We’ve got a great lineup for our 23rd Annual Spring Conference! From nationally recognized mushroom foragers to some of the best farmers in the southeast to experts in forestry and popular herbal healers, our schedule is shaping up to be one of our best. We’ve got something for everyone, beginner classes to advanced, in the fields of poultry, permaculture design, sustainable living, and livestock…as well as 3-hour courses in primitive skills. Everyone will surely find their niche or perhaps some new opportunities to study with some of the best. Over here in the OGS office hub we are very excited to have so many wonderful presenters to showcase and I wanted to introduce you to just a few of them…with more to come in future postings. You can also read about all our presenters HERE.
P
atricia Krysti Howell
I was able to take some classes with Patricia a few years ago and was immediately blown away by her depth of knowledge and teaching style. She is one of my favorite herbalists and when we began to discuss teachers for our Pre-Conference workshops I knew she was on the top of my list. Luckily for all of us she is teaching a full day workshop on Friday as well as two classes in the herbal track over the weekend on bitter herbs. Patricia is an expert on medicinal plants of the Southern Appalachians and has written one of the go to reference books on the subject. Patricia is also the director of the BotanoLogos School of Herbal Medicine, a certified member of the Herbalists Guild and leads trip to Greece. Don’t miss this expert teacher in the field of plant medicine.
Pat Foreman
Pat is well known for her work with chickens and has taught to large crowds at our conference before, often bringing in a couple of chickens to her classes. Indeed, taking her class a couple of years ago inspired me to get my own backyard chickens, Black Australorps I appropriately named Bippity, Boppity and Boo. Pat has written several books on the subject, including City Chicks and Chicken Tracker which will be available in the conference bookstore. We are so excited that Pat has offered to teach 3 classes in our Poultry Track! These are don’t miss opportunities to learn with a funny, inspiring and knowledgeable teacher, whether you are just starting to think about getting chickens or you already have a flock, she offers insights for every level.
Tradd Cotter
We’re excited to welcome back Tradd, at our Fall Harvest Conference he taught a full day course to a large and enthusiastic crowd. Tradd has studied fungi for over 22 years and is the founder of Mushroom Mountain where he maintains over 200 species of fungi for food production, mycoremediation, and alternatives to pesticides. For the Spring Conference I’m happy to announce that he’ll be teaching 3 classes, ranging from beginner Mushroom Cultivation to an advanced class on Medicinal Mushrooms. Don’t miss the chance to study with Tradd, he’ll blow you away with his depth of knowledge and mushroom growing techniques.
Ira Wallace
Ira joins us this year with a 3-hour class on how to plant a garden for all four seasons. As the author of Vegetable Gardening in the Southeast, a Master Gardener, a worker/owner of Southern Exposure Seed Exchange and a member of the Acorn community, Ira really knows her stuff. We’ve only got a few spaces left in her class, so sign up quickly! If you miss out, you can also find Ira at the Southern Exposure Seed booth during breaks.
DON’T FORGET Early Bird Prices for the Conference end on January 31st. Register HERE