Living Systems: Second Saturday Farm Workshops

Slow skills to build seasonal rhythms and a connected life

  • At Parker Learning Gardens, learning happens with dirt on your hands, tools in motion, and community all around you. Our Second Saturday Workshops are immersive, hands-on skill days designed for families, adults, and curious learners of all ages who want to reconnect with land-based knowledge, seasonal rhythms, and traditional crafts.

    Each month offers a new epic, tactile experience—from weaving living willow and pressing cider, to cob building, broom making, and herbal medicine. These are not demos. These are do-it-together days.

    • Parking & meeting location: Park on the south side of the farmstand in the grassy open area before the orchard. We’ll meet at the farmstand.

    • Gear: Closed-toe shoes required. Weather-appropriate clothing strongly encouraged. Aprons, gloves, and layers recommended for many workshops.

    • Lunch option: Participants are welcome to stay afterward for lunch in a designated area. Please bring a paper brown-bag lunch—we’re happy to compost it for you.

    • PLG style: Expect farm sounds, animals nearby, mud, laughter, real tools, and real learning.

  • Second Saturdays | 10 AM – 1 PM
    February 14 – December 12, 2026

    Note: Times will generally stick to this schedule but may vary slightly depending on the skill.

  • Sliding scale / suggested donation: Choose the price that works for you from $0–15 per workshop. Participants pay what they can (truly), providing free & low-cost skills education that works with everyone’s budget. Monetary contributions support staff time, materials, and land stewardship.

    Take-home items: Participants have the option to purchase an item created during the workshop or related to the skill. Pricing varies depending on materials and time involved.

  • Capacity: Capped at approximately 20 adult participants. Adults register for the workshop separately with an option to add children to their registration form. Please register in advance!

    Family-friendly: Children are welcome, with the understanding that some activities require focus, tools, or heat. Caregivers may need to step away from the workshop to support their younger children. Volunteers and activities for children will be available to support kids’ engagement.

    Select teen volunteers & students enrolled in other other PLG programs may be able to participate without an adult present with prior PLG staff approval. Text us at 541-579-8788 or email us at info@parkerlearninggardens.org to discuss teen participation options.

Register for workshops

2026 Dates & Topics

2/14 Living Willow Structures • 3/14 Fruit Tree Pruning & Orchard Success • 4/11 Natural Cob Building • 5/9 Mother’s Day Natural Dyeing • 6/13 Gourd Crafting & Functional Art • 7/11 Bamboo Craft & Fire Curing • 8/8 Pickles & Jam • 9/12 Cider Pressing & U-Pick Launch • 10/10 Historic Broom Making • 11/14 Herbalist Adventure Day • 12/12 Willow Wreaths

Natural Cob Building
Apr
11

Natural Cob Building

Get muddy. Learn to mix and build with cob—a natural building material made from clay, sand, and straw. This workshop may provide opportunities for a multi-day workshop depending on the project scope.

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Mother’s Day Natural Dyeing
May
9

Mother’s Day Natural Dyeing

Smash Dyeing • Rust Dyeing • Mushroom Dyeing

(The day before mother’s day.)

Color straight from the earth. This creative, experimental workshop explores natural dye processes using plants, metals, and fungi. This workshop is a great option for a fun mom’s day out or family experience.

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Living Willow Structures
Feb
14

Living Willow Structures

Valentine’s Day on the Land

Celebrate love, connection, and growth by building with living willow—a material that roots, weaves, and thrives. Participants will help construct or expand a living willow feature at PLG while learning about coppicing, plant architecture, and regenerative design.

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