Access At CVUHS

Have you thought about keeping bees? This is the opportunity to learn more about these vital and fascinating creatures providing so much of our food. The instructors, or apiarists, have over 40 years of combined experience and will pass along not only the facts, but also tips from hands-on experience in the field and many years in the beekeeping business! Learn more about your bee passion from Vermont based beekeeping experts at this popular Access class. These three sessions will enlighten, and maybe even inspire you to start a few hives of your own! Plenty of question-and-answer time and all the info needed to start your own operation. A "possible" 4th field session may be offered. Dates, time, and location to be determined based on weather and instructors schedule. Deborah and Rick tending to bees at a hive.

Join us as we learn more about pollinators, and growing pollinator friendly landscapes. Creating pollinator gardens doesn’t just help the bees; it also helps your fruits and vegetables. We will cover the key local and regional native perennials that provide pollinators with nectar and pollen throughout the season. This course also highlights host plants for caterpillars of butterflies and moths, and plants that provide for other pollinating specialists. Participants will take home plant lists and a greater understanding of strategies to incorporate these plants and techniques into your own garden space. This is a workshop for all levels, beginner to professional. This class will meet inside CVU.

Just a few steps outside your door lies a world of plants waiting to be discovered! Kelley Robie of Horsetail Herbs will guide you on this introduction to identifying common and abundant “weeds” that make some of our very best wild foods and medicines. Here in Vermont for at least half of the year we can find dozens of nutritious and healing plants to incorporate into our meals! We will identify local plant species, discuss parts of the plants used, when to harvest them and even do some taste-testing. You will go home with wild food recipes galore and a new appreciation for Vermont’s local wild plants. Local eating at its best, both fresh and free! This class will meet inside CVU, before moving outside. In the case of extreme weather, the class may move to a rain date of May 29th.