Every Thursday evening there will be events - game nights, movie nights, workshops, plant walks and more!
Community Up-Skilling Events are brought to you by Garden Juju Collective in collaboration with Gateway Farm.
Intro to Social PermacultureThursday, July 11th l 6:30pm EDT
Permaculture is all about designing and creating regenerative lives. This can mean, homesteading, permaculture gardens and how to live sustainable lives in general. Traditionally, the focus of Permaculture was on the land and working with places. The focus now has shifted to Social Permaculture - people, communities, values and social change processes. Join Garden Juju Collective to explore an Introduction to Social Permaculture and how you can apply it to your life |
Cooking with the Season - SummerThursday, July 18th l 6:30pm EDT
Food is often healthiest and tastiest when it uses fresh seasonal produce. Embark on a culinary journey that harmonizes with nature's rhythm, crafting delicious dishes that showcase Summer's abundant offering. Guided by expert chefs amidst Gateway Farm's picturesque setting, immerse yourself in the joys of seasonal cooking and cultivate a deeper connection to the flavors of the earth. |
Summer Plant WalkThursday, July 25th l 6:30pm EDT
Come wander and taste your way through our food forest. Join Gateway Farm and Garden Juju Collective Directors Bridget O’Brien & Dr Charlie Brennan for a stroll through our farm to forage for edible summer plants. You’ll get an in-depth, educational tour of our vast array of fruits, nuts, greens, roots and herbs you can plant once and harvest year after year. We will share tips on how to look for, identify, propagate, eat and preserve many plants you can find in the wild and in the garden. |
Book MakingThursday, August 1st l 6:30pm EDT
Unleash your creativity and dive into the craft of bookmaking. Join us for a hands-on experience where you'll learn the art of binding, stitching and crafting your own unique book. From selecting materials to adding personal touches, discover the joy of bringing your stories to life between the pages at our inspiring bookmaking workshop. Participants will walk away with a handmade bound book! Depending on the paper you bring, it could be a sketchbook or journal. |
Intro to Food ForestsThursday, August 8th l 6:30pm EDT
Food forests, forest gardens and perennial food systems are an essential part of any sustainable and regenerating human future. Come enjoy the abundant, diverse and resilient food forest, native sanctuaries and pollinator gardens at Gateway Farm. This workshop will introduce food forests - both theory and practice - and offer tips and tricks for cultivating a successful food forest. Participants will learn new skills, understand foundational information and values and leave with a good idea about their next steps in establishing a perennial food forest. |
Intro to Food PreservationThursday, August 15th l 6:30pm EDT
Discover the timeless art of food preservation. Join us for a captivating workshop where you'll learn the traditional methods and modern techniques of preserving seasonal harvests. From drying to canning and fermenting, delve into the world of food preservation and savor the taste of summer all year round. |
Film Night - The Pollinators: Bee Cause Project (2019), 92 min, NRThursday, August 22nd l 6:30pm EDT
"A cinematic journey around the United States following migratory beekeepers and their truckloads of honey bees as they pollinate the flowers that become the fruits, nuts and vegetables we all eat." - The Pollinators: Bee Cause Project IMDb |
We invite you to a series of film nights dedicated to exploring the intersection of sustainability, local food, and climate consciousness. Nestled amidst the verdant embrace of nature, our farm becomes the canvas for thought-provoking stories that inspire and ignite change.
Join us as we spotlight visionary documentaries and narrative films that illuminate the pressing issues of our time. From designing through a permaculture lens to the fight for food security and food sovereignty, each screening offers a window into the interconnected web of our food system, environment, and culture.
Enjoy the natural beauty of Gateway Farm around you and linger to discuss and visit after the film.
Join us as we spotlight visionary documentaries and narrative films that illuminate the pressing issues of our time. From designing through a permaculture lens to the fight for food security and food sovereignty, each screening offers a window into the interconnected web of our food system, environment, and culture.
Enjoy the natural beauty of Gateway Farm around you and linger to discuss and visit after the film.
