Welcome to our Winter Wednesday Workshop Series!
2018 Schedule

Gardeners and small farmers alike will once again have the opportunity to take advantage of local growing expertise.  The “Winter Wednesday Workshop Series” hosted by the Wexford Conservation District kicks off on Wednesday, January 31st.   The workshops are a great way to shake the winter blues and prepare for a successful growing season.  Organic techniques will be highlighted in all the workshops, and each workshop will feature local residents who will be sharing their experiences with gardening and farming in Wexford County.  All workshops begin at 6:30 p.m. in the community room of the USDA Service Center on Boon Road in Cadillac.   The fee for single session workshops is $12; double session workshops are $24.  Please register at least two days in advance so that we can provide high-quality workshops.

New this year – save money by signing up for multiple workshops!  Three or more workshop sessions are $10 each.  Questions?  Give us a call at 231-775-7681, ext. 3.

Healthy plants come from healthy soils.  We recommend that everyone attend the “Healthy Soils” workshop prior to attending any of the others so that they can increase their chances of successful growing.

Building and Keeping Healthy Soil     
January 31

One of the key factors to success in growing food crops is healthy soil.  This workshop will cover how to assess the composition, nutrient levels, and health  of your soil, and discuss the benefits and techniques involved in using compost, manure, cover crops, and mulch,    If you have current soil test results, bring them along and we can assist you with developing a customized plan for your garden. 
Soil test kit mailers are available for $25 from MSU Extension – call their Cadillac office at 231-779-9480 for details, or order online by clicking the button below
Soil Test Kit Self Mailer

Fruit Trees  (Two part workshop)  February 7 & 14

Caring for fruit trees is a challenging but rewarding endeavor.   This workshop will focus on optimizing the health of your fruit trees.  There will be a discussion on our local climate, and what fruit trees will both survive and bear fruit where you live.  Site selection, soil amendments, planting techniques, fertilization, and pruning will all be covered.  Common insect and disease problems will also be covered along with options to prevent and control them.  Organic techniques will be emphasized, along with selecting and using a sprayer.   

Bountiful Vegetable Gardens      (Two part workshop)  February 21 & 28

Have the garden of your dreams by learning how to best work with the conditions on your land.  This workhsop will cover those details as well as provide information on garden layouts, irrigation, trellising, planting dates, succession and companion planting, crop rotations, and management of weeds, insects and diseases.  Tips and tricks will also be given for growing thirty common vegetables that are suitable to our area.  

Creating Pollinator Habitat  
March 7

Our pollinators could use a helping hand from us these days.  Learn which plants and which planting designs are attractive to which pollinators.  Also covered will be techniques and resources for successfully establishing a pollinator garden and habitat, as well as options for cost-share funding.

Raising Chickens 
​March 14

Learn how to start and manage your own flock of chickens for both egg laying and meat production.  Topics covered include selecting and purchasing appropriate breeds; options for and where to purchase feed, supplies, and equipment; caring for newborn chicks; feeding and watering; options for nesting and roosting; chicken "tractors" (moveable, floor-less pens); predator protection; winter housing, and butchering basics.

Seed Saving 
​March 21

Help conserve our plant heritage and enjoy delicious heritage fruits and vegetables by saving seeds from heirloom varieties.  Learn techniques to keep your strain pure and prevent cross pollinating by other varieties.  Seed cleaning and storing will also be covered, along with how to produce seeds from tender biennials.  With a grant from Seed Savers Exchange, the District is now able to lend seed cleaning screens and isolation bags.  
Low-Cost Season Extension with Passive Solar Techniques  
March 28
Learn how to build and use low cost options to start your growing season earlier in the spring and extend it later in the fall.  Cold frames, low tunnels, and simple hoop houses will all be discussed.  Crops to plant, spacings, water considerations, and managing both heat and cold will also be covered.