School of Self-Reliance

MERRY CHRISTMAS!
2022-12-25 08:00 - 17:00 (America/Los_Angeles)
May you have a blessed day and season, whether you observe Christmas, Hannukah, Kwankaa, the Solstice, New Year, etc.

Have you wondered about the meaning of the diverse Christmas symbols? You might enjoy our booklet on the subject. Here is a link:

http://www.schoolofself-reliance.com/product-category/books/page/2/

URBAN SURVIVAL SERIES -- ALTERNATIVES TO ELECTRICITY, and FIRE discussion -- ON-LINE
2022-11-11 19:00 - 21:00 (America/Los_Angeles)
ALTERNATIVES TO ELECTRICITY, with a discussion of FIRE-STARTING METHODS — ON-LINE
FRIDAY, November 11, 7 p.m.

Electricity is today a staple of modern life — and yet!! — most of us would be unable to function without it!
Let’s take a look at some of the simple alternatives to electricity, either because you want to live simply, or due to a blackout.
We’ll show the many refrigerator alternatives where food can be stored without electricity.
We’ll address the many manual tools that you can and should have.
We cover the many lighting alternatives, from past to present.
Of course, we know that solar power is a viable alternative too, and you’ll learn how to find out more if you want to get solar devices for your home’s lighting, or other electrical uses.

In addition, we’re going to talk about making fire, both in the wilderness and in the urban setting. Fire provides warmth, dries your clothes, cooks your food, purifies your water, etc. It is at the very foundation of human civilization.
Learn about the 4 Principles by which fire is made. We’ll cover all these methods, with many hints for your personal success.
ON-LINE
LINK IS SENT UPON REGISTRATION
$20 ($15 seniors and students).

URBAN SURVIVAL SERIES: WATER FOR LIFE -- ON-LINE
2022-10-28 19:00 - 21:00 (America/Los_Angeles)
Friday, October 28, 7 p.m.
WATER FOR LIFE: Finding it, Purifying it, Storing it
with a focus on the URBAN environment.
Everyone needs water, and no cities exist without a steady water supply. Where do we get our water, and how reliable is the supply?
We’ll explore survival sources of water in both the wilderness and the urban areas. Some will be surprising. We’ll look at the various ways to purify water – all four basic methods. And since you really should keep a supply of water in your home, we’ll share some of the simple ways to store water in your garage or closet.
There’s a lot to think about on this vital topic.
Join us for the class and the conversation that follows. www.SchoolofSelf-Reliance.com

(Qualifies towards our Weekend Warrior certificate)

Presented on Zoom
Link sent to registered students.
$20 ($15 seniors and students)

WRITING FOR PUBLICATION workshop
2022-09-21 19:00 - 21:00 (America/Los_Angeles)
Wednesday, September 21, 7 to 9 p.m. WRITING FOR PUBLICATION, Pasadena City College. $65.
This is a 3-part workshop sponsored by Pasadena City College, taught by Christopher Nyerges.
3 EVENING SESSIONS, on campus.
This is a workshop where you get assignments, or you develop your own projects, share in class, and discuss how to market your work. To get the most out of this class, bring your own projects that you are trying to get published!
The whole purpose is to guide each student to develop their own ideas, and to find the various ways to get their work published.
Call PCC at (626) 585-7608 for information and registration.

KNOTS, TARPS, and SHELTERS
2022-08-13 10:00 - 14:00 (America/Los_Angeles)
Saturday, August 13, 10 a.m.
Learning about emergency shelters

Emergency “Man Made” shelters: KNOTS, TARPS, and SHELTERS.

This is an excellent class to learn and practice basic KNOTS, and TARPS.We will begin with a review of the priorities of survival and how to address each. From there, we will focus on part of the thermoregulation priority…shelter.

You will learn various tarp set-up, the tarp sizes, various tarp materials and weights, the various knots to secure your tarp as a shelter, stake management, and so much more!The ability to practice the knots is itself an essential and basic skill. When combined with with tarps, you will be learning some ways to turn that tarp into an emergency shelter. Additionally, you will learn what is best for colder situations, for hot situations, and even the rain. What is the best direction to face your tarp, and all the details such as tarp knots and stake management, will all be included.

