Join us at the Beacon Food Forest for a hands-on workshop focused on changing the way we think about "invasive" plants. Learn about the benefits these plants can bring to our lives and how to work with them in a sustainable way. This event will feature interactive activities, discussions, and practical tips for incorporating these plants into your practices. Don't miss this opportunity to shift your perspective and embrace the beauty of diversity in our natural world!

Activities

• We will take a tour in search of bind weed, morning glory, blackberry and dandelions left from the season and discuss how these can be made into baskets or cordage.

• We will discuss sustainability and the help of utilizing these plants in a way that may aid in a balance.

• We will harvest tule and search for other plants that can be used to their entirety, we will create beautiful cordage to take home from what we find during this time of the year.

  About Instructors

  Maddie Price, MSc (they/she) has been a BFF volunteer since 2020 and a lifelong “artsy treehugger”, having worked in habitat restoration, local food systems, and outdoor education while carrying on their maternal family traditions in needlecrafts, particularly crochet, sewing, and embroidery.

  Yvonne Maria (they/them) came to BFF Food Forest as an intern while studying Psychology at Antioch University, approaching their studies through the cultural lens from their complex upbringing they had in the US and Mexico. Currently they are apprenticing at, and caretaking, a dedicated native plant garden in Martha Washington Park with the creator of BFF’s Native Guild . Yvonne Maria attunes with and honors their ancestors from Turtle Island by caretaking Pachamama and returning to art in all its forms,including weaving.

  Location: Meet at Beacon Food - Gathering Plaza

  While this is a free class - Space is limited to 20 participants per class

  Ticket Link: Part 1: Introduction to Permaculture - Gathering of Materials

Food Forest Friday is a recurring open-to-all work day. When there are new folks in the mix, we always start with a tour of the space before digging into work.

Sunset Lab stands as a regular, low energy, open-to-all work party where you can meet the many hands of BFF and help with impromptu projects. Projects vary from week to week, but there's something for everyone. After sunset, we transition into a communal gathering around the fire to share food, stories, and more. If you can, bring snacks, drinks, friends, or firewood!

Description

Cultivate an understanding of plants growing in community with humans, animals, insects and other organisms through art, science, and culture.

Join us for a fun after-school gardening program to learn about plants in the community!

Ages 7-14

Schedule: Five Mondays – 2:30 to 4:00 PM from September 30th to October 28th, 2024

Location: Beacon Food Forest - Meet at the Gathering Plaza

Class Overview

How do plants grow? What do they need to thrive?

In this class you’ll learn about plants, and how they fit into a community of humans, animals, insects, microbes and other plants. We’ll use art, science, and cultural knowledge to design and plant gardens that are good for the earth and its occupants, and enjoy plants as food and materials for making useful and beautiful items!

Explore the Beacon Food Forest

Detailed class overview:

INTRO – Meet each other, learn about the use of a talking stick, learn about the Food Forest and the three core ethics of permaculture (Care for the Earth, Care for People, Fare share for all), tour the Beacon Food Forest, and start a garden journal.

PLANT COMMUNITIES - learn about environmental niches, and the roles of different plant types in a plant community. Learn about soil and compost. 

PLANTS WE EAT – learn how animals (incl. humans) use plants.  Learn about parts of plants used for energy capture, energy storage, and reproduction, learn how insects pollinate plants.

PLANTS & HUMAN CULTURES - learn about native vs introduced, wild vs cultivated, weeds & invasive plants, culturally relevant plants, and indigenous cultivation of plants. 

CONCLUSION - talk about garden tasks throughout the year, and  plant some perennial plants at the Beacon Food Forest.

About the Instructors

Eleanor Goodall is a BFF Volunteer and enthusiastic gardener. She has a BA in Biology and Ph.D. in Biomedical Engineering, and has done coursework on small farm and ranch management through the Washington State University Extension. She enjoys cooking, eating, and sharing the harvest with friends, family, and the local food bank. She has worked as a summer camp counselor, a patent agent, a grant writer, and a farm worker.

Tony Dickey: Tony began his “career” in permaculture through helping housemates in West Seattle create a more sustainable landscape circa 2015. He has committed to environmental causes since canoeing 400 miles down the Connecticut River in in 1968. Supposedly retired, Tony turned his interest in permaculture/ regenerative farming into a keen desire to advocate for pollinators and other forms of life.

Currently an active member of the Washington Native Bee Society, Tony created Pollinator-Plus at Beacon Food Forest (BFF) and oversees its guild since 2021. Starting in 2018, he has worked with the Education Committee in a variety of ways, such as inspiring its intern outreach. Tony also actively collaborates with Tilth Alliance, Seattle Public Schools, Washington Native Bee Society and Xerces Society.

