Back to Basics
Workshop Participants
Saturday, February 7, 2026
Pine River-Backus School, Pine River, MN
Full Day of Fun
Back to Basics is a full day adult (16+) education event where you can learn from presenters, visit and learn from vendors/exhibitors, shop for local goods, take advantage of networking opportunities, socialize with friends, and enter to win one of many door prizes! Can't join us for the whole day? No problem! We have Ala Carte registration for those who would like to attend for part of the day.
Participation Fees
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Vendor Area & Keynote: FREE
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Full Day Adult - $40 (includes 4 workshops + lunch OR 5 workshops)
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Full Day Senior (60+) or Student (16+) - $35 (includes 4 workshops + lunch OR 5 workshops)
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Ala Carte - $9/Workshop, $13/Lunch
Schedule
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Refer-A-Friend
Word of mouth continues to be the way most people hear about Back to Basics! Refer a friend or family member to the event who has never attended and get a chance to win one of two great prizes! One prize will be awarded to a referrer and one will be awarded to a referee. Just make sure that they put your name in the "referred by" box on registration, and you'll both be entered to win!
Workshops
Workshops do fill quickly, so don't wait to register! Workshops that have filled will be updated below as "closed." Maximums are determined by the presenter and room capacity. We will not sell standing room in workshops and want to ensure every person who signs up has a seat in order to provide a comfortable experience for both the participants and presenters. Have more questions? Check out the Back to Basics FAQs! The full workshop line-up is listed below.
Presenters marked with a + will also have a booth in the vendor area. Those marked with a ⭐ are Back to Basics Enthusiasts!
Workshop Registration will open on January 5, 2026 at 8am!
B2B 2026 Workshop Descriptions
Session 1 (10:20 - 11:20)
1A. Why & How to Assess Your Soil Health - Gabi Bolwerk, University of Minnesota Extension
Soil is a crucial resource for human life – we walk on it, drive on it, build on it, grow food in it, & more. We interact with soil most directly in our backyards, whether it’s a garden, yard, or farm. Learn about soil health in these areas, why it’s important, how to assess it, & how you can improve it. Put your new soil health assessment skills to the test with an activity at the end of the session!
1B. Living with the Seasons - Treff Brock, Guiding Elements Yoga
Discover Ayurvedic lifestyle routines & tools to help regulate yourself as seasons change. We often find ourselves unregulated at different points throughout the year & we forget or simply don’t know that there are simple diet & lifestyle changes we can make to support ourselves. Complete a questionnaire to learn more about your own unique dosha.
1C. Companion Planting for Pollinator Support in the Vegetable Garden - Emelia Davis
Explore how to attract a wide variety & number of beneficial pollinators to your vegetable garden using companion planting. These techniques will lead to increasing crop yield & success while adding interest & beauty to your space & supporting local pollinators.
1D. Unlock Your Unconscious with Neurographic Art! - Amy Donnan Neppl, Language of the Heart LLC +
Neurographic art was developed by a Russian psychologist who described it as “a creative method of transforming the world.” We view the world through our personal lens, built through biology & experiences from in utero through life. Those who have used this method describe it as a way to shift perspective, experience, & emotion. Try your hand at this mindful & meditative drawing technique, which utilizes rounded freeform lines & color. Accessible to all skill levels.
1E. People Over Plastics: The Global Harm from Plastics - Jane Dow, Mankato Area Zero Waste & Beyond Plastics +
Discover the many ways plastics cause harm, from environmental impacts to health effects. Leave inspired with practical steps you can take to reduce plastic use personally & through policy.
1F. Radical Hope: Where & Why to Find Optimism in a Pessimistic World - Nora Hertel, Project Optimist + ⭐
Our minds & our media flock to misfortune like a moth to a bug zapper. Cynicism comes easy, but it robs us of our sense of possibility & our agency. Explore what it will take to break those patterns & integrate more hope & joy into our social media feeds & our lives. Learn how to break out of a doom scroll & engage with hope, face-to-face.
1G. So You Want to Raise Sheep (or Goats) - Marie Howe, HDW Farmstead +
Learn what raising sheep requires, from fencing & land/shelter needs to health & wellness needs. Discover the benefits you will reap. Review the differences in raising sheep versus goats. Be the recipient of a few tips & tricks a local small farmer has learned along the way.
