harvest and harvesting techniques
• Preparing and enjoying food from the garden
• Keeping our bodies string and healthy with good food
• Journaling and drawing as reflection on their experiences and observations
• Team work, responsibility and respect for the natural world will also be skills nurtured through the experience.
Camp Details:
Monday, June 18th – Friday, June 22th, with an overnight campout at
Wellspring Thursday evening till the end of camp on Friday.
Session Options:
Morning camp: 8:30 a.m. – 12 p.m. – Cost $135 (includes overnight)
Full day camp: 8:30 a.m. – 3 p.m.‐ Cost $225 (Campers bring their own sack lunch)
Extended care: 8:30 a.m. - 6 p.m. - Cost $280 (Campers bring their own sack lunch, afternoon snack will be served)
- Core gardening education activities will be held in the morning so half-day campers will be able to participate.
Click to download Kids Quest Brochure and Registration Form
For questions and to register, please contact:
Francie Szostak, (847)946–5565 or by email at wellspringeducation@gmail.com
Kids Quest is also looking for two camp counselors for the week. Click here to download a copy of the Position Description
Agricorps is a summer program for young people ages 12–17 to learn to business practices through sustainable agriculture. Agricorp members will select and grow a veggie in the Wellspring garden. At the end of the summer, students harvest and sell their produce at a local farmers’ market.
Young people participate in 2 weekend instruction sessions and 6 weekday work sessions throughout the summer at Wellspring where they will:
- Receive instruction in organic growing methods and principles
- Attend guest lectures from local farmers on beekeeping and soil nutrition
- Plan the cost of growing a garden
- Develop marketing strategies for selling their produce
If you are interested in learning more about Agricorps, please check out the Agricorps Brochure and Application or email us at wellspringeducation@gmail.com
Videos of the 2010 Agricorps Team: Learn how each member was impacted by the program: Sam, Hailey, Matthew, Bailey, and Harvest Night.
