Workshop to teach hands-on gardening techniques

Frelinghuysen — With interest in local and non-toxic food production growing, Genesis Farm, located in northwest NJ, has scheduled a Workshop in the Orchard, designed to help advance the agricultural practice and skill of farmers and residents alike. On Saturday, March 13, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and continuing on Sunday, March 14, from 9 a.m. t0 3:30 p.m., this workshop will demonstrate how to design, plant, and maintain a beautiful and highly productive integrated orchard free of chemicals. It will also instruct participants in ways to improve the health and fruit from old, abandoned, or wild fruit trees. Topics covered during this hands-on workshop will include: reliable sources for fruit and berry plants; animals in orchards; low-tech integrated water systems; beneficial under-story plantings; aromatic pest control; pollinator habitats; biodynamic tree pasting; dwarf, semi-dwarf, and super dwarf fruit trees; and grafting. The workshop will highlight a system called “permaculture” which is an ecological design science providing insights and practical techniques for living a fruitful and abundant life. Presenter Andrew Faust is a visionary agricultural educator. His website is at www.homebiome.com. He can be seen on YouTube at: http://www.youtube.com/user/dreiky#p/u/0/CXfCdiOVU1U. The cost of the two day program is $200 and includes lunch. Overnight accommodations are available. Genesis Farm is an ecological learning center and a Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) project located at 41 Silver Lake Rd. (Rt. 608, Frelinghuysen). To register and for more information contact Genesis Farm at 908-362-6735 or lori@genesisfarm.org.