1H. Ferment & Flourish - Molly Mae Krautkremer
Pursue healing in a tactile process by engaging in fermentation. Learn how it works & potential health benefits, its everyday applications, & how by expanding our microbiomes we can expand our communities – all while you work on making a jar of sauerkraut to take home. Here is a call to engage, create, & expand.
1I. Supporting Family Caregivers & Solo Agers - Melissa Lyon, Central Minnesota Council on Aging ⭐
Nearly 1 million adults in MN provide care to family members or friends – that’s one in five adults. Caregiving takes a toll, physically & mentally, as many do not take advantage of the available resources. At the same time, over 300,000 older Minnesotans live alone, many of whom lack traditional support networks. Discover innovative programs, data insights, & strategies to strengthen support for unpaid caregivers & Solo Agers.
1J. Juicing for Life - Jami Nelson, Just Juice
Explore ways in which juicing can be used to flood the body with nutrients & help with prevention, healing, & health maintenance. Learn how to use juicing as a tool to promote natural health & wellness from an experienced professional. Participants will enjoy 2 juice samples in this interactive workshop, as well as recipes to take home!
1K. Fleece to Yarn: Sustainable, Small Batch Fiber Processing - Gretchen Polkinghorne & Gina Hlidek, Maven Arts Collective
Learn the inherent worth of every shorn fleece, seeing it not as waste, but as a renewable, sustainable material waiting for new life. Get a quick overview of the small-scale tools & vital steps needed to shorten the fiber supply chain. Go through the process of turning raw fleece into luxurious batts, smooth roving, & hand-spun yarn. Keeping processing local & small scale ensures a beautiful, clean, & ethical fiber for all your knitting, crochet, felting, & weaving projects.
1L. Restorative Yoga for Your Overworked Nervous System - Jennifer Smith, Nisswa Yoga
Restorative Yoga uses props to support the body in positions of easy comfort to facilitate relaxation & health. More than just rest, it promotes physical, emotional, & psychological healing while providing relief for your overstimulated nervous system. Finding your inner silence activates your parasympathetic nervous system, decreasing stress levels, improving concentration & clarity, enhancing the quality of your sleep, increasing resilience & giving your nervous system the break it deserves. Includes both lecture/discussion & a practice suitable for all levels; bring a mat or towel.
1M. North Country Trail Near You! (Camp, Hike, & Explore) - Stacy Strand, North Country Trail + ⭐
Get an overview of the North Country Scenic Trail, along with information on where to access it here in our own backyard! With over 4800 miles stretching from North Dakota to Vermont, the trail runs through some of the most beautiful & scenic areas in MN. It’s a free trail system for backpackers, campers, bird watchers, hikers & more. Learn how to look up maps to access the system & talk with the local volunteers to learn more!
Session 2 or Lunch A (11:45 - 12:45)
2A. Botanical Blueprints: The Art of Cyanotype - Lisa Ackerman, Lil Fish Studios +
Explore botanical cyanotypes on paper & stone using leaves, flowers, & sunlight (or UV lights) to create beautiful blue prints that celebrate nature in this hands-on class. Learn helpful tips as we explore the basics of this classic photographic technique.
2B. Huli Huli Hawaiian Wild Turkey Sammich - Anthony & Tanya Brenner
Tired of the same ol' turkey & the same ol' chicken salad? This Hawaiian turkey salad will prove that wild turkey can be every bit as good as any wild game out there. This dish will also showcase homemade mayo (using homestead eggs) & homemade garden cherry tomato ketchup. Learn how to include wild game & other homegrown/homemade ingredients to maintain a heart-healthy lifestyle. It'll be quite onolicious!
2C. Natural Shorelines, Healthy Lakes: Protecting Minnesota’s Waters - Ryan Carlson, Cass Soil & Water Conservation District + ⭐
Owning lakefront property in MN is both a privilege & a responsibility. A University of Minnesota study found that 97% of residents consider lakes & rivers vital to their quality of life. Learn how your shoreline choices affect lake health while gaining hands-on guidance in bioengineering techniques to prevent erosion, create wildlife habitat, & reduce runoff.
