Events

Join us at the Food Forest and online!


3rd Saturday Work Parties year round, except December. Click the links to join Committee Meetings on Zoom. Also check our Eventbrite page for upcoming Education Classes and Workshops you can register for in advance.

Relevant Remedies
May
16

Relevant Remedies

Relevant Remedies is a “soft workshop” meant to address key topics such as Foraging,Harvesting & Processing Practices, and Communal Skill/Informational Exchange by creating a circular “show-and-tell/storytelling atmosphere” where participants will share their own relevant remedies they’ve learned through life experience or friends/family. Hence the term “Relevance,” we want to prioritize plants and materials that are found in our respective communities and are likely accessible to most, if not all. This can look like mushrooms, seeds, herbs, etc.

Relevant Remedies are things you can find on your walk home, in the garden, or sometimes grocery store. At some point, home herbal remedies have saved each of us from colds, cramps, fevers, and worse – whether they were learned from a parent, friend, or even natural discovery, return the power of health to the people. These can come in the form of syrups, tinctures, soups, infusions, etc.

Join us for a night of reciprocation and storytelling as we sit to share remedies, hacks, facts that are relevant to us.

Be sure to bring a recipe and/or story to accompany your remedy!

We will have a remedy “scribe” that will record the remedies that participants are sharing so that they can be compiled and shared with the participants and eventually, the greater community.

Speakers/Presenters

Khalil Griffith - Khalil is an Arkansas-native and has been in Seattle for 3 years - 2 of which have been spent volunteering and now working as the Site & Programs Director of the Beacon Food Forest. He is passionate about expression by any means, creating and sharing deep communal ties, and the reclamation of food for all. In his free time he loves reading, working in his garden, gaming, crafting, and mixing songs!

Hae Malecek - information coming soon

Liza Thomas - Liza Thomas was born and raised in Southern Louisiana and moved to Washington state in 2017 to complete a year of service in AmeriCorps. There, found her love for cooking with and for her community. She is a graduate of Seattle Central Culinary Academy and currently teaches youth how to bake and cook. One of her life missions is to connect people back with the Earth and each other through shared food and experiences. She enjoys eating all kinds of foods but loves cooking East and West African, Palestinian, Brazilian, Korean, Southeast Asian, and Creole/Cajun foods!

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Spring into Foraging and Farming Edible Fungi
May
19

Spring into Foraging and Farming Edible Fungi

Description

Are you curious about how to find and grow your own edible mushrooms? Join us for a fungi workshop at Beacon Food Forest with Jake Harris, Mushroom Ambassador and Owner of Stone Soup Gardens! In this session, Jake will talk about how to grow a variety of mushrooms in your own home garden and how to properly identify some delicious edible mushrooms when visiting their ecosystems. Discover the joys of finding and eating fruiting fungus!

This course will explore:

  • mushroom identification and resources

  • how to find safe edible mushrooms in the pacific NW

  • how to grow mushrooms in our homes and urban farms

  • some of our favorite mushroom recipes

  • examples of fungi and tour some of the fungus related work at Beacon Food Forest

This in-person class will take place rain or shine outdoors and will include conversational lecture and a walking tour. Class size is limited to 18 people, and we will be following current public health recommendations. Please dress for the weather. We will have some mushrooms to look at together and we invite you to bring fungus you found to share knowledge with others or we can identify together.

*This workshop is part of an ongoing partnership in educational offerings with Tilth Alliance and Beacon Food Forest. The goal of these sessions is to explore climate solutions, permaculture-themed ideas, and growing practices that are creative and relevant in our urban communities.

Tickets are $65.00 with some sliding scale availability

Registration Link: https://tilthalliance.org/event/spring-into-foraging-and-farming-edible-fungi/

About the Instructor

Jake Harris

Jake Harris founded Stone Soup Gardens (stonesoupgardens.com) to help communities to create beautiful, sustainable and delicious solutions outside our front doors and in our neighborhoods. He has enjoyed raising chickens and other fowl friends for the past 18 years in Seattle, in addition to helping communities and individuals with the design and installation of permaculture-based place-making, including chicken coops. Jake is also an avid mycelium ambassador and amateur mycologist - he has spent many hours in the woods in his own yard and in the kitchen forming symbiotic and tasty relationships with mycelium. In addition to gardening with urban livestock and farming & foraging mushrooms, Jake has also holds expertise in sustainable water design. Stone Soup Gardens has served as a Rainwise Program Contractor since 2010 and led innovative design and installation projects throughout our King County.

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Pollinator-Plus Festival
Jun
22

Pollinator-Plus Festival

Celebrate Pollinators with friends & family @ Beacon Food Forest with Washington Native Bee Society

All activities are free

WA Native Bee Society and BFF celebrate pollinators of all types. Enjoy friendly family fun seeing a world seldom seen.

All Activities are free

Washington Native Bee Society aims to create a community for bee enthusiasts of all levels of interest from the merely curious to the scientist or researcher. This event will allow Washington bee enthusiasts (and other interested parties) to gather information about the native bees of Washington State and learn ways to support or “save” the bees. The target audience includes individuals engaged in environmental issues, individuals focused on species diversity, and people who are looking for information about native bees. The learner needs little to no prior knowledge of bees to participate in this event as it will be geared toward the novice.

General Overview of Activities -

10:00-10:45 am How to Spot a Pollinator (Colleen)

11:30-12:14 pm Diversity in the food forest and native bees and other pollinators

1:00-1:45 pm Providing for and protecting our pollinators

2:30- 3:15 pm An In Depth look at Bee Characteristics/ taxonomy (Lisa)

Learning Activities include understanding and the ability to:

  • Differentiate between native bees, honey bees, and other look-a likes (wasps, flies, ants, etc…)

  • Recognize and name 5 of the most common native bees in WA State.

  • Understand the connection between native plants and native bees.

  • Comprehend the value of biodiversity and how to conserve it.

  • How to build insect models from various material (e.g. felt, twine, socks, flowers, twigs, leaves)

Speakers and Presenters

Colleen Willson: Colleen is an environmental educator and co-founder and vice-president of the Washington Native Bee Society and has been working with bee-focused community organizations since 2018.

Lisa Robinson: Lisa joined the PNW Bumble Bee Atlas project in 2017 and took “Bumble bee Biodiversity, Ecology, and Identification Course” with Lincoln Best. She continues to take Bee ID courses and became the first out-of-state Master Melittologist in 2020 where she has since earned her apprentice certificate.

Nita Wester: Nita is a K-12 alternative school veteran, Master Gardener, Growing Groceries instructor and frequent speaker in Jefferson County. She focuses on vegetable gardening, pollinators, creating habitat for beneficial insects and hands-on learning activities to encourage community participation.

Tony Dickey: Tony first volunteered at BFF in 2018. He has become a core volunteer on Education, Site Development and Community Care committees. He launched Pollinator-Plus in 2022 to ensure the food forest provides ideal habitat for pollinators of all kinds. Tony brings permaculture to the world of pollinator stewardship. He encourages a life-long appreciation of pollinators for all ages, younger generations in particular.

