Nature and Outdoor Living Classes

301 Beekeeping    Instructors: Jim Perkins and SBA Members 

This is a practical course for people interested in learning about our wonderful honeybees, their social structure within the colony and why they are so very important to us.  You will learn the basics of beekeeping, how to take care of a hive and the reason for being a beekeeper.  Learn what the benefits are, and what you will need to get started.  Our Susquehanna Beekeepers Association is here to support you as a new beekeeper. 

Four sessions: Two on Tuesday evenings, September 5th and 12th at 7:00 pm  

at Montrose Area High School.  Two Saturday afternoon hands on field trip days at a local Apiary (dates to be established at the first session) from 1:00 pm to 3:00 pm will reinforce the class work.  If needed, a make-up Apiary session will be available. 

Location: Montrose Area High School, room 7 

 Fee: $20.00 

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302 Magical and Mysterious Mushrooms    Instructor Concetta Schirra 

This class will focus on Mushroom ID, with a photo presentation as well as a walk in the woods to look for mushrooms. 

I hope my presentation will be tantalizing to your visual senses and entice you to come on a walk to “hunt” for mushrooms with me. This class will be on a basic level, encouraging participants to observe, discover, photograph, and learn more about mushroom ID. 

By the end of my presentation, I hope that mushrooms will no longer be mysterious, yet will always remain magical! 

One Sunday, August 20 at 1:00 pm (Time for this class has now changed to 2:00 pm)

Location:  Salt Springs State Park 

Fee: $5.00 

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303 Season Extender and Cold Frame Class    Instructors Lori Wallace and Jim Kasten 

Have you ever wanted to grow crops earlier in the Spring, or later in the fall and not have to worry about the frost.  Do you have an old window lying around and thought “This would make a good Cold Frame.”  Come join Master Gardeners Jim Kasten and Lori Wallace to learn about various season extenders, hoops, cold frames, and hot beds. 

 One Saturday, October 14, 10:00 am to 12:00 pm 

Location: St. Mark’s Parish Hall, Main St. New Milford 

Fee: $5.00 

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304 Conservation Academy    Instructors Ain Welmon – USDA-NRCS District Conservationist, Deborah Basalyga – USDA-NRCS Soil Conservation Technician & Don Hibbard – Susquehanna County Conservation District (SCCD) Program Coordinator 

This two-part course will present farmers, landowners and operators with fundamentals focusing on conservation planning/support and financial assistance at the county and federal levels. Participants will learn about voluntary conservation and contracted cost shared conservation, small- and large-scale conservation efforts along with required permitting information, nutrient management & watershed tools as well. By the end of this course participants will understand the importance of conservation planning to include land use maps, soils information, inventory of resources, economic costs and benefits, schedules of recommended conservation practices, maintenance schedules of those conservation practices, and engineering notes. Participants will also learn the conservation planning process is a collaboration that may include township, county, state and federal policy, input, and assistance. 

Two sessions, Tuesday October 17, and Thursday October 19 at 6:00 pm  

Location: SCCD – 89 Industrial Drive, Montrose PA 18801 

Fee: There is no fee for this class 

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305 Growing and Enjoying Houseplants from A to Z   

Session 1: If you’ve had trouble growing, or are afraid to try some houseplants, 

this class will get all students on the same page with plant anatomy and basics 

of how plants grow. It will include common and rare plants. Soil science and the 

best soil for different plants: will be discussed as well as watering and propagating. 

and those confusing light level recommendations. 

Session 2: Don’t throw them out! This class will address bugs and diseases of 

houseplants. Best practices to prevent diseases and what to do when they crop 

up will include household products you can use, integrated pest management, 

and pesticides. Also, the joys and risks of putting your houseplants outdoors for 

the summer and bringing them back into the house for the winter will be 

discussed. 

Session 3: Do you think of your plants as a decorating item, a feature or part of a 

room design? This class will cover design skills, how to group your plants as  

decorating items, how to know which plants get along best with others and 

the best containers for different types of plants and for good design. 

Examples of plants will be displayed, and handouts provided. 

Three Mondays, September 11,18, and 25 at 6:00 pm

Location: Montrose Area High School, Room 7

Fee: $15.00