Intro to Composting – Sally Ruggeri
Saturday 10:30 – 11:15a

Sally is a resident of Waterford, having retired after 30 years at Pfizer.  She is a certified Master Composter and Advanced Master Gardener in the State of Connecticut and spends her time volunteering at the East Lyme Giving Garden and Harkness Park.  She also mentors interns in the UConn Master Gardener certification process and works in the office at the New London County Extension, fielding queries from home gardeners.

Heirloom and Specialty Tomatoes by Kim Milikowski
Saturday 2:15 – 3:00p

Program covers the rich history of heirloom tomatoes and tips on how to have an epic tomato harvest from your own garden.  Tomatoes were once thought to be poisonous and now are one of the most popular plants to grow in home gardens.  From the basics of growing tomatoes to demystifying terms like open-pollinated, hybrid, determinate and indeterminate, you will be set up for success.  Favorite varieties are presented including compact varieties that perform well in containers and small spaces.   Environmentally friendly approaches to avoiding and controlling diseases and plant issues are also covered.  Kim, the owner of Foster Hill Farm grows over 150 varieties of heirloom and specialty tomato plants including varieties dating back to the 1800s.

Tori Pond from Craft & Sprout Coops – Let’s Talk Chickens
Saturday 3:15 – 4:15p

Backyard Chickens has become the current trend in so many urban and suburban backyards and comes with many questions. Keeping your chickens can be a rewarding experience, whether you’re interested in fresh eggs, pest control in your garden or simply enjoying the company of these feathered friends.  We will go in depth during this discussion about all things chickens, chicken coops, chicken math and Chicken care.  Followed by a Q &A.  Whether you’re a seasoned chicken keeper, just starting or curious about all the chicken chatter, the world of chickens offers endless opportunities for sustainability, learning and enjoyment.

Rain Gardens By Donna Katsuranis
Saturday 4:30 – 5:30p

Stormwater runoff is an increasing problem, both from pollution and conservation standpoints. This talk will address the best way to make a rain garden to optimize collection of runoff water while adding a beautiful, easy to maintain garden to the home landscape.  Emphasis will be on using native plants, for their hardiness and their natural fit into the local ecology.  Donna is an Interfaith Minister and an Advanced Master Gardener who lives and gardens in Brookfield CT, despite lots of ‘help’ from her dog and the local deer. Donna has taught numerous Advanced Master Gardener classes and has lectured throughout the Northeast for groups from Garden Clubs and Libraries to Mental Health associations and the CT Flower & Garden show. Her writings have been published in CT Gardener magazine and other publications, and she is a founder of the Kiwanis Giving Garden in Brookfield, where volunteers grow veggies for local food pantries.

Corey Finke Seed Saving Basics, how to successfully save seed from common vegetable varieties.
Saturday 5:45 – 6:45p

Phocas Seeds was started in 2019 by a farmer wanting to increase the availability of food and medicinal crops for gardeners and small farmers in his local community. We focus on open-pollinated vegetables and herb seeds grown in organic systems. All our seeds are locally adapted and grown in Southern New England. Feeding our families and providing medicine are key. If you are unable to purchase our seeds and need food or medicine, please let us know. We will do our best to help our brothers and sisters in need.  Then God said, “Let the earth bring forth vegetation: seed-bearing plants and fruit trees, each bearing fruit with seed according to its kind.” And it was so. The earth produced vegetation, seed-bearing plants according to their kinds and trees bearing fruit with seed according to their kinds. And God saw that it was good.  Then God said, “I give you every seed-bearing plant on the face of the whole earth and every tree that has fruit with seed in it.

They will be yours for food.  https://www.phocasseeds.com/

Jacob Benjamin Bigos – Owner of Casi Paraiso Organics
Saturday 7:00 – 7:45p

Farmer and Agricultural Steward, an Urban Farm in transition to Regenerative Agricultural endeavor.  Educator, Entrepreneur, Innovator, and just another humble guy who loves plants, animals, and soil.

Jacob will be speaking on Microgreens for small farms, homesteaders, and hobbyists; Mushrooms: the missing link on your farm and Edible Flowers for Chefs and Growers.

Michael and Evelyn Schraft – Summer Beez
Sunday 11:00 – 12:00p

Owners of an Apiary in Central Massachusetts. Evelyn is a Master Beekeeper. Michael builds and maintains the equipment as well as keeping bees. Both have served in Beekeeping Organizations on the local, state, and national level. They currently maintain 65 beehives, sell their own local honey, and are distributors of bee packages & NUCs.

Our Website:     www.summerbeez.com

Corey Finke Seed Saving Basics, how to successfully save seed from common vegetable varieties
Sunday 2:30 – 3:30p

Phocas Seeds was started in 2019 by a farmer wanting to increase the availability of food and medicinal crops for gardeners and small farmers in his local community. We focus on open-pollinated vegetables and herb seeds grown in organic systems. All our seeds are locally adapted and grown in Southern New England. Feeding our families and providing medicine are key. If you are unable to purchase our seeds and need food or medicine, please let us know. We will do our best to help our brothers and sisters in need.  Then God said, “Let the earth bring forth vegetation: seed-bearing plants and fruit trees, each bearing fruit with seed according to its kind.” And it was so. The earth produced vegetation, seed-bearing plants according to their kinds and trees bearing fruit with seed according to their kinds. And God saw that it was good.  Then God said, “I give you every seed-bearing plant on the face of the whole earth and every tree that has fruit with seed in it.

They will be yours for food.  https://www.phocasseeds.com/

Jacob Benjamin Bigos – Owner of Casi Paraiso Organics
Sunday 3:45 – 4:45p

Farmer and Agricultural Steward, an Urban Farm in transition to Regenerative Agricultural endeavor.  Educator, Entrepreneur, Innovator, and just another humble guy who loves plants, animals, and soil.

Jacob will be speaking on Microgreens for small farms, homesteaders, and hobbyists; Mushrooms: the missing link on your farm and Edible Flowers for Chefs and Growers.