BEGIN:VCALENDAR
VERSION:2.0
PRODID:-//Northern Gardener - ECPv6.15.20//NONSGML v1.0//EN
CALSCALE:GREGORIAN
METHOD:PUBLISH
X-ORIGINAL-URL:https://northerngardener.org
X-WR-CALDESC:Events for Northern Gardener
REFRESH-INTERVAL;VALUE=DURATION:PT1H
X-Robots-Tag:noindex
X-PUBLISHED-TTL:PT1H
BEGIN:VTIMEZONE
TZID:America/Chicago
BEGIN:DAYLIGHT
TZOFFSETFROM:-0600
TZOFFSETTO:-0500
TZNAME:CDT
DTSTART:20250309T080000
END:DAYLIGHT
BEGIN:STANDARD
TZOFFSETFROM:-0500
TZOFFSETTO:-0600
TZNAME:CST
DTSTART:20251102T070000
END:STANDARD
BEGIN:DAYLIGHT
TZOFFSETFROM:-0600
TZOFFSETTO:-0500
TZNAME:CDT
DTSTART:20260308T080000
END:DAYLIGHT
BEGIN:STANDARD
TZOFFSETFROM:-0500
TZOFFSETTO:-0600
TZNAME:CST
DTSTART:20261101T070000
END:STANDARD
BEGIN:DAYLIGHT
TZOFFSETFROM:-0600
TZOFFSETTO:-0500
TZNAME:CDT
DTSTART:20270314T080000
END:DAYLIGHT
BEGIN:STANDARD
TZOFFSETFROM:-0500
TZOFFSETTO:-0600
TZNAME:CST
DTSTART:20271107T070000
END:STANDARD
END:VTIMEZONE
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20260516T093000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20260516T150000
DTSTAMP:20260502T123857
CREATED:20260108T205003Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260211T174914Z
UID:10005261-1778923800-1778943600@northerngardener.org
SUMMARY:Grow Your Own Mushrooms Outdoors
DESCRIPTION:Course Description: In this hands-on workshop\, Stig will show you how to grow mushrooms outdoors using low tech methods like logs\, patches\, and bags. Thinking about expanding your food cultivation skills? Or are you simply curious about mushrooms? Either way\, this workshop is for you! You’ll get the chance to make your own shiitake or oyster mushroom log to take home\, while learning from local farmer-cultivators about how to select\, cultivate\, and harvest mushrooms outdoors. Plus\, we’ll have delicious mushroom-themed snacks and drinks to keep you fueled throughout the day. \nThis is a great opportunity to connect with fellow mushroom enthusiasts and dive into a fun\, interactive experience. \nAll are welcome. WEI classes are open to everyone. \nInstructor Bio: Stig Mycelia is a self taught cultivator and lifelong student of fungi. It is his mission in life to cultivate a relationship with any and every fungi he comes across while maintaining a low tech approach that is hands on and personal to develop accessible approaches to working with otherwise “difficult” fungi. He is an educator and advocate for the fungi often overlooked\, having direct experience in the cultivation of several distinct species across multiple genera and many localities and lineages from across the globe. His approach and philosophy of life is one rooted in nature and the natural world\, of connection and relationships\, and to the pursuit of happiness. \nAssisting Instructor Bio: From Tony Cineus: “My journey into the world of mushrooms began at a young age\, deeply rooted in the rich cultural traditions of my Haitian and Mexican heritage. From childhood\, mushrooms were not just a culinary ingredient but an integral part of our lives.” After working with a mentor who guided Tony in mushroom cultivation and instilled in them the importance of sustainable practices\, Tony vowed to share expertise in mushrooms and empower others to cultivate their own mushrooms and foster a community of self-sufficiency and holistic living. \nMake a day of it! On the way to WEI\, visit charming Lindstrom\, MN\, for Northwoods Roasterie coffee and a pastry from the Lindstrom Bakery. After class\, visit Wild River State Park (only 10 minutes from WEI). Franconia Sculpture Park is also nearby and open ’til 8pm daily. \nIf you would be interested in staying overnight at WEI before and/or after this class\, please reserve accommodations through our FarmStay. \nWEI has an annual scholarship fund to support cost-accessible programming. Please see scholarship application instructions in the registration form below. 
