Due to the current Covid-19 pandemic, we are not offering community classes. Please check back to see if we are able to offer them at a later date. Thanks!
2019 Community Classes:
This year, we are offering a diversity of opportunities for our community to engage with the OFS and our students. There is not a fee for these classes but space is limited, so be sure to RSVP HERE..
Friday July 26, 12:00-1:00 — Pickling and Preserving: Learn the art of pickling and preserving food for later. Class taught by OFS Student and Roaming Radish Chef, Jess Dowdel. Please, RSVP HERE..
Tuesday August 27, 2:45-4:45 — Disease Management: Learn the basics of pathogen biology and ecology. Get to know the major plant diseases for organic agriculture. Become familiar with practical disease diagnosis and management
2019 Community Events:
More opportunities for our community to engage with the OFS and our students. There is not a fee but we’d love to know you are planning on attending so please send us a message HERE..
Tuesday August 13, 5:30 - 7pm — New Farmer/Property Owner "Meet & Greet." Join us at the Organic Farm School for our first Destined to be a semi-annual event. The "Meet & Greet" is designed to encourage on-going connections between those who are looking to farm on island and those who have land they would like to see farmed. Mark your calendars now for this fun and important evening of introductions, conversations, beverages and snacks. RSVP's are helpful for us in terms of planning and communication with you as the vent gets closer. Please send an email of interest to Judy here.
Fridays from May 3 to Sept. 27 from 1PM to 2:30PM — Walking tours of the Farm: Join OFS staff for a walking tour of the Farm. You'll learn about our students, what they are growing and learning, and how you can get involved.
2019 Fundraising Events:
Celebrate The Harvest Farm Style Dinner and Fundraiser - Whidbey Island
Date: September 14th
Time: 4:00 pm - 8:00 pm
Location: The Organic Farm School, 6310 Maxwelton Road , Clinton, WA 98236
Price: $100/Person Buy Tickets WE ARE SOLD OUT—if you would like to be on our waiting list, please email ofs@organicfarmschool.org.
Celebrate with the students, staff and community members who are working hard to bring organic food and farming practices to the greater Seattle area and beyond. Join us at the Organic Farm School on September 14th from 4 to 8 pm and be part of this delicious evening. Walk among the crops with a specialty drink from, Whidbey Island Distillery and enjoy a seafood appetizer from Whidbey Island Seafood Company. While you are out there, adopt a crop and we'll name the crop after you, your business or your group of friends! Find your perfect silent auction “experience” item. Feast on the harvest bounty prepared by the amazing chef, Jess Dowdell of Roaming Radish Catering. On the menu will be our organic broiler chickens, mouth watering lamb from, Green Isle Farms, and an abundance of delectable organic vegetables and fruit all locally grown and raised on our near our land. Flowers from Foxtail Farm will adorn your table as you raise a glass of delicious wine from Spoiled Dog Winery or a pint from Double Bluff Brewery, and then raise the trowel to fund student support for the 2020 season. Share a farm style dinner with like-minded people engaged in caring for the planet as you share your enthusiasm and financial support for the growing of food and farmers. A special thanks to all of the above sponsors and, Whidbey Event Rentals and Whidbey Custom Photography, for helping us create this delectable FUNdraising event.
Net proceeds from Celebrate the Harvest go towards student programs at The Organic Farm School.
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Previous Classes and Events:
Thursday, July 25, 11:45 - 1:15, at the Organic Farm School. Hope you can join our conversation series "Dishing Up The Dirt."
Second topic in our summer series is “Ethics of the Plate”. Is it better to eat locally or organically? Paleo or Vegan? Should we eat seasonally, or cheaply? Gluten free? Can we eat fish? Beef? Avocado? How does the average eater make sense of all the judgments about “eating right?” Join Sharon Betcher, PhD, Independent Scholar, for a lively discussion.