Students will set up various tarp configurations and different types of tarps, from ultralight on up. We will explore the use of light-weight painter tarps for emergency shelters as well asmilitary poncho’s for emergency shelters. You will learn what to do if your tarp has no grommets. Then on to tarps ranging in size from 5×7 to 10×10. We will even show you how to make a tent out of a tarp.

Taught by Wilderness Skills instructor Keith Farrar, who teaches in a very lively and hands-on manner.

Location sent out after registration.

Bring snacks if needed. There will be a very short snack break. As a bonus, you will see a few wild foods during this time.

$65 regular; senior/students $45

SHELTER WORKSHOP -- mid-day
2022-08-11 12:00 - 14:00 UTC
SHELTER. Thursday, August 11, noon.
Today, we will focus upon wilderness shelters. You’ll get to set up a few modern shelters, but mostly we’ll work on a few of the more traditional sorts of shelters that you’d construct strictly from the wild. These include the body hollow, the lean-to, and the half-dome shelter.

You’ll also discover various ways to stay warm on your bed in such shelters. Class includes a short walkabout, hands-on, some plant identification and gathering, and fire-making.

Pricing: $45 per class; $30 for senior and students.
Location: We’ll send you the location upon registration.

NEW! THE ART (and SCIENCE) OF OUTDOOR PHOTOGRAPHY
2022-07-16 10:00 - 14:00 (America/Los_Angeles)
SATURDAY, JULY 16, 10 am to 2 pm
+

THIS IS AN ALL-NEW CLASS, TAUGHT BY KEITH FARRAR

The Art (and Science) of outdoor photography.
TESTIMONIAL: “I thought your material in your class was terrific. I don’t consider myself a professional photographer but I have taken many classes and workshops from professional photographers. Your presentation was one of the best overviews of photographic principles I have seen. It was clear how much time/effort you put into the material–very succinct yet comprehensive. Nicely done! — Dave

Held at Hahamongna Watershed Park, upper area. Can’t find us? Call Christopher at 323 605 7283

While art may be subjective, the technical side of photography needs to be understood to achieve desired consistent results.

This class is led by Keith Farrar, a professional photographer for over 30 years. He will cover the topics that will let you achieve the great photographic results you desire.
He will address exposure, how your camera light meter “thinks”, and the ISO-Aperture-Shutter Speed relationship. You’ll learn about contrast breakdown, lighting tips, hyperfocal focus, and selecting the proper focal length lens. Yes, these things matter! You’ll learn about circles of confusion, composition basics, simple outdoor portraiture, and more.

While some of the material covered will relate to your phone camera, this class is more appropriate for those using Digital or Film Cameras. No particular camera brand
will be covered as the controls are different for each brand. All concepts, however, can easily be applied to your particular camera brand.

You can see some samples of Keith’s work here: https://natureskillsschool.com/years-of-photography

PHOTOS BY KEITH

WHO NEEDS THIS CLASS: This class is for anyone looking to improve on, and achieve consistent photographic results. Both for amateur and perspiring professional photographers.

GOALS: The goal of this class is to give you a better understanding of the technical and artistic side of photography

THIS IS WHAT YOU WILL TAKE HOME FROM THIS CLASS: You will have a much better understanding of the most important technical aspects of photography, outdoor lighting, basic outdoor portraiture and nature photography.
Taught by Keith Farrar

MIDDAY TRIGGERS, TRAPS, DEADFALLS, SNARES
2022-05-19 12:00 - 14:00 (America/Los_Angeles)
Thursday,May 19, noon
TRIGGERS, TRAPS, DEADFALLS, SNARES, AND RELATED BUSHCRAFT Workshop

In our approx. 2 hour class, you’ll learn (by doing) how to make figure 4 deadfalls, promontory pegs, quail traps, snares, and maybe a few other techniques, depending on our time.
You will learn by doing, so don’t forget to bring your knife if you have one (Swiss Army is OK, but a sheath knife is better). (If not, we have some for sale)

Email us for Location — we’ll send you location upon registration.
$45 ($30 senior and students)

NO ARROW CLASS TODAY
2022-03-31 12:00 - 14:00 (America/Los_Angeles)
Arrow Class date has been moved to April 14. Check April 14 for details.

