Adult & Family Workshops

CHECK OUT OUR NEW OFFERINGS!

A MORE COMPLETE 2012 WORKSHOP SCHEDULE COMMING SOON!

Enriching the lives of people in our community is an important goal of Land’s Sake. In addition to the youth-oriented programs, we also provide educational opportunities for adults. These programs allow members of the community to learn new skills, engage with the landscape, and foster a stronger sense of community by bringing together neighbors. We hope to meet you at one of the following adult programs held throughout the year!

Take advantage of our Early Bird discount and register by April 1st.

Backyard Sappers

Date: Saturday, February 25th, 2012; 1:00pm-3:00pm
Location: Bill McElwain Sugar House, 456 Wellesley St., Weston, MA
Presenter: Douglas Cook, Education Director
Fee: $20, Land's Sake Members receive a %15 discount.

Ever wanted to make your own maple syrup, but were not sure how? Anyone interested in learning how to turn maple sap into maple syrup in their own backyards are welcome to join in the fun.  We will start by overviewing the local forest history, tap some trees, collect sap if it is running and then check out the Bill McElwain Sugar House to talk about evaporation. Materials will be provided.

Apple Pruning

Date: Sunday, March 4th, 2012 from 1-3pm
Location: Burchard Park, 269 Concord Rd., Weston, MA
Presenter: Ben Wilson, Facilities Manager
Fee: $30, Land's Sake Members receive a %15 discount.

Land’s Sake is excited to offer the chance for you to gain real experience in orchard maintenance under the direct tutelage of our veteran orchard manager Ben Wilson.  This two hour workshop will cover all the basic information you will need, from techniques to tools, required to prune your own apple trees at home.  You will be able to practice your new knowledge by working along side Land’s Sake staff as they prune our Concord Road Orchard.  Come prepared to work, ask questions, and learn as much a you can, Materials will be provided.

The Buzz: Intro to Apiculture

Date: Tuesday, March 6th, 2012; 6:30pm-9pm
Location: Weston Public Library, 87 School St, Weston, MA
Presenter: Nick Delaini
Fee: $30, Land's Sake members recieve a %15 discount.

This class will target the person who wants to start keeping bees. We will engage in a broad examination of apiculture and honeybees. Terminology used and equipment needed will be discussed. Participants will gain a good introduction in beekeeping, that will prepare them for a more indepth study of the subject.

Beekeeping Course

From the beginner beekeeper eagerly awaiting the spring arrival of their bees, to the seasoned beekeeper, beekeeping presents a fascinating, rewarding, and often challenging hobby.  That challenge is a big part of what makes beekeeping such an engrossing pursuit but can often represent a roadblock many beekeepers are looking to get around.  Reseska Apiaries has been successfully working with this challenge for seventeen years. For the second year with Land's Sake, Reseska Apiaries will be presenting five hands on classes designed to share their expertise and appreciation for honeybees with other beekeepers.  These comprehensive classes are designed to reinforce and instill the techniques and knowledge that help beekeepers manage successful colonies.  The program will consist of two indoor classes at the Weston Public Library, and three outdoor workshops with the bee colonies at Land's Sake Farm, in Weston, MA.  Educational and reference materials will be provided to all participants.  All classes are designed for open dialogue with questions being more than welcome. All outdoor classes are subject to change due to weather.

Dates:

• Tuesday, March 6th, 2012; 6:30pm-9:00pm
• Tuesday, March 13th, 2012; 6:30pm-9:00pm
• Saturday, April 21st, 2012; 3:00pm-4:00pm
• Saturday, May 12th, 2012; 10:00am-12:00am
• Saturday, August 11th, 2012; 3:00pm-4:30pm

Locations:

• Weston Public Library, 87 School St., Weston, MA, Community Room (3/6 and 3/13)
• Land's Sake Farm, 90 Wellesley St., Weston, MA (4/21, 5/12, 8/11)

Presenter: Andy Reseska and Nick Delaini
Fee: $150, Land's Sake Members receive a %15 discount.

