Mushrooms are fascinating and beautiful organisms that also offer opportunities for substantial food production in Maine. This workshop, led by North Spore educator Louis Giller, will share background and hands-on experience with some of the most reliable outdoor cultivation methods. Louis will start with a presentation explaining how to plan and execute log and bed cultivation with species including Shiitake, Wine Cap, Oysters, Chestnut, and Hen of the Woods. From there, we'll get outside and start inoculating, putting what we've learned into practice! Participants will be able to take home a freshly inoculated Shiitake log.

Date: Sunday, April 28, 10:00 am - 2:00 pm

Pay Instructor when you get to class.  Cost: $30-80 sliding scale

For online registration:

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScjqko9KLvGrmPXN8MOisrzJYmC2-dTrV019L8bPnGV0ab5lg/viewform

Whether you're starting Medicare soon or looking to understand what you have. My goal is to help you understand your options and to feel confident choosing coverage based on your needs. I will provide you with a free educational guide and resources. 

DATES: March 6, April 3, May 8 and June 5

Time: 5:30 - 7:30pm

Come feast on the wild abundance of spring!  We will spend the day on identification, wise harvest, and cooking of multiple wild plants that grace the springtime table.  Ever eat a tree-leaf salad, nettle stir-fry or knotweed pie?  Come learn how and see how partnering with the wild can bring health, happiness, and hope.  We will provide a mostly-foraged lunch.

Date: Saturday, May 13, 10:00 am - 3:00 pm

Pay Instructor when you get to class.

Cost: $30-80 sliding scale

 For online registration: 

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSe49Q2FZZsd6QhgUnenLCXrpltwCt1UuxGAXWxuoOTcivLllw/viewform

Whether you're starting Medicare soon or looking to understand what you have. My goal is to help you understand your options and to feel confident choosing coverage based on your needs. I will provide you with a free educational guide and resources. 

DATES: March 6, April 3, May 8 and June 5

Time: 5:30 - 7:30pm

Visit the working homestead and education center of Maine Local Living School on Open Farm Day! We will lead tours of the campus including the ice house, root cellar, greenhouse and gardens, solar food dehydrator, animal barn, and the classroom/workshop. Visitors will learn about and interact with earth-friendly systems including rainwater collection and solar water heating, rocket stoves and outdoor kitchens, composting toilets, and alternative building construction. Visitors will also have the opportunity to put their hands to work on a homestead project and try cookies made with acorn flour. Free and open to the public.

Date: Sunday, July 28, 11:00 am - 3:00 pm

Join up-and-coming artisan craftsman and maker Grant Hawkes of Wildfolkwanderer for a weekend making beautiful wooden spoons and plenty of curly wood shavings! Spoons are one of the most universal tools of humanity, being crafted and used across the globe for thousands of years. In this course we will explore the details of spoon carving, diving fully into the process of transforming a freshly cut log into a functional and beautiful spoon using simple hand tools. We will cover tool use and care, wood selection, spoon design, carving techniques, and discussions on craft and the role it plays in our lives as we carve together. Over the weekend, each participant will have the opportunity to work on a couple different projects, completing the course with new skills and utensils to take home.

Date: August 3-4, 10:00 am Saturday to 4:00 pm Sunday

Cost: $300-400 sliding scale, meals and accommodation included (see registration form for more details)

Online registration: 

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSelchi5ELeqPjMdd_UqKWVxqDJ4Vc6HUOF3vYMUrTGoAZRAPA/viewform

Looking for in meaningful work? Children’s behavioral health services are vital to Maine’s Children with intellectual disabilities, autism and mental health disorders and their families. As an integral part of the child’s treatment team, a Certified Behavioral Health Professional (BHP) has the opportunity to make an immediate impact while helping a child grow and develop to their full potential. We are excited to connect our community with this wonderful ONLINE training and certificate program. This training will prepare you for employment through local social service agencies and equip you to work with children who qualify for services. This program can be started at any time and finished at your own pace. You will complete 12 online modules, then three 4-hour live (in-person sessions. Once the modules are completed, you will receive free online blood borne pathogen training and Child and Adult First Aid & CPR Certification. In just 40 hours, our free remote training program can get you certified and on your way to a life changing profession. Must be a Maine resident, and at least 18 years old with a high school diploma (or equivalent to become certified. Location: Online for course details see Woodfords Family Services www. woodfords.org/bhp-program 

Ray Reitze, master Maine Guide, has led thousands of people through the peace of the Maine woods and into the peace of their own hearts.  Molly Gawler is a fiddle teacher, mother, dancer, singer, breather, swimmer, walker, and lover of life who has been studying with Ray for many years.  During Ray and Molly's 5-day spiritual retreat, there will be time for stillness, learning, and questions as well as great home-cooked meals and laughter around the fire.  Throughout the week, Ray will share stories and wisdom while guiding us, through breath, silence, and deep listening toward becoming what we all are: love.

The program will include: seeing, feeling and studying energy systems; root systems; above ground and the green family; the creature people; weather and wind directions; studying and learning to read the landscape (it has so much to tell us about life); observing the actions of water as it interacts with nature.

Dates:

April 21 - 25 (at Earthways in Canaan)

June 23 - 27

October 20 - 24

All programs have Sunday 10:00 am arrival and Thursday 3:00 pm departure; details in registration 

Cost: $350-500 sliding scale

For online registration: 

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSf60tzVikWmIc-zb50-YSzqDTYcBYB4gEsAqN2v7QoTZFD9Sg/viewform