EAT TO YOUR HEALTH series
2021-12-10 18:30 - 20:30 (America/Los_Angeles)
Friday, December 10, at 6:30 p.m.
EAT TO YOUR HEALTH series:
SIMPLE EVERYDAY HEALTHFUL-EATING RECIPES.
Join us and learn how to make simple everyday foods that will enhance your health and well-being. Make 2022 a year of eating for your health.
You’ll see how to make the famous Nopales Elixir, cilantro soup, acorn pancakes, and learn about other top-quality foods that make nutritious salads and soups.

ONLINE LEARNING
PLEASE JOIN US.
$45 ($25 seniors and students; scholarships available)

NOT SO DEADLY NIGHTSHADES --FREE CLASS
2021-10-29 18:30 - 20:00 (America/Los_Angeles)
Friday, October 29, 6:30 p.m., NOT SO DEADLY NIGHTSHADES
When people hear the word “Nightshade,” they invariably think DEADLY Nightshade! Horrors!
Yet, at this timely part of the year, we’ll explore the many foods, and yes, poisons, in the Nightshade Family.
You’ve probably eaten a nightshade today! It’s a very interesting family, steeped in history and folklore going back thousands of years. You’ll learn that although the Nightshade Family indeed has some poisonous members, it’s also a great source of food. Yes, you will need to learn to recognize some wild plants, but you can enjoy Nightshades even if you stick to your local farmers market or supermarket.
FREE ONLINE CLASS — But you need to send us your email so we can send you a link — send to Christopher_nyerges@yahoo.com.

WILDERNESS SURVIVAL SKILLS Class, Five Weeks, $65.
2021-10-01 19:00 - 21:00 UTC
SURVIVAL SKILLS, Friday,October 1, 7 p.m.
Sponsored by Pasadena City College. Call (626) 585-7608 for information and registration. Cost to college is $65. This course consists of five two-hour classes, on five consecutive Friday nights. Class topics include uses of wild plants for food and medicine, purifying and finding water, making fire with primitive and modern methods, natural navigation, finding fibre from natural sources and making cordage, emergency shelters, tools and weapons, and more. The conversation and questions from students makes this lively and engaging. Taught by Christopher Nyerges.
Currently conducted on-line — Students will be notified when the class returns to the campus.
Link is sent for each class upon registration.

SHELTER CLASS, part of Weekend Warrior Workshops
2021-09-25 10:00 - 14:00 (America/Los_Angeles)
Saturday, September 25, 10 a.m., SHELTER SKILLS, part of our Weekend Warrior Series.

Let’s take a look at the shelters you might have in your backyard, as well as make-shift shelters from tarps. Are there ready-to-occupy shelters in the woods? What sort of shelters would you be able to make in the wilderness? We’ll talk about your possible shelters ranging from the post-earthquake shelter, to ready-to-occupy wilderness shelters, to the shelters you’d build from what’s available in the wilderness.
Learn about body hollows and their application and limits.
Learn how to make a simple lean-to, and variations.
Learn about the wickiup.
$65. (Senior/Student $45)
Location sent upon registration.

SURVIVAL SKILLS ESSENTIALS
2021-09-16 19:00 - 21:00 (America/Los_Angeles)
Thursday, September 16, 7 p.m., SURVIVAL SKILLS ESSENTIALS

ON-LINE HOME EDUCATION
In this program, we will do our best to approximate the skills that we teach in our all-day Survival Skills class in the local forest, for those of you who live far away, or simply cannot make it with us into the forest.

We will cover how to make fire with primitive methods, and some modern methods. You will see various methods for building an emergency shelter. You will learn how to create soap from various wild plants. We will discuss the many ways to find water and ways to purify water. We will also show the many wild foods that are very common. And more.
This class can be used as part of our Weekend Warrior Certification Series
Join us for this 2 hour class with optional social time and discussion afterwards.
Presented on Zoom, Pay on Paypal to Christopher_nyerges@yahoo.com.

