Hobby Farms Calendar
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Find trade shows, conferences, workshops, festivals and more for hobby farmers and rural enthusiasts. You'll find them all listed on our calendar of events from around the country.
November 2009
October 25-November 25
Savor the landscape paintings of artist Joe M. Ruiz at the State Botanical Garden of Georgia in his show Southern Tableau. As with all his paintings, Ruiz tries to capture the lush environment of the Southeast and express his love for nature; 706-542-1244; Website Information >>
November 20-22
The art of storytelling is worth practicing to pass on your family’s heritage to future generations. Visit the John C. Campbell Folk School in Brasstown, N.C., for the Grab That Story and Tell It! workshop with Ted Cooley to learn basic storytelling techniques; 800-FOLK-SCH; Website Information >>
November 21-January 3
Bundle up and experience the wonder of nearly one million twinkling lights at Lights Before Christmas presented by the Riverbanks Zoo and Garden in Columbia, S.C. In addition to admiring the holiday décor, take a photo with Santa and roast marshmallows at the Jingle Bell Bonfire; 803-779-8717; Website Information >>
November 27-28
Adams Farm’s Quilt and Fiber Arts Loft Sheep Shearing Weekend in Wilmington, Vt., features a collection of spun, knit, woven and quilted product; ongoing demonstrations of sheep and goat shearing and yard spinning; pony rides; historical presentations; and holiday shopping in the Farm Store and Quilt & Fiber Arts Loft; 802-464-3762; Website Information >>
November 27-29
Pioneer families made a custom of gathering fruit in late fall to cook apple butter from the last of the crop. Share in this tradition at Rileys at Los Rios Rancho’s Apple Butter Festival in Oak Glen, Calif. You’ll also enjoy pioneer crafts and games, music, carriage rides and a chuckwagon apple butter competition; 909-797-1005; Website Information >>
November 28-December 20
More than 100 artists, craftspeople and galleries in Berkeley, Calif., open their doors for Berkeley Artisans Holiday Open Studios on Saturdays and Sundays. See blown glass, ceramics, ornaments, lamps, furniture, garden art, floor cloths, clothing, musical instruments, work from recycled materials and much more. This self-guided tour allows you to meet the artists, buy original and creative gifts and see working craft studios; Website Information >>
December 2009December 1-3 Visit Illinois’ largest indoor farm show when the
Greater Peoria Farm Show fills the Peoria Civic Center. See advancements in farm equipment, forage technology and livestock; 507-437-7969;
Website Information >> December 4-5 Everything you need to know about managing pests in a sustainable-agriculture operation will be discussed at the
Sustainable Agriculture Pest Management Conference in San Luis Obispo, Calif. Topics include insect threats to IPM users and organic growers, weed management without synthetic herbicides, and an insect- and pest-identification workshop; 831-423-2263;
Website Information >> December 4-6 Don’t miss this opportunity for new and experienced farmers, gardeners and sustainable-agriculture supporters alike. The
Sustainable Agriculture Conference in Black Mountain, N.C., hostsed by the Carolina Farm Stewardship Association includes tours and workshops on produce, animal health, organic certification, urban farms and more; 919-542-2402;
Website Information >> December 4-6 There’s something cooking at the John C. Campbell Folk School in Brasstown, N.C.
Sweetie Pies, taught by Olivia Anderson, will give you hands-on experience making pie crusts and sweet and savory fillings; 800-FOLK-SCH;
Website Information >> December 5 Celebrate the beginning of the holiday season at
Shirley Plantation’s Annual Open House in Charles City, Va. Relax with hot cider by the fireplace and enjoy the lights and decorations around this southern plantaion. Attend church services during the Role of Religion program, highlighting the influence of religious customs and church policy on Christmas traditions, and sit in on the telling of family stories dating back to the early 1800s; 800-232-1613;
Website Information >> December 5 If you’re eager to deck the halls and trim the tree, attend
Family Day at the State Botanical Garden of Georgia to join others in making holiday ornaments from natural materials. Carols sung by the Meridian Women’s Choir and holiday cookies and snacks are sure to put you in the spirit of the season; 706-542-6014;
Website Information >>December 6 Warm up your winter at the State Botanical Garden of Georgia’s
Holiday Open House, where the tropical conservatory will be decked in holiday décor to celebrate garden birds. Musical entertainment includes performance by The Georgia Children’s Chorus, The Solstice Sisters and The Classic City Band, and Santa and Mrs. Claus will be on hand to take photos with children and listen to their wish lists; 706-542-6014;
Website Information >> December 8-10
The
Great Lakes Fruit, Vegetable and Farm Market Expo brings more than 50 educational programs and 300 trade show vendors to Grand Rapids, Mich. Running concurrently are the Michigan Greenhouse Growers Expo and North American Strawberry Growers Association Annual Meeting and Conference;
Website Information >> December 8-13During
A Winter Intensive: On the Spiritual Foundations of Biodynamic Agriculture, you’ll improve your practice of biodynamic techniques at Rudolf Steiner College in Fair Oaks, Calif.; 916-961-8727;
Website Information >> December 9
Finish your holiday gift list by learning to make holiday treats and creating packages that are just right for gift giving. Courtney Alford-Pomeroy will lead the
Cooking in the Garden: The Gift of Good Eats! workshop at the State Botanical Garden of Georgia; 706-542-6156;
Website Information >>
December 10Bring the colors of the season to your home with a live wreath that you make in the
Greenery Wreath Workshop at the State Botanical Garden of Georgia. Wreaths are constructed on wire frames with greenery collected from the garden, and materials are harvested just prior to the class to ensure they will last throughout the holiday season; 706-542-6014;
Website Information >> December 11-12Step back to 1809 as you explore
Historic Locust Grove in Louisville, Ky., by candlelight. See the house decorated with customary holly and fruit; watch as the cook prepares the meals; and observe carpenters in the woodshop finish repairs to farm tools in evening light; 502-897-9845;
Website Information >> December 11-12Whether you’ve had the urge to harvest honey from your own beehive or you would like to collect beeswax to make candles or soap, you will benefit from the
Beekeeping for Beginners Series at the State Botanical Gardens of Georgia. In this three-part workshop, you will learn beekeeping basic, techniques for caring for and feeding honeybees, and how to assemble a beehive; 706-542-6014;
Website Information >> December 13-16Ranchers and conservationists who share an interest in managing grazing lands for optimum ecologic health are invited to the
Grazing Lands Conservation Initiative in Reno, Nev. Fellow ranchers will present on Eastern, Midwestern, Western and dairy grazing issues as well as highlight the value of rotational grazing and of riparian habitat, carbon sequestration and grazing flexibility; 303-986-3309;
Website Information >>December 18Impress your family and friends this holiday season with a garden-fresh holiday arrangement. At the State Botanical Garden of Georgia’s
Make Your Own Holiday Centerpiece workshop, you can select from a wide range of materials harvested at the garden to suit your taste and design. Make sure to bring along your favorite container and pruning shears; 706-542-6014;
Website Information >>