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Open Studio Categories
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homesteading
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The Ancient Art Of Wattle Fencing
Wattle fencing is a very old method of using sustainable new-growth wood sources to create all kinds of fencing and barriers. On a small scale, wattle fencing is an effective, environmentally-friendly, accessible and easy-to-learn method for creating supports, raised beds, small fences, windbreaks, and visual interest in the organic garden. We will be exploring the basic technique through hands-on small projects in which every student can learn by doing.
Course Fee: $75 - Supply Fee: $15
Location: Folk School Victory Garden Candle Making & Candle Craft
Together we will explore the wonderful medium of raw beeswax as we learn to create custom dipped taper candles in this workshop. Hand-dipping tapered candles is an ancient craft that remains unaltered to this day. The rhythmic process of dipping cotton wick into hot wax – slowly building layer upon layer – connects one with both past and current moment. The result are beautiful beeswax candles for home or gifting.
You will dip 6 taper candles, and if you wish sculpt candle holders and decorate match boxes to take home. There will be a variety of natural materials from the land that you can use to decorate your projects. You can also bring some natural items to class and make something completely unique. Course Fee: $85 - Supply Fee: $15
Location: Folk School Victory Garden Wreath-Crafting: Building a Harvest Wreath From Natural Elements
Build your own beautiful decorative wreath to celebrate the autumn season! We will learn through hands-on building and demonstrations how to construct an entirely compostable, sustainably-sourced wreath using grapevine, twine, and a rich selection of dried flowers, herbs, leaves, seed pods, etc. Students leave with their own finished wreath and the knowledge to grow, gather, dry and use botanicals in wreath building and decorations.
Course Fee: $75 - Supply Fee: $25
Location: Folk School Victory Garden Wreath-Crafting: Creating An Evergreen Wreath
Build your own beautiful seasonal wreath from evergreen clippings! Students will learn through hands-on experience how to build an entirely compostable green wreath from a variety of evergreens, pinecones, and other seasonal foraged botanical sources. We will discuss some basics of sustainable harvesting, evergreen identifications, and lots of ideas for design and construction. Leave with your own ready-to-hang decorative holiday wreath!
Course Fee: $75 - Supply Fee: $25
Location: Folk School Victory Garden Permaculture Solutions Series: Rocket Stoves
Learn about the principles of creating a Rocket Stove, and help construct an Outdoor Rocket Cooker at the Michigan Folk School. This efficient fire device burns clean & efficiently, and can use wood collected from the forest floor. This unique & practical workshop focuses on the history, design, testing, material sourcing, and the variations of rocket stoves. After basic instruction, each student will build a miniature working model that they can take home for a truly hands-on experience. There will also be a PowerPoint presentation showing the range of application of rocket stoves including mass heaters.
Course Fee: $120 - Supply Fee: $20
Location: Folk School Victory Garden Homesteading 101
Want to take living green to the next level? It doesn’t take much effort to live a homesteading life, even in the suburbs or a modest living space in the city. This workshop will cover topics from gardening, canning, root cellars, solar systems and chickens to wild crafting, harvesting, cooking, homemade cosmetics, graywater systems, permaculture, and much more. Above all learn how to save money, grow closer as a family, supplement your income from home, and produce the best food you have ever tasted. |
Making Cordage & Learning To Lash
Not much thought is given to lowly cordage or rope in how it has shaped our growth as humans. From the first fishing nets to the lines on ships cordage has taken us above and beyond our primitive origins. Take a step back in this workshop where we will be exploring the making of cordage from natural materials. Topics to be covered will include the I.D. of good cordage plants, ethical harvest practices and of course hands on practice making your very own cord. A short walk will be included to harvest some of our own materials The ability to make cordage is helpful to practicing other primitive skills and great for making your own bracelets and necklaces. See you there!
Course Fee: $90 - Supply Fee: $10
Location: Folk School Victory Garden Introduction To Sustainable Beekeeping
Introduction to beekeeping in the tradition of Spikenard Farm Honeybee Sanctuary. You will learn the principles of biodynamic beekeeping. Slides and practical activities will introduce you honeybee biology, equipment options, how to source bees, caring for bees through the seasons, as well as planting nectar and pollen rich forage. Honey tasting included.
Course Fee: $110 - Supply Fee: $0
Location: Folk School Victory Garden Hiveside Chat
We offer this unique opportunity one Sunday afternoon each month in the spring and summer. It is your chance to meet the MFS beekeeper, learn about taking care of bees, and ask tons of questions. We will observe the hive entrance and if weather is appropriate, a hive inspection will be done.
Course Fee: $40 - Supply Fee: $0
Location: Folk School Victory Garden
Homesteading Weekend Intensive
(spring 2022) 
Step beyond the seminar and gain a hands-on experience with modern-day Homesteading. This class is perfect for those looking to add a little more self-sufficiency into their lives or to change there lives altogether by creating a homestead from scratch. This weekend homesteading course provides a comprehensive series of subjects that offer essential information, demonstration, instruction and hands-on practical application designed for the family or individual that wants to homestead. This intensive, two-day course encompasses food production systems, energy conservation and creation, animal husbandry, and alternative building practices. Join us to see how attainable and fulfilling the homesteading life can be. Build Your Own Raingarden
During a good rain or the winter melt, homes are hit with thousands of gallons of water that quickly build momentum that causes flooding and drainage issues, sometimes washing out gardens and even swamping basements. What is the solution? Discover the permaculture approach to rain gardens. These beautifully designed and built gardens accept stormwater run-off that recharges your ground water, provides habitat and food for wildlife (including bees & butterflies) and adds a near maintenance-free esthetically pleasing garden installation to your yard for very little money. This workshop studies the design and build process in detail and how to choose native plants that to Natural Building Workshop
With the growing national interest in sustainability and natural building we present The Natural Building Workshop: Introduction to Cob, Strawbale, Thatching, & Framing. This course is for anyone who wishes to receive a introduction into natural building and appropriate technology that will help you to discover the beauty, simplicity, and affordability of natural building. Our two-day Workshop is a unique course of study providing lecture, demonstration and hands-on exploration of earthen and natural elements that are used to create structures and shelters. This workshop combines an introduction to straw, cob, plaster, thatch and other natural building materials. Topics of exploration include, but are not limited to, foundations, earthen/cob floors, timber/round-pole framing, strawbale walls, natural insulation, natural paints and plasters, and roof systems, including thatching. The course will not build a building, instead students will journey through multiple stations where partial structures will be used for lecture and hands on learning. This is an intense fast paced workshop. We will be outdoors the entire time and you are almost guaranteed to get dirty - so dress accordingly. Some power tools will be incorporated and safety equipment will be provided. |