Note: This is a free event and all activities are free

Questions?

Please reach out to Asha Nelson if you have any questions

Note: This is a free event and all activities are free

Registration Info: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/861749514997?aff=oddtdtcreator

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The Foods That Shape Us: Growing a Diaspora Garden
Jun
29

The Foods That Shape Us: Growing a Diaspora Garden

Description

Many of us have rich cultural backgrounds, and we often honor those backgrounds through food preparation and sharing. But we also forget that we can grow fresh produce to help us make those important and delicious cultural dishes.

In this class we will discuss:

  • The diaspora we come from

  • Food memories and traditions that shape us

  • Cultural gardening methods and history

  • How to incorporate these foods and practices into the garden planning process

This class will take place outdoors and include a lecture, group discussion, and a garden tour. Please be prepared to reflect and/or share your favorite or formative food memories and traditions. Class size is limited to about 15 people, and we will be following current public health recommendations.

*This workshop is part of an ongoing partnership in educational offerings with Tilth Alliance and Beacon Food Forest. The goal of these sessions is to explore climate solutions, permaculture-themed ideas, and growing practices that are creative and relevant in our urban communities.

Tickets are $55.00 with some sliding scale availability

Ticket Link: https://tilthalliance.org/event/the-foods-that-shape-us-growing-a-diaspora-garden-4/

About the Instructor

Shanelle Donaldson West

Shanelle Donaldson West is the Farm Manager at the University District Food Bank rooftop farm, food preservationist, and food justice advocate focused on healthy relationships to land, power and community. From working with toddlers growing gardens to connecting locally sourced food to people experiencing homelessness, Shanelle has supported more than one thousand King County residents over the last decade. She expanded her nutrition education to include food preservation classes as a method of self-care and extending the harvest. In 2016, she co-founded Percussion Farms to reconnect people of color to the land and their right to healthy lives. Shanelle is a proud alumna of the Black and Latinx Farm Immersion Class at Soul Fire Farm in Grafton, New York. When she's not farming, Shanelle can be found reading, cooking with her husband Mike, playing board games, or most likely smooching her sweet dog, Koda.

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Food Forest Explorers Summer Camp
Jul
8
to Jul 12

Food Forest Explorers Summer Camp

Food Forest Explorers Summer Camp - Ages 6-9

July 8th - 12th, 2024 Monday - Friday (five days) from 9am to 3pm

Explore nature and farming @ Beacon Food Forest (BFF) in a positive, structured, outdoor educational experience!

Kids (6 – 9 yrs. old) join us for 5 days of fun exploring, foraging, harvesting, propagating, planting, observing (bees, birds, plants and more), and helping to care for Beacon Food Forest and our community (harvest food to help others). An opportunity for kids to have fun connecting with the Earth and food in healthy ways!

Lead Instructor: Kimberly Leeper, a Seattleite since 1995, is a garden educator, regenerative landscape designer, plant and wildlife enthusiast who specializes in Pacific NW native plants, beneficial wildlife habitat, and food forests. Kimberly loves inspiring people to think more holistically about their landscapes and the planet, and creating sanctuary with foraging opportunities close to home! She has a background in school psychology and 15+ years of experience teaching and learning with children and adults in schools and the woods. Kimberly has been involved planting and education efforts with Beacon Food Forest since it was first planted in Sept. 2012

The Lead Instructor: Kimberly Leeper will be sending additional registration material, waiver of liability, and other summer camp details to families around June 7th.

Questions: Contact Kimberly Leeper - kimberly@foodforest.ngo

Price: Tickets are $425 (full price) + some sliding scale ($300 reduced price) and scholarships available. Beacon Food Forest strives to educate all children regardless of their financial means. All youth programs include reduced price tickets. If a reduced price ticket is still not affordable, we encourage you apply for a scholarship by emailing Kimberly with your request by April 19, 2024 -kimberly@foodforest.ngo.

Note: Kimberly will contact parents/guardians around June 7, 2024 with Program Details, Registration, and Waiver of Liability.

REGISTER by June 7th, 2024

Ticket Link: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/food-forest-explorers-summer-day-camp-tickets-838052707207?aff=oddtdtcreator

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Farming and Foraging Edible Mushrooms
Oct
28

Farming and Foraging Edible Mushrooms

Description

Are you curious about how to find and grow your own edible mushrooms? Join us for a fungi workshop at Beacon Food Forest with Jake Harris, mushroom ambassador and owner of Stone Soup Gardens! In this session, Jake will talk about how to grow a variety of mushrooms in your own home garden and how to properly identify some delicious edible mushrooms when visiting their ecosystems. Discover the joys of finding and eating fruiting fungus!

This class will explore:

  • mushroom identification and resources

  • how to find safe edible mushrooms in the Pacific Northwest

  • how to grow mushrooms in our homes and urban farms

  • mushroom recipes

  • examples of fungi and tour some of the fungus related work at Beacon Food Forest

This in-person class will take place rain or shine outdoors and will include conversational lecture and a walking tour. Class size is limited to 20 people, and we will be following current public health recommendations. Please dress for the weather. We will have some mushrooms to look at together and we invite you to bring fungus you found to share knowledge with others or we can identify together.

*This workshop is part of an ongoing partnership in educational offerings with Beacon Food Forest and Tilth Alliance. The goal of these sessions is to focus on climate solutions that are creative and relevant in our urban communities.

About the Instructor

Jake Harris

Jake Harris founded Stone Soup Gardens stonesoupgardens.com to help communities to create beautiful, sustainable and delicious solutions outside our front doors and in our neighborhoods. He is  an avid mycelium ambassador and amateur mycologist. He has spent many hours in the woods in his own yard and in the kitchen forming symbiotic and tasty relationships with mycelium.

Additional Information

Beacon Food Forest and Tilth Alliance strives to provide educational experiences that honor our values of accessibility and equity. Currently, we offer:

  • A sliding scale pricing structure to make our classes accessible for everyone, regardless of financial means. Please select the ticket type that works for you.

  • In solidarity with food justice and food sovereignty for Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC), we reserve spaces in each class for BIPOC community members free of charge. If you identify as BIPOC, and would benefit from a free option, please select BIPOC Solidarity ticket.

Tickets are $65 with some sliding scale available

Link for additional information and to Register

https://tilthalliance.org/event/farming-and-foraging-edible-mushrooms/

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Gardening for Climate Change
Oct
25

Gardening for Climate Change

Description

Are you and your garden ready for climate change? Gardeners are now facing weather and pest related challenges that have simple solutions. Join ecological designer, arborist and author, Jessi Bloom who shares practical, beautiful and inspiring ideas for tackling climate change challenges from plant choices to simple maintenance tricks, water conservation and permaculture concepts to implement in your garden for more success in this unpredictable climate.

