This series will provide helpful garden tips straight from a farmer and give students the opportunity to gain hands-on experience sowing their own vegetables, transplanting, and harvesting their own food over the course of several months. Students will map out when to sow seeds and when to harvest to help plan out your season. There will also be a portion on some disease and pest management. In these classes, learn how to maintain a healthy garden while also learning what preventative measures can be taken to ensure the health of their plants. Students also receive a log to keep track of plant growth, success rate and yield. Get a taste of farm life, from its challenge to all of the bountiful benefits!
Part One | February 23: Always wanted to grow your own vegetables? We'll help you get started! This first class will give you inspiration and motivation to get your mind on what you'd like in your garden. Chad and Mandy will review basic growing tips and provide guidance on where to get the best seeds and how to prep for the upcoming spring.Part Two | March 23: Prior to this class, you will have purchased seeds for your garden. Soil and trays will be provided by Chad and Mandy, and they will go over the best sowing techniques and plant care practices to help transform your dreams of a thriving veggie garden into reality. You will learn how to help your seedlings stay healthy inside as the ground begins to thaw.Part Three | April 20: In this final class, get hands-on experience in the biggest greenhouse at Kirby's Farm Market. Soil, tomato plugs and pots will be provided for students. Students will gain effective transplanting techniques, soil health knowledge and best practices for maintaining a successful vegetable garden at home. Please note: Seeds are not included in the class. Students will be guided on where to buy seeds and what types of seeds they might want to buy, so they are able to curate their own garden. The first two sessions of this class will be held at Rochester Brainery. The final session, on April 20th, will be held at Kirby's Farm Market. This is a three-part series, so students will need to be available on February 23rd, March 23rd, and April 20th from 6:00pm-8:00pm.Age:This class is appropriate for ages 14+.
Location:The February 23rd and March 23rd classes will take place indoors at Rochester Brainery located at 176 Anderson Ave f109, Rochester, NY 14607. The April 20th class will take place at Kirby's Farm Market located at 9739 W Ridge Rd, Brockport, NY 14420.
About the Teachers:Chad Kirby had the good fortune of growing up on the Kirby farm, and has enjoyed living alongside it nearly his entire life. Prior to becoming a full time farmer, Chad earned a bachelor's degree in Exercise Physiology, and was working towards a degree in physical therapy. It was on this journey that he felt the pull of the farm and could no longer resist. Chad is very grateful for the moment he made the decision to become a farmer, because he has found his purpose: feeding his community healthy food and sharing his knowledge and skills to help people grow their own healthy food.Before farming full time, Mandy Kirby helped with Kirby's CSA and in the market on and off for about six years. Now, Mandy has officially transplanted her life into the farm and has been growing and learning full time for three seasons. Mandy is very involved with the greenhouse and seeding in the spring, the CSA during the growing season and irrigating/fertilizing the farm in the summer. She loves watching the seeds evolve and enjoys working in the elements and educating people on the importance of knowing where your food comes from.
