TGSE Workshops 2022
Thanks to all that attended the following workshops. We will be going back to the one day event in 2023. Details for the 2023 event can be found by clicking the "Find out more" button at the top of the page.
Saturdays Late May Through August 2022
These workshops - in outdoor settings - are replacing the annual March event normally held at Prairie Farm School. It helps for planning purposes to receive your registration 10 days before your earliest workshop date. Didn't register? Come anyway!
Thanks go out to sponsors whose generosity helped to pay for expenses in organizing TGS: Hay River Transition Initiative, Prairie Farm School, Sam and Jennifer Dodge, Sara’s Hometown Market (formerly Johnson’s Market), Dairy State Bank, Hoff Financial, and Mame Gale.
Workshop Registration
1) Click on the image of the registration form to open the registration PDF.Â
2) Click on the download icon in the upper right hand corner of Google Drive.Â
3) Open the downloaded file, fill it out, and print it.
4) Mail the form, along with your check, to the address shown on the PDF.
A complete listing of the workshops with descriptions and directions can be found below.
Want to attend, but didn't register?
Come anyway!
Come anyway!
Virtual Fencing
5/21/2022 10:00A.M. -11:00A.M.
Location: Pioneer Park Pavilion, Prairie Farm WI 54762 Directions
Instructor: Alysse Sorensen
Rotational grazing requires lots of fences! We will be demonstrating a fenceless grazing solution that eliminates the need for physical fences and enables farmers to flexibly manage their pastures and herds from their smartphones. Moving your herd to a new paddock can be done from your sofa! This will truly blow your mind and open up endless new opportunities to manage your herd in a way that mimics natural grazing.
K-9 Search and Rescue
6/4/2022 10A.M. - 11:00A.M.+
Location: Ridgeland Park Pavilion, Ridgeland WI 54763 Directions Across the street from Security Bank
Instructor: Jan Thompson
What does it take to work a dog in Search and Rescue/Recovery? It begins with the human. Points to consider when responding as a civilian to mass callouts by Law Enforcement.
Chicken Tractors
6/4/2022 1:30P.M. - 2:30P.M.+
Location: N14374 381st St Ridgeland WI 54763 Directions Burnell's home
Instructor: Burnell Martin and George Adams
Attendees will be able to view various styles of chicken tractors that use simple construction methods, and a gravity watering system for the chickens.
Chainsaw Basics for Beginners
6/11/2022 10A.M. - 11:30A.M.
Location: Pioneer Park Pavilion, Prairie Farm WI 54762 Directions
Instructor: Chris Koszalka
Geared toward people who have never used a chainsaw. Focus on safety, basic felling cuts, and the basics of cutting up a tree that is down. Both gas and electric saws will be introduced.
Chainsaw Basics and Beyond
6/11/2022 1:30P.M. - 3:30P.M.
Location: Pioneer Park Pavilion, Prairie Farm WI 54762 Directions
Instructor: Chris Koszalka
Geared toward those who took the Basics class and wish to learn more, or those who already have experience, but wish to brush up or go farther. Sharing your experience will be welcome! Both gas and electric saws be demonstrated.
Hard Cider and Vinegars
6/18/2022 10:00A.M. -11:00A.M.
Location: N3060 630th St, Menomonie Directions Anton's farm
Instructor: Anton Ptak
We’ll learn the equipment and processes necessary to take fresh apple cider through fermentation and into the bottle to enjoy as hard cider. Additionally we’ll discuss fruit wines and making cider/wine vinegars either on purpose or by accident.
Qigong, Movement for Health
6/18/2022 1:00P.M. - 2:00P.M.+
Location: Pioneer Park Pavilion, Prairie Farm, WI 54762 Directions
Instructor: Mark Stuber
Slow, coordinated movement exercises for better energy, circulation, balance and relaxation
Quitting Our Plastic Addiction
6/25/2022 10:00A.M. -11:00A.M.