THE TEN MULTI-PURPOSE PLANTS YOU SHOULD KNOW
2021-08-20 19:00 - 21:00 (America/Los_Angeles)
Friday, August 20, 7 p.m.
THE TEN MULTI-PURPOSE PLANTS YOU SHOULD KNOW for food, medicine, fire, etc.
We will discuss the 10 plants that we deem the most important to know from the standpoint of Food, Medicine, Fire, Water, Shelter, and “other.” These are common “multi-purpose” plants, useful for more than only food. The plants we will be discussing are found widely throughout North America, and are very common in the overall Southwest. Each plant will be rated on a scale of its relative usefulness in each of the key areas. Rather than think in terms of simply “edibility,” you will see that the plants we discuss are multi-purpose, and useful for many of life’s necessities.
You’ll also learn which of Christopher Nyerges’ books contain the most detailed information about these multi-purpose plants. A discussion and social time will follow.
ON-LINE LEARNING. To join, you must email us (christopher_nyerges@yahoo.com) that you intend to join, and we will send you a link.
$45 ($25 seniors and students; scholarships available).

DISCOVER THE TREASURE OF RIPARIAN PLANTS
2021-07-17 18:00 - 20:00 (America/Los_Angeles)
Saturday, July 17, 6 p.m.
DISCOVER THE TREASURE OF RIPARIAN PLANTS
Riparian plants – those which grow in or around water – are a treasure-trove of food, medicine, fire, and tools. We’ll look at many of these common riparian plants which grow across North America, such as cattails, mulefat, watercress, willow, mugwort, veronica, yerba mansa, and more. You’ll begin to see a swamp in a whole new light. Join us for the class, and join the conversation that follows.

Presented on Zoom, Pay on Paypal to Christopher_nyerges@yahoo.com.
ON-LINE. PLEASE JOIN US. To join, you must email us (christopher_nyerges@yahoo.com) that you intend to join, and we will send you a link. $45 ($25 seniors and students; scholarships available)

MAP AND COMPASS 2 WITH NATURAL NAVIGATION with Rob Remedi
2021-07-11 09:30 - 15:00 (America/Los_Angeles)
MAP & COMPASS 2 with NATURAL NAVIGATION with Robert Remedi

Sunday, July 11, 2021 @ King Gillette Ranch (Calabasas)

9:30am – 3:00pm // $25.00 // **RSVP required**

A repeat of this outing (popularly requested) but this time adding field practice. Learn to use a compass and read a map, as well as natural navigation (using nature/celestial and your awareness to find your way). Then we’ll take to the field, putting the skills into practical use. Includes finding and taking a bearing and utilizing BOTH compass and map to navigate. Suitable for 1st-timers but seasoned outdoors people and previous (returning) participants will benefit as well!Cost for the class is $25.00, including all materials. Repeat participants welcome. Free Parking.** RSVP Required **Bring Water, Lunch, Snacks, Notebook, Comfortable/Proper Outdoor- wear, Hat, Sunscreen, Bandanna, a Compass (if you have one)Directions and Payment Info TO BE SENT UPON RSVPPlease RSVP to secure your space.

TO RSVP: contact Robert Remedi, robremedi@hotmail.com, 805-499-2924. OR…
at meetup.com/Wild Food and Self Reliance Discovery

NUTS AND BERRIES OF CALIFORNIA
2021-06-24 18:30 - 20:30 (America/Los_Angeles)
Thursday, June 24, 6:30 p.m.

NUTS AND BERRIES OF CALIFORNIA.
This is a fascinating look at the foods that are all around, and often non noticed. Based on Christopher’s book of the same name, we will look at the common native wild nuts and berries of California, learn how to identify them, and learn some recipes for use.

We will also explore some of the non-native introduced plants that are growing all around us as street trees and ornamentals, which have food value. We call these the HIPs (Horticulturally Introduced Plants). Join us for a lively class, and a social time after.

Presented on Zoom, Pay on Paypal to Christopher_nyerges@yahoo.com.
DURING THIS TIME, WE WILL BE DOING CLASSES ON ZOOM. PLEASE JOIN US. To join, you must email us (christopher_nyerges@yahoo.com) that you intend to join, and we will send you a link. $45 ($25 seniors and students; scholarships available)

SAFE BOTANICAL FAMILIES
2021-06-03 18:30 - 20:30 (America/Los_Angeles)
Thursday, June 3, 6:30 p.m.
SAFE BOTANICAL FAMILIES
There is no “shortcut” to learning about which wild foods can be used for food or medicine. When Christopher was studying with Dr. Leonid Enari, Christopher worked with Dr.Enari to define the botanical families that are entirely safe for food, or safe with some qualifications. This became an Appendix to Christopher’s first book, “Guide to Wild Foods.” This class will look at these safe families, how to recognize and use them, and any qualifications that you should know about. Some of these families are very easy to recognize — such as seaweeds, grasses, onions, mustards — and some will take a bit more work to recognize. A fascinating exploration!
NOTE: You can use this class towards the Ethnobotany Certificate.
Join us for this two hour class presentation, and the optional social time that follows.

