~ Class Dates Yet To Be Determined For 2024 ~
Our classes offer immersive opportunities for farm-curious folks and children to dive into the wonderful world of farming and gardening, gain hands-on experience, build skills, and learn fundamental concepts. Our classes are open to all ages, and they all take place at our farm (31239 Lanes Turn Road, Coburg, OR 97408). Join us for our inspiring STEAM-based learning and exploration.
~ Wonder Gardening for Tots ~
This 90 minute class is centered around immersing children (ages 1-5) in all of the garden’s wonder and glory. We hope to inspire a new or existing interest and love of nature in our future generations. We will have STEAM-based hands-on activities, exploration and discovery walks, and answers for all your gardening, bug, and nature based questions (or at least most of them!). A great way to get the family outside for some guided nature/garden exploration in our Children’s Wonder Garden where we have a play structure, a living willow Wonder Tunnel, an African Keyhole Garden, Raspberries, and much more! This is not a drop off class, but intended for parents (or auntie, grandpa, older adult cousin…) to learn and share the wonder of the garden and farm with their little ones.
~ Pigs in the Garden ~
Join us for this 1.5 hour class to meet our hardest working farmhands and learn how they contribute to the health of our orchards and gardens. We will cover the benefits of how pigs help regenerate the soil and their use as an organic means to reduce pests and diseases. Pigs are very social animals with some amazing physical characteristics! Discover what we do to foster a thriving symbiosis between our pigs and the land we care for. They are very friendly and would love to see you. ALL AGES WELCOME! Bring the family!
~ Biochar Creation & Soil Regeneration ~
Join us for this 2 hour class jam-packed with information on soils and how to reverse the depletion of nutrients in them. We will look at the basic compost compositions, how microbes and organisms help with nutrient availability (like worms and fungi), and we will ignite the Biochar Kiln and have an exciting time watching it burn with minimal oxygen and big flames! Learn about why soil regeneration is important, and how carbon sequestration can help save the planet! Understand why the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change lists biochar as a Negative Emission Technology (NET). Ages 5+ welcome to participate, minors need to have an adult registered to attend the class with them!
~ Microbe Island – Composting & Soil Food Web ~
Microbe Island is a location on our farm where we have several types of composting systems, a giant worm bin, and a biochar kiln. This 90 minute class will immerse you into how composting works and all the different types of compost setups. We will also dive into the microscopic world of microbes including fungi, bacteria, protozoa, and their Food Web which includes worms, arthropods, rodents, birds, and other mammals. This class is ALL AGES.
Inclusion Statement:
Parker Learning Gardens is committed to providing an inclusive environment for all participants. We strive to support communities and individuals who have experienced the detriment of racism, inequality, and violence. Parker Learning Gardens is an organization that seeks to bring all members of the community together to create positive change. We acknowledge that we have room to grow to further diversify and serve our community better. As we continuously develop a plan for the future, Parker Learning Gardens is: actively educating our staff, interns and volunteers, having challenging discussions within our leadership team, and creating an strategic plan to identify and improve upon our deficiencies. We will continue to advocate for those who have faced inequality by creating a safe and inclusive community for all.
Anti-Discrimination Statement:
Parker Learning Gardens prohibits discrimination and harassment, and will take affirmative measures to ensure against them, especially if they are implemented on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, marital status, national origin, disability, status as a veteran or disabled veteran, neurodiversity, personal appearance, genetic information, family responsibilities, matriculation or political affiliation. This policy applies to all employees or potential employees, interns, volunteers, participants, members of the Parker Learning Gardens’ Board of Directors, and anyone attending Parker Learning Gardens’ events, classes, workshops, garden clubs, youth programs, field trips, and tours. This policy extends to all aspects of employment and participation at Parker Learning Gardens, including hiring, promotion, training, working conditions, policies, compensation, evaluation, discipline and termination.