Back to School--Not Just for Kids

As summer winds down and September draws nearer, it's not just the kids who are headed back to school. There are plenty of opportunities for adults to hone their skills or learn something new about food and living sustainably. Check out these resources for a little schooling that may interest you, but remember space is limited, so don't wait too long to register.

Don Your Apron

• Back to School Cook for Good with Linda Watson of Cook for Good, Sept. 18, 2 - 3:30 PM at Chatham Marketplace, $15 ($10 for owners). Pre-register at the Marketplace or call (919) 542-2643.
• Cooking from a CSA Box with Chef Sarig Agasi from Zely & Ritz – Sept. 25, 10 am to 2 pm, $40 and eat what you cook. Whether you get your veggies in a weekly Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) box or buy them at the farmers' market, sometimes it's tough to come up with ideas with what to do with all that local goodness. Join Chef Sarig for this hands-on workshop where you'll learn a few tricks and techniques and make lunch together.
• Homemade read Quick and Slow – Linda Watson of Cook for Good, October 24…save the date and check The Abundance Foundation's site for details soon on this baking workshop.

Dig in to the Garden

• Fall/Winter Gardening – The Gardener's Kitchen – Ginger Zucchino, Aug. 28, 1 - 5 PM, $50: Here in western Wake County, you can garden year-round! Learn from this expert right here in Cary about how to prepare and plant your garden for the colder months ahead. September, October and November classes added!
• Edible Classroom – Catherine Cadden, Sept. 4, 9 AM - 4 PM, $85, includes lunch: If you work with kids aged 4-14, this workshop will help you teach them about growing, cooking and eating organic food.

Saving the Flavors

• Basic Water Bath Canning – The Gardener's Kitchen – Ginger Zucchino, Aug. 21, 1 - 5 PM, $50: This hands-on workshop will demonstrate harvesting, selection of produce, and food preservation techniques for saving and storing food. Class demo includes preparation and canning using the water bath method of seasonal vegetables or fruits.
• Canning 101 – Rachel Huff, Sept. 11, 1 - 4:30 PM, $45: Learn how to can summer abundance so you can enjoy summer and fall flavors all winter long. Take home a pint of something wonderful!

Sustainable Energy Sources

• Energy Solutions Seminar – Yes! Solar Solutions, Sept. 18, 11 AM - 12 PM, This 1-hour seminar hits the highlights on how you can save money by saving energy. It's free, but space is limited so contact them to register.
• Building Small Scale Off-grid Solar Electric (Photovoltaic) Systems – Rebekah Hren, Sept. 18 & 19, 9 AM - 5 PM, $270, includes a sandwich from Chatham Marketplace both days: for someone with a real DIY attitude, this intensive class covers off-grid solar electric basics. Students will help install a code-compliant 500 watt PV system on a small cabin.