GARDENING FOR POLLINATORS
Featuring Patty Shipley, Owner & Founder of Leaves for Wildlife
June 15 | 10am – 12pm
Geared towards adults + kids ages 12+ | $25
Learn how to create vibrant, sustainable gardens that not only beautify, but also support critical pollinator populations. Discover why native habitats and plants are so important and how you can help our native insects thrive. Let Patty’s expertise guide you as she shares her knowledge of how you can get started in your own backyard, patio, or even balcony! You’ll leave with the tools to create a flourishing habitat that will buzz with life!
HONEY HARVEST
June 22 | 9am – 11am
Recommended for adults and kids ages 8 and up* | $30
*Children must be accompanied by an adult
Have you ever wondered how honey gets from the beehive to the honey jar? Join us for an un-BEE-lievable experience collecting and extracting honey straight from Stratford beehives with our experienced beekeeper. Whether you’re a honey aficionado, an adventure enthusiast, or an aspiring beekeeper, you’ll enjoy getting involved with this sticky business while learning about the vital role that bees play in sustaining the planet’s food supply and ecosystems…and the sweet rewards that come along with it. Stratford will supply everything you need, and you’ll get to take home an 8 fluid oz jar (Net. Wt. 12oz) of the honey you collect to enjoy at home!
GARDEN TEA PARTY
August 7 | 2pm – 4pm
Geared towards families | $15 per adult, $10 per child
Put on your favorite tea party attire and bring a special teacup, if you have one (not required), to join us for an event that lives up to its name as girls and boys venture into the Stratford Garden to harvest fruits, vegetables, flowers, herbs, and collect fresh eggs from the hen house. Participants may brew their own choice of herbal tea, prepare sandwiches from scratch, and enjoy homemade delights, all with herbs straight from the Stratford Garden.
STORY TIME ON THE FARM
Second Monday of the Month | May – October | 10am – 11am
Recommended for ages up to 8 years old | Pay What you Can
Stories are a fun way to introduce young children to nature and farm life. Each Story Time will have a theme based on the seasonal happenings at the farm and nature preserve. After listening to the story the children will then bring the story to life as they visit the farm and nature preserve. Online registration required.
YOGA ON THE FARM
Second Saturday of the Month | June – September | 8am – 9am
Recommended for Adults | $8
FAMILY FARM CHORES
Second Saturday of the Month | June – November | 9:30am – 11am
Geared towards families | $8 per person
Cock-a-doodle-doo! Rise with the rooster and join one of our experienced farm stewards to assist with morning chores. Get a behind the scenes experience feeding the animals, filling their water, gathering and washing eggs, and watering the garden. The whole family will leave with a deeper understanding of what it takes to run a small, family farm. You’ll also gain insight into the seasonal rhythms of farm life and the hard work that goes into producing our food.
HERBAL STUDY GROUP
Second Tuesday of the Month | January – December | 1pm – 3pm
(June – August 9:30am – 11:30am due to afternoon heat)
Adults | All skill levels | $10 for the entire year
Dive into the world of herbs with us as we explore different varieties each month, from culinary classics to medicinal wonders. Each month the group examines different herbal topics and works together in the herb garden, tending, harvesting and learning from one another while building a sense of community. Whether you’re a seasoned herbalist or just starting, there’s always something new to discover in this participant led group. Swap seeds, recipes, and herbal wisdom all year long!
PHOTOGRAPHY CLUB
Third Thursday of the Month | January – November | 10am – 12pm
Adults | All skill levels | $20 for the entire year
Calling all photography enthusiasts! Monthly meetings provide an opportunity to share and edit photos, learn techniques from local experts to photograph landscapes, animals, gardens and more. All skill levels welcome! Just show up and bring your camera, even if it’s your phone. Participants are welcome to wander the fields and forests of Stratford to capture the abundant beauty of the seasons. Please contact photography@stratfordecologicalcenter.org for more details.
BOOK TALKS
Third Friday of the Month | January – December | 1:30pm – 3:30pm
Adults | $10 for the entire year
Have you ever wanted to join a book club, but feel like you don’t have time to read the whole book? Then this is your kind of book talk! Join fellow participants who want to explore literary works from Stratford’s library in a lively discussion on topics ranging from agriculture, nature writers and homesteading. Librarian and incredible naturalist Liz Barker does the heavy lifting by reading a series of books on a particular subject, and then convenes the group to share her learnings and lead a discussion. It’s a social summary with friends! Explore and recommend topics with Liz any time you want.