Part 1
The Buzz: Introductory to Apiculture, March 6th, 2012
Weston Public Library, 6:30pm-9pm
This class will target the person who wants to start keeping bees. We will engage in a broad examination of apiculture and honeybees. Terminology used and equipment needed will be discussed. Participants will gain a good introduction in beekeeping, that will prepare them for the following in-depth classes. Instructor: Nick Delaini

Part 2
A Rich Inner Life: The Functions and Behavior of European Honeybees, March 13, 2012
Weston Public Library, 6:30pm-9:00pm
The life and actions of a hive will be examined through handouts, slideshows, videos, and lecture.  We will cover bee biology from anatomy to hierarchy and what occurs within and outside a hive to make it successful.  Pests and disease will be discussed, but covered further in the outdoor classes. Instructor: Nick Delaini

Part 3
Welcome Home: Hive Installation, April 21, 2012
Land's Sake Farm, Weston, MA, 3:00pm-4:00pm
Both, a newly arrived bee package and an overwintered nucleus colony, will be installed into their new hive boxes.  We will demonstrate how to properly and efficiently transfer your bees into their new hive.  Advice will be given on the initial days and weeks of the colony, as well as what to do when installing under a variety of conditions. Instructor: Andy Reseska

Part 4
Knock, Knock: Spring/Summer Hive Management, May 12, 2012
Land's Sake Farm, Weston, MA, 10am-12pm
Previously installed hives will be opened to examine their progress, their current functions, and needs. Overwintered, established colonies will also be opened and examined for comparison. We will discuss colony evaluation, disease diagnoses, reversing, supering, colony increase, and planning for months ahead. Instructor: Nick Delaini or Andy Reseska

Part 5
Sweet Nectar: Honey Harvesting and Fall Preparations, August 11th, 2012
Land's Sake Farm, Weston, MA, 3:00-4:30pm
Going back to the colonies we have installed and visited throughout the year, we will examine the outcomes of our spring and summer months, as well as the hive management practices we proposed in the previous class. We will demonstrate how to harvest honey from the hive. We will review current options that utilize IPM management of varroa mites. We will discuss tactics on keeping colonies strong and healthy, and how to prepare the bees for the winter.
Instructor: Nick Delaini or Andy Reseska

Organic Lawn Care

Date: Tuesday, May 8th, 2012 from 7:00pm - 9:00pm
Location: Weston Public Library, 87 School St., Weston, MA, Conference Room
Presenter: Bruce Wenning
Fee: Free: Donations Accepted

Come learn about the proper lawn care techniques necessary for having a beautiful and environmentally sound lawn without relying on the use of toxic pesticides and fertilizers that contribute to ground and surface water contamination. We will also cover the importance of soil testing for proper turf grass growth and soil improvement practices. Discussions will be raised on other topics including seeding vs. sodding; the best time for lawn renovation and non-toxic white grub control using lawn nematodes; how beneficial insects and microbes contribute to sustainable soil fertility better than non-organic fertilizer applications and answers to the top five lawn problems most encountered by the home owner and how to correct them.  Please RSVP to let us know how many to expect.

Date: Tuesday, May 15th, 2012 from 7:00pm - 9:00pm
Location: Weston Public Library, 87 School St., Weston, MA, Conference Room
Presenter: Bruce Wenning
Fee: Free: Donations Accepted

Exotic invasive plants are the silent and secrete invaders of our neighborhoods, communities and Nation. Come learn about the eight ecological traits of invasive plant behavior that make these plants pests of our native landscapes. We will review organic and chemical control techniques for the top 16 exotic invasive plants plaguing eastern Massachusetts.  Please RSVP to let us know how many to expect.

The Coop Loop

Date: Saturday, May 19th 2012; 10:00am-1:00pm
Location: Land's Sake Farm, 90 Wellesley Street, Weston, MA
Presenter: Douglas Cook, Education Director
Fee: $45 per family, Land's Sake Members receive a %15 discount.

Ever thought about raising chickens in your own backyard? Wondering how to get started? Already have chickens, but interested in how others raise theirs? Curious about chicken tractors? Please join us for this popular tour of chicken coops right here in Weston. All ages are welcome; however, strollers are not recommended. No dogs, please.

Home Canning: Strawberry Jam

Date: Saturday, June 9, 2012; 1:00pm-4:00pm
Location: Weston Town Recreation Department, 20 Alphabet Lane, Weston, MA
Presenter: Afton Cotton
Fee: $45, Land's Sake members recieve a %15 discount.