Location: Pioneer Park Pavilion, Prairie Farm, WI 54762 Directions
Instructor: Brianna Capra
http://www.bcaprastudioarts.com/
We are all aware of the dangers of plastic pollution, right? It may seem overwhelming, but there is so much we can do, and working together we can have a profound impact. In this class we will look at several key issues:
- What is plastic and how did it become ubiquitous.
- What do the numbers and codes mean that are printed in the little recycling symbol.
- Which plastics are recyclable, which are not, how to tell the difference and how to find out what your local recycling facility will and will not take.
- The good, bad and ugly plastics, which ones have benefited humanity and which ones are toxic and unnecessary.
- How to live your life more conscious of your own plastic consumption.
What you can or can’t live without, and what steps to take.
Building Your Own Home
6/25/2022 1:30P.M. - 4:00P.M.
Location: 959 2 1/2 Ave, Prairie Farm, WI 54762 Directions LouAnn's farm
Instructor: LouAnn Binsfeld
Building home ourselves, using repurposed materials
Longbow Making
7/9/2022 10:00A.M. - 1:00P.M.
Location: 440 105th St, Amery WI 54001 Directions Perry's home
Instructor: Perry Anderson
Learn about bow design, types of wood you can use, properties of wood, the several phases of bow making, and more. View completed bows and bows in progress. Instructor will share resources to choose from: recommended books, on line resources, classes available locally, and around the nation.
Go Solar! Solar Basics for Residential & Commercial Sites
7/16/2022 10:00A.M. - 11:00A.M.
Location: N14397 380th St, Ridgeland WI 54763 Directions George's farm
Instructor: Jared Schroeder
A solar professional discusses options for different photovoltaic solar panels and system types. View full array of systems in place.
Maple Syruping
7/16/2022 1:30P.M. - 3:30P.M.
Location: 735 16 1/2 Street, Dallas, WI 54733 Directions Humphrey,s farm
Instructor: Marylin & Andy Humphrey
https://www.facebook.com/AM-Pure-Maple-Syrup-879475418784099
Learn how maple syrup is traditionally made, and see what the future of the industry looks like for making it! Tour A&M facilities at the farm.
Foraging for Wild Edibles
7/23/2022 1:30P.M. - 3:30P.M.
Location: Silver Creek Trails, Clayton WI 54004 Directions
Instructor: Martha Wright
https://www.silvercreeksprings.com/silvercreektrails
How to identify and harvest edible weeds, berries, and parts of trees with suggestions and recipes for cooking. The plan is to find 8-12 different wild edibles in woodland and field, depending on seasonal availability. There will be a brief coverage of legality and sustainability of foraging. This will be an outdoor class with walking required. Class participants should dress appropriately for the weather. Bring bug spray or other insect deterrent, sunscreen if desired, and water for drinking. A method to take notes or record information is also recommended.
Mindfulness
7/30/2022 10:00A.M. - noon
Location: N14085 Cty VV, Ridgeland, WI 54763 Directions KTC Buddhist Meditation Center
Instructor: John Samuelson
Mindfulness is simply paying attention to what we are doing. We will learn what it is and how to be mindful. This will include a talk and discussion on mindfulness, a silent walk through the woods on the property and mindfully eating raisons. Inner wellbeing springs from fully experiencing what we are doing, when we are doing it.
Growing Industrial Hemp: Opportunities & Challenges
7/30/2022 1:30P.M. - 2:45P.M.
Location: Ridgeland Park Pavilion, Ridgeland WI 54762 Directions Across the street from Security Bank
Instructor: Jerry Clark
Interest in growing industrial hemp continues to increase. Opportunities as well as challenges exist in growing industrial hemp just like any other crop. Learn about growth and development of industrial hemp, soil and nutrient requirements, pest management issues, and harvest and marketing challenges. Discussion will focus on production of industrial hemp for seed, fiber, and oil.