Beer MakingThursday, August 29th l 6:30pm EDT
Experience the essence of craft brewing in a two-hour immersive workshop. Join us as we delve into the art of beer making, from the ground up. Begin your journey by venturing into the lush fields here at Gateway Farm to harvest hops straight from the bountiful berms. Under the guidance of seasoned brewers, learn the intricacies of the brewing process, from grain to glass. Whether you're a seasoned enthusiast or a curious novice, our workshop promises an unforgettable experience where camaraderie and creativity flow as freely as the beer itself. |
Film Night - Gather (2020), 74 min, NRThursday, September 5th l 6:30pm EDT
"Gather is an intimate portrait of the growing movement amongst Native Americans to reclaim their spiritual, political and cultural identities through food sovereignty, while battling the trauma of centuries of genocide. Gather follows Nephi Craig, a chef from the White Mountain Apache Nation (Arizona), opening an indigenous café as a nutritional recovery clinic; Elsie Dubray, a young scientist from the Cheyenne River Sioux Nation (South Dakota), conducting landmark studies on bison; and the Ancestral Guard, a group of environmental activists from the Yurok Nation (Northern California), trying to save the Klamath river." -Gather official website |
Growing GingerThursday, September 12th l 6:30pm EDT
Ever wondered if you could grow your own ginger root right here in Michigan? Ginger is an essential ingredient in many meals, desserts, medicines and teas. It's one of our big crops here at Gateway Farm. In this workshop, experts will guide you from planting to maintenance, harvesting, storage and use of this invigorating root. Delicious and healthy! |
Autumn Plant WalkThursday, September 19th l 6:30pm EDT
Come wander and taste your way through our food forest. Join Gateway Farm and Garden Juju Collective co-director Bridget O’Brien for a stroll through our farm to forage for edible autumn plants. You’ll get an in-depth, educational tour of our vast array of fruits, nuts, greens, roots and herbs you can plant once and harvest year after year. We will share tips on how to look for, identify, propagate, eat and preserve many plants you can find in the wild and in the garden. |
Cooking with the Season - AutumnThursday, September 26th l 6:30pm EDT
Food is often healthiest and tastiest when it uses fresh seasonal produce. Embark on a culinary journey that harmonizes with nature's rhythm, crafting delicious dishes that reflect Autumn's bountiful harvest. Guided by expert chefs amidst Gateway Farm's picturesque setting, immerse yourself in the joys of seasonal cooking and cultivate a deeper connection to the flavors of the earth. |
Growing GarlicThursday, October 3rd l 6:30pm EDT
Ever wondered if you could cultivate your own garlic bulbs right here in Michigan? Garlic is an essential ingredient in many popular dishes. It also has many health benefits - both when we eat it and when we use it in natural gardening. We will guide you through the journey of growing this flavorful bulb, from planting to maintenance, harvesting, processing and storage. |
Fire Cider MakingThursday, October 10th l 6:30pm EDT
Learn the ancient art of crafting this potent tonic, blending fiery spices, tangy citrus, and immune-boosting herbs. Join us for an immersive experience as we infuse health and vitality into every bottle of homemade fire cider at this hands-on workshop. |
Natural Plant DyeingThursday, October 17th l 6:30pm EDT
Unveil the vibrant hues of nature at our "Natural Plant Dyeing" workshop. We will explore how creativity can intertwine with sustainable practices. Delight in the process of extracting colors from botanical treasures found in the farm's abundant landscape. In this hands-on workshop, participants will pick and prepare plant materials for natural dyes and then use these homemade dyes to decorate their own handkerchiefs that they can take home. |
All About Indoor PlantsThursday, October 24th l 6:30pm EDT
Join fellow enthusiasts and experts as we delve into the art and science of nurturing indoor plants. There are more and more kinds of indoor plants available these days - giving people nature connection, making indoor spaces alive & healthy, and simply as a source of joy. This workshop covers essentials, from propagation tips to care essentials. Embark on a journey of growth and greenery, transforming your space into a thriving sanctuary of nature. |
Sliding Scale Pricing
We price our offerings with sliding scale fees to cultivate inclusive opportunities for the whole community.
