Kish debuts Agriculture Workshop Series

Kishwaukee College’s Community Education program has launched a new Agriculture Workshop Series that highlights various aspects of farming and food production.

The new series features several classes this summer that will teach participants self-sustaining farming practices, which can be turned into entrepreneurial opportunities. Local experts will explore topics such as vegetable gardening, raising sheep, beekeeping and more. All courses will take place virtually.

“Food and farming offer a lot of opportunities for our local community,” LaCretia Konan, dean of Workforce & Community Education, said in a news release. “These courses allow anyone with an interest in agriculture to take initiative and create a positive impact for themselves and their environment.”

The following courses will be available in the coming weeks:

Start Your Edible Garden – Learn how to grow fruits and vegetables in your own backyard. Landscape designer and gardener Katie Powell-Lee will teach the instructor-led courses, which begin Aug. 18, Sept. 15 or Oct. 13. Additionally, a self-paced course can be started at any time. The cost is $126.

Hobby Farming: Raising Sheep – Learn the basics of raising sheep on a small-scale farm from instructor Nicole Speizio-DePaz. The class runs from 6 to 7 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 3, via Zoom. The cost is $8 per person.

Why Homegrown and Handmade – Instructor Deborah Niemann will demonstrate the benefits of having a garden, milking goats and cooking from scratch. The class takes place from 6 to 7 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 17, via Zoom. The cost is $8 per person.

Hobby Farming: Goat Milk Soap – Jill Franke of Tin Shed Farm in Sycamore will teach the benefits of using and making your own goat milk soap. The class runs from 6 to 7 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 18, via Zoom. The cost is $8 per person.

The Bees and Me – Local expert Larry Krengel will provide insights on beekeeping and how to start your own colony. The class runs from 7 to 8 pm Wednesday, Aug. 18, via Zoom. The cost is $8 per person.

For more information on Kishwaukee College’s Agriculture Workshop Series, or to register, visit www.kish.edu/agworkshops or contact Melissa Gallagher, director of Short-Term Training & Continuing Education, at 815-825-9466 or mgallagher1@kish.edu. Additional classes may be added to the series.