Learn how to make the most of New England's fleeting native strawberries and enjoy them year-round! Join Weston resident and owner of Pigeon Hill Preserves, Afton Cotton, as she teaches you how to make and preserve your own jams and jellies at home. This 3-hour workshop will include a presentation of home canning and food safety procedures, a step-by-step overview of canning using the boiling water bath method, and a hands-on session making Strawberry Rhubarb Jam from local produce. Each participant will be able to take home a jar of jam and a packet of information to get started canning at home. Registration limited to 10 participants.  For more information about Afton and her local business, visit www.pigeonhillpreserves.com.

Home Canning: Berry Jam

Date: Saturday, June 30th, 2012; 1:00pm-4:00pm
Location: Weston Town Recreation Department, 20 Alphabet Lane, Weston, MA
Presenter: Afton Cotton
Fee: $45, Land's Sake members recieve a %15 discount.

Learn how to make delicious mixed-berry jam that will last long after berry season has passed! Join Weston resident and owner of Pigeon Hill Preserves, Afton Cotton, as she teaches you how to make and preserve your own jams and jellies at home. This 3-hour workshop will include a presentation of home canning and food safety procedures, a step-by-step overview of canning using the boiling water bath method, and a hands-on session making Blueberry Jam from local produce. Each participant will be able to take home a jar of jam and a packet of information to get started canning at home. Registration limited to 10 participants.  For more information about Afton and her local business, visit www.pigeonhillpreserves.com.

Home Canning: Tomato Sauce

Date: Saturday, August 18th, 2012; 1:00pm-4:00pm
Location: Weston Town Recreation Department, 20 Alphabet Lane, Weston, MA
Presenters: Afton Cotton
Fee: $45, Land's Sake members recieve a %15 discount.

Make the stars of the summer garden, tomatoes and basil, last throughout the year! Join Weston resident and owner of Pigeon Hill Preserves, Afton Cotton, as she teaches you how to make and preserve your own tomato sauce at home. This 3-hour workshop will include a presentation of home canning and food safety procedures, a step-by-step overview of canning using the boiling water bath method, and a hands-on session making Tomato Basil Pasta Sauce from local produce. Each participant will be able to take home a jar of sauce and a packet of information to get started canning at home. Registration limited to 10 participants. For more information about Afton and her local business, visit www.pigeonhillpreserves.com.

Home Canning: Pickles

Date: Saturday, August 25th, 2012; 1:00pm-4:00pm
Location: Weston Town Recreation Department, 20 Alphabet Lane, Weston, MA
Presenter: Afton Cotton
Fee: $45, Land's Sake members recieve a %15 discount.

Learn how to use local green beans and cucumbers to make delicious homemade pickles--a great snack for you and your family throughout the year!  Join Weston resident and owner of Pigeon Hill Preserves, Afton Cotton, as she teaches you how to make and preserve your own pickles at home. This 3-hour workshop will include a presentation of home canning and food safety procedures, a step-by-step overview of canning using the boiling water bath method, and a hands-on session making Dilly Beans and Cucumber Pickles. Each participant will be able to take home a jar of pickles and a packet of information to get started canning at home. Registration limited to 10 participants. For more information about Afton and her local business, visit www.pigeonhillpreserves.com.

Home Canning: Apple Preserves

Date: Saturday, September 15th, 2012; 1:00pm-4:00pm
Location: Josiah Smith Tavern, 358 Boston Post Road, Weston, MA
Presenters: Afton Cotton
Fee: $45, Land's Sake members recieve a %15 discount.

Learn how to enjoy native-grown apples all year round! Join Weston resident and owner of Pigeon Hill Preserves, Afton Cotton, as she teaches you how to make and preserve your own apple preserves at home. This 3-hour workshop will include a presentation of home canning and food safety procedures, a step-by-step overview of canning using the boiling water bath method, and a hands-on session making Apple Maple Jam from local produce and maple syrup. Each participant will be able to take home a jar of jam and a packet of information to get started canning at home. Registration limited to 10 participants.  For more information about Afton and her local business, visit www.pigeonhillpreserves.com.