BACKYARD CHICKEN-KEEPING CLASSES

WE HAVE FOUR DIFFERENT CHICKEN-KEEPING CLASSES THIS YEAR:

1.  COMPREHENSIVE CHICKEN CLASS.  You can take this 2.5 hour class after any of the chicken swaps.  Chicken swaps are held on the first Saturday of each month.   Taught by Aimee Ayers.

I'll take three of these.                        Silkies make warm and loving pets,                                So we're at a chicken swap.  Big deal.

                                                              and the roosters crow ever so softly.

With this class and the Chicken Swap on the same day, you can arrange your schedule like this:

10-Noon   Visit the swap and check out all the birds

Noon-1      Walk three blocks to the indoor, year-round farmers' market at 2nd and Santa Fe and eat lunch.

1-330         Return to the swap location at 4th and Kalamath to attend chicken class, and if you are convinced then to get chickens you can buy chicks from the teacher and feed from us.  You don't need a coop at this time because the chicks will live in a tub or crate for a few months. 

Meanwhile, if you want to see what teacher Aimee sells, go to her website.  She also sells chicks, chickens, and many other fowl.  Her website is: http://www.manifestwings.com/index.html

TIME: 1-330

LOCATION: Earthdog Denver, 370 Kalamath Street, Denver

DATES and TIMES: January 7, 2012 from 1-330

                                     or

                                     February 4, 2012 from 1-330

                                     or

                                     March 3, 2012 from 1-330

                                     or

                                     April 7, 2012 from 1-330

                                     or

                                     May 5, 2012 from 1-330

                                     or

                                     June 2, 2012 from 1-330

TUITION: $35

2.  COMPREHENSIVE CHICKEN CLASS.  You can take this 2.5 hour class on any one of four Saturdays.  It is taught at  the home, garden and coop of John Beauparlant.

John is a local chicken expert and advocate (he helped start the campaign to get the chicken law changed in Denver and was one of the filers of the initiative).  With chickens in the coop...and garden and yard.  This is an OUTDOOR class, so dress appropriately.

LOCATION: Platt Park neighborhood (near I-25 and Downing - address provided upon registration)

TIME: 1-330

DATES: SATURDAYS: MAR 17 or APR 14 or  MAY 12 or  JUN 9, 2012

TUITION: $35

3.  BACKYARD CHICKEN KEEPING QUICK CLASS.  This is a one-hour class and you can take it on one of several Friday evenings.  It is taught by James Bertini, owner of Denver Urban Homesteading and the guy putting all these classes together.  I made way more money when I worked as a lawyer but this is way more fun.  (Note: there won't be any chickens at this class.)

LOCATION: Denver Urban Homesteading, 200 Santa Fe Drive, Denver

TIME: 7-8pm

DATES: FRIDAYS: JAN 13 or FEB 17 or MAR 23 or APR 20 or MAY 18 or JUN 15, 2012

TUITION: $20  No advance registration required.

4.  CLASE DE BREVE de criar las gallinas en los patios.  En espanol para una hora con maestro James Bertini, el dueno del mercado de los granjeros y la escuala del agricultura urbano.  James aprendi espanol en Nicaragua donde vivia por un rato.

DIRECCION: Denver Urban Homesteading, 200 Santa Fe Drive, Denver

TIEMPO: 7-8pm

FECHA: VIERNES, ABRIL DE 13, 2012

SUSTANTIVO: $20

You will learn:

BACKYARD BEEKEEPING

Teacher is Steve Lechner, owner of Busy Bee Farms which supplies our market with honey.  You’ll get loads of information from this class (learning from Steve is like drinking from a firehose) and you can start beekeeping in the spring.

LOCATION:  Denver Urban Homesteading at 200 Santa Fe Drive, Denver

TIME:  10-2; Steve serves lunch which is included

DATES: Saturday January 28, 2012

                or

               Saturday, February 25, 2012

TUITION: $50

 BACKYARD BEEKEEPING at the hive

TIME: 1-4

LOCATION: Jan’s house in Lakewood.  Address provided upon registration.

DATES:  Saturday, March 31, 2012

                 or

                 Saturday, April 21, 2012

TUITION: $35

 DAIRY GOATKEEPING IN YOUR BACKYARD

Learn how to raise and milk goats in your backyard.  Jennifer Crismon will teach this after every Chicken Swap, i.e. on the first Saturday of each month, from January through May, 2012.  She will have goats with her for demonstration purposes, and because goats are so sweet and so much fun to watch and touch.  So you can attend the swap from 10-Noon, walk three blocks and get lunch at Denver Urban Homesteading at 2nd and Santa Fe, and then return for the class.