In this class you will learn:

  • how to analyze the health of your trees and plants

  • how to make edits to your garden

  • how to minimize water use and maximize productivity

  • plant selections that are the most resilient to temperature extremes

  • alternatives to lawns

  • resiliency strategies for community

This in-person class will include a conversational lecture and time for questions and answers with the instructor. Resource materials will also be provided. Class size is limited to about 20 people, and we will be following current public health recommendations.

*This workshop is part of an ongoing partnership in educational offerings with Beacon Food Forest and Tilth Alliance. The goal of these sessions is to focus on climate solutions that are creative and relevant in our urban communities.

Link for additional Information and to Register:

https://tilthalliance.org/event/gardening-for-climate-change/

About the Instructor

Jessi Bloom

Jessi Bloom is an ecological landscape designer, author and teacher. She started NW Bloom EcoLogical Landscapes (nwbloom.com), based in Woodinville, WA, in 2000 to innovate and emphasize awareness of permaculture, sustainable landscape design, construction and land management. Her books include Free-Range Chicken Gardens (2012); Practical Permaculture Design (2015) which is now in 6 languages; and Creating Sanctuary: Sacred Garden Spaces, Plant Based Medicine and Daily Practices to Achieve Happiness and Well-Being (2017) and its companion workbook Everyday Sanctuary (2019).

Register: https://tilthalliance.org/event/gardening-for-climate-change/

Tickets are $55 with some sliding scale available

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Introduction to Permaculture
Oct
14

Introduction to Permaculture

Description

Are you interested in land care solutions that can be applied in urban areas for soil fertility, water conservation and climate change mitigation? Join us for an introduction to the basics of permaculture design and regenerative systems

In this class, we will cover “permaculture principles” and how to apply them to create a more holistic and sustainable garden. We’ll discuss ways to create efficient and abundant landscapes that integrate human needs with the natural ecosystem.

We will explore:

  • Practical applications for permaculture ethics and principles

  • Techniques that can be applied in an urban environment

  • Ways to integrate natural patterns and ecology into living systems

  • How the ethics and principles are being applied at the Beacon Food Forest

This in-person class will include a conversational lecture, some group activities, and a tour of the Beacon Food Forest. Class size is limited to 20 participants, and we will be following current public health recommendations. Please dress for the weather.

*This workshop is part of an ongoing partnership in educational offerings with Beacon Food Forest and Tilth Alliance. The goal of these sessions is to focus on climate solutions that are creative and relevant in our urban communities.

Select the link below for additional information and to Register:

https://tilthalliance.org/event/introduction-to-permaculture/

About the Instructors

Asha Nelson

Asha is retired and currently volunteers with the Beacon Food Forest and Habitat for Humanity. She also volunteers on occasion with Rainier Beach Urban Farm & Wetlands, Bradner Gardens Park, and community food banks. She enjoys gardening and learning about all things related to gardening and permaculture. She completed her Permaculture Design Course in 2021 and continues her studies in classes related to permaculture and gardening.

Alex Soleil

Alexandria shares their passion for urban gardening by teaching classes and supporting the Soil and Water Stewardship program as part of the Community Education Team at Tilth. They are certified in Permaculture Design, completed the Master Composter Sustainability Steward program, and have enjoyed collaborating in Seattle’s community garden spaces for over a decade.

Additional Information

Beacon Food Forest and Tilth Alliance strives to provide educational experiences that honor our values of accessibility and equity. Currently, we offer:

  • A sliding scale pricing structure to make our classes accessible for everyone, regardless of financial means. Please select the ticket type that works for you.

  • In solidarity with food justice and food sovereignty for Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC), we reserve spaces in each class for BIPOC community members free of charge. If you identify as BIPOC, and would benefit from a free option, please select BIPOC Solidarity ticket.

Register: https://tilthalliance.org/event/introduction-to-permaculture/

Tickets are $65 with some sliding scale available

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Exploring and Caring for Plant Guilds
Oct
1

Exploring and Caring for Plant Guilds

Join BFF Educator Kimberly Leeper as she gives a hands-on introduction to plant guilds and their care on-site at the Beacon Food Forest! Plant guild are a closely knit group of plant species that are intentionally selected and positioned together to create a mutually beneficial and self-sustaining ecosystem. It is a concept derived from permaculture design principles, where plants with complementary characteristics and functions are strategically combined to maximize the overall health, productivity, and resilience of the garden or landscape. Plant guild are the building blocks of a food forest.

In this class we’ll

  • identify some common plants at the Beacon Food Forest and the roles they play in plant guilds.

  • discuss different plants and how they may be beneficial in plant guilds you could build at

  • have an opportunity to effectively weed and mulch around the plants in the specific guilds

  • explore the amazing biodiversity of plants with a brief tour

Meet at Gathering Plaza (15th Ave. S. & S. Dakota St.) promptly at 10:00 am.

About Instructor

Kimberly Leeper, a Seattleite since 1995, is a garden educator, plant and wildlife enthusiast, and regenerative landscape consultant who specializes in food forests, Pacific NW native plants, and beneficial wildlife habitat.

She has a background in school psychology; teaching and learning with children and adults in schools and the forest; leading natural landscaping companies for 18 years - currently Working With Nature; and volunteering with community gardens and plant-related endeavors - Beacon Food Forest for past 10 years.

These days Kimberly focuses on consulting and coaching. She loves inspiring people to think more holistically about their landscapes, and is on the Board of ecoTHRIVE Housing to create affordable eco-village model to replicate in King County & beyond!

While this class is part of a series of free classes being offered by the Beacon Food Forest Education Committee registration is required as space is limited.

Select the link below to register for one of 15 slots

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/explore-care-for-plant-guilds-tickets-661296294017

If the class fills up, you can join our wait list by sending your full name to asha@foodforest.ngo with your request.

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Intro To Permaculture for Gardeners
Sep
9

Intro To Permaculture for Gardeners

Join us for a informative and engaging workshop designed specifically for gardeners interested in incorporating the core ethics and the principles of permaculture into their gardening practices. Permaculture can offer a holistic approach to sustainable gardening that not only benefits the environment but also maximizes productivity and creates resilient, thriving ecosystems. This class will cover the three core ethics of permaculture and each of the 12 principle as developed by David Holmgren, exploring practical techniques and strategies to implement them effectively.

By the end of this interactive session, you will have gained a foundational understanding of the three core ethics and 12 principles of permaculture, enabling you to apply these concepts to your own gardening projects.

Handouts will be included on how to apply these principles to your gardening practices, leading to more sustainable and regenerative outcomes that works in harmony with nature. .

Instructor Info:

Asha Nelson is retired and currently volunteers with the Beacon Food Forest, Habitat for Humanity and the SE Seattle Tool Library. She also volunteers on occasion with Rainier Beach Urban Farm & Wetlands, Bradner Gardens Park, and community food banks. She enjoys gardening and learning about all things related to gardening and permaculture. Asha completed her permaculture design course in 2021 and continues her studies in classes related to permaculture and gardening.

