Workshops for 2024
Outsider Folk School offers a variety of workshops hosted in spaces around the NE Kansas region. We have individual workshops and ‘Series’ where students are walked through sequential workshops or closely related subjects. Students can enroll in the Series workshops individually or as a set.
By Month
By Series
April
By Karl Ramberg
April 20
9 am - 4 pm
Winter School No. 70, Lecompton
Relief Stone Carving
Relief carving is a tried and true method, thousands of years old, in which the artist carves into a flat surface, causing the figures to project from the background while still being attached to the surface. Compare this to carving ‘in-the-round’ in which the piece can stand freely and is carved from all directions.
In this class, each student will carve a stone that is part of a collective carving of a grapevine. Each stone will have the vine and leaves while some will also have grape clusters. Together the class’s carvings become a ten foot grapevine. There will be group instruction and one-on-one instruction and no carving experience is necessary. The stone carved by each student can be brought home.
Basic Hot Water Bath Canning
By Jenny O’Brien
April 21
2 pm - 5 pm
Circle O Hedge School, Oskaloosa
This class will explore the fundamentals of hot water bath canning. We will address equipment, food safety, types of food best suited for canning, and storing canned goods. The class will include a hands-on workshop where we will can a food item for participants to take home.
May
Native Landscape Immersion Series:
Botany and Ecology in Spring
By Courtney Masterson
May 4
3 pm - 6 pm
Blazing Star Prairie, Lawrence
This workshop is part of a Botany and Ecology Series, students can register for the courses individually or for all classes at a discount. In this four class series, students will learn introductory field botany skills for major plant families in our region focusing on the season at hand (Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter). There is value in attending even one session, though attending more than one will help to deepen your botanical knowledge.
In this session, attendees will learn to identify many of the plant families that define the native landscapes in our region and hopefully spend time with rarer ephemeral wildflowers, emerging pollinators, and the most brilliant green growth of the year.
Fermenting Basics
By Sarah Salzman
May 8, 2024
5:30 pm - 8:30 pm
Baker Wetlands Discovery Center, Lawrence
Alongside canning, fermenting is a wonderful way to not only preserve food but make some incredible dishes as well. In this class students will learn some fermenting history and basic principles plus a hands-on fermentation portion where they can make and take home pickles, kraut, and kimchi. There will be a pre-class meal made by Sarah using the ferments.
Basic Hot Water Bath Canning
By Jenny O’Brien
May 11
9 am - Noon
Circle O Hedge School, Oskaloosa
This class will explore the fundamentals of hot water bath canning. We will address equipment, food safety, types of food best suited for canning, and storing canned goods. The class will include a hands-on workshop where we will can a food item for participants to take home.
Mowing with a Scythe
By Tim O’Brien
May 18
8 am - 11 am
Circle O Hedge School, Oksaloosa
The scythe is a powerful tool when used in small-scale gardening or agriculture, allowing you to weed around crops and maintain paths / edges all while generating hay for mulch or feed. With proper technique and tool maintenance, scything is very efficient and even meditative.
In this course, students will learn scythe fundamentals and practice mowing in the scenic pasture at Circle O Hedge School. Scythes will also be available to borrow during the class however if you would like to purchase a scythe (before or after) we recommend: www.onescytherevolution.com
Foraged Coiled Basketry
By Liz Bonny
May 19
1 pm - 4 pm
Liz Bonny’s Studio at Art Love Collective, Lawrence
Learn the art of making coiled baskets from locally foraged plant fibers. In this class students will have hands-on instruction to create and bring home a coiled basket from foraged plant fibers. Students will also learn what plants can be used for coiled basketry and how to prepare them.
Crafting with Koji: Miso Making Workshop
By Sarah Salzman
May 19, 2024
Noon - 4 pm
Baker University Wetlands Discovery Center, Lawrence
Hands on miso making! Learn the ins and outs of mold based ferments and where to source koji. We’ll make a group batch of red miso that each person will take home a jar of to ferment for ten months (making it a one year miso in miso years). Learn how to make a nut based miso with cashews and a shio koji marinade. This course includes lunch, served at the beginning of class as a way to sample the finished products of what we make in the class.
Fermented Beverages
By Sarah Salzman
May 22, 2024
5:30 pm - 8:30 pm
Baker Wetlands Discovery Center
In this class, students will learn how to create their own kombucha, beet / fruit kvass, probiotic soda, and Jun (a honey based ferment) using locally foraged or easy to acquire ingredients. Students will also take home a kombucha scoby and probiotic sodas they made during the class. Topics like food safety and troubleshooting these ferments will be covered alongside the basic principles of crafting a fermented drink.
Foraged / locally grown ingredients like yarrow, elder flower, spruce tips, juniper berries, and more will be available to use for students’ sodas!