Presented on Zoom, Pay on Paypal to Christopher_nyerges@yahoo.com.
DURING THIS TIME, WE WILL BE DOING CLASSES ON ZOOM. PLEASE JOIN US. To join, you must email us (christopher_nyerges@yahoo.com) that you intend to join, and we will send you a link. $45 ($25 seniors and students; scholarships available)

CREATE YOUR OWN TEA and TONIC GARDEN
2021-03-26 19:00 - 21:00 (America/Los_Angeles)
Friday, March 26 , 7 p.m.
CREATE YOUR OWN TEA AND TONIC GARDEN — WITH MOSTLY WILD PLANTS.
Win a real tea plant!

Everyone would like to have their tea plants nearby, in the kitchen garden, available for flavorable beverages and medicinal teas. We’ll begin by learning about the original Tea plant, the Camellia sinensis, and how to make your own proper tea. Then you’ll learn some of the herbal tea plants that the hardiest and easiest to grow. At the end of the class, we will give away a Tea Plant (winner will receive a coupon to obtain a real Camelia sinensis plant at a local nursery).
DURING THIS TIME, WE WILL BE DOING CLASSES ON ZOOM. PLEASE JOIN US. To join, you must email us (christopher_nyerges@yahoo.com) that you intend to join, and we will send you a link. $45 ($25 seniors and students; scholarships available)

FORAGING ARIZONA
2021-01-21 18:00 - 20:00 (America/Los_Angeles)
Thursday, January 21, 6 p.m.
FORAGING ARIZONA
Join us as we take a tour of the wild foods of Arizona, based on Christopher Nyerges’ most recent book, released in November of 2020. We will take a look at the introduced urban weeds that are used for food, as well as the many unique desert plants such as the cacti and bulbs that have been used for millenia by native peoples. The book includes many unique recipes and methods of growing, if you choose to grow some of these in your yard.
If you’ve studied the flora of California, many of the Arizona plants will be familiar to you, though there are also many plants that are unique to Arizona that we will discuss.
Join us for this two-hour class presentation, and the optional social time that follows.
Presented on Zoom, Pay on Paypal to Christopher_nyerges@yahoo.com.
DURING THIS TIME, WE WILL BE DOING CLASSES ON ZOOM. PLEASE JOIN US. To join, you must email us (christopher_nyerges@yahoo.com) that you intend to join, and we will send you a link. $45 ($25 seniors and students; scholarships available)

CREATING YOUR OWN WILD FOOD GARDEN
2021-01-14 19:00 - 21:00 (America/Los_Angeles)
Thursday, January 14, 7 p.m.
CREATING YOUR OWN WILD FOOD GARDEN
You’ve begun to learn about foraging and now you realize the value of many of the wild foods that grow seasonally all around. And just like the earliest humans way back in the mythical beginning of time, you want to have and grow some of these “wild” plants closer to home. Yes, that’s how agriculture got started. In the modern world, more and more foragers can impact the local environment. It’s not hard to collect some of the wild seeds, or take cuttings, and create your own wild garden in your own back yard or back 40. We’ll share some of the wild plants that are easiest to cultivate in your own backyard. We’ll also share the techniques of propagation, which includes seeds, cuttings, and transplants. Don’t forget, some of the common wild plants, if native, can be purchased at local nurseries. We’ll tell you where. And everything you know about organic gardening will be relevant to growing wild plants, since you’re now growing them! Many of the wild plants are more resilient than cultivated plants, and they do best when you try to replicate the conditions where they thrive in the wild.
Quite an adventure. Join us for the class, and join the conversation that follows.
Presented on Zoom, Pay on Paypal to Christopher_nyerges@yahoo.com.
DURING THIS TIME, WE WILL BE DOING CLASSES ON ZOOM. PLEASE JOIN US. To join, you must email us (christopher_nyerges@yahoo.com) that you intend to join, and we will send you a link. $45 ($25 seniors and students; scholarships available)

