2010 SCHEDULE:

If you're interested in a class, please register by email in advance to reserve a spot - Some classes are limited to a specific amount of people. If I get too many people, I may do the same class in the afternoon. If the schedule does not suit you and you are interested by a private class for yourself or your group or school at a very affordable price, contact me.

IN SOME RARE OCCASIONS I HAD TO CANCEL A CLASS (not enough people interested in that specific class or other circumstances). ALTHOUGH REGISTERED PARTICIPANTS ARE NOTIFIED BY EMAIL, ALWAYS CHECK THE CLASS SCHEDULE 24HRS BEFORE ATTENDING TO MAKE SURE IT IS STILL ON.

JUNE
URBAN PREPAREDNESS / SELF-RELIANCE / SURVIVAL
FOOD PRESERVATION MONTH

Sunday - June 6
Introduction to Food Preservation

Food preservation is an essential skill to have. From a self-reliance/preparedness perspective, in case of a long term emergency and the food supply chain is disrupted, knowing what food to store, how to preserve your own food, how long you can store it, what can make it spoil, etc...should definitely be part of your preparedness arsenal.

During the class, we'll discuss the various methods of food preservation and learn (by doing it) how to preserve essential foods such as grains, rice and beans for many years. We'll also look at what's existing on the market in terms of preparedness/survival food (MRI, Freeze-dried food, etc...) and have a nice lunch with it.

Time: From 10 A.M. to around 2 P.M.
Cost: $40.00 - Class limited to 10 participants
Email me for Location
Email me to register.

Sunday - June 13
Food Preservation - WATER BATH CANNING

This is a very hands-on class. During this class we will learn how to preserve food through canning (some call it jarring which is probably more appropriate). We'll discuss which methods (Water-Bath Canning or High Pressure Canning) is the most appropriate for what food and do a canning project using the water bath method.

Time: From 10 A.M. to around 1 P.M.
Cost: $30.00 - Class limited to 10 participants
Email me for Location
Email me to register.

Sunday - June 20
Food Preservation - HIGH PRESSURE CANNING
Time: From 10 A.M. to around 2 P.M.
Cost: $30.00 - Class limited to 10 participants
Email me for Location
Email me to register.

Sunday - June 27
Food Preservation - DEHYDRATION / CANNING and PRESERVING FRUITS / MAKING JAM
Time: From 10 A.M. to around 2 P.M.
Cost: $30.00 - Class limited to 10 participants
Email me for Location
Email me to register.

JULY

Sunday - July 4
Food Preservation - PICKLING / SALTING / MAKING JERKY
Time: From 10 A.M. to around 2 P.M.
Cost: $30.00 - Class limited to 10 participants
Email me for Location
Email me to register.

Sunday - July 18
Meetup - Wild Food Walk and some basic survival skills.
Cost: Free (Small donation is great to help with setting up the monthly meetings)
In order to participate, join my meetup group:
The Sylmar Wild Food and Self-Reliance Group.

August

Sunday - August 8
Wild Food Walk (morning) and Making Elderberries Jam (Afternoon):

Wild Food Walk - Time: From 9:30 A.M. to around 1 P.M.
Cost: $20.00 (or $35 for both morning and afternoon classes)
Wild Food Walk in the morning: During this class we will take a short leisury hike and forage edible plants. The hike is a bit more than an hour long. We then prepare the food (cooked or raw) and make a meal with it. On this walk we'll probably cook Lambsquarters (wild spinach). Also be prepared for an interesting culinary experience. As usual, I'll bring with me some interesting wild food I have prepared earlier this year such as: Pickled Yucca, Wild Currant Jam, Wild Mustard (using a French recipe), Pickled Wild Radish and more...

It's quite an unusual and tasty culinary experience!

Location for the morning class: Hahamongna Watershed Park (See LOCATION B at the bottom of the page for map)

Making Wild Food Jam - Time: From 1:30 P.M. to around 4:30 P.M.
Cost: $20.00 (or $35 for both morning and afternoon classes)
Let's make some Wild Food Jam! During this class we'll take some Elderberries that I previously collected and make some Jam with it. We'll drive from the location where we made the wild food walk (if you participated to it) and meet at a local farm where we'll prepare the jam. We'll make the jam using the American method (with pectin) and water-bath canning. This jam should be good for over a year and even more. And of course, you get to take a jar home with you. Also if you like horses, goats and chicken, you'll love the place!

Location for the afternoon class: Argos Manor - (See LOCATION C at the bottom of the page for map)
Email me to register.

Sunday - August 15
Meetup - Wild Food Walk and Water Procurement
Cost: Free (Small donation is great to help with setting up the monthly meetings)
In order to participate, join my meetup group:
The Sylmar Wild Food and Self-Reliance Group.

Sunday - August 22
Nature Walk and Making a Basic Wild Food Cheese
Time: From 10 A.M. to around 2 P.M.
If you never made a basic cheese (also called Farmer Cheese) and are interested to know how to make it - this is the class for you. During this class, we'll take a walk in the local wilderness and explore the local plants such as aromatic plants, spices, etc... After the walk, I'll show you how my personal recipe for making a wild food cheese by using plant(s) from the wilderness, aromatic spices, organic oil and simple ingredients (regular milk, lemon or vinegar). Once we done with the cheese, we'll taste it. As usual, I'll also share some of my other wild food culinary experiments such as pickled Yucca, Wild Radish, etc...