As he’ll probably tell you: he loves taking pictures of bees! But also other insects, flowers, birds and even dirt! Bees need dirt. Ask Tony why when you meet him.

Price: Tickets are $110

Registration Link: Plants in the Community: Gardening for Young People

Description

Are you curious to learn about how to deepen your skills and knowledge around ecosystem restoration and medicinal plant growing? Join us for an advanced workshop with Michael “Skeeter” Pilarski to learn about stewarding medicinal food forests! In this class designed for people with some experience, we’ll dig into agroforestry concepts and design ideas that can support functioning ecosystems and provide both food and medicine.

In this workshop, topics will include:

• In-depth plant species selection

• Tips for plant establishment and propagation

• Ongoing design management practices: plant spacing, succession planning and coppicing

• Using biomass and hugelkulturs

• How to use subtropicals in Seattle

For centuries and still today, indigenous peoples world-wide have created social ecosystems with their favorite medicinal plants. In this workshop, we’ll lead with reverence and respect for these communities and teachings, as we explore social ecosystem ideas for the Pacific Northwest.

This workshop will include a conversational lecture and time exploring the Beacon Food Forest. Class will take place outdoors – please come prepared for the weather and for a walking tour. Class size is limited to about 15 people and we will be following current public health recommendations

About the Instructor

Michael “Skeeter” Pilarski

Michael Pilarski has been farming and gardening organically since 1972 with medicinal herbs being his main crops for the last 25 years. Michael has been creating medicinal forests for over 40 years and has worked with over 1,000 species of plants. He has taught extensively in the fields of regenerative farming, permaculture, medicinal herbs, native plants, plant propagation, ethnobotany, forestry, agroforestry and related disciplines. He has taught permaculture classes in Washington State since 1981. His publications include: Growing and Wildcrafting Medicinal Plants in the Pacific Northwest, Subtropical and Tropical Medicinal Plants Checklist: 2001, Agroforestry Guide for the Hawaiian Islands, Ethnobotany and Ethnoecology Resource Guide, Creating New Forests for Medicinal Plants.

Tickets are $65.00 with some sliding scale availability

Ticket Link: Creating Medicinal Food Forest Advanced

In preparation for Fall and Winter we'll be weeding, chopping/dropping, and sowing cover crops in select beds and rows of the BIPOC Garden to get it nice and cozy for the soil and its inhabitants. This is necessary to offer some protection to the soil from erosion and nutrient leeching caused by the elements. 

This task will consist of shoveling, lifting, digging, chopping/clipping, and a bit of bending/squatting/kneeling. Please come prepared for task! 

Description

Are you curious to learn about how you can combine ecosystem restoration and medicinal plant growing? Join us for a beginner-friendly workshop with Michael “Skeeter” Pilarski to learn about stewarding medicinal food forests! You’ll be introduced to agroforestry concepts and design ideas that can help support functioning ecosystems and provide both food and medicine.

In this workshop, topics will include:

• Plant selection for diversity, food and medicine

• Basic design principles

• Maintenance practices for year-to-year yields

For centuries and still today, indigenous peoples world-wide have created social ecosystems with their favorite medicinal plants. In this workshop, we’ll lead with reverence and respect for these communities and teachings, as we explore social ecosystem ideas for the Pacific Northwest.

This workshop will include a conversational lecture and time exploring the Beacon Food Forest. Class will take place outdoors – please come prepared for the weather and for a walking tour. Class size is limited to about 15 people and we will be following current public health recommendations.

*This class is part of an ongoing partnership in educational offerings with Beacon Food Forest and Tilth Alliance. The goal of these sessions is to explore climate solutions, permaculture-themed ideas, and growing practices that are creative and relevant in our urban communities.

About the Instructor

Michael “Skeeter” Pilarski

Michael Pilarski has been farming and gardening organically since 1972 with medicinal herbs being his main crops for the last 25 years. Michael has been creating medicinal forests for over 40 years and has worked with over 1,000 species of plants. He has taught extensively in the fields of regenerative farming, permaculture, medicinal herbs, native plants, plant propagation, ethnobotany, forestry, agroforestry and related disciplines. He has taught permaculture classes in Washington State since 1981. His publications include: Growing and Wildcrafting Medicinal Plants in the Pacific Northwest, Subtropical and Tropical Medicinal Plants Checklist: 2001, Agroforestry Guide for the Hawaiian Islands, Ethnobotany and Ethnoecology Resource Guide, Creating New Forests for Medicinal Plants.

Tickets are $65.00 with some sliding scale availability

Ticket Link: Creating Medicinal Food Forest Fundamentals

Food Forest Friday is a recurring open-to-all work day. When there are new folks in the mix, we always start with a tour of the space before digging into work. This Friday, we'll be cutting back old raspberry canes and sprucing up some pathways.

