By Angel Trinh
Feb. 7, 2018
Community CROPS is partnering with the Nebraska Sustainable Agriculture Society and Root + Hive, 4200 S. 1st St., to host a free workshop called DIY Greenhouse Systems on Thursday from 3:30 to 5:15 p.m..
This workshop aims to teach beginning farmers about greenhouse vegetable transplant production me
Methods used by the Community CROPS staff. Participants will get hands-on experiences with unique tools, learn about the construction and use of a DIY germination chamber, the soil blocking process, and the layout and set up of an overhead irrigation system. They will also receive an interactive tour of the CROPS greenhouse at Root + Hive. Guest must register in advance at www.communitycrops.org/events.
Root + Hive seeks to provide local growers with space for planting while developing a network and community that supports all producers. Likewise, Community CROPS has a mission to provide education, advocacy and experiences to grow local food. They started with a single community garden in 2003, but they have since expanded with twelve community garden sites, youth garden and cooking education, a regular farmer’s market stand, a training farm, and more.
The DIY Greenhouse Systems workshop precedes the Healthy Farms Conference which takes place on Friday and Saturday at the Cornhusker Hotel, 333 S. 13th St. The Nebraska Sustainable Agriculture Society has been hosting the Healthy Farms Conference every year in February to celebrate the community of local producers with keynote speakers, breakout sessions, and food. Guests can buy tickets and register online.
Community CROPS offers another opportunity for guests to continue communicating, learning, and kicking off the 2018 Healthy Farms Conference by inviting guests to visit White Elm Brewing Co., 2717 S. 8th St., after the workshop from (5:30-8 p.m.) for a happy hour with food from Pepe’s.. This event will be accepting cash only. The happy hour is open to the public, but it is specifically geared toward people who want to celebrate the beginning of a weekend of sustainable agriculture.
Community CROPS has plenty of workshops planned for the future. They will kick off their 2018 Growing Farmers Core Skill Workshops series on Saturday, Feb. 17,9 a.m.-1 p.m.. Workshops will run on a total of ten Saturdays through October 6th from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. each time. More details can be found at https://tockify.com/communitycrops/pinboard.
Angel Trinh is an editorial intern with KZUM.