We'll gather folks at 11:45 for a robust field-fresh salad. Bring a plate and fork. We'll start with the Overview at noon. We'll begin the give and take of robust conversation at 12:15. We'll wrap it up at 1:15. You'll be able to wander the field afterwards, or linger to keep the conversation going. Please say you'll jump in! Once you RSVP, we'll send you a list of pertinent articles to help fuel the conversation. Don’t forget to RSVP HERE..
Monday, July 8th, 5PM to 8PM — Picnic Potluck For The Community: Hang out with Farm students and wander the Farm site. Learn something new about the network of small scale farming on Whidbey Island. And enjoy the laughter and meaty conversations that always go with a community potluck! Please RSVP by clicking HERE so we know how to best handle parking and table set ups. We’ll do our best to have adequate tables and chairs but if you have a couple of lawn chairs, or a nice blanket for old-school picnicking, please think about bringing such things. The RSVP is also helpful so we can send additional info/directions to you as the event gets closer.
Tuesday June 18, 2:45-4:45 — Irrigation: Understand the role of water in farm systems. Learn water cycling terms and units of measurement. Explore how soil moisture impacts crop productivity. Learn about environmental factors influencing frequency and volume of irrigation’s. Understand the vital elements of irrigation system design. Understand the practice of irrigating with various systems.
Tuesday May 21, 2:45-4:45 — Tillage: Review what tillage can accomplish, both positive and negative. Become familiar with the various types of tillage and the equipment used. Learn about the various functions tillage equipment can perform. Explore which tools are the most suited for which jobs.
VERY SPECIAL Opportunity!
Tractor Mechanics 101 with Steve Van Valkenberg
Friday, May 3 2:45 - 4:45 — We are opening this class up to the community because it's just so good! Van is a great instructor, and so knowledgeable about tractors. RSVP required so we can set up appropriately... Click Here. We'll have our three tractors available as demos. Course description: "Become familiar with various components of tractors. Understand tractor operation and safety. Learn to perform basic operation checks, servicing, and trouble-shooting."
Tuesday April 30th, 5:30PM to 8PM — Potluck at Whidbey Institute: Welcome the new students and find out what is happening in the Maxwelton Valley. More info HERE.
Friday April 26, 2:45-4:45 — Soils & Fertility Overview: Become acquainted with the fundamentals of soil’s physical properties, chemistry, and biology. Discover how those properties interact with the practice of agriculture. Learn ways to minimize soil degradation and practical methods to increase soil fertility
Thursday April 18, 1:00-3:00 — Farming's Place in Nature: A guided discussion about the multitude of ways that farming fits into or clashes with the natural world
Friday, March 22, 1-3pm - Development of US Agriculture: Review the history and large-scale changes in US ag; explore the economic and political causes and repercussions of overproduction; understand the current US food and farming system. The first round of classes includes three classes offered by UW Professor and Maxwelton Valley Neighbor Eli Wheat, PhD, of SkyRoot Farm. Eli is a phenomenal teacher. She’s won numerous awards for her teaching and sustainability work including the 2010 Excellence in Teaching Award, 2018 Husky Green Award, and the College of the Environment’s Outstanding Teaching Faculty award.
Thursday, March 28, 3:30-5pm - Social & Environmental Implications of US Ag: Understand labor dynamics in the US food system;explore the effects of corporate consolidation on the US food system; get to know the health impacts from the economic and political dynamics of the US food system; understand the effects different technological advances in ag have had on the environment; explore the major environmental impacts and human health risks from agriculture on water, soil, and air quality
Monday, April 1, 1-3pm - Farm Bill Discussion: what's in it and what's not; what does it mean for smaller scale farmers?; what does it mean for YOU? (check out this recent article about the Farm Bill or this one)
Watch for additional opportunities to join discussions and for tours of the Farm throughout the year.