Sunset Lab stands as a regular, low energy, open-to-all work party where you can meet the many hands of BFF and help with impromptu projects. Projects vary from week to week, but there's something for everyone. After sunset, we transition into a communal gathering around the fire to share food, stories, and more. If you can, bring snacks, drinks, friends, or firewood!

The Site Development team works to organize and coordinate the continued care and expansion of the food forest. These meetings are worth attending when you’ve got structure or land-based ideas that you’d like to introduce, or if you’re looking for projects to lead or assist with.

Meetings alternate between physical and virtual, so be sure to read the details to know!

Zoom link: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/82852854386?pwd=OG41OFJvQ3FDVVp1RDdwbm1NUlJ5QT09

Description

Join us for an immersive exploration of wild bees! We'll dive straight into understanding bee anatomy, distinguishing bees from lookalikes, and discovering the fascinating life cycles of solitary bees. Then, we'll venture into the gardens to observe and catch wild bees in action. Guided by experts, we'll release them back into their habitat before reconvening to share our findings and insights. Get ready for a hands-on experience that will deepen your appreciation for these important pollinators!

In this workshop, topics will include

• Understanding bee anatomy

• Distinguishing bees from lookalikes

• Learning about the life cycles of solitary bees

• Observing wild bees in gardens

• Catching wild bees in action

• Releasing wild bees back into their habitat

• Sharing findings and insights with experts

• Deepening appreciation for pollinators through hands-on experience
  

Tickets are $35.00 with some sliding scale availability

BIPOC Solidarity

In solidarity with food justice and food sovereignty for Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC), we reserve spaces in each class for BIPOC community members free of charge. If you identify as BIPOC, and would benefit from a free option, select this ticket type. Limited Quantity.

Registration Link: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/wild-for-wild-bees-tickets-906019006237?aff=oddtdtcreator

Please reach out to Asha Nelson if you have any questions

About the Instructor

Chloe Markovits

Chloe is an ecologist, horticulturist, and educator. She has presented her research findings on bee biology at national symposia, has taught public workshops in schools and gardens across the country, and helps create sustainable home gardens through her local work in landscaping. Chloe is passionate about understanding how insect pollinators cope in human-dominated landscapes, finding ways to support them throughout their life cycles, and generating community enthusiasm for these fascinating creatures.

Description

Many of us have rich cultural backgrounds, and we often honor those backgrounds through food preparation and sharing. But we also forget that we can grow fresh produce to help us make those important and delicious cultural dishes.

In this class we will discuss:

• The diaspora we come from

• Food memories and traditions that shape us

• Cultural gardening methods and history

• How to incorporate these foods and practices into the garden planning process

This class will take place outdoors and include a lecture, group discussion, and a garden tour. Please be prepared to reflect and/or share your favorite or formative food memories and traditions. Class size is limited to about 15 people, and we will be following current public health recommendations.

*This workshop is part of an ongoing partnership in educational offerings with Tilth Alliance and Beacon Food Forest. The goal of these sessions is to explore climate solutions, permaculture-themed ideas, and growing practices that are creative and relevant in our urban communities.

Tickets are $55.00 with some sliding scale availability

Ticket Link: https://tilthalliance.org/event/the-foods-that-shape-us-growing-a-diaspora-garden-4/

About the Instructor

Shanelle Donaldson West

Shanelle Donaldson West is the Farm Manager at the University District Food Bank rooftop farm, food preservationist, and food justice advocate focused on healthy relationships to land, power and community. From working with toddlers growing gardens to connecting locally sourced food to people experiencing homelessness, Shanelle has supported more than one thousand King County residents over the last decade. She expanded her nutrition education to include food preservation classes as a method of self-care and extending the harvest. In 2016, she co-founded Percussion Farms to reconnect people of color to the land and their right to healthy lives. Shanelle is a proud alumna of the Black and Latinx Farm Immersion Class at Soul Fire Farm in Grafton, New York. When she's not farming, Shanelle can be found reading, cooking with her husband Mike, playing board games, or most likely smooching her sweet dog, Koda.

Celebrate Pollinators with friends & family @ Beacon Food Forest with Washington Native Bee Society

All activities are free

WA Native Bee Society and BFF celebrate pollinators of all types. Enjoy friendly family fun seeing a world seldom seen.

All Activities are free

Washington Native Bee Society aims to create a community for bee enthusiasts of all levels of interest from the merely curious to the scientist or researcher. This event will allow Washington bee enthusiasts (and other interested parties) to gather information about the native bees of Washington State and learn ways to support or “save” the bees. The target audience includes individuals engaged in environmental issues, individuals focused on species diversity, and people who are looking for information about native bees. The learner needs little to no prior knowledge of bees to participate in this event as it will be geared toward the novice.

