URBAN FARMING BASICS: Grow your own food (part 1)

Learn the best growing methods and practices for productive Bay Area vegetable gardening with seasoned expert Willow Rosenthal. In these difficult economic times it makes more sense than ever to grow some of your own fresh produce and since food travels 1500 miles on average to reach the grocery store, growing your own food is one of the best ways to reduce your ecological footprint. This three-hour class will cover topics such as the most effective gardening philosophies and methods, differences between urban and rural farming that present challenges and opportunities, the different types of urban gardens and how to create them, garden layout and preparation, East Bay crops and timing, garden maintenance and introducing animals to make your garden a real farm. Willow, founder of City Slicker Farms, will present utterly practical advice for becoming a truly productive urban farmer, including specific crop yield information and planting times, crop rotation calendars and natural pest management guidelines. This first indoor session features a best-practices slideshow of intensive organic urban farming from around the globe that will inspire you to turn your hobby garden into a truly productive cornucopia for your family and community. Please contact us to register.

Specify when registering if ASL interpretation is requested, (at least 10 working days in advance).

Cost: $15 general, $10 EC members, no one turned away for lack of funds.

Info: 510-548-2220 x239,

PLEASE REGISTER: register [at] ecologycenter.org.

Wheelchair accessible.