Louisville Grows' Urban Growers Series is a program that trains community members in the art, science, and business of providing food in a city environment. The Urban Grower Series will run from June to October 2017. Monthly workshops, hosted on the second Saturday of each month, will provide participants with the tools and knowledge needed to become successful home, community, or market gardeners.

The Urban Grower Series is a half-year program where participants will learn practical urban agriculture techniques including sustainable agricultural, water management, integrative pest management, beekeeping, processing honey, composting, rain barrel implementation, and building compost bins and raised beds. Each event will consist of two instructive and hands-on workshops, and is hosted at the Louisville Grows Healthy House (1641 Portland Ave).

The hands-on-training will build participants’ knowledge and understanding of naturally grown farming principles and practices. During the course, trainees will connect with some of the best minds in the field. At the end of the program, each participant will have the tools in hand to be a successful Urban Grower!

No prior agricultural training or experience is needed to enter the program. The only prerequisites are an openness to learn, a commitment to hard work, and the desire to succeed. Breakfast and lunch are included, and scholarships to attend workshops are provided for community members; email whitney@louisvillegrows.org for more information!

SCHEDULE:

June 10th:

10:15-12:30 Laura Rogers, Kentucky State University, Beekeeping

1:30-3:30 Jeremy Pharris, Honey: Home Scale Processing

July 8th:

10:15-12:30 TBD - Shawn Lucas, Kentucky State University, Organic Farming

1:30-3:30 Dr. Leigh Whittinghill, Kentucky State University, Sustainable agriculture (nutrient management, water management, integrative pest management)

August 12th:
10:15-12:30 Kedrick Stanfield, Metro Solid Waste Management, Composting and bin building
1:30-3:30 Brian Barnes, University of Louisville, Vermicomposting

September 9th:
10:15-12:30 Kurt Mason, USDA Natural Resources Conservation, hoop houses and season extension
1:30-3:30 TBD - Market Readiness, GAPS

October: 14th

10:15-12:30 Jordan Basham, MSD, water management with rain barrels

1:30-3:30 Tim Joice, KY Waterways Alliance, edible buffers and rain gardens

We're offering SEASON PASSES to help the most dedicated growers attend more classes at a lower cost! To purchase a season pass ($158 for five classes which equals $31.60/class), go to the first class available on June 10 and select "get tickets". Select "Season Pass" and check out as normal!

REMEMBER: If you're a Louisville Grows member, your 25% off membership discount can be applied to your ticket and/or season pass!