Location for the afternoon class: ARGOS MANOR - (See LOCATION C at the bottom of the page for map)
Cost: $20.00 - Class limited to 10 people.
Email me to register.

SEPTEMBER

Sunday - September 12
Wild Food Walk and Trapping
Time: From 10 A.M. to around 2 P.M.

What if you were lost in the wilderness or had to use basic self-reliance/survival skills to survive in an urban environment? During this class we will go on a leisury walk and look at some of the wild food available this month). We'll also learn about trapping and how to make basic traps and snares. At the end of the class we'll make a meal with the wild food we collected. As usual, I'll bring with me some interesting wild food I have prepared earlier this year such as: Pickled Yucca, Wild Currant Jam, Pickled Wild Radish and more...

Cost: $20.00
Location for the class: Hahamongna Watershed Park (See LOCATION B at the bottom of the page for map)
Email me to register.

Sunday - September 19
Meetup - Wild Food Walk
Cost: Free (Small donation is great to help with setting up the monthly meetings)
In order to participate, join my meetup group:
The Sylmar Wild Food and Self-Reliance Group.

Sunday - September 26
Food Preservation (Pickling/Salting/Dehydration)
Food preservation is an essential skill to have. From a self-reliance/preparedness perspective, in case of a long term emergency and the food supply chain is disrupted, knowing what food to store, how to preserve your own food, how long you can store it, what can make it spoil, etc...should definitely be part of your preparedness arsenal. During this class we will learn how to pickle food (wild food or regular food), how salt can be used to preserve food and how to build a simple dehydration system (not using electricity). At the end of the class, we'll taste some of my wild food pickling done earlier this year.

Time: From 10:00 am. to around 1:00 pm
Cost: $20.00 - Class limited to 10 participants
Email me to register.

Location for the afternoon class: ARGOS MANOR - (See LOCATION C at the bottom of the page for map)

Sunday, November 7
Nature Walk and Making your own organic soap using aromatic wild plants.
During this class, we'll take a leisury walk and look at some local aromatic plants such as White Sage, Black Sage, California Sage and more. After the walk, we will learn how make a basic soap (Castille Soap) using local aromatic plants, organic olive and coconut oil. It's a very good introduction to soap making for those who are interested in making their own organic soaps. You'll also be provided with some recipes for various kinds of soaps that you can make at home.

Time: From 10:00 am. to around 1:00 pm
Cost: $35.00 - Class limited to 7 participants
Email me to register.

Location for the afternoon class: ARGOS MANOR - (See LOCATION C at the bottom of the page for map)

Sunday, November 21
Meetup - Wild Food Walk
Cost: Free (Small donation is great to help with setting up the monthly meetings)
In order to participate, join my meetup group:
The Sylmar Wild Food and Self-Reliance Group.

Sunday, November 29
Food Preservation (Fermenting Food - Kimchi, Sauerkraut, etc...)
Let's learn how to preserve food using fermentation. From a self-reliance/preparedness perspective, in case of a long term emergency and the food supply chain is disrupted, knowing what food to store, how to preserve your own food, how long you can store it, what can make it spoil, etc...should definitely be part of your preparedness arsenal. During this class we will learn how to do lactic fermentation. We'll make some basic sauerkraut and we'll also learn how to make Kimchi. I'll also show you how to make your own honey wine using a simple recipe. At the end of the class you'll get to taste some of the fermented food I made using the same exact recipes you learned during the class.

Time: From 10:00 am. to around 1:00 pm
Cost: $25.00 - Class limited to 10 participants
Email me to register.

Location for the afternoon class: ARGOS MANOR - (See LOCATION C at the bottom of the page for map)

Sunday, December 12
Meetup - Wild Food Walk
Cost: Free (Small donation is great to help with setting up the monthly meetings)
In order to participate, join my meetup group:
The Sylmar Wild Food and Self-Reliance Group.

Sunday - December 19
Wild Food Walk and Water Purification

Probably one of the most important skill to have if you live in the Los Angeles area. In this class we will look at the following topics: How much water do you actually need? How much should you store? What could kill you or make you sick? The various methods to filter/purify water (including primitive methods) and where do you find water?

This is a very hands-on class, we'll also hike to a nearby river and review /try modern methods as well as construct a primitive water filtration system.

Time: From 10:00 am. to around 1:00 pm
Cost: $20.00
Email me to register.
Location for the afternoon class: Orcas Park- (See LOCATION A at the bottom of the page for map)

LOCATIONS:

Location A: Orcas Park (HANSEN DAM PARK) in Lake View Terrace

From the 210, exit Osborne and go east on Foothill to Orcas Ave., then go south into the park. We’ll meet in the parking area at the end of the park. Look for a red Wrangler Jeep.

View Larger Map

Location B: Hahamongna Watershed Park

If you're coming from the 210 Freeway take the Oak Grove Dr., keep going toward the mountains (and JPL) and turn right at the intersection of Oak Grove and Foothill blvd. We'll meet in the park, pretty much across from La Canada High School. Look for a red Jeep Wrangler. Click HERE for a more precise MAP showing the meeting place.

LOCATION C: ARGOS MANOR

13419 Canopus Dr - Sylmar, CA 91342 (Google Map says Dardon Dr but it's the same road)

REST OF SCHEDULE COMING SOON!