Save time, stress, and mess this Halloween season by leaving the pumpkin carving to the chickens. This fun and inventive way to DIY your fall decor has been trending over the last few years and a few weeks ago our enrichment kids got to try it firsthand!

Start by outlining your desired face on the pumpkin. Then help the birds out by starting the carving process so they know where to follow. Then toss the pumpkin to the coop and let the hens do the rest! 

The enrichment students learned that pumpkins can be a good source of vitamins and minerals for hens and that chickens can have trouble breaking through the outer rind which is why you want to start it off for them.

The kids chose a simple smile design and started by shaving away the outer rind of the mouth and eyes. Then they walked up to the chicken coop and placed the pumpkin in the coop where the hens could access it. 

Eyes widened and students giggled as they watched the birds flock to the orange fruit and begin “carving” the pumpkin in the designated areas.

After some time, a jack-o-lantern was born. 

Get ready to cultivate your creativity and bring a touch of nature indoors at Auer Farm’s exciting Succulent Bowl Making Workshop! Led by our knowledgeable Director of Education, Jonni Marshall, this hands-on class will guide you through everything you need to know about these popular low-maintenance plants.

Whether you’re a seasoned plant enthusiast or a curious beginner, this workshop is perfect for anyone looking to add a unique and vibrant touch to their home. Jonni will share her expertise on:

• Selecting the perfect succulents for your bowl arrangement
• Creating a visually stunning and balanced composition
• Proper planting techniques for long-lasting success
• Essential care tips to keep your succulents thriving

This workshop provides all the necessary materials, including a variety of beautiful succulents, a container to create your masterpiece and decorative elements to personalize your design. Just bring your creativity and enthusiasm for getting a little dirty!

Jonni Marshall, Auerfarm’s Director of Education, is a passionate horticulturist with extensive experience in creating stunning succulent arrangements. Her engaging teaching style will ensure you leave the workshop feeling confident and empowered to care for your new creation.

Space is limited, so don’t miss this opportunity to learn, create, and take home a beautiful living piece of art. Register for the Succulent Bowl Making Workshop with Jonni Marshall by visiting our website at www.auerfarm.org/events or visit www.eventbrite.auerfarm.org. 

Auerfarm and Samad Gardens Initiative are excited to announce the return of the collaborative workshop, “Foraging Edible and Medicinal Weeds,” on May 4, 2024, at 3:00 PM. This workshop is hosted in a five-part foraging series with classes spanning from May to September and encompassing a wide range of wild plants as the seasons change. Classes are stand-alone or participants can choose to sign up for the whole series!  All classes will be hosted at The 4-H Education Center at Auerfarm in Bloomfield, CT. 

The workshop will equip participants with the knowledge and skills to identify useful and edible native plants growing in their local environment. Participants will learn the basic principles of safe foraging and embark on a guided walk to put their newfound knowledge into practice. This hands-on experience will deepen your connection with nature and show you how to incorporate these plants into your daily lives, both for culinary and medicinal purposes.

“This is a cool workshop because it shows you that nature and the environment are here to help us. These weeds grow naturally, have so many benefits, and the bounty is plentiful. This workshop was grounding, interactive, and informative. I left feeling appreciative for the world around me,” said a participant in last year’s workshop. 

This workshop is part of the ongoing Samad Farmer Incubator Program, a series of classes and workshops designed to empower individuals interested in pursuing a career in farming. Through this program, Samad Gardens Initiative aims to bridge the gap in access to agricultural education, with a particular focus on serving the BIPOC community.

Registration:
To register and learn more, please visit the Auerfarm website at www.auerfarm.org/events or visit us on Eventbrite. 

About Samad and Auerfarm:
Samad Gardens Initiative LLC is an herb, cut flower, and diversified vegetable farm and education enterprise founded by Azeem Zakir Kareem and Sarah Rose Kareem in 2020. Samad’s mission is twofold: to produce quality, organic, nutritious produce for our urban communities, and to offer ongoing education opportunities for new and beginner farmers in our state. We meet both goals by operating a Demonstration Farm and Incubator Farm Program at Auerfarm 4-H Farm and Education Center, where we offer hands-on classes on gardening, foraging, seed saving, and more. Samad Gardens Initiative has an invested interest in serving the BIPOC community, which continues to experience severe access gaps in the fields of farming and agriculture.

Have you ever wondered about where your food comes from? About the process it took to get from a farm to a grocery store and then to your table? What if it came from your own backyard? 

Imagine taking a bite of a tomato still warm from the sun, teeming with flavor because it was harvested in its prime and traveled directly from your garden to your taste buds. That’s the magic of homegrown food – it’s harvested at its peak, brimming with nutrients, and unmatched in taste.  But the rewards of growing your own food extend far beyond the dinner table.  

Growing your own food is a way to enter into a more nutritious and sustainable lifestyle. By nurturing your own little plot, you gain complete control over what goes into your food. Organic methods become second nature, ensuring you and your family enjoy the peace of mind of knowing exactly where your food comes from. 

Gardening offers a unique opportunity for the whole family to de-stress and connect with nature.  The act of nurturing life in the soil can be therapeutic and provide a welcome escape from the demands of daily life. Getting children involved in planting, weeding, and harvesting teaches them valuable lessons about nature, responsibility, and the importance of healthy eating.  Witnessing their plants thrive builds confidence and fosters a lifelong love for the outdoors.

So, why not take the plunge and start your own garden?  With a little effort, you can cultivate a delicious, healthy, and sustainable harvest right in your own backyard.  The rewards are plentiful, enriching your life in ways you might not have imagined.

Here at Auerfarm, we’re here to support you on your journey.  Whether you’re a seasoned gardener or a curious beginner, join us for the Start Your Gardens Crash Course on Sunday, April 7, 2024, at 3:00 PM! 

Samad Gardens Initiative is here to teach the fundamentals of starting your garden.

The workshop will cover:

• Seed-starting techniques (in trays, soil blocking, and direct sowing)
• Starting a new garden from grass/lawn
• Watering techniques & water management
• Making your own Seed Starting & Potting Mix
• Light needs for different types of plants
• Valuable & low-cost garden amendments
• & much more!

Participants will receive seeds to get started on their gardening journey! 

Register on Eventbrite. 

Samad Gardens Initiative will also be giving a Gardening on a Budget workshop on Tuesday, April 23, 2024, at 5:30 PM.  Join us to learn the low-cost ways you can garden at home! 

Register on Eventbrite and check out all the events Samad and Auerfarm will be hosting.