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 different 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,” said LaCretia
Konan, Dean of Workforce & Community Education. “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 takes place 6-7 pm 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 6-7 pm 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 takes place 6-7 pm 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 takes place 7-8 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.