Winter 2012


                                                  

A Garden Primer:

Don't know the first thing about vegetable gardening, but want to learn? Never even picked up a spade? Fear not - A Garden Primer will cover all the basics, including which tools beginner gardeners will need, what and where to plant, and when to harvest. In addition, those taking part in the course will be given step-by-step instruction on everything from starting a compost to properly transplanting seedlings. Whether working with a spacious backyard or an apartment balcony, participants will receive specialized advice and guidance to get their vegetable gardens going whatever the space. 

The classes will be taught by Grow Pittsburgh Staff: Director of Education Josh Burnett, Braddock Farms Manger Marshall Hart, Frick Greenhouse and Shiloh Farm Manger Jane Olszewski and our Edible Schoolyard Garden Coordinators Courtney Thrall and Maria Bowman.

To secure your place in a class and make your payment online visit Showclix.com and select from either our January, February, or March sessions.

Free childcare provided during the class for children under 12 years old. We also will have a limited number of scholarships available to cover the cost of the course.  Applications are available at our office: 5429 Penn Ave and can be downloaded here.

Admission to our Garden Primer course is a great, unique and useful gift for the holidays!

DATES: 

Thursdays: January 12, 19 & 26

Tuesdays: February 7, 14 & 21
Mondays: March 12, 19, & 26


TIME: 7:00pm - 9:00pm

LOCATION: East Liberty Presbyterian Church
116 S Highland Ave.
East Liberty

COST: $60 ($50 for Grow Pittsburgh Members).
Cost includes a detailed resource manual and dinner provided by Chipotle. Payments can be made via Showclix, or by sending a check to Grow Pittsburgh at 5429 Penn Ave, Pittsburgh, PA 15206   


Burgh Bees Beekeeping 101

 Penn State Extension of Allegheny County
400 North Lexington Street, 3rd Floor
Pittsburgh, PA 15208-2585

 This is a three-day comprehensive beginner beekeeping class to be held on: Monday, January 23rd, Wednesday, January 25th, and Monday, January 30th from 6:00 PM to 9:30 PM each night.

(Space is limited, so please register early)

 This classroom-based course offers beginning beekeepers an introduction to honey bee biology and basic approaches to beekeeping. The course will include:  an overview of honey bee castes and races, a discussion of bee biology in order to understand the challenges facing honey bees, and an overview of the basic equipment necessary for successful beekeeping. The goal is for students to learn how to keep bees for the first year.

 For more details, please view the course description PDF located here: http://burghbees.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/Beekeeping-in-the-Classroom-101-Course-Information-01232012.pdf .   Within that document you will find further information about the class, as well as the specifics about how to register.

 


2012 Western PA Beekeeping Seminar

 February 17 & 18, 2012 

Four Points by Sheraton, 
Pittsburgh North
Cranberry Township, PA 

 Please join us for the most up-to-date information about managing honey bees.  A trade show featuring many major beekeeping supply companies will be held on site in conjunction with this seminar. 
 

Featured Speakers
 

  • Craig Cella, PA Beekeeping Entrepreneur 
  • Diana Cox-Foster, Ph.D., Professor of Entomology, Penn State 
  • Leo Donovall, Chief Apiary Inspector, PA Department of Agriculture 
  • Jeremy Fitzgerald, Penn State Bee Lab 
  • Mary Alice Gettings, Registered Dietitian and Certified Diabetes Educator 
  • Jerry Hayes, Author and Florida State Apiary Inspector 
  • Jon Laughner, Ag Entrepreneur Educator, Penn State Extension 
  • Lee Miller, past president, PA State Beekeepers Association 
  • Dan O'Hanlon, 2011 West Virginia Beekeeper of the Year 
  • Nancy Ostiguy, Ph.D., Associate Professor of Entomology, Penn State 
  • Steve Repasky, EAS Master Beekeeper, Vice President and Apiary Director of Burgh Bees
  • Joe Zgurzynski, EAS Master Beekeeper, President of Burgh Bees

 

Registration Information 
 

Registration fee is $50 per person and $30 for guests and children under 18.   Registration deadline is February 10, 2012.
 

Registration forms with more information are available at http://extension.psu.edu/beaver/events/western-pa-bee-seminar or by calling Penn State Extension of Beaver County at 724-774-3003


Confirmed List of Trade Show Vendors: 
 

Blue Sky Bee Supply, Betterbee, Brushy Mountain Bee Farm, Walter T. Kelley Company, Dadant and Sons – NY Office, Simpsons Bee Supply, and Beeline Apiaries and Woodenware

 


Burgh Bees Beekeeping 102

 
Penn State Extension of Allegheny County
400 North Lexington Street, 3rd Floor
Pittsburgh, PA 15208-2585

 This is a one-day class to be held on: Saturday, March 10th from 8:00 AM until 2:30 PM. 

(Space is limited, so please register early)

 This classroom-based course offers new beekeepers detailed information on what to expect the second year of beekeeping. The course will include: an overview of seasonal management issues, with a strong focus on swarm management. The goal is for students to learn how to maximize hive health and productivity.

 

For more details, please view the course description PDF located here: http://burghbees.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/Beekeeping-in-the-Classroom-102-Course-Information-02102012.pdf .   Within that document you will find further information about the class, as well as the specifics about how to register.


Worm Composting

Saturday March 31, 2012
11am:12:30pm
The Pennsylvania Resources Council, in partnership with Construction Junction, present a Worm Composting Workshop at Construction Junction (214 N Lexington St Side, Pittsburgh, PA 15208-2592 )

Cost: $45 Single/$55 Couple (Includes one compost unit per registration).

Learn about the benefits of composting with worms. It’s easy, fun, odorless and produces a great soil additive! Workshop participants will learn how to house, feed, harvest and care for their own worms. Be prepared to roll-up your sleeves and make your own worm composting bin! Each participant or couple will be provided with a bin, instructions, and worms. You will go home with a complete, ready to use vermiculture system!

For more information and online registration please click link: http://www.zerowastepgh.org/ZW-PRC-byvc.html
or contact Donna at 412-488-7490 ext. 246.


Check out the Farm-Based Education Events offered by the Pennsylvania Association for Sustainable Agriculture (PASA):

https://www.pasafarming.net/educationaloutreach/registrations/index


Got a relevant event you'd like added to this page? E-mail jane@growpittsburgh.org