We learn from our gardens to deal with the most urgent question of the time: How much is enough? -Wendell Berry
Whidbey Island Community Seed Swap
Saturday, February 23, 2019 2:00pm - 5:00pm Clinton Community Hall
Bring seeds, plants, cuttings and garden know-how to swap and share at our annual Whidbey Island Community Seed Swap! Learn from Aaron Varadi on the importance of local food systems and seed saving.
In partnership with WSU Extension Master Gardeners, The Organic Farm School, South Whidbey Tilth and Slow Food Whidbey Island, seed swaps are events where gardeners meet to exchange seeds and are great ways to learn about local seeds and build community around seed sharing. Designed for gardening newbies and master gardeners alike, this swap will provide people an opportunity to get seeds from other local growers and share seeds from their own local harvest. Even if you have nothing to swap, come and get a few seeds; you will then have them to grow and share next year! Be a part of the Whidbey Island seed saving movement and learn to pass onto future generations.
Aaron Varadi, Program Manager and Lead Instructor from The Organic Farm School, will start the swap off speaking on the importance of local food systems and providing instruction on the basics of seed saving followed by Q & A.
We invite you to contribute what you can!
Here are some helpful guidelines:
Edible and ornamental seeds welcome.
Bring open seed packets from the garden store.
Bring seeds you have saved in a clearly labeled baggie or envelope.
Do not bring seeds collected from hybrid plants, as they won't grow true to type.
Bring seed that is viable--in other words, not too old! Most seeds will remain viable for 2-4 years if kept in a cool, dry place, out of the light. Some seeds (onions, leeks, parsnips, celery, spinach) are only good for a year unless stored especially well.
Make sure your seeds are clearly labeled with crop type, variety name, and the date they were packaged/harvested.
Supported by Friends of the Clinton Library.
2018 Community Potluck!
Tuesday, July 10, 5-8pm. RSVP strongly encouraged (so we can set up enough tables!)
The Organic Farm School, Whidbey Institute, Whidbey Island Waldorf School, and Aldermarsh Retreat Center invite you to come see how much progress the students at the Organic Farm School have made and revel in a sense of community! Hang out with Farm students and wander the Farm site. Learn something new about the network of small scale farming on Whidbey Island. And enjoy the laughter and meaty conversations that always go with a community potluck!
Please RSVP by clicking HERE so we know how to best handle parking and table set ups. We’ll do our best to have adequate tables and chairs but if you have a couple of lawn chairs, or a nice blanket for old-school picnicking, please think about bringing such things. The RSVP is also helpful so we can send additional info/directions to you as the event gets closer.
Schedule
Tour of the Farm available at 5. Wear comfortable walking shoes.
Place dishes out on community table at 5:30
Come and Get It at 6pm
Short Program at 6:45
more eating, conversation & wandering 7:30-8pm
Logistics
Bring a dish that travels well and can serve 8-10 or more (with a card that identifies its ingredients, for the safety of those who food allergies). Also, bring your own serving utensils, plates and silverware.
The OFS will provide iced tea and lemonade. You are welcome to BYOB, but drink responsibly knowing this is a family friendly event.
Can’t join us right at 5:30 or 6?…come when you can, just know the “menu” will change as folks move through the line.
Past Farm Tours
Friday, June 1, 2018, 3-5pm. RSVP required.
Join OFS Executive Director, Judy Feldman, for a walking tour of the Farm. You'll learn about our students, what they are growing and learning, and how you can get involved.
September 14, 2017
Past Event—Getting Started With Seed Production
Join OFS Instructor, Aaron Varadi, and OFS grad, Nathaniel Talbot, from 5-8pm on September 14, for a lively and real conversation about the economics, biology, mechanics and practical considerations for growing vegetable seed, as well as differences between seed and veg production. We'll be doing lots of hands on threshing, screening and winnowing at both a hand scale as well as with the OFS equipment. The event is geared toward folks interested in doing seed production on a small commercial scale, but totally applicable to the home gardener interested in seed saving.
Free Admission - but RSVP to receive parking directions (email aaron@organicfarmschool.org)
