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2020 Food Forest Work and Learn Days

Work Days and Work & Learn Classes are currently cancelled through May.

Individuals may get direction to work on their own by emailing our Food Forest chair at foodforest[at]edibleevanston[dot]org .

The Eggleston Park Food Forest is a diverse planting of perennial edible trees, shrubs and smaller plants— including fruits, vegetables, nuts, and herbs—designed to mimic the natural balance of a forest by utilizing permaculture principles.

We welcome the community to get involved by learning about what we are doing, helping us plan next steps, and helping to maintain our Food Forest located in Eggleston Park.

We have great volunteer opportunities for individuals, families and groups thru regular monthly work days that frequently include learning presentations. (We are happy to arrange other special volunteer days for groups as needed. For more information, please email foodforestcommittee[at]edibleevanston[dot]org.)

Eggleston Park Food Forest & Orchard
2100 Hartrey, south of Payne, west of Bridge, north of McCormick
Evanston IL 60201

NEW 2020 times:

10:30 a.m.–11:00 a.m.
Class: see below for topics for this half-hour class. We'll conclude the class with a Permaculture-oriented topic we hope might spark discussions during the next couple of hours. (Permaculture talks for 2020 center on Digging deeper: questioning the principles)

11:00 a.m.–1:00 p.m.
Volunteer work

1:00 p.m. –2:00 p.m.
Community time, snacks and conversation

2020 Educational Work-and-Learn Days Schedule

Theme of the year: Creatively Use and Respond to Change

March 21 POSTPONED—
Shiitake: Growing your own

April 18 POSTPONED—
Sequestering Carbon in the Soil: Help your plants and your planet

May 16—no class; work day followed by festival
—May-Bee Fest; A two hour festival to celebrate flowers and pollinators, with music and food.

June 20—
Water Management for Too Much and Too Little: Rain gardens, cisterns, French drains, graywater and using plants as filters, sponges and reservoirs

July 18—
Weed Appreciation: Eat your weeds, feed them to pollinators, or at least listen to what they are telling you Register now.

August 15—
Avoiding Waste: Harvest storage and techniques

September 19—
Compost Tea: How and why (demo) Register Now!

October 17—
Adding Diversity/Planning for Resilience: Growing in an unpredictable climate
including Native Plants/Preserving Biodiversity

November 21—
TBD

A waiver will be required to participate as a volunteer. You can sign it on-site, but if you are under 18 years old a parent or guardian must sign. The release is available here. And you may print it and bring a copy with you. No other registration is required.

Sign up to help us plan

No registration is required, but it's great to know who to expect. Please fill in our form so we can be prepared for your assistance.

Thank you!

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