2D. Soil Health for Changing Times - Jim Etzel, Earth is Our Home Environmental Solutions +
What is in a healthy soil system—and how do we protect and nourish it? Explore the role of mulching, mycorrhizal fungi, and bacteria-to-fungal ratios in shaping plant communities and plant diversity. Plus, discover the surprising benefits that weeds can offer!
2E. From Roots to Remedies: Exploring Naturopathic Medicine & DIY Herbal Creations - Dr. Sophia Fox, Fox Natural Medicine LLC +
Curious about natural medicine? Want to make your own herbal remedy? Learn the foundations of naturopathic health with plenty of time for Q&A. Then, create a take-home herbal preparation designed to support wellness through the colder months. Perfect for anyone interested in natural health, herbalism, or DIY wellness.
2F. Healthcare as a Human Right: Enacting a Universal Healthcare System in Minnesota - Mark Friedman, Healthcare for All Minnesota +
In the U.S. we spend twice as much as other developed countries per person on healthcare, but we don't cover everyone or get better results. Discover inequities in our system & discuss the progress in the MN legislature toward advancing a universal single-payer healthcare system & steps that still need to be taken.
2G. Relaxation: Himalayan Singing Bowl Experience - Cindy Horbach, CynthiaRose Sound Art +
Experience & allow a relaxation response while immersed in the musical sound vibration of strategically played ancient singing bowls, gong, & other percussion instruments by a Sound Practitioner of 14 years.
2H. Seed Saving Basics - Barbara Kaufman, Pine River Seed Library +
Seed saving is fun & not a difficult process! Review the basic principles of seed saving from start to finish with a few hands-on demos. Although emphasis will be on vegetables, most principles apply to flowers as well.
2I. Recycling vs. Wishcycling - Drey Loge, Waste Partners Inc ⭐
Master what is recyclable in Crow Wing & Cass County drop sites & curbside collection programs! You may find you've been "wishing" something to be recyclable when it, in fact, may not be. Enjoy an interactive session that explains why certain products are & are not recyclable by diving into recycling industry practices & regional recycling center capabilities.
2J. Making & Using Functional Mushroom Products - Rob Prekker & Selah Ingberg, Strictly Mushrooms LLC +
Go through the basics of functional mushroom product production, including how to make them, what they do for you, & the basics of growing your own functional & gourmet mushrooms indoors.
2K. Traditional Ecological Knowledge, Native Grazing, & Regenerative Agriculture - Stephen Thomforde, Stantec Consulting Environmental Services ⭐
Can we restore native ecosystems while producing high-quality, energy-dense foods & fibers, boosting native biodiversity, water quality, soil health, landscape aesthetics, human health, & prosperous communities all while providing meaningful employment & research opportunities? Examine historic native grazing, including keystone native herbivores, grazing patterns & cycles, & Traditional Ecological Knowledge (TEK).
Session 3 or Lunch B (1:10 - 2:10)
3A. Mix & Match: DIY Dehydrated Meal & Seasoning Blends - Sheila Boldt, Boldt Pine Haven
Take your food preservation skills to the next level! In this hands-on make & take class, learn how to dehydrate full meals, create shelf-stable snacks, craft gourmet seasonings, & troubleshoot common dehydration challenges. Perfect for beginners & returning students ready to expand their skills. Be prepared to share some of your personal dehydration dos & don'ts or favorite techniques with the class & take home your very own ready-to-rehydrate meal in a jar!
3B. Beginner Mushroom Foraging - Leah Carlson, Up North Wildcrafting
Learn to confidently identify common edible mushroom species & any toxic lookalikes, even as a novice forager. We'll cover identification traits & tactics, as well as harvesting practices.
3C. Creating Your Vegetable Ecosystem - Rachel Cobb, Brambling Rows Farm
A healthy ecosystem is complex & diverse – our gardens should be, too! Treating our gardens as an extension of the natural habitat can eliminate pest & disease problems, reduce weeds, build soil health, & provide nutritious produce with much less work. We'll talk about step-by-step solutions such as cover crops, compost, mulches, plants for insects & how to plan vegetable plantings that work together seamlessly. No matter your skill level or resources, you can partner with your soil & plants to grow delicious vegetables. Let nature do the hard work.
3D. Felted Owl - Esther Endicott & Betty Jo Franzen, Serenity Now Yarn & Alpaca Shop + ⭐
This hands-on workshop teaches the basics of needle felting. Each participant will be using wool & a felting needle to make a cute little owl sitting on a branch.