Intro to Natural Dyes for Plant Fibers Series:
Preparing the Fiber by Scouring and Mordanting
By Kim Comstock
May 26, 2024
8:30 am - Noon
Kim’s Backyard, Lawrence
This is a part of the Intro to Natural Dyes for Plant Fiber Series, students can register for the courses individually or for all classes. In this two part series, students learn how to prepare plant based fibers for the natural dyeing process and then dye samples pieces for displaying color as well as a bandana and item from home using foraged or locally grown dye plants.
In this class students will prepare plant based fibers (ex: cotton, hemp, linen) for the natural dye process by scouring (washing) and mordanting. Good preparation is important for a dye experience with lasting, saturated results. Students will be provided with one new organic cotton bandana and some recycled cloth samples for use in the afternoon dye section or to take home. Students are also invited to bring a small plant fiber item from home that weighs under 150g. Students attending both workshops will use their prepared assortment of fibers to dye with locally grown or foraged plants.
Intro to Natural Dyes for Plant Fibers Series:
Immersion Bath with Locally Grown or Foraged Dyes
By Kim Comstock
May 26, 2024
1 pm - 3:30 pm
Kim’s Backyard, Lawrence
This is a part of the Intro to Natural Dyes for Plant Fiber Series, students can register for the courses individually or for all classes. In this two part series, students learn how to prepare plant based fibers for the natural dyeing process and then dye samples pieces for displaying color as well as a bandana and item from home using foraged or locally grown dye plants.
In this class students will prepare 3 immersion dye baths made from locally grown or foraged plant materials. Students will use fiber prepared in the morning class or purchase a pre-prepared fiber bundle. We’ll discuss where to find materials for the dye pot including ethically sourced dyes, growing dye plants, sustainable foraging, or kitchen scraps.
June
Mowing with a Scythe
By Tim O’Brien
June 15
8 am - 11 am
Circle O Hedge School, Oksaloosa
The scythe is a powerful tool when used in small-scale gardening or agriculture, allowing you to weed around crops and maintain paths / edges all while generating hay for mulch or feed. With proper technique and tool maintenance, scything is very efficient and even meditative.
In this course, students will learn scythe fundamentals and practice mowing in the scenic pasture at Circle O Hedge School. Scythes will also be available to borrow during the class however if you would like to purchase a scythe (before or after) we recommend: www.onescytherevolution.com
Foraging Cattails for Tasty Treats
By Frank Norman
March 23; June 15; June 29
Varied
Baker Wetlands
Learn to harvest various parts of broad-leaf cattails (Typha latifolia) as part of a foraging adventure. Rhizomes, hearts, spikes, and pollen of cattails will be harvested during the spring and early summer so the workshop will have multiple dates.
Cattails grow in wetlands and edges of ponds so dress for walking and working in shallow water. Participants will need to bring container for storing plant parts, a shovel for digging in pond water, and a knife for trimming. A durable plastic bag will be needed to store cattail pollen.
Native Landscape Immersion Series:
Botany and Ecology in Summer
By Courtney Masterson
June 22
9 am - Noon
Blazing Star Prairie, Lawrence
This workshop is part of a Botany and Ecology Series, students can register for the courses individually or for all classes at a discount. In this four class series, students will learn introductory field botany skills for major plant families in our region focusing on the season at hand (Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter). There is value in attending even one session, though attending more than one will help to deepen your botanical knowledge.
In this session, attendees will learn to identify many of the plant families that define the native landscapes in our region, spend time with summer wildflowers and taste the wild plants of the prairie.
July
Mowing with a Scythe
By Tim O’Brien
July 13
8 am - 11 am
Circle O Hedge School, Oksaloosa
The scythe is a powerful tool when used in small-scale gardening or agriculture, allowing you to weed around crops and maintain paths / edges all while generating hay for mulch or feed. With proper technique and tool maintenance, scything is very efficient and even meditative.
In this course, students will learn scythe fundamentals and practice mowing in the scenic pasture at Circle O Hedge School. Scythes will also be available to borrow during the class however if you would like to purchase a scythe (before or after) we recommend: www.onescytherevolution.com
August
Local Wool Series:Wool Scouring
By Liz Bonny
August 3
8:30 am - 11:30 am
Liz Bonny’s Studio in North Lawrence
This is a part of the Wool Series, students can register for the courses individually or for all classes at a discount. In this four class series, we will complete the processing of wool from raw material to finished woven project. All classes include a handout with resources listed for further learning.
In this class, students will skirt and wash a raw wool fleece from a Lawrence area sheep. Learn the science behind the technique, and how to set up your own scouring station at home.
Local Wool Series:
Spinning Wool on a Drop Spindle
By Liz Bonny
August 3
1:15 pm - 5:15 pm
Liz Bonny’s Studio at Art Love Collective, Lawrence
This is a part of the Wool Series, students can register for the courses individually or for all classes at a discount. In this four class series, we will complete the processing of wool from raw material to finished woven project. All classes include a handout with resources listed for further learning.
