Nourishing Gardens Intermediate Training

CEI's Nourishing Gardens Training is designed to equip participants with skills needed to roll up their sleeves and start growing food. CEI offers a unique local perspective on urban agriculture based on experience stewarding Freetown Farm, a 6.4-acre farm in Columbia, MD, as well as community gardens throughout Howard County.

As a Nourishing Gardens training participant, you will have the opportunity to make a difference in your community while gaining hands-on experience replacing turf with ecologically beneficial food gardens.

Go beyond the basics to start thinking about how to design & layout your garden using permaculture design techniques, non-traditional garden styles (edible landscapes, pollinator gardens, rain gardens, urban farming, etc.), building and caring for your garden (including building raised garden beds and W**d, pest, and disease management), and preserving and using your harvest.

• 5-week training program;
• 1-2 hours of independent learning each week;
• 2-hour in-person learning session each Thursday, 6pm - 8pm (online option available upon request);
• Experiential learning sessions to apply the knowledge from the week to real-life installations each Saturday at a school or community within Howard County; and
• Participants must be at least eighteen years of age and able to provide their own transportation to installation sites within Howard County.

Thursday, May 8, 6:00 - 8:00 p.m. | Permaculture design

Saturday, May 10, 1:00 - 3:00p.m.* | In-person experience

Thursday, May 15, 6:00 - 8:00 p.m. | Soil Health & Climate Connection

Saturday, May 17, 1:00 - 3:00p.m.* | In-person experience

Thursday, May 22, 6:00 - 8:00 p.m. | Weeds, Pests, & Disease Management

Saturday, May 24, 1:00 - 3:00p.m.* | In-person experience

Thursday, May 29, 6:00 - 8:00 p.m. | Edible Landscapes, Natives, Pollinators

Saturday, May 31, 1:00 - 3:00p.m.* | In-person experience

Thursday, June 5, 6:00 - 8:00 p.m. | Food Systems

Saturday, June 7, 1:00 - 3:00p.m.* | In-person ending ceremony

* May need to shift to 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. if scheduling conflicts arise

Registration costs support CEI in our mission to cultivate communities where people and nature thrive together. With your support, we're able to offer flexible paid work opportunities to community members, earn an income that supports the operations of our organization and mission-delivery, and invest in programs that build community, protect our environment, and support the health and wellbeing of our community members.

5 - Week Intermediate training - $159

This course will be led by Loni Cohen, the Community Ecology Institute Nourishing Gardens Program Manager, in collaboration with other CEI experts. Loni is passionate about creating an environment that fosters a mutually beneficial relationship where people and nature thrive together. Loni enjoys sharing her passion for gardening with the community as the Nourishing Gardens Program Manager, Howard County Master Gardener, and CA W**d Warrior.

Also check out other Workshops in Columbia, Health & Wellness events in Columbia.