3E. Protecting Manoomin (Wild Rice) - Leanna Goose & Emma Needham, Rise & Repair Alliance
Learn the facts about the need to protect wild rice in MN & the critical moment we are in. Find out what the Rise & Repair Alliance space is doing to help & how people can get involved by zeroing in on the pathways for protection that are being brought forward in MN.
3F. 5 Senses = Life Fulfilled - Kathryn Hillger, KK’s End of Life Services ⭐
It is possible to live a fulfilled life using your 5 senses. Explore the role our senses have on everyday happiness, peace of mind & enjoyment of life. Kathryn will share her personal awakening using some simple sensory exercises. In her work as an end-of-life doula, she has witnessed the comfort of sensory preferences during the final days with a human body. Begin to craft your personalized end-of-life sensory preference plan to share with future caregivers.
3G. Intro to Vermicomposting - Tammy Hulke
Vermicomposting uses worms to reduce waste by breaking down organic matter into valuable, nutrient-rich compost. Learn the basics of vermiculture (worm farming) & how worms turn food scraps & organic waste into rich, dark humus. Discover the essentials for a successful vermiculture system, including setting up a worm bin, selecting the right worms, maintaining an ideal environment for worm health, & troubleshooting common issues.
3H. Simplifying Health: A Healthy Life Isn’t Easy, But It Is Simple - Sidney Lodge, Sidyjfit ⭐
Learn how to reach your full potential by taking control of your health. Forget the weight-loss shots, cortisol cocktails, & anti-aging underwear. Identify realistic changes you can implement today to make your life better tomorrow – from fitness, nutrition, & mental health, to stress management & community. You’re meant to feel good in your body; come learn how.
3I. Adapting to Climate Change - Christy Marsden & Katie Black, University of Minnesota Climate Adaptation Partnership ⭐
As the climate continues to change, what will that mean for you & your community? Explore projected climate shifts & what you can do about them. Review local climate data, discuss practical solutions, & talk about how to be a leader in your community to make sure everyone is prepared for the challenges ahead through the Community Climate Leaders Program.
3J. Navigating Polarized Conflict - Hallie Pond, Truespace Consulting
Learn tactics to de-escalate conflict, tools to regulate your nervous system, & practical language to use (& avoid!) to move from competitive to collaborative orientations when faced with difficult conversations.
3K. Herbal Medicine Making: Lotions & Creams - Marina Povlitzki, Plant Magick +
The skin is the largest organ in the body & the products we use topically have a big impact on our health. Dive into next-level topical preparations, moving beyond infused oils & salves, in this fun DIY class. Learn standard recipes for lotions & creams, & ways to alter them for a unique finished product. Become inspired, embrace your creativity, & master the art of combining herbal-infused oils, hydrosol waters, & essential oils to concoct healing hydration for your skin. Say goodbye to itchy, dry, cracked skin!
Session 4 (2:35 - 3:35)
4A. Cannabis Can Be for You - Megan Barthel, Hokey Pokey Offerings +
A warm, welcoming introduction to how cannabis can support wellness, creativity, & mindful living. Explore plant properties, safe use, dosing basics, & simple ways to approach cannabis with intention in a gentle, stigma-free space perfect for beginners & the canna-curious.
4B. Kraut to Kombucha: A Hands-On Fermentation Journey - Sheila Boldt, Boldt Pine Haven
Discover how to turn simple ingredients into delicious, probiotic-rich ferments, from crisp sauerkraut to fizzy kombucha. We’ll cover every step: feeding, fermentation, what “weird but normal” things to expect, bottling, flavoring, & preserving. Participants will receive recipes & are invited to bring a favorite recipe to share. Discuss why fermented foods are great for your health: beneficial bacteria that support digestion, immunity, & overall gut wellness.
4C. Small-Scale Forest Stewardship: Management Tips & Chainsaw Safety - Ryan Carlson & Erin Jansky, Cass Soil & Water Conservation District + ⭐ & Charley Wagner, Arborist
Properly managing small, treed areas (1-2 acres) on your property can have a big impact on the wildlife habitat, water quality, long-term resilience, & your enjoyment of these mini ecosystems. Learn how to maintain legacy trees on a small woodland lot while developing a multidimensional woodland understory, as well as how to maintain & use your chainsaw so you can safely carry out these management practices.