General Overview of Activities -

10:00-10:45 am How to Spot a Pollinator (Colleen)

11:30-12:14 pm Diversity in the food forest and native bees and other pollinators

1:00-1:45 pm Providing for and protecting our pollinators

2:30- 3:15 pm An In Depth look at Bee Characteristics/ taxonomy (Lisa)

Learning Activities include understanding and the ability to:

• Differentiate between native bees, honey bees, and other look-a likes (wasps, flies, ants, etc…)

• Recognize and name 5 of the most common native bees in WA State.

• Understand the connection between native plants and native bees.

• Comprehend the value of biodiversity and how to conserve it.

• How to build insect models from various material (e.g. felt, twine, socks, flowers, twigs, leaves)

Speakers and Presenters

Colleen Willson: Colleen is an environmental educator and co-founder and vice-president of the Washington Native Bee Society and has been working with bee-focused community organizations since 2018.

Lisa Robinson: Lisa joined the PNW Bumble Bee Atlas project in 2017 and took “Bumble bee Biodiversity, Ecology, and Identification Course” with Lincoln Best. She continues to take Bee ID courses and became the first out-of-state Master Melittologist in 2020 where she has since earned her apprentice certificate.

Nita Wester: Nita is a K-12 alternative school veteran, Master Gardener, Growing Groceries instructor and frequent speaker in Jefferson County. She focuses on vegetable gardening, pollinators, creating habitat for beneficial insects and hands-on learning activities to encourage community participation.

Tony Dickey: Tony first volunteered at BFF in 2018. He has become a core volunteer on Education, Site Development and Community Care committees. He launched Pollinator-Plus in 2022 to ensure the food forest provides ideal habitat for pollinators of all kinds. Tony brings permaculture to the world of pollinator stewardship. He encourages a life-long appreciation of pollinators for all ages, younger generations in particular.

Note: This is a free event and all activities are free

Questions?

Please reach out to Asha Nelson if you have any questions

Note: This is a free event and all activities are free

Registration Info: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/861749514997?aff=oddtdtcreator

Description

Are you curious about how to find and grow your own edible mushrooms? Join us for a fungi workshop at Beacon Food Forest with Jake Harris, Mushroom Ambassador and Owner of Stone Soup Gardens! In this session, Jake will talk about how to grow a variety of mushrooms in your own home garden and how to properly identify some delicious edible mushrooms when visiting their ecosystems. Discover the joys of finding and eating fruiting fungus!

This course will explore:

• mushroom identification and resources

• how to find safe edible mushrooms in the pacific NW

• how to grow mushrooms in our homes and urban farms

• some of our favorite mushroom recipes

• examples of fungi and tour some of the fungus related work at Beacon Food Forest

This in-person class will take place rain or shine outdoors and will include conversational lecture and a walking tour. Class size is limited to 18 people, and we will be following current public health recommendations. Please dress for the weather. We will have some mushrooms to look at together and we invite you to bring fungus you found to share knowledge with others or we can identify together.

*This workshop is part of an ongoing partnership in educational offerings with Tilth Alliance and Beacon Food Forest. The goal of these sessions is to explore climate solutions, permaculture-themed ideas, and growing practices that are creative and relevant in our urban communities.

Tickets are $65.00 with some sliding scale availability

Registration Link: https://tilthalliance.org/event/spring-into-foraging-and-farming-edible-fungi/

About the Instructor

Jake Harris

Jake Harris founded Stone Soup Gardens (stonesoupgardens.com) to help communities to create beautiful, sustainable and delicious solutions outside our front doors and in our neighborhoods. He has enjoyed raising chickens and other fowl friends for the past 18 years in Seattle, in addition to helping communities and individuals with the design and installation of permaculture-based place-making, including chicken coops. Jake is also an avid mycelium ambassador and amateur mycologist - he has spent many hours in the woods in his own yard and in the kitchen forming symbiotic and tasty relationships with mycelium. In addition to gardening with urban livestock and farming & foraging mushrooms, Jake has also holds expertise in sustainable water design. Stone Soup Gardens has served as a Rainwise Program Contractor since 2010 and led innovative design and installation projects throughout our King County.

Relevant Remedies is a “soft workshop” meant to address key topics such as Foraging,Harvesting & Processing Practices, and Communal Skill/Informational Exchange by creating a circular “show-and-tell/storytelling atmosphere” where participants will share their own relevant remedies they’ve learned through life experience or friends/family. Hence the term “Relevance,” we want to prioritize plants and materials that are found in our respective communities and are likely accessible to most, if not all. This can look like mushrooms, seeds, herbs, etc.