In this class, students will prepare local wool for spinning using a variety of tools, and spin the wool into yarn on a KC area made drop spindle. Students will leave class with a spindle and a small skein of 2 ply wool yarn.
Local Wool Series:
Scouring, Mordanting, and Natural Dyeing Local Wool
By Liz Bonny
August 4
9 am - 5 pm
Liz Bonny’s studio in North Lawrence
This is a part of the Wool Series, students can register for the courses individually or for all classes at a discount. In this four class series, we will complete the processing of wool from raw material to finished woven project. All classes include a handout with resources listed for further learning.
This is a two-part class where in the morning students will prepare local, handspun wool yarn for natural dyeing by scouring (washing) and mordanting the yarn. The afternoon section students will prepare natural dye pots for their mordanted yarns, and dye some skeins with locally grown plants and kitchen scraps! Students will leave class with their naturally dyed yarn!
Local Wool Series:
Weave Naturally Dyed Wool
By Liz Bonny
August 10
10 am - 3 pm
Liz Bonny’s Studio at Art Love Collective, Lawrence
This is a part of the Wool Series, students can register for the courses individually or for all classes at a discount. In this four class series, we will complete the processing of wool from raw material to finished woven project. All classes include a handout with resources listed for further learning.
In this class, students will make a small weaving using local wool that has been naturally dyed all on a small, handmade wooden loom.
September
Hot Sauce Crafting
By Sarah Salzman
September 8, 2024
1 pm - 4 pm
Baker University Wetlands Discovery Center, Lawrence
Make and take home 2 bottles of hot sauce using 2 different methods , salt cap method and brine based method for fermenting with peppers. Learn troubleshooting techniques to deal with surface growth when fermenting. Sample several types of finished fermented hot sauce during the class.
Cordage with Local Plants
By Liz Bonny
September 21
1 pm - 4 pm
Liz Bonny’s Studio at Art Love Collective, Lawrence
In this class, students will learn how to make cordage from found and foraged plant fibers. This cordage can be used in other crafts like basketry or as a beautiful substitute for wherever you would use string. Materials and handout with resources included in class fee.
Photo by Andy White
Native Landscape Immersion Series:
Botany and Ecology in Fall
By Courtney Masterson
September 22
3 pm - 6 pm
Blazing Star Prairie, Lawrence
This workshop is part of a Botany and Ecology Series, students can register for the courses individually or for all classes at a discount. In this four class series, students will learn introductory field botany skills for major plant families in our region focusing on the season at hand (Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter). There is value in attending even one session, though attending more than one will help to deepen your botanical knowledge.
In this session, attendees will learn to identify many of the plant families that define the native landscapes in our region, spend time with caterpillars and host plants, and learn to recognize native seeds.
October
Foraging and Using Autumn Olive Berries
By Frank Norman
October 6, 2024
10 am - 4 pm
Blazing Star Prairie, Lawrence
Learn to harvest ripe berries of autumn olive (or berry; Elaeagnus umbellata) and process to make fruit leather, jellies, or jams. Autumn berry is an “invasive” tree that can aggressively colonize open habitats in Kansas and elsewhere. Harvesting its berries can slow its spread and provide a nutritious fruit. Participants will need to bring a bag or basket to collect the berries and a quart jar to take processed fruit and juice home to make fruit leather, jellies, or jams.
Making Flour out of Local Acorns
By Frank Norman
October 12, 2024
10 am - 1 pm
Winter School No. 70, Lecompton
Use locally harvested acorns to make meal or flour for cooking. Participants will learn to grind acorns to produce nut meal and then process the meal via cold processing (off-site). Attendees are encouraged to bring any acorns they may have for the class.
December
Native Landscape Immersion Series:
Botany and Ecology in Winter
By Courtney Masterson
December 15
1 pm - 4 pm
Blazing Star Prairie, Lawrence
This workshop is part of a Botany and Ecology Series, students can register for the courses individually or for all classes at a discount. In this four class series, students will learn introductory field botany skills for major plant families in our region focusing on the season at hand (Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter). There is value in attending even one session, though attending more than one will help to deepen your botanical knowledge.
In this session, attendees will learn to identify many of the plant families that define the native landscapes in our region, with an emphasis on woody plants and “evergreens.” The group will spend time learning about bark, buds and seeds, and observe animals as they seek resources on a resting landscape.
Earthen Plasters
Earthen plaster is a tried and true method using simple, natural, and easily found ingredients to protect building structures from damage, moisture, or pests. Earthen plasters are also very inexpensive and easy to make! If you’re interested, in this class students will learn how to create and apply the plasters using well known methods and some more experimental ideas using foraged and found ingredients. Students will have a chance to do exterior base-coats and finish an interior top-coat on the structure Ando has been working on the past year. No experience necessary, just your hands and a willing spirit!
By Ando McFin
April 28
10 am - 1 pm
Ando’s Studio, Baldwin