This course will explore global intertidal ecology, from coral reefs to mangroves to salt marshes! We will explore the various ecosystems, the critters that call them home and climate change.

Please note that this is an online class. We will send out a Zoom link closer to the start date so you can access the class. Check your spam folder! If you are new to Zoom and need assistance, please contact Martie Crone at martie.crone@mdirss.org or call 288-4703 at least a day or so before the class begins. A child may join a parent for this class under the same registration.

NO CLASS ON FEB 18.

As one enthusiastic participant said, "[Alana] created a low tide monster of me!"

BIO: Alana is a marine biologist and have done research in the Gulf of Maine, Gulf of California, Mexico, Puerto Rico and Hawaii. She is passionate about marine biology and science communication.

Guillemots, porpoises and molas, oh my! Eagles, barnacles and whales, too!  Bring your questions, sightings, experiences and curiosity to this informal class focusing on wildlife that lives in or along coastal waters.  We'll talk about everything from birds to marine mammals, fish to crustaceans, learning about their lives, including where, when and why you can see them, as well as changes over time and today.  This is a live online class. 

In this two-part workshop, we will focus on organic methods to help gardeners and homesteaders establish and maintain healthy fruit production. 

In Part 1, we will discuss variety selection and soil preparation for planting young fruit trees, as well as how to grow a young tree in its early years before flowering and fruit production. 

C. J. Walke has been working for the Maine Organic Farmers & Gardeners Association since 2006 and for the past decade, he has focused on providing technical services to farmers and teaching practical skills related to organic tree fruit cultivation.

In this two-session series on growing fruit trees, we will focus on organic methods to help gardeners and homesteaders establish and maintain healthy fruit trees for home fruit production. 

In part 2, we will discuss organic methods of insect and disease management in order to produce quality fruit, as well as how to best manage fruit trees as they get older and larger.  This is a face to face online course.

C. J. Walke has been working for the Maine Organic Farmers & Gardeners Association since 2006 and for the past decade, he has focused on providing technical services to farmers and teaching practical skills related to organic tree fruit cultivation.

This class is designed to stimulate interest and questions about beekeeping as a hobby or to help with pollination. It covers what is needed, where to locate bee hives, where to buy them, what it costs and how to care for bees so they survive the winter. Many join the class because they are aware of the huge importance and decline of honeybees and other pollinators and just want to help. Learn about the fascinating hobby of beekeeping, pollinate your garden and grow your own honey! This is a live online class.

Makeup class, if needed, 04/05/21.

Peter Cowin, a/k/a the Bee Whisperer, started keeping bees in the 1970s at the age of 11, and now tends to more than 130 colonies.  He is past President of Penobscot County Beekeepers Association and mentor to many local beekeepers.  Peter runs a beekeeping supply store in Hampden, Maine.  He sells packaged bees and produces queens and makes hundreds of nucleus colonies for sale each year.  His bees produce thousands of pounds of honey per year sold under the Bee Whisperer name.  Peter has been teaching beekeeping at his honey farm and for Adult Ed for more than eight years.

After our Fall 2020 two-session series on cultivating fruit trees, there were requests for a hands-on pruning workshop.  This workshop will focus on the role, priorities and techniques of pruning to maintain healthy fruit trees for home fruit production.  C.J. Walke will demonstrate at a Hancock County site to be determined. 

C. J. Walke has been working for the Maine Organic Farmers & Gardeners Association since 2006 and for the past decade, he has focused on providing technical services to farmers and teaching practical skills related to organic tree fruit cultivation.

We anticipate being able to offer this highly popular class offered by MOFGA! The date is to be determined, but you can pre-register here. When the class details are available, we will notify you to complete the registration process.

Interested in learning how to grow your own vegetables in a sustainable manner? Join us for an evening-long workshop on how to grow your own garden organically. Topics covered: soil science, enriching soil, fundamentals of composting, crop rotation, use of green manures, plant vs week identification, weed control, dealing with pests, etc. The instructor is an experienced farmer or gardener in our area. Free seeds will be provided! All are welcome, from first-timers to experienced gardeners who want to experiment with new techniques.