EAT THE WEEDS to keep Your Health!
2021-01-08 19:00 - 21:00 (America/Los_Angeles)
Friday, January 8, 7 p.m.
EAT THE WEEDS to Keep Your Health.
Before the weeds wither in summer, Learn how to identify, grow, preserve, eat your non-native exotic weeds, which are highly nutritious, to maintain good health!
Eating edible weeds grown locally also allows you to eat less long-distance transported food grown in conventional farms. Whenever you eat local wild foods, you’re helping to save water and the harmful effects of fuel use. Learn to Identify, Preserve, and Prepare common wild foods in your own yard and area.
Remember: Healthy Environment, Healthy Eating, Healthy You. Be a part of the solution
Presented on Zoom, Pay on Paypal to Christopher_nyerges@yahoo.com.
DURING THIS TIME, WE WILL BE DOING CLASSES ON ZOOM. PLEASE JOIN US. To join, you must email us (christopher_nyerges@yahoo.com) that you intend to join, and we will send you a link. $45 ($25 seniors and students; scholarships available).

MEMBERS EVENT: HOW NOT TO PICK A KNIFE presentation and Members' Show & Tell.
2020-12-19 16:00 - 18:00 (America/Los_Angeles)
Saturday, December 19 at 4 p.m.
FREE TO MEMBERS!
Join us on-line for an informative presentation on how not to pick a knife. Not all knives are created equal, nor for the same intended purpose. Following the presentation, members will show and tell their own knife and how it came to be. We encourage members to also share skills and talents, and show things you’ve made (ideally with the knife, such as how to make fire, or carve wood, etc.).
You might like to slow down and just chat with some of your friends, and see what everyone is doing.
Free to Members, and, if you’re not a member, please consider joining. [If you wish to Join, go to our Store page]
Presented on Zoom, Pay on Paypal to Christopher_nyerges@yahoo.com.

EMERGENCY FOOD 101
2020-12-10 18:00 - 20:00 (America/Los_Angeles)
Thursday, December 10, 6 p.m.
Fresh food vs. weeds vs. farmers markets. How do you determine what foods to store for your family? Can you do this yourself? Is paying more always getting more? We’ll begin by exploring all of your sources of food, from the supermarket, to your backyard, to the farm, and more. Then we’ll address each of the many ways to store food, including buying canned goods and retort pouches, dried foods, drying yourself, pickling, freezing, etc. Our basic principle is that you should buy what you already eat, and eat what you store. Join us for the class and the conversation that follows.
Presented on Zoom, Pay on Paypal to Christopher_nyerges@yahoo.com.
DURING THIS TIME, WE WILL BE DOING CLASSES ON ZOOM. PLEASE JOIN US. To join, you must email us (christopher_nyerges@yahoo.com) that you intend to join, and we will send you a link. $45 ($25 seniors and students; scholarships available)

FORAGING ARIZONA -- based on Christopher's latest book
2020-12-05 16:00 - 18:00 (America/Los_Angeles)
Saturday, December 5, 4 p.m.
FORAGING ARIZONA– the latest book by Nyerges.

Join us as we take a tour of the wild foods of Arizona, based on Christopher Nyerges’ most recent book, released in November of 2020. We will take a look at the introduced urban weeds that are used for food, as well as the many unique desert plants such as the cacti and bulbs that have been used for millenia by native peoples. The book includes many unique recipes and methods of growing, if you choose to grow some of these in your yard.

If you’ve studied the flora of California, many of the Arizona plants will be familiar to you, though there are also many plants that are unique to Arizona that we will discuss.
Join us for this two-hour class presentation, and the optional social time that follows.
Presented on Zoom, Pay on Paypal to Christopher_nyerges@yahoo.com.
DURING THIS TIME, WE WILL BE DOING CLASSES ON ZOOM. PLEASE JOIN US. To join, you must email us (christopher_nyerges@yahoo.com) that you intend to join, and we will send you a link. $45 ($25 seniors and students; scholarships available)

SMOKES, SOAPS, AND ROPES!
2020-11-05 18:00 - 20:00 (America/Los_Angeles)
Thursday, November 5, 6 p.m., SMOKES, SOAPS, AND ROPES!
Take a journey with us learning about the many common plants used for “smokes” – meaning, making fire, and keeping your fire going. We’ll also show some of the many plants that are used for smoking in your pipe if you want a tobacco alternative (like kinnikinnik), and for medicinal purposes. Then we’ll look at the diverse plants used for quality soaps for millennia, plants like yucca and ceonothus. Finally, we’ll see some of the plants used for making twines and ropes. Quite an adventure. Join us for the class, and join the conversation that follows.

