Fall 2023 Community Education Classes

The Community and Continuing Education Department non-credit classes emphasize personal enrichment, professional development and community outreach. All classes are taught at the Food Innovation Center, 224 E. Crosstown Parkway in downtown Kalamazoo unless otherwise noted. Additional classes may be added throughout the summer and fall. Visit www.kvcc.edu/community for full listings and click here to register for the following classes.

BEEKEEPING 103
Tuesdays, Aug. 15 - Sept. 12 6 - 8 p.m. | $140
This last section of the three-part series in beekeeping will look at the life of a honeybee colony as it continues to get ready for winter. Overwintering practices, preparation and options will be discussed, along with fall and winter duties of the beekeeper.

BAT WALK
Wednesday, Aug.16 | 8 - 9 p.m. | $15
Gather at Southwest Michigan Land Conservancy's Bow in the Clouds preserve to learn more about Michigan's native and migratory bat species and their critical role in a functioning ecosystem.

SEED STEWARDSHIP - HAND POLLINATION AND WET SEED PROCESSING
Saturday, Aug. 26 | 10 a.m. - 1 p.m. | $30
Learn hands-on techniques for saving seeds from wet-seeded crops such as tomatoes, peppers, cucumbers and melons. The class will cover selecting seeds that are especially well-adapted for growing conditions, isolation strategies and hand-pollination techniques for cross-pollinating plants and cleaning and more.

VISIBLE MENDING: MAKING YOUR OLD CLOTHES A SLOW FASHION STATEMENT
Wednesdays, Aug. 30 - Oct. 4 | 6 - 8 p.m. | $140
Transform your holey clothing into a work of slow fashion art. Repairing and refurbishing clothing keeps it out of the waste stream, saves money and offers a creative outlet. Minimal sewing skills are required but some familiarity is useful.

GARDENING THE COOL SEASON
Thursdays, Sept. 7 and 14 | 6 - 8 p.m. | $40
Food gardeners can plant late summer into fall for harvests through the cold months. Learn about the cold-hardy crops that can provide opportunities and strategies for satisfying harvests on a mild day in winter.

AT HOME HERBALISM
Thursdays, Oct. 12 - Nov. 16 | 6 - 8 p.m. | $180
Herbs are a traditional source of nutrition and healing. Students will explore the impact of ancestral plants, sources of materia medica, ethical and sustainable foraging techniques, as well as recipes for building a home apothecary.

SEED STEWARDSHIP - HARVESTING, CLEANING AND STORING STAPLE CROPS FOR FOOD AND SEED
Saturday, Oct. 14 | 10 a.m. - 1 p.m. | $30
In this class at the Food Innovation Center seed garden, explore seed crops like beans and grains that can be grown in this region as protein-rich staple foods. Build knowledge and skill in growing, harvesting, cleaning and storing seeds from a variety of dry beans and grains such as rice, amaranth, millet, barley, rye and wheat.