As we move toward the development of our market gardens to meet our customer needs it is important that we prepare our soil, prepare our planting spaces, plant the appropriate crops, plant companion crops to reduce insect stress and maximize our garden space for successive plantings and profit.
This class will provide a discussion of the benefits of cover crops, which crops to plant, when to plant them, and a planting demonstration.
Instructors:
- Koen Stokes – Horticulturist, Veg’d Out Urban Farms
- Doug Havemann, Army Veteran, Co-Owner, Mesquite Field Farm
- Melissa Havemann, Co-Owner, Mesquite Field Farm
Skills Taught:
- Farm tool safety
- Crop planning
- Seed supply calculations
- Compost development
- Soil amendment requirements
- Farm implement usage (small scale planters)
- Soil preparation
- Planting bed preparation
- Watering methods
REGISTER HERE
In partnership with Growing on Faith Farm, we will demonstrating and discussing proper care and maintenance of your sheep including:
- Applying ID tags
- Medication/Vaccination
- Castration
- Record Keeping
- Handling/Moving
- Hoof care
- Nutrition
- Behavioral knowledge & selection
- Breed knowledge & selection
- Options for predator control
Whether you are just starting or have been in the game for a while, this class is open to everyone!
What to bring- Gloves, hat, sunscreen, water, boots.
Register here
Come out and learn the ins and outs of how to build a high tunnel and best practices to maximize your high tunnel outputs. Chat with an NRCS agent to learn how financial assistance payments, as part of a Farm Bill conservation contract in the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) for a high tunnel can benefit you and your community.
Be sure to bring reusable water bottles, gloves, hat, closed toe shoes.
Snacks for breakfast with full lunch provided.
Register here

Come join us at ARTillery Avenue Farm as we help Farmer Rachel assemble her high tunnel. Not only will you get hands-on experience, you will learn about participating in the NRCS EQIP high tunnel program, selecting the site for your high tunnel, considerations in purchasing a high tunnel, and what grows well in the tunnel.
Lunch is included, but feel free to bring any other snacks you might need. Please bring a water bottle and wear weather-appropriate clothing.
Participants will also have the opportunity to learn about the GROW North Texas Farm Allies program that provides technical assistance to farmers.
ARTillery Avenue Farm is owned and operated by Rachel Mims, a military veteran who understands the need for nature and art therapy for her fellow veterans. She has combined both of these in ARTillery Avenue Farm.
GROW North Texas is a nonprofit organization based in Dallas that works to connect North Texans to food, farms, and community to create a sustainable, secure regional food system that enriches the land, encourages economic opportunity through food and agriculture, and provides equitable access to healthy, nutritious food for all residents.
Register here

Join Grow North Texas at ARTillary Avenue Farm in Hillsboro, TX to learn about season extension techniques, hear from other farmers actively utilizing season extension methods, participate in farmer/provider discussions, and have the opportunity to assist with completion of a 30×96 Zimmerman Gothic Arched high tunnel. This workshop will also address creating a plan for sustainable on-farm enterprises through goal setting conversations and identifying resources that assist with whole farm planning and sustainability (financial and farmer).
Lunch is included, but feel free to bring any other snacks you might need. Please bring a water bottle and wear weather-appropriate clothing.
Participants will also have the opportunity to learn about the GROW North Texas Farm Allies program that provides technical assistance to farmers.
ARTillery Avenue Farm is owned and operated by Rachel Mims, a military veteran who understands the need for nature and art therapy for her fellow veterans. She has combined both of these in ARTillery Avenue Farm.
GROW North Texas is a nonprofit organization based in Dallas that works to connect North Texans to food, farms, and community to create a sustainable, secure regional food system that enriches the land, encourages economic opportunity through food and agriculture, and provides equitable access to healthy, nutritious food for all residents.
This workshop is made possible by funding from the USDA Office of Partnerships and Public Engagement and Southern Sustainable Agriculture Research & Education (SARE).