While this class is part of a series of free classes being offered by the Beacon Food Forest Education Committee- space is limited and registration is required.

Select the link below to register for one of 15 slots

Registration Link: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/introduction-to-permaculture-for-gardeners-tickets-661421949857

If the class fills up, you can join our wait list by sending your full name to asha@foodforest.ngo with your request

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Pickles Plus: Food Preservation Basics!
Aug
13

Pickles Plus: Food Preservation Basics!

In this class, you’ll get an overview of a variety of food preservation methods PLUS you’ll start your own jar of brine-pickled vegetables that you can take home to ferment! You’ll learn how to turn fresh fruits and veggies into convenient staples to see you through the winter, flavorful pickles, jams, and relishes to add pizazz to your meals, and special homemade gifts for your friends. You’ll have the chance to explore a “petting zoo” of equipment used for canning, drying, freezing, and fermentation. We’ll cover the basics of how food preservation methods work, key points to consider when choosing the methods that are right for you, safety tips, and get ideas for resources and recipes

Instructor Info:

Eleanor Goodall is a BFF Volunteer and enthusiastic gardener who has been honing her food preservation skills for over 25 years. She has a Biology degree which helps her understand the science behind food preservation. She enjoys cooking, eating, and sharing the harvest with friends, family, and the local food bank, and relishes the challenge of making the harvest last until the next year. She has worked as a summer camp counselor, a patent agent, a grant writer, and a farm worker.

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Bat Night at the Beacon Food Forest with Woodland Park Zoo
Aug
12

Bat Night at the Beacon Food Forest with Woodland Park Zoo

Want to learn more about bats and their fascinating lives, dispel common myths, and explore their invaluable ecological contributions?

Join us at the Beacon Food Forest as we spread our wings and adventure into the realm of bats. Gain valuable insight into bats and their fascinating lives, dispel common myths, and explore their invaluable ecological contributions. Get information on how their presence helps maintain the balance of the ecosystem and contributes to the overall health and sustainability of the Beacon Food Forest and Seattle's natural habitats – including our farms and home gardens.

The presentation will be followed with participants being led through a community science activity of watching bats while they learn to record and submit data for the BAT program.

Presenter Info:

This presentation is part of the Bat Activity Trends (BAT) program at Woodland Park Zoo. The goal of the BAT program is to raise awareness and improve perceptions of local bat species, educate community members about the importance of local bats, and create a bat activity map showing where in King County bat activity is lowest and highest, that can be used for conservation work, to increase awareness, show trends, and as an educational resource.

Woodland Park Zoo saves wildlife and inspires everyone to make conservation a priority in their lives.

While this class is part of a series of free classes being offered by the Beacon Food Forest Education Committee registration is required as space is limited.

Registration Link:

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/bat-night-at-the-beacon-food-forest-with-woodland-park-zoo-tickets-667246721907?aff=oddtdtcreator

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Plant and Beneficial Insect Guide to Beacon Food Forest
Aug
3

Plant and Beneficial Insect Guide to Beacon Food Forest

Plants and bugs share many relationships. Most simply stated, each helps the other stay alive and thrive. Volunteers during the tour will see various examples of the many interactions that occur year round. For those wanting to take the extra steps, we will speak about using i Naturalist, BugGuide and similar apps that help identify and track various lifeforms. We'll speak to habitat, bloom times, the state of insects around the world and the many things we can do to support insects and the plants that work together.

About the Instructor

Tony Dickey is a very involved volunteer at Beacon Food Forest. He is regularly involved in the Education, Site Development and Community Development. In 2022, he co-founded BFFs Pollinator-plus team to highlight the importance all pollinators play in the world’s vitality. He has a passion for macro-photography and is often found at BFF crouched under plants trying to get the perfect shot. He is also an active board member of Washington Native Bee Society.

While this class is part of a series of free classes being offered by the Beacon Food Forest Education Committee registration is required as space is limited.

Select the link below to register for one of 20 slots

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/plant-and-beneficial-insect-guide-to-beacon-food-forest-tickets-661371067667?aff=oddtdtcreator

If the class fills up, you can join our wait list by sending your full name to asha@foodforest.ngo with your request.

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Let the Light Shine (Luminaries made with pressed flowers and leaves)
Jul
29

Let the Light Shine (Luminaries made with pressed flowers and leaves)

Learn to make candle-lit luminaries highlighting pressed flowers and leaves. All supplies provided.

Students will learn the process of making candle-lit luminaries from pressed flowers and leaves. Directions and demonstration will teach how to successfully press items from nature. With supplies provided, students will have a hands-on experience, with detailed instruction and supervision, helping them make at least one luminary from melted wax, adding leaves and flowers to decorate the luminaries. When they are done, students will know how to make luminaries on their own. An overview of the process will be printed and available to students.

Luminaries are mood-makers, fun to make, and allow your creativity to shine. Whether a beginner or accomplished artist, you can make something stunning! Once you learn, you can make these on your own! These bring nature right inside to enjoy. Half the fun for me is being in nature and finding flowers and leaves to collect and press. Great as gifts or enjoy in your own home. The best part is it’s a FREE gift from you and the Beacon Food Forest Education Committee.

About Instructor

Roberta Sherwood grew up in a family that taught appreciation and respect for nature, often collecting insect specimens that had died, or gathering leaves and flowers already fallen to the ground. An elementary school project was getting her Filipino pen pal to send her pressed indigenous leaves from her home country, and learning about them. Roberta’s mother taught her candle-making as a craft, tho luminaries came later in life. She enjoys sharing these fun crafts with others. Professionally, Roberta spent her career as a non-profit manager. Now she enjoys a “retirement career” as a caregiver in people’s homes, helping them be safe and enjoying nature whenever possible.

While this class is part of a series of free classes being offered by the Beacon Food Forest Education Committee registration is required as space is limited.

Select the link below to register for one of 10 slots

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/let-the-light-shine-tickets-661970651037

If the class fills up, you can join our wait list by sending your full name to asha@foodforest.ngo with your request. There is also the possibility that if this class fills up and there is enough interest that a second class will be offered in the afternoon.

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Vermicomposting Basics
May
28

Vermicomposting Basics

Learn the basics of vermicomposting! Look inside a worm bin and explore. Understand what is needed to start a worm bin and be successful at it.

Learn why vermicomposting is good for your plants, worm habits, what is needed to keep your worms healthy, how to establish a bin, how to harvest a bin, and how to utilize the compost! Students will get to look inside a well-established bin, explore, and ask all the questions they need to become a successful vermicomposter!

About Instructor:

Jessica Souyoultzis

Jessica owns Urban Garden Wisdom, a garden/design business that is based on permaculture practices. She fell in love with vermicomposting during a 9 month internship at Tilth Alliance in which she cared for the vermicomposting and composting bins in the learning gardens. She has taught about vermicomposting to people of all ages in areas all around Seattle. She is happiest when her hands are in the soil!