Relevant Remedies are things you can find on your walk home, in the garden, or sometimes grocery store. At some point, home herbal remedies have saved each of us from colds, cramps, fevers, and worse – whether they were learned from a parent, friend, or even natural discovery, return the power of health to the people. These can come in the form of syrups, tinctures, soups, infusions, etc.

Join us for a night of reciprocation and storytelling as we sit to share remedies, hacks, facts that are relevant to us.

Be sure to bring a recipe and/or story to accompany your remedy!

We will have a remedy “scribe” that will record the remedies that participants are sharing so that they can be compiled and shared with the participants and eventually, the greater community.

Speakers/Presenters

Khalil Griffith - Khalil is an Arkansas-native and has been in Seattle for 3 years - 2 of which have been spent volunteering and now working as the Site & Programs Director of the Beacon Food Forest. He is passionate about expression by any means, creating and sharing deep communal ties, and the reclamation of food for all. In his free time he loves reading, working in his garden, gaming, crafting, and mixing songs!

Hae Malecek - information coming soon

Liza Thomas - Liza Thomas was born and raised in Southern Louisiana and moved to Washington state in 2017 to complete a year of service in AmeriCorps. There, found her love for cooking with and for her community. She is a graduate of Seattle Central Culinary Academy and currently teaches youth how to bake and cook. One of her life missions is to connect people back with the Earth and each other through shared food and experiences. She enjoys eating all kinds of foods but loves cooking East and West African, Palestinian, Brazilian, Korean, Southeast Asian, and Creole/Cajun foods!

Description

Are you curious about how to find and grow your own edible mushrooms? Join us for a fungi workshop at Beacon Food Forest with Jake Harris, mushroom ambassador and owner of Stone Soup Gardens! In this session, Jake will talk about how to grow a variety of mushrooms in your own home garden and how to properly identify some delicious edible mushrooms when visiting their ecosystems. Discover the joys of finding and eating fruiting fungus!

This class will explore:

• mushroom identification and resources

• how to find safe edible mushrooms in the Pacific Northwest

• how to grow mushrooms in our homes and urban farms

• mushroom recipes

• examples of fungi and tour some of the fungus related work at Beacon Food Forest

This in-person class will take place rain or shine outdoors and will include conversational lecture and a walking tour. Class size is limited to 20 people, and we will be following current public health recommendations. Please dress for the weather. We will have some mushrooms to look at together and we invite you to bring fungus you found to share knowledge with others or we can identify together.

*This workshop is part of an ongoing partnership in educational offerings with Beacon Food Forest and Tilth Alliance. The goal of these sessions is to focus on climate solutions that are creative and relevant in our urban communities.

About the Instructor

Jake Harris

Jake Harris founded Stone Soup Gardens stonesoupgardens.com to help communities to create beautiful, sustainable and delicious solutions outside our front doors and in our neighborhoods. He is  an avid mycelium ambassador and amateur mycologist. He has spent many hours in the woods in his own yard and in the kitchen forming symbiotic and tasty relationships with mycelium.

Additional Information

Beacon Food Forest and Tilth Alliance strives to provide educational experiences that honor our values of accessibility and equity. Currently, we offer:

• A sliding scale pricing structure to make our classes accessible for everyone, regardless of financial means. Please select the ticket type that works for you.

• In solidarity with food justice and food sovereignty for Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC), we reserve spaces in each class for BIPOC community members free of charge. If you identify as BIPOC, and would benefit from a free option, please select BIPOC Solidarity ticket.

Tickets are $65 with some sliding scale available

Link for additional information and to Register

https://tilthalliance.org/event/farming-and-foraging-edible-mushrooms/

Description

Are you and your garden ready for climate change? Gardeners are now facing weather and pest related challenges that have simple solutions. Join ecological designer, arborist and author, Jessi Bloom who shares practical, beautiful and inspiring ideas for tackling climate change challenges from plant choices to simple maintenance tricks, water conservation and permaculture concepts to implement in your garden for more success in this unpredictable climate.

In this class you will learn:

• how to analyze the health of your trees and plants

• how to make edits to your garden

• how to minimize water use and maximize productivity

• plant selections that are the most resilient to temperature extremes

• alternatives to lawns

• resiliency strategies for community

This in-person class will include a conversational lecture and time for questions and answers with the instructor. Resource materials will also be provided. Class size is limited to about 20 people, and we will be following current public health recommendations.

*This workshop is part of an ongoing partnership in educational offerings with Beacon Food Forest and Tilth Alliance. The goal of these sessions is to focus on climate solutions that are creative and relevant in our urban communities.

