LEARN FROM A LOCAL HERO
By CISA

If you’re looking for a new hobby to pick up this winter season, take the opportunity to learn from our local experts. Many Local Hero farmers and businesses offer skills workshops in the community during the slower winter season.

WOOL

If you are interested in learning about spinning or dying wool, be sure to check out Foxfire Fiber & Designs Barb Parry’s upcoming workshops at Webs Yarn Store in Northampton. She is also hosting monthly relaxed afternoons of spinning and camaraderie at Springdelle Farm in Shelburne, beginning Sunday, February 22. For everyone’s comfort, Barb is limiting the attendance and asks that you contact her in advance about joining at barb@foxfirefiber.com.  Spinners should also think about joining Local Hero farmer Diane Roeder of Sojourner Sheep for the spinning group she leads the first Tuesday of each month at Webs. Or, if you really want to get creative with wool, leaf through the family workshops Jill Horton- Lyons of Winterberry Farm in Leverett is offering this winter. From sheep shearing to making felted slippers, Winterberry Farm offers it all.

COOKING

Other warm, winter workshops include cooking lessons from Local Hero restaurant chefs. The Night Kitchen in Montague will be offering classes on a variety of topics this winter, including authentic Mexican cooking, bread making, and dinner hosting on a budget.

GARDENING

If you aren’t a winter weather person, start thinking about spring and learn about native plant propagation and other gardening projects at New England Wildflower Society’s Nasami Farm in Whately. Or, head over to Hadley Garden Center in Hadley to participate in their Winter Gardening Clinics. This year’s topics include Birdsong for Beginners, Organic Pesticides & Repellents, New & Unusual Perennials, and Pruning, among others.

Look for other on-farm and farm-related activities throughout the year here on the CISA website.