Supporter - If you move through the world with financial ease and the means to fulfill many of your wants as well as your needs – you are able to eat out when you want, abundantly meet your needs through employment or can comfortably not work, have access to family wealth, own property, etc. – consider paying at this level, which will help us ensure the long term sustainability of our programs while keeping our offerings accessible to those with access to fewer resources.
Sustainer - If you are able to meet your needs with relative ease while budgeting your educational and entertainment spending – for instance, you are able to take classes and eat out occasionally as long as you are mindful – consider paying at this level, which will help sustain our work.
Supported - If you struggle to fund your needs and have limited access to resources in your family and community, or if you would not be able to access this offering without a discounted payment option, consider paying at this level. We value your presence and contributions to our community and do not want any economic circumstances to be a barrier to attendance!
Supporter - If you move through the world with financial ease and the means to fulfill many of your wants as well as your needs – you are able to eat out when you want, abundantly meet your needs through employment or can comfortably not work, have access to family wealth, own property, etc. – consider paying at this level, which will help us ensure the long term sustainability of our programs while keeping our offerings accessible to those with access to fewer resources.
Sustainer - If you are able to meet your needs with relative ease while budgeting your educational and entertainment spending – for instance, you are able to take classes and eat out occasionally as long as you are mindful – consider paying at this level, which will help sustain our work.
Supported - If you struggle to fund your needs and have limited access to resources in your family and community, or if you would not be able to access this offering without a discounted payment option, consider paying at this level. We value your presence and contributions to our community and do not want any economic circumstances to be a barrier to attendance!
Past Up-Skilling Events
Game NightThursday, May 23rd l 6:30pm EDT
Join us for a fun-filled games evening on the farm! Bocce, cornhole, ping-pong, board games and more. Bring your own game to share and play, or just bring yourself! Families welcome. Our straw bale children's play area will be ready to enjoy. There will be light refreshments, including Gateway iced tea. Feel free to bring your own food and drinks. Come play at Gateway Farm in the middle of the beauty, wildlife, and summer farm vibes. There will be light refreshments, including Gateway iced tea. Feel free to bring your own food and drinks. All levels of experience are welcome. All ages are welcome. Youth 15 years old and younger must be accompanied by an adult. Children 5 and under are included in the price of a caregiver ticket. Please supervise younger children. |
Film Night - Inhabit: A Permaculture Perspective (2015), 92 min, NRThursday, May 30th l 6:30 pm EDT
We invite you to a series of film nights dedicated to exploring the themes of sustainability, local food, climate consciousness and more. Nestled amidst the verdant embrace of nature, our farm is a place for thought-provoking stories that inspire and ignite change. Join us as we spotlight visionary documentaries and narrative films that illuminate the pressing issues of our time. From designing through a permaculture lens to the fight for food security and food sovereignty. Each screening offers a window into the interconnected web of our food system, environment, and culture. Enjoy the natural beauty of Gateway Farm around you and linger to discuss and visit after the film. |
Intro to PermacultureThursday, June 6th l 6:30pm EDT
Join us for an introductory exploration into the world of permaculture. What is it? And how can it be applied it to your home garden and to your life in general. Permaculture is exciting, innovative, and gives us a framework and the skills to redesign our lives towards being sustainable, balanced and abundant. Permaculture is a combination of ecology, agriculture and landscape design. This workshop will be great for people interested in:
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Growing TomatoesThursday, June 13th l 6:30pm EDT
Nearly everybody loves tomato season, with its delicious abundance. Tomatoes are especially good if they are grown organically. Join Dr. Charlie Brennan, Gateway Farm's experienced co-director, for a comprehensive two-hour workshop on the art of growing tomatoes. Gain invaluable insights and hands-on techniques to cultivate your healthiest tomato crop yet. *Please bring gloves, hats, sturdy shoes, water bottle, notepad and pens. |
Tea MakingThursday, June 27th l 6:30pm EDT
Take advantage of the mid-summer season with this workshop devoted to healing tea herbs, long standing traditions and the simple enjoyment of a cup of tea. In this workshop, each attendee will learn about growing tea herbs, basic harvesting and drying techniques and delicious tea blend suggestions. Taking the workshop from our farm to your cup, each participant will bring home one of Gateway Farm's signature tea blends. |