Homesteading workshops offered at organic farm

You don’t need to own acres of land to dabble in the heart of homesteading.

The Prairie Crossing Learning Farm in Grayslake offers a series of adult education workshops featuring several popular homesteading topics.

Traditional skills such as canning, composting, and caring for chickens are becoming increasingly popular with city and suburban residents.

The Learning Farm staff has been practicing these skills for many years, and look forward to sharing their expertise during this series of Saturday morning workshops at the learning farm, 32400 N. Harris Road, Grayslake.

The first Suburban Homesteading Workshop, “Preserving the Harvest,” is from 9 a.m. to noon Saturday, Aug. 24. Learn how to preserve some of the fruit available during the summer so you can enjoy it throughout the year. The $40 workshop is for adults and requires advance registration at www.prairiecrossing.com/farm/learning.php.

Participants will learn about home canning through demonstrations and hands-on involvement as they make chunky applesauce and another seasonal treat. Each participant will bring home a small jar of the preserved fruit they help make during the workshop. No prior experience is necessary.

The second workshop, “Growing and Using World Grains,” is from 9 a.m. to noon Saturday, Sept. 14. In this hands-on workshop, adults will learn several methods of threshing, winnowing and milling winter wheat. Other topics will include pollination, seed-saving, wheatgrass juicing, and more.

Future workshops include “Small Scale Composting” Oct. 5, “Backyard Chickens” Oct. 26, and “Homemade Yogurt and Granola” Nov. 16. Workshop costs range from $30 to $40, and advance registration is required.

Register for all workshops in the Suburban Homesteading Series and receive a gift certificate for vegetables grown by the Prairie Farm Corps, the Learning Farm’s youth development and farming program. Gift certificates can be redeemed at the Prairie Farm Corps booth at the Libertyville Farmers Market from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. Thursdays until Oct. 17.

“The Learning Farm staff share a love of this homesteading lifestyle, and hold a wealth of knowledge and experience for the suburban homesteader,” said Sharon Gaughan, Learning Farm education program director.

“Through these workshops, we can share our passion with those seeking a similar lifestyle.”

The mission of the Prairie Crossing Learning Farm is to educate and inspire people to value healthy food, land and community through experiences on the farm.

Information about Learning Farm programs is at www.prairiecrossing.com/farm/learning.php.