Link for additional Information and to Register:

https://tilthalliance.org/event/gardening-for-climate-change/

About the Instructor

Jessi Bloom

Jessi Bloom is an ecological landscape designer, author and teacher. She started NW Bloom EcoLogical Landscapes (nwbloom.com), based in Woodinville, WA, in 2000 to innovate and emphasize awareness of permaculture, sustainable landscape design, construction and land management. Her books include Free-Range Chicken Gardens (2012); Practical Permaculture Design (2015) which is now in 6 languages; and Creating Sanctuary: Sacred Garden Spaces, Plant Based Medicine and Daily Practices to Achieve Happiness and Well-Being (2017) and its companion workbook Everyday Sanctuary (2019).

Register: https://tilthalliance.org/event/gardening-for-climate-change/

Tickets are $55 with some sliding scale available

Description

Are you interested in land care solutions that can be applied in urban areas for soil fertility, water conservation and climate change mitigation? Join us for an introduction to the basics of permaculture design and regenerative systems

In this class, we will cover “permaculture principles” and how to apply them to create a more holistic and sustainable garden. We’ll discuss ways to create efficient and abundant landscapes that integrate human needs with the natural ecosystem.

We will explore:

• Practical applications for permaculture ethics and principles

• Techniques that can be applied in an urban environment

• Ways to integrate natural patterns and ecology into living systems

• How the ethics and principles are being applied at the Beacon Food Forest

This in-person class will include a conversational lecture, some group activities, and a tour of the Beacon Food Forest. Class size is limited to 20 participants, and we will be following current public health recommendations. Please dress for the weather.

*This workshop is part of an ongoing partnership in educational offerings with Beacon Food Forest and Tilth Alliance. The goal of these sessions is to focus on climate solutions that are creative and relevant in our urban communities.

Select the link below for additional information and to Register:

https://tilthalliance.org/event/introduction-to-permaculture/

About the Instructors

Asha Nelson

Asha is retired and currently volunteers with the Beacon Food Forest and Habitat for Humanity. She also volunteers on occasion with Rainier Beach Urban Farm & Wetlands, Bradner Gardens Park, and community food banks. She enjoys gardening and learning about all things related to gardening and permaculture. She completed her Permaculture Design Course in 2021 and continues her studies in classes related to permaculture and gardening.

Alex Soleil

Alexandria shares their passion for urban gardening by teaching classes and supporting the Soil and Water Stewardship program as part of the Community Education Team at Tilth. They are certified in Permaculture Design, completed the Master Composter Sustainability Steward program, and have enjoyed collaborating in Seattle’s community garden spaces for over a decade.

Additional Information

Beacon Food Forest and Tilth Alliance strives to provide educational experiences that honor our values of accessibility and equity. Currently, we offer:

• A sliding scale pricing structure to make our classes accessible for everyone, regardless of financial means. Please select the ticket type that works for you.

• In solidarity with food justice and food sovereignty for Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC), we reserve spaces in each class for BIPOC community members free of charge. If you identify as BIPOC, and would benefit from a free option, please select BIPOC Solidarity ticket.

Register: https://tilthalliance.org/event/introduction-to-permaculture/

Tickets are $65 with some sliding scale available

Join BFF Educator Kimberly Leeper as she gives a hands-on introduction to plant guilds and their care on-site at the Beacon Food Forest! Plant guild are a closely knit group of plant species that are intentionally selected and positioned together to create a mutually beneficial and self-sustaining ecosystem. It is a concept derived from permaculture design principles, where plants with complementary characteristics and functions are strategically combined to maximize the overall health, productivity, and resilience of the garden or landscape. Plant guild are the building blocks of a food forest.

In this class we’ll

• identify some common plants at the Beacon Food Forest and the roles they play in plant guilds.

• discuss different plants and how they may be beneficial in plant guilds you could build at

• have an opportunity to effectively weed and mulch around the plants in the specific guilds

• explore the amazing biodiversity of plants with a brief tour

Meet at Gathering Plaza (15th Ave. S. & S. Dakota St.) promptly at 10:00 am.

About Instructor

Kimberly Leeper, a Seattleite since 1995, is a garden educator, plant and wildlife enthusiast, and regenerative landscape consultant who specializes in food forests, Pacific NW native plants, and beneficial wildlife habitat.

She has a background in school psychology; teaching and learning with children and adults in schools and the forest; leading natural landscaping companies for 18 years - currently Working With Nature; and volunteering with community gardens and plant-related endeavors - Beacon Food Forest for past 10 years.

These days Kimberly focuses on consulting and coaching. She loves inspiring people to think more holistically about their landscapes, and is on the Board of ecoTHRIVE Housing to create affordable eco-village model to replicate in King County & beyond!

While this class is part of a series of free classes being offered by the Beacon Food Forest Education Committee registration is required as space is limited.

Select the link below to register for one of 15 slots

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/explore-care-for-plant-guilds-tickets-661296294017

If the class fills up, you can join our wait list by sending your full name to asha@foodforest.ngo with your request.

