'26-'27 Public Workshop Series
Click on workshop picture/title to complete the registration form. Registration required to help us plan for space and materials. Thank you!
Garden Tune-Up Workshop
Date: Wednesday September 9, 2026
Time: 6:00 PM - 7:30 PM
Location: WWCC Water & Environmental Center
Join award-winning garden designer Kate Frey in turning your existing garden into a water-wise, pollinator friendly paradise. Fall is the best time for planting. This workshop is for existing gardens and those currently in lawn. From deciding on a water-saving concept and determining a step-by-step process to prepare the site, build soil health and install drip irrigation, this workshop provides a practical path towards success in a variety of situations. It will cover site analysis, hydro zoning, weed prevention, choosing a mulch, plant choice and care, with plenty of information about pollinators sprinkled in.
All About Mushrooms Workshop
Date: Tuesday October 13, 2026
Time: 6:30 PM - 8:00 PM
Location: WWCC Water & Environmental Center
Join Sundown Hazen of Chesed Farms for a workshop to explore the fascinating world of mushrooms! Just like the mycelial network beneath our feet, the conversation can take many interesting turns. Feel free to bring your questions and curiosities about fungi to help shape the discussion. We’ll cover a range of topics, such as cultivation, foraging, the medicinal and nutritional benefits of mushrooms, cooking with mushrooms, the gourmet mushroom industry, innovative uses of mushrooms, the history of Chesed Farms, and what the future holds for Chesed Farms.
Waste Wise Workshop
Date: Saturday November 21, 2026
Time: 9:30 AM - 12:00 PM
Location: WWCC Water & Environmental Center
Join SLC’s executive director, Erendira Cruz, for a resource tour across Walla Walla! Participants will first attend a presentation on the methods and benefits of personal waste reduction. They will then explore local efforts to reduce waste with visits to the Builders ReSupply, the Walla Walla landfill, and BIG Recyclers. The Builders ReSupply keeps usable materials out of the landfill and money in the community members' pockets. The Walla Walla landfill is determined to provide information to residents and businesses on the services and facilities for solid waste management. BIG Recyclers aims to create a sustainable future by diverting recyclable glass from landfills.
Keeping it Local Workshop
Date: Tuesday December 1, 2026
Time: 6:30 PM - 8:00 PM
Location: WWCC Water & Environmental Center
Join us for a panel discussion featuring local business owners and community advocates as they explore the benefits of supporting Walla Walla businesses. Participants can ask questions, gain practical insights into the impact of buying local, and learn ways to make local purchasing part of their lives.
We will be welcoming Shane Laib with the Port of Columbia, Sundown Hazen with Chesed Farms, and Paul Bowen with Walla Walla SBDC as our panelists.
Closet Conscious Workshop
Date: Tuesday January 26, 2027
Time: 6:30 PM - 8:00 PM
Location: WWCC Water & Environmental Center
This interactive workshop will explore how our clothing choices affect people and the planet and offer practical tools for more environmentally friendly and ethical clothing consumption. Whitman College student Leah Barnes will present on how to shop more sustainably—from choosing quality and durable garments to considering materials, production practices, and ethical working conditions. Included is a hands-on clothes mending presentation led by Whitman College Student Sofia Maldonado, to learn simple techniques to repair and extend the life of your favorite garments, helping reduce waste and get more wear out of the clothes you already own.
Make-it-Yourself: Fermentation & Yogurt Workshop
Date: Tuesday February 2, 2027
Time: 6:30 PM - 8:00 PM
Location: WWCC Water & Environmental Center
This popular mini-series returns with a food-based twist! Farmer Jen (Jennifer Kleffner) of Miles Away Farm will lead the fun hands-on series with resources, inspiration, and know-how!
This session will focus on fermenting foods and making your own yogurt.
Make-it-Yourself: Preserves Workshop
Date: Tuesday February 9, 2027
Time: 6:30 PM - 8:00 PM
Location: WWCC Water & Environmental Center
This popular mini-series returns with a food-based twist! Farmer Jen (Jennifer Kleffner) of Miles Away Farm will lead the fun hands-on series with resources, inspiration, and know-how!