4D. Designing Your Homestead: Tips & Techniques for Success - Jim Chamberlin, Happy Dancing Turtle + & Caleb Langworthy, Savanna Institute ⭐
Are you new to homesteading & overwhelmed with all the options you have, the work involved, & the costs to get started? We’ll discuss overall design strategies, planning tools, & other resources touching on many topics. The goal is to help you design an efficient & productive homestead.
4E. Library Resources Workshop - Carol Christensen, Pine River Public Library ⭐
Learn about the physical & digital resources available to you from Pine River Public Library & Kitchigami Regional Library System. Everything from books, movies, magazines, & newspapers to genealogy research, career development, & medical information is right at your fingertips! Sign up & receive a free library card during the workshop. Not a resident of our library system's counties? Many of these resources are available to all MN residents.
4F. Sourdough Basics - Steven Dahlberg
Real sourdough bread excels in taste, digestibility, & nutrition over any other type of bread. There’s a belief that it is difficult & time-consuming to make. Nothing could be further from the truth. Learn how easy it is with some tips for taking the apparent complexity out of the process. You will have the opportunity to practice all the steps of sourdough baking, plus take home your own starter & a loaf to bake.
4G. Leather Anyone Can Make: History & Basics of Fish Leather - Travis Grimler
While once common in many cultures worldwide, fish leather has become almost forgotten. Get a quick bit of history & hands-on instruction. These skills take a common waste product & teach you the basics of leather-making that can be applied to other leathers. Be prepared to get your hands dirty. There will be a chance to bring home your own leather pelt, if you can call it that.
4H. We Came. We Saw. We Started. Lessons Learned on Our Sustainability Journey - Greg & Becky Grunig, Avaap, Inc ⭐
Getting started on a sustainability journey can feel overwhelming — there’s so much to learn & so many ways to begin. We’ll share our story, originating in 2017, starting small & growing over time. From chickens & gardening to food preservation & water catching, we’ll walk through what worked, what didn't, & what we wish we'd known at the beginning. Identify approachable entry points, apply real-life lessons, & understand the value of research, networking, & lifelong learning.
4I. Planning a Sustainable & Productive Garden - Laura Mendoza, Great Roots
Identify how to select the best location for your garden, as well as the benefits of intensive & companion planting. Ideal for new gardeners who want to learn how to plan an efficient garden.
4J. From Kitchen to Market: Making Safe Cottage Foods - Autumn Stoll, University of Minnesota ⭐
Whether you're a current cottage food producer, thinking of starting a business, or simply interested in learning about food safety, this hands-on workshop is for you. Gain practical experience measuring two key safety indicators, pH (acidity) & water activity. Discuss how they impact food safety, shelf life & spoilage.
4K. Weaving Gratitude & Intention: Deepening Your Relationship with Land & Nature - Karla Terry ⭐
Explore how gratitude, intention, & reciprocity can deepen your relationship with the land. Through simple hands-on guided practices (including a harmonization exercise & a simple offering exercise), learn accessible ways to connect more consciously with the natural world & support a more balanced, sustainable way of living.
4L. Guided Snowshoe Hike - Deanne Trottier, Eagle View Elementary School ⭐
Explore the beauty of winter in the school forest on a snowshoe hike led by an environmental STEM teacher & Master Naturalist. Snowshoes provided or bring your own.
4M. Cultivating Under Cover: Our First Season Journey Growing in a High Tunnel - Candice Zimmermann, Treeline Acres, LLC +
Learn about Treeline Acres' first growing season utilizing a 96-foot high tunnel greenhouse. From battling temperature swings to discovering what thrives under cover, we’ll walk through the lessons learned, the challenges faced, & the victories that made it all worthwhile. This session is perfect for fellow homesteaders & eco-minded growers curious about extending their season & growing more sustainably.
Session 5 (4:00-5:00)
5A. The Science & Technology of Electric Vehicles (EVs) - Thomas Anderson
EVs promise to be the foundation for future transportation needs. EVs can be 3-5x more efficient than gas vehicles with lower life cycle costs. We will focus more deeply on the scientific & technological aspects that will make the EV the "next big thing." The transition to EVs changes many of our fundamental assumptions & presents serious technological challenges. Topics covered include a comparison with gas-powered vehicles, maintenance, efficiency, security, safety, driving experience, & new battery chemistries.
