Do-It-Yourself

Lacto-fermentation has long been a method for preserving food without refrigeration and pasteurization. This preservation is created by bacteria which thrive in an environment without oxygen and prevent the growth of harmful pathogens. Lacto-fermentation is claimed to have many health benefits, imparts a unique souring flavour to foods, and is an incredibly simple to preserve foods.

We’ll provide a few staple ingredients to make a couple variations of sauerkraut and kimchi (or a variation of the two, which has been called kraut-chi). The veggies will ferment for over a week and then we'll pack em and you can take some home to eat! If you have food stamps or extra organic produce, feel free to bring some (some acceptable produce would be cabbages, radishes, turnips, onions, garlic, ginger, horseradish, peppers, carrots, beets, burdock, parsnips). And please do not bring any fish or other meats, as we'd like to be inclusive of vegetarian/vegan diets (even tho some traditional ferments will have some dead animals in them).

If we have a group of people who are interested, we can continue meeting and creating other fermentations (kvass, gluten-free sourdough, beer or wine, fermented potatoes...many possibilities).

-Nothing is required for the first class (March 4), but it would be helpful to bring a knife or two, a cutting board, and some organic vegetables if you can. I will bring some cutting boards, some knives and two crocks for packing vegetables into (2.5 & 1 gallon sizes).
-For the second class (March 11), please bring a few jars to pack your fermented veggies to take away with you, wide mouth jars are easier to pack but any glass jars will suffice.

Scheduled Meeting Times:
March 4, 4pm-6pm at Minnehaha Free Space, 3747 Minnehaha Ave S
March 11, 4pm-6pm at Minnehaha Free Space, 3747 Minnehaha Ave S

Location

edit 9/27: folks who are interested in joining us please call 612-217-1862 or email [email protected]
on some days that we meet we will be visiting communities in the twin cities. we would love for you to join us, just contact us to find out where we are at!

the hope for this workshop is to bring together people who are interested in exploring ideas and new visions of sharing housing and this earth that we live on together.

the idea would be to specifically look at/analyze the current situation of housing/shelter in the twin cities urban area and begin to identify different visions of alternatives to the “housing market” and the strengths and weaknesses of those alternatives (what they do or don’t address). what are the different possible ways to organize housing? what kinds of people are drawn to each model and for what reasons? whose visions are left out?

current homeowner? don't leave yourself out, we need you!

this discussion/analysis group will meet every other week and hopefully lead towards individuals or the entire group being interested in taking or continuing concrete projects around the issues we discuss. we will meet at a relatively new (3 years old) collectively-owned home in the east phillips neighborhood of south minneapolis that is in the process of defining what their coherent vision for the future will be (andrew lives in this collective). this group will be supportive of kids and childcare will be worked out among the group. if anyone has transportation or other needs please contact the facilitator and we will try to work something out using the resources of the people who attend.

organizations and models we could look at, draw from, and/or visit:

Location

What is research, and who does it? In this class, we'll start with the idea that everyone has questions, problems, and ideas that deserve exploring.

Each student will pick a topic that they'd like to learn more about. It can be a historical era you'd like to write about in a story, an community issue you'd like to organize around, a style of dancing that you've loved since childhood -- anything at all that you are passionate about.

As a class, we'll explore some of the following topics:

- Crafting a research question
- Collecting information from diverse sources, such as community archives, oral histories, academic research, photo/video/audio/other media, and others, with a special focus on library resources
- Using wikispaces, blogs, and other social media to publish and communicate research
- Choosing and utilizing appropriate forms of presentation, including writing, radio/podcast, and video/visual.
- Other topics the class decides upon!

Each session will begin with a discussion about research methods. The second half will be free research time for students to pursue their personal projects while drawing upon the insights and collaboration of the group.

Class will meet for eight consecutive Saturdays. The first several classes will be at the Rondo Community Outreach Library, but I hope to also have us explore the Minnesota Historical Society, the Central branch, and other community research spaces in the Twin Cities. Nothing is required other than your curiosity & willingness to learn in a collaborative environment!

Location

This is a class offered through the Local Food Resource Hubs program coordinated by Gardening Matters. There are 7 spots open to non-Hubs members. To become a member, visit www.gardeningmatters.org/hubs.

Your harvest is wonderful and precious. Your time is limited. You want to preserve your bounty quickly and easily.

Dehydration--Food drying is the simplest, most economical method of saving your fruits and vegetables for winter enjoyment.

Jim Lovestar has been teaching the fine art of food drying for thirty years. Bring an inquiring mind and a willingness to taste some delicious samples.

Location