Tickets are $25 with some sliding scale available

Ticket Link: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/vermicomposting-basics-tickets-551466429937

Questions: Contact Asha Nelson

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Backyard Bioremediation
Nov
19

Backyard Bioremediation

This class will go over the basics of bioremediation and what you can do to participate! We’ll learn from Jade Frolic of Metamimicry about this method of using biological organisms to clean the environment. Metamimicry has a special focus of growing mushrooms for bioremediation and in this class we will create some mushroom buckets for you to take home and apply in your garden or community’s garden.

In this workshop you will:

  • Learn the basics of bioremediation

  • Explore grassroots-level bioremediation installation designs and methods

  • Discuss the importance of this work and how it helps to mitigate the affects of climate change

  • Put together a mushroom bucket to take home!

This in-person session will take place indoors and outdoors and will include lecture, discussion, and a mushroom bucket demonstration. Class size is limited to 20 people and we will be using drills. We will be following the current public health recommendations – please plan to bring a mask and prepare for the weather.

About the Instructor

Jade Frolic

Jade Frolic (any pronoun) is from the Gulf side of Florida and has had an ever-growing interest in the world of fungi. From studying applied cultural anthropology and sustainability at The Evergreen State college, Jade then received a Master’s in Environmental Management from Western Colorado University in 2020 while starting a mushroom cultivation operation with the Potter Valley Tribe. Jade’s current passions lie at the interface of tribal relations, mycology, and biomimicry.

*This workshop is part of an ongoing partnership in educational offerings with Beacon Food Forest and Tilth Alliance. The goal of these sessions is to focus on climate solutions that are creative and relevant in our urban communities.

BIPOC Solidarity

In solidarity with food justice and food sovereignty for Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC), we reserve spaces in each class for BIPOC community members free of charge. If you identify as BIPOC, and would benefit from a free option, select this option (if still available) during checkout.

Tickets are $45 with some sliding scale available

·        Ticket Link: https://tilthalliance.org/event/backyard-bioremediation/

Please reach out to Asha Nelson if you have any questions.

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Third Saturday Work Party
Nov
19

Third Saturday Work Party

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Where: All groups will meet their lead at the Gathering Plaza at the top of the Beacon Food Forest at the given time. Please sign in on the clipboard at the Outreach Table first. After collecting tools, you'll head to the work area.

What to bring:

  • Water, personal snacks

  • Gardening gloves—We have clean gloves available, if needed.

  • Mask or cloth face covering

  • Weather-appropriate layers

Safety:

  • If you have known exposure to COVID-19, feel sick, or exhibit symptoms, please stay home.

  • We keep these work parties small in order to allow everyone to spread out and work individually. Volunteers should plan to keep 6 feet of distance from others while working.

  • We will have a handwashing station with soap and running water at the worksite.

  • Alcohol or bleach solution is available to disinfect tools.

  • We have a first aid kit available.

Accessibility:

  • The Gathering Plaza, toolshed, bike path, and Education Plaza are wheelchair-accessible.

  • The nearest restroom is about a 5-minute walk away, up a flight of steps. There is also a longer, wheelchair-accessible route. The restrooms are wheelchair-accessible and gender-segregated.

Please let us know if you have any questions about accessibility! We wish to make these work parties as inclusive as possible.

You can learn how to get to BFF on our website: https://beaconfoodforest.org/visit-us

Thank you for your support in maintaining BFF for our community!

View Event →
Foraging and Farming Edible Fungi
Oct
22

Foraging and Farming Edible Fungi

Are you curious about how to find and grow your own edible mushrooms?

Join us for a fungi workshop at Beacon Food Forest with Jake Harris, Mushroom Ambassador and Owner of Stone Soup Gardens!

In this session, Jake will talk about how to grow a variety of mushrooms in your own home garden and how to properly identify some delicious edible mushrooms when visiting their ecosystems. Discover the joys of finding and eating fruiting fungus!

This class will explore:

  • mushroom identification and resources

  • how to find safe edible mushrooms in the Pacific Northwest

  • how to grow mushrooms in our homes and urban farms

  • mushroom recipes

  • examples of fungi and tour some of the fungus related work at Beacon Food Forest

This in-person class will take place rain or shine outdoors and will include conversational lecture and a walking tour. Class size is limited to 20 people, and we will be following current public health recommendations. Please dress for the weather. We will have some mushrooms to look at together and we invite you to bring fungus you found to share knowledge with others or we can identify together.

About the Instructor

Jake Harris

Jake Harris founded Stone Soup Gardens (stonesoupgardens.com) to help communities to create beautiful, sustainable and delicious solutions outside our front doors and in our neighborhoods. He is an avid mycelium ambassador and amateur mycologist. He has spent many hours in the woods in his own yard and in the kitchen forming symbiotic and tasty relationships with mycelium.

*This workshop is part of an ongoing partnership in educational offerings with Beacon Food Forest and Tilth Alliance. The goal of these sessions is to focus on climate solutions that are creative and relevant in our urban communities.

BIPOC Solidarity

In solidarity with food justice and food sovereignty for Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC), we reserve spaces in each class for BIPOC community members free of charge. If you identify as BIPOC, and would benefit from a free option, select this ticket type.

 Tickets are $55 with some sliding scale available

·        Ticket Link: https://tilthalliance.org/event/foraging-and-farming-edible-fungi/

Please reach out to Asha Nelson if you have any questions.

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Grow Your Own Food Forest
Oct
16

Grow Your Own Food Forest

Are you interested in having your very own food forest (aka, edible forest garden) that you create!

Where can you find food, medicine, beneficial wildlife-pollinator habitat, healthy soil, natural pest control, beautiful biodiversity, a sense of well-being, low maintenance, and fun? In your very own food forest (aka, edible forest garden) that you create! Explore Beacon Food Forest’s diversity, help care for its land, and learn ideas and resources for yourself and your community to build abundance and resilience.

Participants will tour around Beacon Food Forest seeing some of the main elements of the food forest and exploring fruit tree guilds. Important food forest concepts will be discussed during the tour. Depending upon the goals of the participants, there will be an opportunity to help do a little maintenance gardening for a couple of fruit tree guilds + plant where appropriate. During this work, participants can take some cuttings and/or canes of easily-propagated plants to add to their gardens. A handout with a summary of key concepts and lists of reference materials will be provided.

About the Instructor

Kimberly Leeper, a Seattleite since 1995, is a garden educator, plant and wildlife enthusiast, and regenerative landscape designer who specializes in Pacific NW native plants, beneficial wildlife habitat, and food forests. She has a background in school psychology; teaching and learning with children and adults in schools and the forest; community organizing for collaborative emergency preparedness; volunteering with community gardens and plant-related endeavors - Beacon Food Forest for past 10 years; and leading natural landscaping companies - currently Working With Nature. These days Kimberly focuses on consulting, coaching, and classes. She loves inspiring people to think more holistically about their landscapes, and create an oasis with lots of foraging opportunities close to home!