Presented on Zoom, Pay on Paypal to Christopher_nyerges@yahoo.com.
DURING THIS TIME, WE WILL BE DOING CLASSES ON ZOOM. PLEASE JOIN US. To join, you must email us (christopher_nyerges@yahoo.com) that you intend to join, and we will send you a link. $45 ($25 seniors and students; scholarships available)

WILDCRAFTING SEEDS for FOOD and PROPAGATION
2020-10-24 16:00 - 18:00 (America/Los_Angeles)
Saturday, October 24, 4 p.m. WILDCRAFTING SEEDS FOR FOOD AND PROPAGATION
If you’re a wild-crafter, you might be collecting wild foods for your own meals, and you might be collecting the seeds so you can propagate the plants in your own back yard, or elsewhere in the wild. We’re going to look at the wild plants that are most readily wild-crafted because they are easy to grow, easy to harvest, and nutritious.
If you’re collecting the seed to eat, you’ll need to be a bit more cautious so you don’t bring in other material. If you’re collecting seed for propagation, you should still be meticulous in your work, though perhaps less so.
We’ll share with you how to collect the seed, which seeds to collect, how to process the seed, and how to store the seed. Also, most seeds are not viable forever, so your seed collecting program should dovetail with your practices of growing these plants.
Join us for this interesting lesson, and the optional discussion afterwards.

Presented on Zoom, Pay on Paypal to Christopher_nyerges@yahoo.com.

CREATING YOUR OWN MEDICINE PLANT GARDEN
2020-10-22 18:00 - 20:00 (America/Los_Angeles)
Thursday, October 22, 6 p.m.
CREATING YOUR OWN MEDICINE PLANT GARDEN
You’ve begun to learn about foraging for food and medicine, and now you realize the value of many of the wild medicines that grow seasonally all around. And just like the earliest humans way back in the mythical beginning of time, you want to have and grow some of these “wild” medicines closer to home.
In our modern world, more and more foragers can impact the local environment. But it’s not hard to collect some of the wild seeds, or take cuttings, and create your own wild medicinal garden in your own back yard or back 40. We’ll share some of the wild medicine plants that are easiest to cultivate in your own backyard. We’ll also share the techniques of propagation, which includes seeds, cuttings, and transplants.
Don’t forget, some of the common wild medicines, if native, can be purchased at local nurseries. We’ll tell you where. And everything you know about organic gardening will be relevant to growing your own wild medicines, since you’re now growing them! Many of the wild plants are more resilient than cultivated plants, and they do best when you try to replicate the conditions where they thrive in the wild.
Quite an adventure. Join us for the class, and join the conversation that follows.

Presented on Zoom, Pay on Paypal to Christopher_nyerges@yahoo.com.
DURING THIS TIME, WE WILL BE DOING CLASSES ON ZOOM. PLEASE JOIN US. To join, you must email us (christopher_nyerges@yahoo.com) that you intend to join, and we will send you a link. $45 ($25 seniors and students; scholarships available)

ACORN PROCESSING WORKSHOP
2020-10-17 16:00 - 18:00 (America/Los_Angeles)
Saturday, October 17, 4 p.m., ACORN PROCESSING WORKSHOP. Acorns fall from oak trees, and they are part of traditional diets world-wide. They were an important part of the diet of California’s indigenous population. We’ll share how to process acorns by at least two different methods. We will demonstrate the steps that it takes to go from a raw acorn to a tasty pancake. Tune in and ask questions. Join us for the conversation after the class as well.
Presented on Zoom, Pay on Paypal to Christopher_nyerges@yahoo.com.
DURING THIS TIME, WE WILL BE DOING CLASSES ON ZOOM. PLEASE JOIN US. To join, you must email us (christopher_nyerges@yahoo.com) that you intend to join, and we will send you a link. $45 ($25 seniors and students; scholarships available)