Join us for a informative and engaging workshop designed specifically for gardeners interested in incorporating the core ethics and the principles of permaculture into their gardening practices. Permaculture can offer a holistic approach to sustainable gardening that not only benefits the environment but also maximizes productivity and creates resilient, thriving ecosystems. This class will cover the three core ethics of permaculture and each of the 12 principle as developed by David Holmgren, exploring practical techniques and strategies to implement them effectively.

By the end of this interactive session, you will have gained a foundational understanding of the three core ethics and 12 principles of permaculture, enabling you to apply these concepts to your own gardening projects.

Handouts will be included on how to apply these principles to your gardening practices, leading to more sustainable and regenerative outcomes that works in harmony with nature. .

Instructor Info:

Asha Nelson is retired and currently volunteers with the Beacon Food Forest, Habitat for Humanity and the SE Seattle Tool Library. She also volunteers on occasion with Rainier Beach Urban Farm & Wetlands, Bradner Gardens Park, and community food banks. She enjoys gardening and learning about all things related to gardening and permaculture. Asha completed her permaculture design course in 2021 and continues her studies in classes related to permaculture and gardening.

While this class is part of a series of free classes being offered by the Beacon Food Forest Education Committee- space is limited and registration is required.

Select the link below to register for one of 15 slots

Registration Link: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/introduction-to-permaculture-for-gardeners-tickets-661421949857

If the class fills up, you can join our wait list by sending your full name to asha@foodforest.ngo with your request

In this class, you’ll get an overview of a variety of food preservation methods PLUS you’ll start your own jar of brine-pickled vegetables that you can take home to ferment! You’ll learn how to turn fresh fruits and veggies into convenient staples to see you through the winter, flavorful pickles, jams, and relishes to add pizazz to your meals, and special homemade gifts for your friends. You’ll have the chance to explore a “petting zoo” of equipment used for canning, drying, freezing, and fermentation. We’ll cover the basics of how food preservation methods work, key points to consider when choosing the methods that are right for you, safety tips, and get ideas for resources and recipes

Instructor Info:

Eleanor Goodall is a BFF Volunteer and enthusiastic gardener who has been honing her food preservation skills for over 25 years. She has a Biology degree which helps her understand the science behind food preservation. She enjoys cooking, eating, and sharing the harvest with friends, family, and the local food bank, and relishes the challenge of making the harvest last until the next year. She has worked as a summer camp counselor, a patent agent, a grant writer, and a farm worker.

Want to learn more about bats and their fascinating lives, dispel common myths, and explore their invaluable ecological contributions?

Join us at the Beacon Food Forest as we spread our wings and adventure into the realm of bats. Gain valuable insight into bats and their fascinating lives, dispel common myths, and explore their invaluable ecological contributions. Get information on how their presence helps maintain the balance of the ecosystem and contributes to the overall health and sustainability of the Beacon Food Forest and Seattle's natural habitats – including our farms and home gardens.

The presentation will be followed with participants being led through a community science activity of watching bats while they learn to record and submit data for the BAT program.

Presenter Info:

This presentation is part of the Bat Activity Trends (BAT) program at Woodland Park Zoo. The goal of the BAT program is to raise awareness and improve perceptions of local bat species, educate community members about the importance of local bats, and create a bat activity map showing where in King County bat activity is lowest and highest, that can be used for conservation work, to increase awareness, show trends, and as an educational resource.

Woodland Park Zoo saves wildlife and inspires everyone to make conservation a priority in their lives.

While this class is part of a series of free classes being offered by the Beacon Food Forest Education Committee registration is required as space is limited.

Registration Link:

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/bat-night-at-the-beacon-food-forest-with-woodland-park-zoo-tickets-667246721907?aff=oddtdtcreator

Plants and bugs share many relationships. Most simply stated, each helps the other stay alive and thrive. Volunteers during the tour will see various examples of the many interactions that occur year round. For those wanting to take the extra steps, we will speak about using i Naturalist, BugGuide and similar apps that help identify and track various lifeforms. We'll speak to habitat, bloom times, the state of insects around the world and the many things we can do to support insects and the plants that work together.

About the Instructor

Tony Dickey is a very involved volunteer at Beacon Food Forest. He is regularly involved in the Education, Site Development and Community Development. In 2022, he co-founded BFFs Pollinator-plus team to highlight the importance all pollinators play in the world’s vitality. He has a passion for macro-photography and is often found at BFF crouched under plants trying to get the perfect shot. He is also an active board member of Washington Native Bee Society.

While this class is part of a series of free classes being offered by the Beacon Food Forest Education Committee registration is required as space is limited.