Tickets are $35 with some sliding scale available

Ticket Link: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/grow-your-own-food-forest-tickets-420681217847

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Third Saturday Work Party
Oct
15

Third Saturday Work Party

----------
Where: All groups will meet their lead at the Gathering Plaza at the top of the Beacon Food Forest at the given time. Please sign in on the clipboard at the Outreach Table first. After collecting tools, you'll head to the work area.

What to bring:

  • Water, personal snacks

  • Gardening gloves—We have clean gloves available, if needed.

  • Mask or cloth face covering

  • Weather-appropriate layers

Safety:

  • If you have known exposure to COVID-19, feel sick, or exhibit symptoms, please stay home.

  • We keep these work parties small in order to allow everyone to spread out and work individually. Volunteers should plan to keep 6 feet of distance from others while working.

  • We will have a handwashing station with soap and running water at the worksite.

  • Alcohol or bleach solution is available to disinfect tools.

  • We have a first aid kit available.

Accessibility:

  • The Gathering Plaza, toolshed, bike path, and Education Plaza are wheelchair-accessible.

  • The nearest restroom is about a 5-minute walk away, up a flight of steps. There is also a longer, wheelchair-accessible route. The restrooms are wheelchair-accessible and gender-segregated.

Please let us know if you have any questions about accessibility! We wish to make these work parties as inclusive as possible.

You can learn how to get to BFF on our website: https://beaconfoodforest.org/visit-us

Thank you for your support in maintaining BFF for our community!

View Event →
Third Saturday Work Party
Sep
17

Third Saturday Work Party

----------
Where: All groups will meet their lead at the Gathering Plaza at the top of the Beacon Food Forest at the given time. Please sign in on the clipboard at the Outreach Table first. After collecting tools, you'll head to the work area.

What to bring:

  • Water, personal snacks

  • Gardening gloves—We have clean gloves available, if needed.

  • Mask or cloth face covering

  • Weather-appropriate layers

Safety:

  • If you have known exposure to COVID-19, feel sick, or exhibit symptoms, please stay home.

  • We keep these work parties small in order to allow everyone to spread out and work individually. Volunteers should plan to keep 6 feet of distance from others while working.

  • We will have a handwashing station with soap and running water at the worksite.

  • Alcohol or bleach solution is available to disinfect tools.

  • We have a first aid kit available.

Accessibility:

  • The Gathering Plaza, toolshed, bike path, and Education Plaza are wheelchair-accessible.

  • The nearest restroom is about a 5-minute walk away, up a flight of steps. There is also a longer, wheelchair-accessible route. The restrooms are wheelchair-accessible and gender-segregated.

Please let us know if you have any questions about accessibility! We wish to make these work parties as inclusive as possible.

You can learn how to get to BFF on our website: https://beaconfoodforest.org/visit-us

Thank you for your support in maintaining BFF for our community!

View Event →
Third Saturday Work Party
Aug
20

Third Saturday Work Party

----------
Where: All groups will meet their lead at the Gathering Plaza at the top of the Beacon Food Forest at the given time. Please sign in on the clipboard at the Outreach Table first. After collecting tools, you'll head to the work area.

What to bring:

  • Water, personal snacks

  • Gardening gloves—We have clean gloves available, if needed.

  • Mask or cloth face covering

  • Weather-appropriate layers

Safety:

  • If you have known exposure to COVID-19, feel sick, or exhibit symptoms, please stay home.

  • We keep these work parties small in order to allow everyone to spread out and work individually. Volunteers should plan to keep 6 feet of distance from others while working.

  • We will have a handwashing station with soap and running water at the worksite.

  • Alcohol or bleach solution is available to disinfect tools.

  • We have a first aid kit available.

Accessibility:

  • The Gathering Plaza, toolshed, bike path, and Education Plaza are wheelchair-accessible.

  • The nearest restroom is about a 5-minute walk away, up a flight of steps. There is also a longer, wheelchair-accessible route. The restrooms are wheelchair-accessible and gender-segregated.

Please let us know if you have any questions about accessibility! We wish to make these work parties as inclusive as possible.

You can learn how to get to BFF on our website: https://beaconfoodforest.org/visit-us

Thank you for your support in maintaining BFF for our community!

View Event →
Third Saturday Work Party
Jul
16

Third Saturday Work Party

----------
Where: All groups will meet their lead at the Gathering Plaza at the top of the Beacon Food Forest at the given time. Please sign in on the clipboard at the Outreach Table first. After collecting tools, you'll head to the work area.

What to bring:

  • Water, personal snacks

  • Gardening gloves—We have clean gloves available, if needed.

  • Mask or cloth face covering

  • Weather-appropriate layers

Safety:

  • If you have known exposure to COVID-19, feel sick, or exhibit symptoms, please stay home.

  • We keep these work parties small in order to allow everyone to spread out and work individually. Volunteers should plan to keep 6 feet of distance from others while working.

  • We will have a handwashing station with soap and running water at the worksite.

  • Alcohol or bleach solution is available to disinfect tools.

  • We have a first aid kit available.

Accessibility:

  • The Gathering Plaza, toolshed, bike path, and Education Plaza are wheelchair-accessible.

  • The nearest restroom is about a 5-minute walk away, up a flight of steps. There is also a longer, wheelchair-accessible route. The restrooms are wheelchair-accessible and gender-segregated.

Please let us know if you have any questions about accessibility! We wish to make these work parties as inclusive as possible.

You can learn how to get to BFF on our website: https://beaconfoodforest.org/visit-us

Thank you for your support in maintaining BFF for our community!

View Event →
Food Forest Explorers Summer Camp
Jul
11
to Jul 15

Food Forest Explorers Summer Camp

Explore nature and farming @ Beacon Food Forest (BFF) in a positive, structured, outdoor educational experience!

Ages 6-9:

Observe and learn about plants, fungi, bees & birds; forage safely; build healthy soil; plant; and harvest food to help others in our community. An opportunity for kids to have fun connecting with the Earth and food in healthy ways.

Service Learning Component - Each camp day will include time to care for the land – weeding, mulching, watering – and/or harvest food for the community.

Schedule: July 11th to July 15th, 2022 from 9 am to 3 pm each day

Lead Instructor: Kimberly Leeper, a Seattleite since 1995, is a garden educator, regenerative landscape designer, plant and wildlife enthusiast who specializes in Pacific NW native plants, beneficial wildlife habitat, and food forests. Kimberly loves inspiring people to think more holistically about their landscapes and the planet, and creating sanctuary with foraging opportunities close to home! She has a background in school psychology and 15+ years of experience teaching and learning with children and adults in schools and the woods. Kimberly has been involved planting and education efforts with Beacon Food Forest since it was first planted in Sept. 2012

COVID-19 Precautions

This program will follow recommendations set by WA State Dept. of Health - https://doh.wa.gov/sites/default/files/2022-03/821-165-K12SchoolsChildCare.pdf.

