WORKSHOPS

Subscribe to our newsletter and follow us on social media for the latest workshop announcements!

Hands-on Workshops and Farm Tours delve into topics related to food and farming: technical farming skills, land management, food production, tool and equipment use, herbalism, livestock husbandry, and more. Workshops are open to people of all experience levels, from gardeners and aspiring farmers to experienced farm business owners. 

Upcoming workshops and farm tours

None to display at this time.

PAST Workshops

tractor intensive_revised_web2

Tractor Intensive

Open to anyone who experiences gender oppression, e.g. cis and trans women, other trans* and gender non-conforming folks, Two Spirit, and non-binary folks.

Monday and Tuesday, October 17-18, 9a-4p

Groundswell Incubator Farm
Ithaca, NY
Sliding scale payment

Full course: $60-325

Day 1 only: $40-160

A huge welcome to guest instructor Sarah Groat, visiting us from Rock Steady Farm in the Hudson Valley! This two day course is a deep dive into tractor mechanics, maintenance, and operation.

Day 1: Intro to Tractors will consist of an overview of safety and tractor operation and

Day 2: Field Practice will give participants a chance to test their knowledge and practice driving a tractor with one-on-one guidance from an instructor. Choose to attend only Day 1 or both days.

Choose to attend only Day 1 or full two-day course (see more info below)

updated_Sapwood farm tour

Sapwood Farm Tour

Wednesday September 7, 5-7pm

Rain date: Thursday September 8

Sapwood Farm, Freeville/Dryden area, NY

How do you choose the best tree to harvest for mushroom logs, and when?

Are fruiting platforms really the secret to preventing slug damage on mushroom logs?

What's the process for DEC forestry grants like?

Maria Paone and Sean Carter have managed an off-grid homestead, small-scale sugarbush, and mushroom farm on forested land since 2014. From the beginning their management has been centered around wildlife habitat, quality of water and soil, and tree health, and they've recently been recognized by the Audobon Society as one of New York State's six Bird-Friendly Maple producers.

Join us as we take a look at the forest through their eyes and see some of the innovative and ecologically beneficial workings of their farm.

Everyone will leave the farm tour with an illustrated zine on tree identification!

2022_CaringFarmBody

Caring for the Farm Body

Saturday August 13, 2022

11a-2p
Groundswell Incubator Farm
Ithaca, NY
Sliding scale payment ($0 - $40)

In this farmer self care workshop, we’ll learn from herbalist Juliana and doctor of physical therapy Kimberly as they instruct in farmwork focused techniques to manage muscular aches/pains and reduce the risk of injury. Topics will include:

-- Ergonomic principles of body care and injury prevention
-- Shoulder, neck, and upper back self massage techniques including use of massage tools and salves
-- Stretches to release commonly overused muscle groups
--Herbal salve making skillshare led by Juliana

Everyone will leave this workshop with a homemade herbal salve and a small massage tool!

2022_white_1080_BIPOC carpentry-Recovered (1)

BIPOC Beginner Carpentry

Saturday June 11th & Sunday June 12th, 2022
9am - 5pm
Groundswell Incubator Farm
Ithaca, NY
Sliding scale payment ($0 - $380)

In this two day course you’ll learn basic carpentry skills under the guidance of two instructors. Our small group will work together to build two waist height raised beds for the Groundswell Incubator Farm. You’ll learn the basics of following a carpentry plan including measuring, cutting, and fastening, and practice using a drill, driver, circular saw, hand saw, and hammer.

Accessibility: We aim to make our events accessible and are working to decrease access barriers. We currently offer childcare and transportation as consistently as possible within our small team's capacity and the availability of childcare providers. We acknowledge that our physical event spaces are not always accessible; information on each event’s wheelchair and mobility-related access is provided in event registration.

Requests for childcare, transportation, and accommodations are included in our event registration. To discuss a specific access need or if you're unsure if you can attend a workshop due to accessibility, please email kimberly@groundswellcenter.org with as much advance notice as possible. Thank you!

Sliding scale fees: Our workshop fees reflect our priorities of moving towards economic justice as well as supporting Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) participants. There are four options for payment:

We welcome and encourage people who identify as BIPOC to pay option 1 (free).

Also consider paying option 1 (free) if you...

  • have difficulty affording your basic needs such as food, transportation, medical care, and childcare, and/or don’t always manage to meet these needs
  • are unemployed or have a low income
  • receive public assistance

Consider paying option 2 (reduced fee) if you...

  • can typically afford your basic needs but have little expendable income or savings
    have significant debt or medical expenses not covered by insurance
    are supporting children or have other dependents
  • are a senior on a limited, fixed income

Consider paying option 3 (full fee) or 4 (full fee + donation) if you...

  • can comfortably and consistently afford your basic needs
  • own the home you live in
  • have personal savings, investments, retirement accounts, or inherited wealth
  • travel recreationally
  • have access to family money and resources in times of need
  • have a relatively high degree of earning power due to level of education (or gender and racial privilege, class background, etc.) Even if you are not currently exercising your earning power, we ask you to recognize this as a choice
  • would like to contribute towards programs at Groundswell including supporting costs of childcare, transportation, interpretation, and sliding scale option

COVID-19: In prioritizing health and safety during the pandemic, workshops may require health precautions such as mask wearing or rapid testing on site, and may be cancelled or rescheduled in case of concerns related to COVID-19, in which case any payments will be refunded. In the case of exposure of COVID-19 or presence of COVID-19 symptoms we ask that you please refrain from attending any in-person workshops.

Cancellation policy: As we organize workshops that coordinate childcare providers, transportation, and meals for the group, we ask that you respect the efforts and schedules of the team of people involved by communicating promptly if your plans/circumstances have changed and you need to cancel. Cancellations within 72 hours of the workshop will not be provided a refund except in cases of medical, COVID-19 related, or other serious circumstances. Thank you for your understanding.

Interested in Teaching a Workshop?

If you are a farmer, gardener, or educator with a skill or passion that can be useful to farmers and food producers and are in the Central NY area, please contact us to learn more about applying to be a contractual instructor with Groundswell.