5B. Yoga Nidra - Treff Brock, Guiding Elements Yoga
Learn what Yoga Nidra is (yogic sleep) & its benefits, plus participate in a class. It allows for deep relaxation that leads to healing when done regularly, as it activates the parasympathetic nervous system. Please provide your own yoga mat or towel; 1 blanket per person provided.
5C. Backyard Herbalism - Leah Carlson, Up North Wildcrafting
There are plants with wonderful medicinal benefits growing all around us! Learn to identify, harvest, prepare, & utilize some of the most overlooked medicinal plants regularly found in our area.
5D. Wildlife Tracking 2.0: Gait Pattern Analysis - Steven Dahlberg
People typically think that tracking is the study of clear, pristine footprints, but these are unicorns in the tracking world. Most tracks are partially filled with snow or the details are otherwise obscured. All you see is a pattern of dents in the snow or ground of a general shape & size. But all is not lost! Each animal species has preferred ways of moving called gait patterns. Learn to analyze gait patterns, dent size/shape, & habitat to ID who left it.
5E. Creative Journaling With a Tilt Toward Art - Martha Davidge
Dust off those winter brain cells & let loose using art & writing. Prepare to have fun with a journal prompt & make at least one fun visual page to add to your own journal, while getting inspired to create more pages later at home. Bring some things you can use in a simple collage, such as special words or images; some supplies available.
5F. Terrestrial Invasive Species - Dana Gutzmann, Cass Soil & Water Conservation District + ⭐
Discover the invasive species lurking in our own backyard! Learn which terrestrial invasive plants are common in our area, how to identify them, & the most effective methods for managing or removing them from your property. Perfect for homeowners, gardeners, & anyone interested in protecting our local environment.
5G. Mindful Meander - Alison Hendley, Birch Bark Healing
Head out to the woods behind the school to slow down & pay attention to the beauty around & within us. We’ll start with poetry & body awareness, then have some time to be alone in silence. We’ll re-gather to share from our truth.
5H. Bloom & Buzz: How Spring Awakens the Hive -Taylor Leyk, Mann Lake Bee & Ag Supply
Explore how the arrival of spring transforms the world of bees, from the first warm temperatures that trigger their activity to the explosion of blooms that fuels their work. Learn how bees navigate the changing season, rebuild their colonies after winter, & begin essential pollination processes that support entire ecosystems. Through interactive discussion & close-up observation, you will gain a deeper understanding of the vital relationship between bees & springtime plants.
5I. And What About…YOU? - Nicki Linsten-Lodge, Regional Prevention Coordinator ⭐
When was the last time you reflected on YOUR wellness? Dive into the concept of a 'balanced life' by exploring the 8 Dimensions of Wellness (physical, emotional, financial, social, spiritual, occupational, intellectual, & environmental) & discuss ways they can impact our wellness. There will be time to reflect on each Dimension & consider areas of strength & areas needing more attention. Your wellness is important & worth this time.
5J. Part of the Circle: An Introduction to Indigenous Food Sovereignty - Kayla Maria
The most resilient food systems have been here for thousands of years. Gain a foundational understanding of Indigenous Food Sovereignty & Traditional Ecological Knowledge. Explore recent dialogues & consider how to activate your own networks to deepen connections to the land. Discuss the original pathways that will lead us to a more resilient, Earth-centered future. Group discussion anticipated.
5K. Continuing Hydroponics: The Next Stage - Barry Thoele, Barry’s Cherries Hydroponic Produce
Discover new systems & new techniques for growing indoors or in high tunnels, for personal consumption or commercial production. Learn about pH, EC/ppm, nutrient formulas & nutrient strength for specific plants. Discover how to identify & correct nutrient deficiencies & disease/pest issues.
5L. Digging Deeper: Garden Q&A Session - Dave Wilson & Anna Smith, Happy Dancing Turtle +
This workshop is all about your questions! Bring your gardening curiosities & challenges — the audience leads the conversation & experienced gardeners will provide answers, tips, & insights. From seed starting to garden layout, harvesting & everything in between, this interactive session lets you dig in, share, & learn from the collective garden experience.