Become A Local Food Hero
Work with a Local Food Hero

Local Food Heroes

Core Workshop Series

Are you ready to grow beyond the basics? Our expert-led core workshops provide practical, hands-on experience that transforms gardening enthusiasts into confident growers with real-world skills. Learn alongside veterans who are becoming Local Food Heroes in their communities.

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We Don't Just Teach. We Transform.

Our workshops go beyond classroom theory. Get your hands in the soil and learn by doing with expert guidance every step of the way, while supporting veteran farmers on their journey to becoming agricultural leaders.

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Available Core Workshops

Soil Discovery Series

Soil Demo and Forest Walk (2-3 hours)

  • Experience our eye-opening three-part interactive simulation
  • Discover the dramatic differences between tilled vs. untilled soil
  • Learn conservation approaches that outperform conventional methods
  • Understand the foundation of all successful growing: healthy living soil
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Build a Thermal Compost (3 hours)

  • Get hands-on with a steaming pile of active compost
  • Master the art of crafting high-quality compost for any garden
  • Learn the perfect recipe for fast, effective decomposition
  • Take home practical skills using basic tools and materials
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Fertilizer Teas (1 hour)

  • Create simple nutritious "soups" that supercharge plant growth
  • Learn to brew vitamin, mineral, and microbe-rich solutions
  • Develop a comprehensive feeding program for thriving plants
  • Reduce dependency on commercial fertilizers
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Garden Development Series

Garden Planning (1 hour)

  • Transform your garden dreams into practical reality
  • Learn efficient space utilization techniques
  • Develop seasonal planting schedules
  • Create organized garden maps that maximize productivity
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Garden Preparation (2 hours)

  • Master hands-on soil preparation techniques
  • Learn proper garden bed installation
  • Reduce overwhelm with our systematic approach
  • Set the foundation for a productive growing season
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Seed Starting Workshop (2 hours)

  • Dramatically reduce your growing costs
  • Increase the diversity of available plants
  • Master propagation techniques for consistent results
  • Take home practical skills for immediate implementation
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Growing Success Series

Planting Workshop (1 hour)

  • Perfect your seed and seedling technique
  • Ensure proper spacing and depth for optimal growth
  • Learn succession planting strategies
  • Master transplanting methods that minimize shock
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Garden Care Workshop (1-3 hours)

  • Develop soil care strategies that build plant resilience
  • Learn natural pest management techniques
  • Understand water management fundamentals
  • Create maintenance routines that save time and effort
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The Local Food Heroes Difference

Our unique workshop model brings community members and veterans together in a collaborative learning environment. When you participate, you’re not just gaining valuable skills—you’re supporting veterans on their journey to becoming agricultural leaders.
  • Learn from experts with real-world experience
  • Practice alongside veterans who are mastering these same techniques
  • Contribute to veteran rehabilitation through shared agricultural experiences
  • Help build a stronger food system in your community

We Don't Just Teach. We Transform.

Our workshops go beyond classroom theory. Get your hands in the soil and learn by doing with expert guidance every step of the way, while supporting veteran farmers on their journey to becoming agricultural leaders.
View Workshop Calendar

Who Should Attend

  • Home Gardeners looking to improve their growing results
  • Community Garden Participants seeking to contribute more effectively
  • Sustainability Enthusiasts interested in natural growing methods
  • Beginning Growers wanting to start with proven techniques
  • Experienced Gardeners looking to refine their approaches
  • Community Organizations planning garden-based projects

Workshop Locations

Veterans Haven North - Our Flagship Site

Learn at our primary demonstration garden where you can see our techniques in action at scale and interact with the veterans who are becoming Local Food Heroes.

Satellite Garden Locations

Select workshops are also offered at our residential demonstration gardens, showing how these same techniques apply in a home garden setting.
* Specific locations for each workshop date will be shown during registration.

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Participant Testimonials

"The Thermal Compost workshop was a game-changer. I've made three piles since the class and my plants have never looked better. Plus, knowing I'm supporting veteran farmers makes it even more worthwhile."
James T.
Warren County
"The Soil Demo completely changed how I think about gardening. I've been doing it wrong for years! Learning alongside the veterans added a special dimension to the experience. Now my garden is thriving with half the work."
Maria K.
Hunterdon County
"I came for one workshop and ended up taking them all. Best gardening education investment I've ever made. The veterans' perspectives added so much to my learning experience."
Sarah L.
Morris County

Looking for More?

  • Specialized Workshops including Container Gardening and Vermicomposting
  • Comprehensive Programs like our season-long Garlic Specialty Crop Program, full-day Backyard Garden Launch, and 4-Week Agricultural Business Development course

Registration Information

Free Community Learning

All of our core workshops are offered free of charge as part of our non-profit mission. We believe everyone should have access to sustainable growing knowledge.

Free-Will Donations Welcome

While workshops are free, we welcome free-will donations that directly support our veteran training programs. Your generosity helps us expand our impact.

Registration Required

Due to limited class sizes that ensure quality instruction, advance registration is required for all workshops.

Ready to Transform Your Growing Experience While Supporting Veteran Farmers?

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The Local Food Heroes Program is an initiative dedicated to empowering communities through sustainable agriculture. When you participate, you’re not just learning—you’re helping veterans become agricultural leaders in their communities.

This material is based upon work supported by the National Institute of Food and Agriculture, U.S. Department of Agriculture, through the Northeast Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education program under subaward number CNE25-001.

Any opinions, findings, conclusions, or recommendations expressed in this publication are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the view of the U.S. Department of Agriculture.