Countryside U: Upcoming Classes & Events
The Swap "Family"
Countryside Local Food Swaps have become one of the most popular programs we offer through Countryside U.  We have a Facebook page for the group - have you seen it?  It's an active and fun space, but I'd love to coax more of the nearly 300 members into showing up at a swap!  So I wanted you to hear from a regular swapper about why she goes, and why you should, too.  Introducing Maggie Olson!

CU:  How would you describe the food swaps?
MO:  It's a chance to showcase your favorite new recipe and spend time with new and familiar friends.  One part social hour, one part food tasting, one part organized chaos.  

CU:  What's the best part about a food swap?
MO:  I love milling around, tasting everyone's treats, and chatting with the other swappers.  The day after food swap is just as fun...

Upcoming Events from Countryside U

Preserving Your Bounty
Thursday, July 31, 6-9pm
Basket of Life Farm, 4965 Quick Rd, Boston Township
Join us in the beautiful Basket of Life Farm barn for an introduction to canning using the hot water bath method.  Farmer and home canning enthusiast Heather Walters will take the mystery out of food preservation, from choosing recipes and picking produce all the way to a safe and delicious finished product.  $30 per person.
 
 
Planning For Growth
Tuesday, August 5, 12-1pm
Webinar*
In the local foods movement, everybody's talking about "scaling up" - but what does that mean for your farm's operations, business, and quality of life?  Join veteran farmer and consultant Chris Blanchard for this exploration of the practical impacts of increasing your business size and the factors to consider as you decide whether to get bigger.  Free.
 

  

Countryside Local Food Swap
Tuesday, August 19, 7pm (occurs monthly)
Crown Point Ecology Center, 3220 Ira Rd, Bath
Join other DIYers to trade homemade and homegrown items.  Come away with delicious , handmade treats and meet others who share your passion for working in the ground or being creative in the kitchen.  Registration is required.  Free.
 
 
How to Be a Better Boss on the Market Farm
Wednesday, August 20, 7-8pm
Webinar*
Employees make it possible to get more done, but managing workers and their work takes dedicated time, energy, and processes.  Veteran farmer and consultant Chris Blanchard turned his work environment from "The Yelling Farm" into a positive, supportive, and effective workplace.  Learn to be a better boss and get better results from one of your most valuable assets - your employees.  Free.
 

Systems for Accountability and Efficiency on the Market Farm
Wednesday, August 27, 7-8pm
Webinar*
Whether you manage one seasonal worker or a large year-round crew, good management can make the difference between making headway on your farm's work, or just creating headaches.  Chris Blanchard has worked with farmers throughout the Midwest to develop systems that make it easy to achieve reliable results throughout your farming operation.  Free.
*Countryside Conservancy and Ohio Ecological Farming and Food Association are partnering to bring both production and business webinars to Ohio's specialty crop growers.  These free webinars are partially funded through a grant from the Ohio Department of Agriculture, the State of Ohio, and the United States Department of Agriculture under the provisions of the Specialty Crop Block Grant.

Preserving Your Bounty

Experience the joy of eating summer tomatoes in January!  Join us for a crash course in canning.
 
 
Photo by Sara Graca
In partnership with

Countryside U programming made possible by
generous support from Kent H. Smith Charitable Trust, The Knight Foundation, and sponsors including The Number Manager, Inc.
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