This BFA Discussion Group is located in Mystic, CT at Coogan Farm (at the Denison Pequotsepos Nature Center). To contact/join this group, please see the contact info on the left.
Farmer Craig Floyd holds classes and workshops at The Giving Garden at Coogan Farm.
Coogan Farm (at the Denison Pequotsepos Nature Center) in Mystic, CT [ map ] is open Mon-Thur and Sat 8:00 am - 4:00 pm. Harvest day Mondays 8:00 - 10:00 am.
100% of the crops grown go to the Gemma E. Moran United Way Labor Food Center, which distributes food to 63 programs that serve 91 feeding sites across New London County. Since its conception in 2014, the Giving Garden has donated many tons of produce to help their neighbors with a goal of reaching 100,000 members of the community in 2020.
For notification of chapter meetings and events, email the Chapter Leaders and request to be invited to join their “Giving Garden” closed Facebook Group located here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/Cooganfarmgivinggarden/
Throughout the year, Farmer Craig holds a series of garden classes, all of which are held at the JX Arts Barn on the Coogan Farm Campus
162 Greenmanville Ave, Mystic, CT 06355 [ map ]
Also check their calendar of events at the Denison Pequotsepos Nature Center: https://dpnc.org/calendar/category/garden/
Upcoming events
Planning Your Garden
Saturday, January 11, 2020 from 1:00-3:00pm
Let us help you get started with the knowledge you need to grow and tend a successful garden. Farmer Craig will provide tips on what to grow, where to buy supplies, where to start plants inside, transplanting and much more to help ensure you are ready for this year’s growing season.
Organic Pest Management
Saturday, January 25, 2020 from 1:00-3:00pm
Interested in learning how to control garden pests without using chemical pesticides? In this course, learn biologically-based approaches to pest control that promote a thriving and successful garden. We will cover common insect pests of the Northeast and how to prevent and recover from outbreaks using natural methods. Students will acquire information to assist them in building their own integrated pest management programs.
Led by special presenter Emma Sutphen
Feed Your Garden
Saturday, February 22, 2020 from 9:00-11:00am
Soil is an endangered species. Yes, it lives, breaths, communicates, and it can die. But, it can be saved and it can be brought back to full life. Whether you call it Korean Natural Farming, One Straw Revolution, the Ruth Stout Method, regenerative farming... Learn how to make sure your soil is healthy, so your plants are healthy, disease, and insect resistant, without having to dig too deeply into the science. We’ll start with dirt and end with indigenous micro-organisms (IMOs).
Led by special presenter Ray Hasson
The Science Behind Microbiology
Saturday, March 21, 2020 from 9:00-11:00am
Want more production, less work? Microbiology is the key. In this class we will learn all about the life below our feet that are the real stars of the garden. Don’t miss this class if you want the best garden of your life. It’s not complicated or nerdy…
Led by special guest speaker Joe Magazzi, owner of Green Earth AG and Turf
Regenerative Farming and the Bionutrient Food Association
Saturday, April 4, 2020 from 9:00-11:00am
The regenerative way of farming will change the way we farm for the betterment of the farmer, the consumer and the planet. We are so excited to present the Founder of the Bionutrient Food Association, Dan Kittredge, as our special guest speaker. Come learn from the master about why you should soak up every bit of information on this way of farming and gardening, simple, inexpensive and high production.
Led by special guest speaker Dan Kittredge, founder of Bionutrient Food Association/Real Food Campaign
Tomatoes
Saturday, April 18, 2020 from 1:00-3:00pm
What is the potential of a tomato plant? 22 feet tall and 300 pounds of tomatoes. This class will teach you all that you need to know to grow the best tomatoes you have ever had as well as showing gardening techniques that require less labor, less cost and so much more production.
Farmer Craig also offers a separate, yearlong Regenerative Gardening Series that meets monthly from October - July, taking you and your garden through the year and learning the best practices of regenerative gardening. The 2019-2020 course is now closed to registration, but keep an eye out for the 2020-2021 course, beginning in fall 2020.
https://dpnc.org/gardenprograms/
For a complete list of programs and to register, visit dpnc.org/calendar or call 860.536.1216