Cooking, farming classes offered free from YNDC

Staff report

YOUNGSTOWN

As part of Youngstown Neighborhood Development Corp., Iron Roots Urban Farm will host free Friday cooking classes and free urban farming classes.

Both classes will be based at the HMHP Foundation Demonstration Kitchen at 822 Billingsgate Ave.

Registration for both classes is recommended. Contact Michael Long at 330-480-0423 or mlong@yndc.org.

Cooking classes are designed to work with families, local growers and community cooks to help foster a healthier and more sustainable community. Each instructor will share recipes and nutritional tips to help you create a healthful, affordable and delicious meal.

Cooking classes will take place on the third Friday of each month from 6 to 8 p.m. The cooking class schedule follows:

Friday, Nutritious Broths and Soups: Sophia Buggs of Lady Buggs Farm will teach participants about broths and soup stocks, covering both meat and vegetarian options.

March 20, Equinox Party: Marla Herrmann of The Big Green Thing Food Truck will teach a class on hearty celebratory foods, including a leg of lamb and pea soup.

April 17, Modern American Cuisine: Chef Steve from Michael Alberini’s Restaurant and Wine Shop will prepare herb-brined local chicken thighs with braised collards, roasted carrot souffle and baby kale salad.

May 15, Edible Flowers: Shannon Blackshire of Her Primitive Ways will teach a class on using and preparing edible flowers.

June 19, Extending Your Local Food Dollar: Gianna Cioffi of Lake to River Cooperative will teach students how to support local, clean food without breaking the bank. With a little planning, turn a whole, pasteurized, non-GMO chicken into multiple heathful meals.

Urban farming classes will take place from 3 to 5 p.m. in the demonstration kitchen. Tours will take place from 2 to 5 p.m. at the addresses below. Limited transportation to tours is available. Van will leave YNDC, 820 Canfield Road, at 1:15 p.m. for all tours.

The schedule follows:

Feb. 28, How to Construct a Cold Frame: Michael Long of Iron Roots Urban Farm will teach a class to easily extend your growing season.

March 14, Garden Planning and Seed Ordering: Jodi Yencik and Long will teach garden planning, understanding seed catalogs, garden layout and companion planting.

March 28, Garden Startup and Amendments: Yencik and Long will present everything you need to know on spring garden startup. Ground cover, row covers, amendments, tilling and more will be covered.

April 11, Tour from 2 to 5 p.m. at Villa Maria Farm: John Moreira of Villa Maria Farm will give a hands-on instructional tour of the farm and answering questions. Address is 288 Villa Drive, Pulaski, Pa.

April 25, Attracting Beneficial Insects: Yencik will teach attracting beneficial insects and repelling unwanted ones.

May 3, Tour, 2 to 5 p.m., Birdsong Farm: Matt Herbruck of Birdsong Farm, 11316 Wheeler Road, Garrettsville, will have a hands-on tour and answer questions.

May 23, Tour, 2 to 5 p.m. at Redbasket Farm: Floyd Davis of Redbasket will give a tour and answer questions at the site, 6311 Mayburn Barclay Road, Kinsman.

June 7, Tour, 2 to 5 p.m., Rootstown Organic Farm: William Pennell will offer a tour and answer questions at the farm, 3847 Milford Road, Rootstown.

June 25, Watering Systems: Long will teach classes about techniques for watering.