Growing and Using Heirloom Corn Varieties for Human Food
8/6/2022 10:00A.M. - 11:30A.M.
Location: 54013 N13183 30th St, Glenwood City 54013 Directions Lake Country Land School
Instructor: Andy Gaertner
At the Land School we grow flint corn, flour corn, dent corn, popcorn, and sweet corn. We will check out some of the small scale techniques we use for growing the corn, drying the corn, and saving the seed. We will also make and taste some of the potential foods we can make from our corn. Possibilities include polenta, tortillas, cornbread, cookies, and more.
Tool Sharpening
8/6/2022 1:30P.M. - 3:00P.M.
Location: 54013 N13183 30th St, Glenwood City 54013 Directions Lake Country Land School
Instructor: Jon Anderson
Learn to sharpen tools such as knives, axes, and auger bits using traditional methods. These same techniques can be applied to scissors and lawn mower blades.
RAIN DATE Foraging for Wild Edibles
8/13/2022 1:30P.M. - 3:30P.M.
Location: Silver Creek Trails, Clayton WI Directions West entrance
Instructor: Martha Wright
https://www.silvercreeksprings.com/silvercreektrails
How to identify and harvest edible weeds, berries, and parts of trees with suggestions and recipes for cooking. The plan is to find 8-12 different wild edibles in woodland and field, depending on seasonal availability. There will be a brief coverage of legality and sustainability of foraging. This will be an outdoor class with walking required. Class participants should dress appropriately for the weather. Bring bug spray or other insect deterrent, sunscreen if desired, and water for drinking. A method to take notes or record information is also recommended.
Barn Quilts of Wisconsin
8/20/2022 10:00A.M. - noon
Location: Ridgeland Park Pavilion, Ridgeland WI 54763 Directions Across the street from Security Bank
Instructor: Mary & Michael Kolstad
https://www.facebook.com/mjbarnquilts/
Barn quilts have been making a comeback with people creating barn quilt trails and forming committees to help paint the quilts Trails are flourishing bringing back a RICH history to our state. Learn the various meanings behind the colors and patterns used. The presentation will have many photos and stories behind the families and farms that make their Barn Quilts unique. Come join in the conversational presentation and learn about
History behind Barn Quilts
Meanings behind Patterns and colors
Show how each farm is unique
Serve as directional points, especially during a time when roads were not always clearly marked.
If time – DIY Barn Quilt instruction to get you started
Photo album of various Barn Quilts
Show & Tell
8/20/2022 1:30P.M. - 3:30P.M.
Location: N14397 380th St Ridgeland WI 54763 Directions George's farm
Instructor: George Adams
This will be like First Grade Show and Tell where I will give you a tour of my farm and the various things I have designed and built. Options for discussion will be charcoal gasifiers, DIY solar electric, solar hot air, solar hot water, cookers and dehydrators. Microcontrollers running freezer temperature sensors, PV solar monitoring, egg incubators, iPhone control of the electric fence and many more. Charcoal making, window insulator panels, homemade bee hives, apple juice press, mouse traps, winter water lines, electric deer fence, strawberry netting tunnel, and more. Plastic mulch laying machine, Dog gate, Humanure toilet, Electricity meter lamp, Dust collector blast gate controller, Electric wire puller remote control, Apple pomace, No waste chicken feeders
More Sustainable Lifestyles
8/27/2022 10:00A.M. - noon
Location: N11248 730th St, Wheeler 54772 Directions Douglas' farm
Instructor: Douglas Owens-Pike
Walk through low energy use passive solar home and grounds; discuss active systems including: hot water, solar power, rainwater storage & landscaping for energy savings; growing and storing food; raising chickens; greenhouse construction
Planting Trees for Our Future Forests
8/27/2022 1:30P.M. - 3:30P.M.
Location: N11248 730th St, Wheeler 54772 Directions Douglas' farm
Instructor: Douglas Owens-Pike
Discussing what trees are recommended given climate change underway. Will walk to nursery to show examples species.