LOCATION: Earthdog Denver, 370 Kalamath Street, Denver

DATES and TIMES: January 7, 2012 from 1-330

                                     or

                                     February 4, 2012 from 1-330

                                     or

                                     March 3, 2012 from 1-330

                                     or

                                     April 7, 2012 from 2-430

                                     or

                                     May 5, 2012 from 2-430

TUITION: $45

 ANGORA GOATS FOR FIBER AND FUN 

Kimberly Turnbow will teach you all about her goats that she raises for the fiber.  Class will be held at her Denver urban homestead where she also has chickens, ducks and a huge garden.  (Apparently Kimberly keeps the goats out of the garden, or it wouldn’t be huge.)  This is an OUTDOOR class, so dress appropriately.

TEACHER DESCRIPTION: If you think you’d like to raise Angora goats in your backyard, this class is for you!  We’ll cover these topics:

*What makes fiber goats different – personality, care, end products.

*What to look for when selecting animals – what makes a good goat good.

*How to care for your goats once they’re home – including housing, feed, hoof care, shearing and more.

*The reality of what to expect when you own goats – some of these things will surprise you!

*A general overview of fiber processing – you’ll see fleece in all stages from on the animal through soft, shimmery yarn.

This class will allow for hands-on participation with my two goats, Edward and Audrey.  You’ll also see how Angora goats can fit into a backyard with chickens, ducks, and a large vegetable garden.

LOCATION: Kimberly’s house near I-25 and Hampden.  Address provided upon registration.

TIME: 1-3

DATES: Saturday, March 17, 2012

                or

                Saturday, April 21, 2012

                or

                Saturday, May 19, 2012

TUITION: $45

SHARPEN YOUR OWN KNIVES (and learn how to make your own)

Blade hobbyist Quentin Caldwell will teach you how to sharpen your kitchen knives and scissors.  Quentin has been sharpening and making knives, hatchets, throwing darts and other blades for more than a decade.  He'll explain the properties of the metals used in knives, show you how to use sharpening stones and even tell you where you can get them.  He will also spend a few minutes telling you how you can make your own knives and where to buy the blanks.

LOCATION: Denver Urban Homesteading, 200 Santa Fe Drive, Denver

TIME:   1-2PM

DATE: Saturday, February 11, 2012

TUITION: $20

SEED SELECTION - How to choose seeds from the many catalogs to plan a great garden

There are thousands of heirloom seeds available, and seed catalogs devoted to providing you with them.  Listen to an expert gardener teach you how to navigate from among them and how to plan the right amount of the right crops for your garden.  Teacher is Sandi Wiese who also teaches worm composting and who has written a book on worms and worm composting that we sell at the market or you can buy from Tattered Cover or Amazon.  Note these classes are taught on the same day as our Seed Swaps, so you can attend the class and then feel confident buying seeds for your garden.  See info on the Seed Swaps at the top of this page.

LOCATION:  Denver Urban Homesteading, 200 Santa Fe Drive, Denver.

TIME: 1230-2pm

DATES: Saturday, January 28, 2012

                or

                Saturday, April 21, 2012

TUITION: $15

WORM COMPOSTING 

Learn how to raise your own worms from local worm farmer, Sandi Wiese who has written a book on worms and worm composting that we sell at the market or you can buy from Tattered Cover or Amazon.  (Students can purchase the book after the class directly from the author for a discount.)

LOCATION:  Denver Urban Homesteading, 200 Santa Fe Drive, Denver.

TIME:1-330

DATES: Saturday, February 25, 2012

                or

                Saturday, March 10, 2012 

TUITION: $25

COLD FRAMES - Start growing early with a mini-greenhouse

In this class you will learn how to start growing crops in February and keep them warm with a cold frame - a box with a hinged window that acts as a mini-greenhouse.  Get your greens, carrots and onions going before winter is over.

LOCATION:  Denver Urban Homesteading, 200 Santa Fe Drive, Denver.

TIME:130-3

DATES: Saturday, February 25, 2012

                or

                Saturday, March 24, 2012

TUITION: $20

VEGETABLE GARDENING 101

Start from the beginning and then be able to grow vegetables for you and your your family forever with the help of an professional horticulturalist, Carl Wilson.   .

TEACHER DESCRIPTION: Learn the keys to successful vegetable growing on the Front Range including tips and tricks to make your gardening life easier. Colorado’s climate realities include a short growing season, cool summer nights, dry air, erratic late spring and early fall frosts. Soil conditions add another gardening challenge. The guiding hand of you, the grower, makes all the difference in changing growing conditions to achieve results. Come learn when and how to make changes to produce the vegetable you want for fresh eating and preserving.

LOCATION: Denver Urban Homesteading at 200 Santa Fe Drive, Denver

TIME: 2-4

DATES: Saturday, March 17, 2012

               or

               Saturday, April 7, 2012

               or

               Saturday, April 21, 2012

               or

               Saturday, May 5, 2012

TUITION: $25

 GROWING BERRIES IN YOUR BACKYARD

Berries are easy to grow and they provide luscious fruits that you can eat or freeze.  Learn how to do it from a professional horticulturalist, Carl Wilson.   My wife and I have so many berries planted at our homestead and they bring us so much joy...and good eating.

