Series Outline
Tabler Farm is excited to announce its first ever workshop series!
We will offer 9 workshops over the course of the 2023 growing season. This series is designed to support new and established growers in their small-scale agricultural enterprises. Designed for farmers, serious gardeners, homesteaders, and anyone interested agriculture are encouraged to attend. We are excited to partner with the West Virginia Department of Agriculture Veterans & Hero’s to Agriculture.
Workshops focus on small-scale, intensive vegetable production techniques; additionally, we will feature specialty production workshops in beekeeping, mushroom cultivation, permaculture, and aquaponics. All workshops include a take-home item aimed to help participants apply the techniques learned in the workshop into practice.
Workshop details are provide below. Workshops take place on Thursday evenings from 6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. or on Saturdays 10:00 a.m. – 4 p.m. Lunch will be provided on the full day workshops. They will be hosted either in the Shepherd University Byrd Science Center at or at Shepherd University Tabler Farm. Upon registering, location details will be in your confirmation email.
Pricing
2-hour workshops:
General – $10 | Student – $5 | Veteran – FREE
Full-day & half-day workshops:
General – $20 | Student – $5 | Veteran – FREE
BONUS: Sign up for 5 or more workshops, receive a 10% bundle discount!
Participants pay at the door; check or cash only.
Registration required.
RSVP Here
Workshop Lineup
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Regenerative Field PlanningThursday, January 26th6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. |
Vegetable production can be draining both to the farmer and their land if not carefully planned. This workshop dives into the basics of field planning: from crop rotation to cover cropping, we’ll go over some of the key planning components to not only sustaining your farmland, but regenerating it. We also explore record keeping techniques to help you track your farming efforts and create an efficient production system.
Presenters: Dr. Brooke Comer SU Environmental Studies professor & soil scientist Madison Hale Tabler Farm Coordinator |
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Seeding & Transplanting: Best PracticesThursday, February 23rd6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. |
Spring is a busy time on the farm. This workshop is designed to provide folks with tools to make seeding and transplanting simpler and more efficient. We’ll review common and innovative tools and materials, recommended seed starting soils and fertilizers, along with going over useful tips for ensuring success of your crops.
Presenters: Dr. Brooke Comer SU Environmental Studies professor & soil scientist Madison Hale Tabler Farm Coordinator |
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High Tunnel Growing 101Saturday, March 25th10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. Lunch included |
In this workshop we’ll review all aspects of growing with high tunnels: from choosing your structure and site placement to recommended high tunnel production techniques and the pros/cons of tunnels. By completing this workshop, growers should have the confidence to decide whether a high tunnel fits their enterprise and the skills to utilize it efficiently.
Presenters: Dr. Brooke Comer SU Environmental Studies professor & soil scientist Madison Hale Tabler Farm Coordinator |
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Intro to Culinary Mushroom CultivationSaturday, April 29th10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. Lunch included |
Ever considered expanding your current production model with an alternative system? Or maybe you want to try something new altogether. This workshop will go over all you need to know about starting a mushroom business. From materials to best practices, you’ll leave with the knowledge needed to get started.
Presenter: Jared Urchek Educator of mushroom foraging and cultivation |
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Advanced Bee KeepingSaturday, May 27 (tentative)10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. Lunch included |
This workshop is for folks who already have experience beekeeping and aims to build on a general knowledge basis to improve your beekeeping enterprise.
Presenter: Guest (TBD) |
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Soil Health on the FarmSaturday, September 30th10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. Lunch included |
Soil health is essential for a regenerative vegetable production system. Studies show that healthy soil improves yield, crop resistance to disease and pests, and even nutritional value in crops. But what does soil “health” entail? This workshop aims to answer questions about the complexities of soil and dives into the many practices farmers and gardeners can do to not only improve the health of their soil, but sustain it and regenerate it.
Presenters: Dr. Brooke Comer SU Environmental Studies professor & soil scientist Madison Hale Tabler Farm Coordinator |
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Perennials & PermacultureSaturday, October 28th10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. Lunch included |
Annual vegetable production is taxing on the land and the farmer. Could there be an alternative model? This workshop explores the theories behind Permaculture and dives into practical applications on a working farm, including a hands on project. Perennial farming will play an important role in transiting our traditional agriculture system into a regenerative system.
Presenter: Bodhi Vasilopoulos Permaculturist |
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Winter Farming: Season Extension & Value-Added ProductsSaturday, November 18th1 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. |
Four-seasons growing is challenging, but if done efficiently, can extend your profit margins and marketability. This workshop will cover the ins and outs of market/season extension, touch on added value products such as dried goods and storage crops, compare winter harvest crops versus overwintering crops, and best practices for resting grow beds during the winter.
Presenters: Dr. Brooke Comer SU Environmental Studies professor & soil scientist Madison Hale Tabler Farm Coordinator |
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Intro to Indoor Aquaponics GrowingThursday, December 14th6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. |
Interested in an indoor growing system? How about fresh tomatoes in January? Aquaponics may be for you! This workshop describes the fundamental components, costs, and operations of aquaponics systems.
Presenter: Dr. Peter Vila SU Environmental Studies professor and aquatic scientist |