Select the link below to register for one of 20 slots

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/plant-and-beneficial-insect-guide-to-beacon-food-forest-tickets-661371067667?aff=oddtdtcreator

If the class fills up, you can join our wait list by sending your full name to asha@foodforest.ngo with your request.

Learn to make candle-lit luminaries highlighting pressed flowers and leaves. All supplies provided.

Students will learn the process of making candle-lit luminaries from pressed flowers and leaves. Directions and demonstration will teach how to successfully press items from nature. With supplies provided, students will have a hands-on experience, with detailed instruction and supervision, helping them make at least one luminary from melted wax, adding leaves and flowers to decorate the luminaries. When they are done, students will know how to make luminaries on their own. An overview of the process will be printed and available to students.

Luminaries are mood-makers, fun to make, and allow your creativity to shine. Whether a beginner or accomplished artist, you can make something stunning! Once you learn, you can make these on your own! These bring nature right inside to enjoy. Half the fun for me is being in nature and finding flowers and leaves to collect and press. Great as gifts or enjoy in your own home. The best part is it’s a FREE gift from you and the Beacon Food Forest Education Committee.

About Instructor

Roberta Sherwood grew up in a family that taught appreciation and respect for nature, often collecting insect specimens that had died, or gathering leaves and flowers already fallen to the ground. An elementary school project was getting her Filipino pen pal to send her pressed indigenous leaves from her home country, and learning about them. Roberta’s mother taught her candle-making as a craft, tho luminaries came later in life. She enjoys sharing these fun crafts with others. Professionally, Roberta spent her career as a non-profit manager. Now she enjoys a “retirement career” as a caregiver in people’s homes, helping them be safe and enjoying nature whenever possible.

While this class is part of a series of free classes being offered by the Beacon Food Forest Education Committee registration is required as space is limited.

Select the link below to register for one of 10 slots

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/let-the-light-shine-tickets-661970651037

If the class fills up, you can join our wait list by sending your full name to asha@foodforest.ngo with your request. There is also the possibility that if this class fills up and there is enough interest that a second class will be offered in the afternoon.

Learn the basics of vermicomposting! Look inside a worm bin and explore. Understand what is needed to start a worm bin and be successful at it.

Learn why vermicomposting is good for your plants, worm habits, what is needed to keep your worms healthy, how to establish a bin, how to harvest a bin, and how to utilize the compost! Students will get to look inside a well-established bin, explore, and ask all the questions they need to become a successful vermicomposter!

About Instructor:

Jessica Souyoultzis

Jessica owns Urban Garden Wisdom, a garden/design business that is based on permaculture practices. She fell in love with vermicomposting during a 9 month internship at Tilth Alliance in which she cared for the vermicomposting and composting bins in the learning gardens. She has taught about vermicomposting to people of all ages in areas all around Seattle. She is happiest when her hands are in the soil!

Tickets are $25 with some sliding scale available

Ticket Link: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/vermicomposting-basics-tickets-551466429937

Questions: Contact Asha Nelson

This class will go over the basics of bioremediation and what you can do to participate! We’ll learn from Jade Frolic of Metamimicry about this method of using biological organisms to clean the environment. Metamimicry has a special focus of growing mushrooms for bioremediation and in this class we will create some mushroom buckets for you to take home and apply in your garden or community’s garden.

In this workshop you will:

• Learn the basics of bioremediation

• Explore grassroots-level bioremediation installation designs and methods

• Discuss the importance of this work and how it helps to mitigate the affects of climate change

• Put together a mushroom bucket to take home!

This in-person session will take place indoors and outdoors and will include lecture, discussion, and a mushroom bucket demonstration. Class size is limited to 20 people and we will be using drills. We will be following the current public health recommendations – please plan to bring a mask and prepare for the weather.

About the Instructor

Jade Frolic

Jade Frolic (any pronoun) is from the Gulf side of Florida and has had an ever-growing interest in the world of fungi. From studying applied cultural anthropology and sustainability at The Evergreen State college, Jade then received a Master’s in Environmental Management from Western Colorado University in 2020 while starting a mushroom cultivation operation with the Potter Valley Tribe. Jade’s current passions lie at the interface of tribal relations, mycology, and biomimicry.

*This workshop is part of an ongoing partnership in educational offerings with Beacon Food Forest and Tilth Alliance. The goal of these sessions is to focus on climate solutions that are creative and relevant in our urban communities.

BIPOC Solidarity

In solidarity with food justice and food sovereignty for Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC), we reserve spaces in each class for BIPOC community members free of charge. If you identify as BIPOC, and would benefit from a free option, select this option (if still available) during checkout.

Tickets are $45 with some sliding scale available

·        Ticket Link: https://tilthalliance.org/event/backyard-bioremediation/

Please reach out to Asha Nelson if you have any questions.