TEACHER DESCRIPTION:  Berries are easy fruits to grow and make luscious-eating whether fresh, frozen or preserved. New developments are increasing the types we can grow here. Come find out the types of berries that do well in our climate and soil, what varieties are recommended, where to purchase, and how to manage and prune for best results.

LOCATION:  Denver Urban Homesteading at 200 Santa Fe Drive, Denver.

TIME: 2-330

DATE: Saturday, April 14, 2012

TUITION: $25

 URBAN FORAGING: IDENTIFYING EDIBLE WEEDS

Oh wow is this class fun.  Walk along the alleys and yards near the market and learn which weeds you can eat.  Hint: many of the weeds that you see every day can be eaten.  Class ends with an edible weed feast.  Meet up (and later prepare salad) at Denver Urban Homesteading, 200 Santa Fe Drive, Denver.  Taught by herbalist Tonja of Moondance Botanicals.

LOCATION:  Begins at Denver Urban Homesteading, 200 Santa Fe, Denver

TIME & DATE: 11-1, Saturday, June 23, 2012

or

TIME & DATE: 7-9, Thursday, June 28, 2012

TUITION: $25

HOMEBREWING 101  

Learn how to make beer from Preston Hartman, an expert homebrewer.  Preston will teach you the fundamentals in the morning 1.5 hours, then after a lunch break you’ll spend 2.5 hours helping him prepare to brew a batch while getting your hands on the grains and hops.   I felt so good acquiring this knowledge when Preston showed me how he makes beer at his home.

TEACHER DESCRIPTION: After taking this two-part class, participants will understand basic brewing concepts and be prepared to brew their first batch of beer using malt extract.  The morning part of this class provides participants with a more sophisticated understanding of beer, which is necessary to brew good beer at home.  Participants handle, smell, and taste beer ingredients, learn about the brewing process, and better understand how different ingredients and processes result in different styles of beer. 

The afternoon part of the class provides hands-on instruction for brewing a batch of beer using malt extract in a typical home kitchen.  Participants perform each step of the process with the instructor’s guidance.  After this part of the class, participants will possess the knowledge to easily brew a batch of beer on their own. 

Finally, the instructor will briefly discuss print, internet, and local resources for the beginning brewer, and distribute a brewing equipment list and step-by-step instructions.     

LOCATION:  Denver Urban Homesteading, 200 Santa Fe Drive, Denver.

TIME: 1030-Noon, and 1-330  (lunch break from 12-1 - you can eat right there at the market)

DATE: Saturday, January 21, 2012

TUITION: $50

RESTORE OLD WOOD FURNITURE (and save a tree!)

Learn how to identify good-quality wood furniture, doors, etc. suitable for refinishing damaged by water, sun, scratches.  Learn simple techniques for refinishing these tables, chairs, the trim in your house, your floors.  Which materials are better to use among varnishes, wood fillers, etc?  These will be part of the class.  All students will get hands-on experience with sanding tools and the finishing materials.  This practical course will empower you to improve the appearance of the wood in your home and to help save the planet by keeping good wood furniture out of the dumpster.  It can also be a rewarding hobby, financially and psychologically.  Teacher is Irina Bertini who grew up in the USSR and who abhors our consumeristic society, shuns buying new furniture and only buys old furniture that can be refinished.

LOCATION:  Denver Urban Homesteading, 200 Santa Fe Drive, Denver.

TIME: 6-830

DATES: Fridays:

January 20, 2012

or

February 24, 2012

or

March 30, 2012

TUITION: $25

HOW TO WHIP UP A MEAL OUT OF ANYTHING - COOKING 101  A class for students and for anyone who is spending too much money and eating too much fast food and other prepared foods

Don't know what to cook or how to put a meal together?  This class will teach you some simple recipes that you can use on a regular basis for nutritious meals.  Think you have to throw out milk once it is spoiled?  This class will teach you how you can use that milk and so many other food products you were going to throw away.  (One recent report says that Americans throw out about 50% of their food).  This class will save you money and help you improve your nutritional intake.  Taught by my wife Irina who cooks two meals a day for us and never lets any food go to waste.

LOCATION:  Denver Urban Homesteading, 200 Santa Fe Drive, Denver.

TIME: 2-4

DATES: Saturday, January 14, 2012

or

February 11, 2012

TUITION: $25

BEGINNER KNITTING

Learn to knit scarves, hats and potholders using ergonomic knitting practices that save your shoulders from fatigue.  Different types of yarn and their uses will be explained.  Students will also learn how to wash, dry and store the knitted items for long life.  No experience necessary.  Yarn will be provided.  Bring own needles or buy from our store.  Teacher is expert knitter Irina Bertini.

LOCATION:  Denver Urban Homesteading, 200 Santa Fe Drive, Denver.

TIME:   2-4

DATES: Saturdays:

January 21, 2012

or

February 18, 2012

TUITION: $20