At time of day camp, precautions could include: limited small group size; increased sanitation of materials used; outdoor setting; social distancing; and mask wearing.

The Lead Instructor: Kimberly Leeper will be sending additional registration material, waiver of liability, and other after-school program details to families around June 13th.

Questions: Contact Kimberly Leeper - kimberly.leeper12@gmail.com

PRICE: $400 - Scholarships available - Contact Kimberly Leeper to complete simple application - kimberly.leeper12@gmail.com

REGISTER by June 13, 2022

Ticket Link: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/food-forest-explorers-summer-camp-tickets-313666293327

View Event →
Third Saturday Work Party
Jun
18

Third Saturday Work Party

----------
Where: All groups will meet their lead at the Gathering Plaza at the top of the Beacon Food Forest at the given time. Please sign in on the clipboard at the Outreach Table first. After collecting tools, you'll head to the work area.

What to bring:

  • Water, personal snacks

  • Gardening gloves—We have clean gloves available, if needed.

  • Mask or cloth face covering

  • Weather-appropriate layers

Safety:

  • If you have known exposure to COVID-19, feel sick, or exhibit symptoms, please stay home.

  • We keep these work parties small in order to allow everyone to spread out and work individually. Volunteers should plan to keep 6 feet of distance from others while working.

  • We will have a handwashing station with soap and running water at the worksite.

  • Alcohol or bleach solution is available to disinfect tools.

  • We have a first aid kit available.

Accessibility:

  • The Gathering Plaza, toolshed, bike path, and Education Plaza are wheelchair-accessible.

  • The nearest restroom is about a 5-minute walk away, up a flight of steps. There is also a longer, wheelchair-accessible route. The restrooms are wheelchair-accessible and gender-segregated.

Please let us know if you have any questions about accessibility! We wish to make these work parties as inclusive as possible.

You can learn how to get to BFF on our website: https://beaconfoodforest.org/visit-us

Thank you for your support in maintaining BFF for our community!

View Event →
Third Saturday Work Party
May
21

Third Saturday Work Party

----------
Where: All groups will meet their lead at the Gathering Plaza at the top of the Beacon Food Forest at the given time. Please sign in on the clipboard at the Outreach Table first. After collecting tools, you'll head to the work area.

What to bring:

  • Water, personal snacks

  • Gardening gloves—We have clean gloves available, if needed.

  • Mask or cloth face covering

  • Weather-appropriate layers

Safety:

  • If you have known exposure to COVID-19, feel sick, or exhibit symptoms, please stay home.

  • We keep these work parties small in order to allow everyone to spread out and work individually. Volunteers should plan to keep 6 feet of distance from others while working.

  • We will have a handwashing station with soap and running water at the worksite.

  • Alcohol or bleach solution is available to disinfect tools.

  • We have a first aid kit available.

Accessibility:

  • The Gathering Plaza, toolshed, bike path, and Education Plaza are wheelchair-accessible.

  • The nearest restroom is about a 5-minute walk away, up a flight of steps. There is also a longer, wheelchair-accessible route. The restrooms are wheelchair-accessible and gender-segregated.

Please let us know if you have any questions about accessibility! We wish to make these work parties as inclusive as possible.

You can learn how to get to BFF on our website: https://beaconfoodforest.org/visit-us

Thank you for your support in maintaining BFF for our community!

View Event →
Third Saturday Work Party
Apr
16

Third Saturday Work Party

Wanna get some real work done in your community? Come join us for our Third Saturday Work Parties. They are free and open to the public...no RSVPs required!

When you arrive, please sign in on the clipboard at the Outreach Table first then join others in the Gathering Plaza. Group leads will be wearing orange bandanas and will make announcements about their work party groups that you can join. There will be mask-friendly zones available but since we are at an outdoor venue, we will not be requiring masks at these events.

Also, if you would like, please bring your own snacks or lunch but we will not be providing lunch. We will be providing coffee and tea however! We will be doing activities such as sheet mulching, weeding, and planting and will also be writing other suggestions up on our chalkboard. Here are the work party groups scheduled for the upcoming event:

Ph. 1 North Apple Guild and Helix Blueberry Patch Maintenance

Who: Kimberly

Task Description: Continue to have fun caring for North Apple Guilds and Helix Blueberry areas - priority is weeding and mulching (where there is bare soil or not much mulch). May remove/transplant a few ailing Blueberries from North Apple Guilds to Helix Blueberry area. As we weed, we’ll assess the health of the plants we’re working around and any gaps in the guilds which may need a few additional plants. I need to leave @ 12:30pm.

8 volunteers needed

Weeding and making space for
planting in the Native Guilds

Who:
Antonio

Task:
We will be weeding the new section of the dry camas prairie. Some of these weeds are edible! (purslane
and dandelion). We will also be removing some plants that died, to make space for planting this fall. Many of the plants are emerging from dormancy
and there will be ample opportunity to talk about them.

6-8 volunteers needed

Adding woodchips to BIPOC Community Garden

Who:
Cherry

Task:
We will be adding another layer of woodchips to the BIPOC Community Garden to build soil for the future

8-10 volunteers needed

----------
Where: All groups will meet their lead at the Gathering Plaza at the top of the Beacon Food Forest at the given time. Please sign in on the clipboard at the Outreach Table first. After collecting tools, you'll head to the work area.

What to bring:

  • Water, personal snacks

  • Gardening gloves—We have clean gloves available, if needed.

  • Mask or cloth face covering

  • Weather-appropriate layers

Safety:

  • If you have known exposure to COVID-19, feel sick, or exhibit symptoms, please stay home.

  • We keep these work parties small in order to allow everyone to spread out and work individually. Volunteers should plan to keep 6 feet of distance from others while working.

  • We will have a handwashing station with soap and running water at the worksite.

  • Alcohol or bleach solution is available to disinfect tools.

  • We have a first aid kit available.

Accessibility:

  • The Gathering Plaza, toolshed, bike path, and Education Plaza are wheelchair-accessible.

  • The nearest restroom is about a 5-minute walk away, up a flight of steps. There is also a longer, wheelchair-accessible route. The restrooms are wheelchair-accessible and gender-segregated.

Please let us know if you have any questions about accessibility! We wish to make these work parties as inclusive as possible.

You can learn how to get to BFF on our website: https://beaconfoodforest.org/visit-us

Thank you for your support in maintaining BFF for our community!

View Event →
Third Saturday Work Party
Mar
19

Third Saturday Work Party

Hi everyone!

