Hands-on Organic Farming
Classes to learn organic farming skills and try your hand at farm work
Classes to learn organic farming skills and try your hand at farm work
About Gales Meadow Farm
Rene' and Anne Berblinger began farming in the Gales Creek Valley in western Washington County in 1999. Our farm, on the northeast side of Gales Creek Road, includes 9 flat acres of wonderful soil, a steep wooded hillside - the west side of Clapshaw Hill - and a riparian area with cottonwoods. We produce more than 250 varieties of great tasting and beautiful vegetables and herbs. Many of our varieties are heirlooms. Our farming practices build the soil and provide habitat for wildlife including native plants, insects, birds, and microbes. We have been certified Organic by Oregon Tilth since 2001.
We market our products through farmers markets and sales to restaurants and caterers.
Our gross sales have increased every year. We employ up to seven full and part time employees at the height of the season; two of our employees have gone on to develop their own businesses.
Anne will be the primary instructor for these classes. She has taught farming related classes for a Washington State Extension program and for Adelante Mujeres, a Forest Grove entrepreneurial development program. Everyone on the farm will be available to share their knowledge and answer questions.
About the Classes
Classes will be held at Gales Meadow Farm, a forty minute drive from central Portland. They will start promptly at 10:00 am, rain or shine. Each class will provide one hour of instruction and two hours of guided hands-on practice. Students will be directed to the published information resources we have found most helpful.
Section One
- March 24: Season planning, field layout, crop succession
- April 7: Propagation of annual vegetables and herbs
- April 21: Soil preparation, fertility management, overview of organic certification
- May 5: Transplanting hardy crops, spring insect pest and slug management
- May 19: Direct marketing through sales to restaurants, CSAs, and farmers markets. Optional - Forest Grove Farmers Market Opening Day, 4-8 pm.
Section Two
The cost of each section is $200.00. Full tuition for Section One is due on March 15; for Section Two on May 15. Completion of Section One will normally be a prerequisite for admission to Section Two, but exceptions can be made. Each Section will be held if at least four students have signed up and paid by the due date. The classes will be limited to eight students. Students who want to work more to learn more may do so by arrangement. A committed schedule will be required.
Anyone who has dreamed of farming as a living or way of life, but who has little or no experience or background will benefit from these classes. People with some experience are welcome, with the understanding that the classes are meant to provide an overview and basic knowledge.
What you learn in the classes will be directly applicable to small scale urban farming.
The classes will not provide "everything you need to know" about farming. As a matter of fact, everything you need to know can only be acquired in the course of a lifetime of devoted work. We will not cover financial management, selection of land, animal husbandry, wholesale or commodity production, or other subjects which we feel others can teach much better.
"A farmer's most important job is to pay attention."
"A farmer's greatest challenge is deciding what to do right now."
To enroll in Hands-On Organic Farming, call or e-mail Anne Berblinger.
503-359-3551
meadow@coho.net
Tuition for Section One (check or cash) is due on March 15, 2010.