URL:https://northerngardener.org/event/grow-your-own-mushrooms-outdoors/
LOCATION:Women’s Environmental Institute\, 15715 River Road\, North Branch\, 55056
CATEGORIES:Community Event
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://northerngardener.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/Growing-Mushrooms-1.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20260808T093000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20260808T153000
DTSTAMP:20260502T123857
CREATED:20260108T205011Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260211T174949Z
UID:10005262-1786181400-1786203000@northerngardener.org
SUMMARY:Introduction to Growing Peaches and other Stone Fruit in Minnesota
DESCRIPTION:Course Description: Whether on a scale as large as a high tunnel or in a shelter for one tree\, this class explains protection system principles in which you can successfully grow peaches\, apricots\, plums and nectarines organically in a commercially viable way. \nThe student will learn what cultivars of fruit to look for\, why grafting your own trees makes the system work better\, soil preparation\, fertilization\, irrigation\, pollination\, insect and weed control\, tree training and pruning\, harvesting and preparing the winter protection system that allows all this to happen. One to two hours of instructional time will start at WEI and move to Stone Creek Farm\, just 22 minutes away in Shafer MN\, where you will tour a working example of the system in action\, with more than 100 peach and apricot trees. \nThe trees in the system have fruited after a winter with multiple outside temperatures in the 20s and 30s below and as low as -35°f\, so far\, the research is showing that the system could work with outside temperatures as low as -42 to -45°. \nCrops permitting\, students may be able to purchase ripe peaches after class. \nWhat to Bring: \n\nPen\, paper\, notebook and or laptop and a camera or cell phone to take pictures at the farm\nBring a lunch to eat at Stone Creek Farm during the tour; also bring water or other beverage and any snacks you might want\nOutdoor wear including sunhat\, sunscreen\, and layers to protect from the sun or other weather\n\nHow should students prepare for class? Start a web search of cold hurry stone fruits including peach\, nectarine\, apricots and plums to help decide which of them you might want to draw in your system. \nAll are welcome. WEI classes are open to everyone. \nInstructor Bio: Dan Sheild is a farmer in Shafer Minnesota who asked himself question in 2009\, “Why can’t we grow peaches in Minnesota?” His curiosity and research led him to start asking other people why it can’t be done\, the answers to that question provoked positive solutions\, so together with Dan‘s background in construction\, a system materialized and an unbroken run of ten peach-filled summers starting in 2015. The protection system Dan created has endured hostile conditions and temperatures as low as -35° and still produced crops of tasty organic golden orbs of goodness. Having started without any horticultural education\, he sought every advantage to give him the resources to see his dream fulfilled\, joining the Minnesota Fruit and Vegetable growers Association\, the Land Stewardship Project\, NAFEX (North American fruit explorers) as well as membership in the Organic Fruit Growers Association (in which he is currently a board member)\, and a mentor\, horticulturalist Bob Purvis. Dan is also an accomplished grafter and teaches grafting classes regularly each spring. \nMake a day of it! On the way to WEI\, visit charming Lindstrom\, MN\, for Northwoods Roasterie coffee and a pastry from the Lindstrom Bakery. After class\, visit Wild River State Park (only 10 minutes from WEI). Franconia Sculpture Park is also nearby and open ’til 8pm daily. \nIf you would be interested in staying overnight at WEI before and/or after this class\, please reserve accommodations through our FarmStay. \nDan Sheild also operates a campground at his farm via hipcamp – search for Taylors Falls Stone Creek Farm. \nWEI has an annual scholarship fund to support cost-accessible programming. Please see scholarship application instructions in the registration form below. 
URL:https://northerngardener.org/event/introduction-to-growing-peaches-and-other-stone-fruit-in-minnesota/
LOCATION:Women’s Environmental Institute\, 15715 River Road\, North Branch\, 55056
CATEGORIES:Community Event
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://northerngardener.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/Edu-event-page-featured-images-169-1-2.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20260517T123000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20260517T153000
DTSTAMP:20260502T123857
CREATED:20260120T160315Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260211T180038Z
UID:10005340-1779021000-1779031800@northerngardener.org
SUMMARY:A Year in the Life of Honeybees: Beekeeping Certification Course
DESCRIPTION:Become a beekeeper in this seven-session hands-on class that meets on the third Sunday of the month while following the life of honeybees. The first class is Sunday\, April 19 and continues through October 18 unless otherwise noted. \nThis experiential class will cover the historic folklore\, agricultural politics and current sciences of sustainable beekeeping in northern climates. The seven-session class is designed for beginning beekeepers and will provide hands-on experience at each turning point of the season. Each session will focus on the changing tasks that are involved with keeping bees and will include one-on-one time with the hives\, guided by Hailey Kisch from Big Sky Acres. \nThe class meets the educational requirements for the WEI Beekeeping Certificate. To earn a WEI Certificate\, registrants must attend at least 6 of 7 classes. \nAll are welcome – WEI classes are open to everyone. \nInstructor Bio: Hailey Kisch dedicated to sustainability and food sovereignty\, with a B.S. in Soil and Water Science and an M.S. in Range Science from Montana State University. She applies this expertise on her farm outside Shafer\, where she and her husband\, Trevor\, raise their four children while focusing on sustainable farming practices. Starting with a small chicken coop and garden\, their farm now produces high-quality produce and pasture-raised animals\, all while preserving the land’s health for future generations. Education is key\, as Hailey and Trevor teach their children about soil health and resource preservation.
URL:https://northerngardener.org/event/a-year-in-the-life-of-honeybees-beekeeping-certification-course/2026-05-17/
LOCATION:Women’s Environmental Institute\, 15715 River Road\, North Branch\, 55056
CATEGORIES:Community Event
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://northerngardener.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/Edu-event-page-featured-images-169-7.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20261114T103000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20261114T160000
DTSTAMP:20260502T123857
CREATED:20260120T160348Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260211T175031Z
UID:10005280-1794652200-1794672000@northerngardener.org
SUMMARY:Introduction to Growing Hazelnuts
DESCRIPTION:Spend a day learning the basics and benefits of growing hazel in the Upper Midwest. We will discuss the various species that grow in our region; ecosystem benefits of these plants; strategies for establishment\, maintenance\, harvest\, and processing; and end the day learning about coppicing and how to craft a wreath with coppiced hazel stems. Whether you’re considering farm-scale agroforestry or looking to add new natives to your backyard\, hazel is a resilient source of habitat\, food\, skin care\, mulch\, and crafting material. \nAll are welcome – WEI classes are open to everyone. \nInstructor Bio: Paul Mairet is a beginning farmer and manager of Nine Hazels Farm\, a hybrid hazelnut farm and nursery in Lake City\, MN. He brings a background in arts and education and recent years of mentorship from hazelnut farmers\, researchers\, and artisans to his work. \nRegister here: Introduction to Growing and Crafting with Hazel – Women’s Environmental Institute
URL:https://northerngardener.org/event/introduction-to-growing-hazelnuts/
LOCATION:Women’s Environmental Institute\, 15715 River Road\, North Branch\, 55056
CATEGORIES:Community Event
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://northerngardener.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/Edu-event-page-featured-images-169-8.jpg
END:VEVENT
END:VCALENDAR