We are welcoming everyone back to the food forest for our first large work party open to the public...no RSVPs required! It will be the day before spring, Saturday, March 19th from 10am-2pm and when you arrive, please sign in on the clipboard at the Outreach Table first then join others in the Gathering Plaza. Group leads will be wearing orange bandanas and will make announcements about their work party groups that you can join. There will be mask-friendly zones available but since we are at an outdoor venue, we will not be requiring masks at these events. Also, if you would like, please bring your own snacks or lunch but we will not be providing lunch. Here's a list of work party groups that we need volunteers for, but we will also be writing other suggestions up on our chalkboard:

Weeding and pruning in the native guilds
Who: 6-8 volunteers needed. Lead: Antonio.
Task: We will be weeding out competitive weeds in the new section of camas prairie, which was planted in the fall. We will also be pruning our native raspberry plants to promote higher berry yields.

Making Raised Bed Mounds for BIPOC Community Garden
Who: 10-12 volunteers needed, Led by Cherry
Task: We will be making raised bed mounds to plant our culturally relevant seeds and starts in using organic compost and wood/logs

Wall-Building for a New P-Patch Plot
Who: 6-8 volunteers needed, Led by Will
Task: We will be constructing a new urbanite wall to create a new half-hexagon p-patch family plot in Phase 2. This will consist of excavating the footing for the wall, laying and compacting gravel, setting a base layer of urbanite, and stacking urbanite up from there. This may involve some heavy-lifting, but there is the option to help with only the lighter work.

Organizing Sheds
Who: 3-4 volunteers needed; Led by Tony Dickey
Task: Clean out and organize all three tool sheds if possible; we’ll be methodical and take one shed at a time

Compost

Who: We can take on 8 volunteers (4 at each compost area). Reena and Joe will lead.

Task: We will be chopping up plant material using machetes and hand clippers. We will then be mixing the chopped material to form a pile. Other activities may include; worm bin maintenance, moving/organizing material piles, weeding the compost areas, and clearing out unused bins. We will meet at the compost phase 1 area.

----------
Where: All groups will meet their lead at the Gathering Plaza at the top of the Beacon Food Forest at the given time. Please sign in on the clipboard at the Outreach Table first. After collecting tools, you'll head to the work area.

What to bring:

  • Water, personal snacks

  • Gardening gloves—We have some clean gloves available, if needed.

  • Mask or cloth face covering

  • Weather-appropriate layers

Safety:

  • If you have known exposure to COVID-19, feel sick, or exhibit symptoms, please stay home.

  • We keep these work parties small in order to allow everyone to spread out and work individually. Volunteers should plan to keep 6 feet of distance from others while working.

  • We will have a handwashing station with soap and running water at the worksite.

  • Alcohol or bleach solution is available to disinfect tools.

  • We have a first aid kit available.

Accessibility:

  • The Gathering Plaza, toolshed, bike path, and Education Plaza are wheelchair-accessible.

  • The nearest restroom is about a 5-minute walk away, up a flight of steps. There is also a longer, wheelchair-accessible route. The restrooms are wheelchair-accessible and gender-segregated.

Please let us know if you have any questions about accessibility! We wish to make these work parties as inclusive as possible.

You can learn how to get to BFF on our website: https://beaconfoodforest.org/visit-us

Thank you for your support in maintaining BFF for our community!

View Event →
Bringing Culturally Relevant Foods to Life
Mar
9

Bringing Culturally Relevant Foods to Life

Bringing Culturally Relevant Foods to Life at the BIPOC Community Garden (Live Virtual Class)

When: Wednesday, March 9, 2022, 7:00 - 8:00 p.m.

Who: Everyone is invited to join! This event is free and open to the public.

Where: Presentation will be hosted online via Zoom, click on this link: https://washington.zoom.us/j/97708921911

Description: You’re invited to join us for an evening of community discussion and participatory learning on the culturally relevant foods and plants that will be planted in the BIPOC Community Garden at Beacon Food Forest. Students from the University of Washington’s Nutritional Science program will help guide the discussion as we learn about the nutritional value of the various annual plant starts, direct sowed plants, herbs, and fruit trees to be planted this Spring. Our hope is to generate community conversation and excitement of the culturally relevant foods and provide a space for participants to share prior knowledge and experience with the culturally relevant plants. Participants are encouraged to bring recipes to share that incorporate their favorite culturally relevant foods. 

RSVP/Questions. No RSVP needed. Please contact alitzow@uw.edu with any questions or if you require special accommodations.

View Event →
Winter Propagation Workshop
Feb
27

Winter Propagation Workshop

Free and open to the public!

This is an event where people can come propagate new plants from our cuttings from the pruning event the day before (see: https://fb.me/e/elHe5AVlK).
All materials provided, including plant material from: fig, elderberry, currant, goji, aronia, honey berry, and more. Please RSVP to cherry@foodforest.ngo

View Event →
Winter Pruning Class & Hands-on Workshop
Feb
26

Winter Pruning Class & Hands-on Workshop

Free and open to the public!

Please meet us at the Gathering Plaza in the SE corner of the food forest.

Class from 9-11am
Workshop from 11am-3pm (or later)

Breakout workshop groups (please RSVP by sending an email to these individuals based on the plants you're interested in pruning/propagating):

Diana (Medicinal plant guild near beehives): RSVP to dyhana7@gmail.com (This group is FULL)

Jessica: (Elderberry, honeyberry): RSVP to jessica@foodforest.ngo (This group is FULL)

Will (Apples &/or pears): RSVP to will@foodforest.ngo (This group is FULL)

Marco (Mulberries): RSVP to marco@foodforest.ngo

Julie: Quince: RSVP to julianorthred@hotmail.com (This group is FULL)

TASKS:

Our trees need pruning, so one of our primary aims is to get the work done. It is a great opportunity for everyone to bring our collective knowledge together, learn from each other, learn from the patterns of nature, and hone our skills through practice.

No experience is necessary to join — BFF is a place where you can come to either share your talents or learn a new one, but most likely both!

WHAT TO BRING:

Hand pruners or saws (if you have them)
Snacks or a packed lunch
Water bottle
Work gloves—We have clean gardening gloves available, if needed.
Mask or cloth face covering—See the new mask mandate from Gov. Inslee here. Leads will cover our faces during this work party, and we encourage others to do the same. Even a bandana is better than nothing, both in terms of protection and as a signal to the public that the BFF is a safe place to visit.
Weather-appropriate layers

SAFETY:

If you have known exposure to COVID-19, feel sick, or exhibit symptoms, please stay home. There will be opportunities to help later!
We are keeping this work party small in order to allow everyone to spread out. Volunteers should plan to keep 6 feet of distance from others.
We will have a handwashing station with soap and running water at the worksite.
Alcohol or bleach solution will be available to disinfect tools.

ACCESSIBILITY:

The Gathering Plaza, existing toolshed, and the paths next to the new trellises are wheelchair-accessible.
The nearest restroom is about a 5-minute walk away, up a flight of steps. There is also a longer, wheelchair-accessible route. The restrooms are wheelchair-accessible and gender-segregated. They close around 6:30 p.m.
Please let us know if you have any questions about accessibility! We wish to make this work party as inclusive as possible.

View Event →