This session will focus on preserving foods.
Make-it-Yourself: Pickling Workshop
Date: Tuesday February 16, 2027
Time: 6:30 PM - 8:00 PM
Location: WWCC Water & Environmental Center
This popular mini-series returns with a food-based twist! Farmer Jen (Jennifer Kleffner) of Miles Away Farm will lead the fun hands-on series with resources, inspiration, and know-how!
This session will focus on pickling foods.
Make-it-Yourself: No-Knead Bread Workshop
Date: Tuesday February 23, 2027
Time: 6:30 PM - 8:00 PM
Location: WWCC Water & Environmental Center
This popular mini-series returns with a food-based twist! Farmer Jen (Jennifer Kleffner) of Miles Away Farm will lead the fun hands-on series with resources, inspiration, and know-how!
This session will focus on no-knead bread making.
Food Making Mini-Series w/Jennifer Kleffner
Jennifer comes from a long line of farmers and teachers, with deep roots in agriculture and education. Though she initially resisted gardening as a child, she discovered a passion for cooking and sustainability in her early 20s, eventually earning a biology degree and dedicating her career to teaching and writing about the connection between people and the environment. Over the years, Jennifer embraced self-reliance—gardening, preserving, raising animals, and even making soap and wine. In 2011, with the support of her husband. Jennifer's goal is to empower others to grow their own food and live more sustainably—ideally making her work unnecessary! Visit her blog at www.milesawayfarmww.com.
Gardening Mini-Series w/Kate Frey
Kate grew up in Berkeley California where she developed a love for literature from her librarian father and a passion for nature through seasonal work with forestry and park services. She spent 20 years at Fetzer Vineyards managing renowned organic gardens and sustainable landscapes. An award-winning garden designer, she earned medals at international garden shows and consulted globally on sustainable farming. Kate holds a B.A. in English from Sonoma State, she's an author, writer, speaker, and consultant specializing in biodiversity and sustainable landscapes.
Green Thumb Basics: Plant Propagation Workshop
Date: Saturday March 13, 2027
Time: 9:00 AM - 11:00 AM
Location: WWCC Water & Environmental Center
Join award-winning garden designer Kate Frey and SLC staff in a mini-series of must-know gardening skills!
This session will focus on plant propagation.
Green Thumb Basics: Composting
Date: Tuesday March 23, 2027
Time: 6:30 PM - 8:00 PM
Location: WWCC Water & Environmental Center
Join award-winning garden designer Kate Frey and SLC staff in a mini-series of must-know gardening skills!
This session will focus on composting
Green Thumb Basics: Drip Irrigation
Date: Saturday April 10, 2027
Time: 9:00 AM - 11:00 AM
Location: WWCC Water & Environmental Center
Join award-winning garden designer Kate Frey and SLC staff in a mini-series of must-know gardening skills!
This session will focus on drip irrigation.
Green Thumb Basics: General Gardening
Date: Tuesday April 27, 2027
Time: 6:30 PM - 8:00 PM
Location: WWCC Water & Environmental Center
Join award-winning garden designer Kate Frey and SLC staff in a mini-series of must-know gardening skills!
This session will focus on general gardening.
Low Water Landscaping Part 1
Date: Wednesday May 26, 2027
Time: 6:30 PM - 8:00 PM
Location: WWCC Water & Environmental Center
Join Dave Stockdale, retired nonprofit leader, educator, and passionate gardener, to learn the principles of water-efficient landscapes and design your own.
Participants will have the opportunity to tour a low-water garden in a follow-up class and see implemented, working design strategies. They will also have the opportunity to receive personalized feedback on their draft landscape designs during the follow-up session.
Low Water Landscaping Part 2
Date: Saturday June 12, 2027
Time: 6:30 PM - 8:00 PM
Location: WWCC Water & Environmental Center
Join Dave Stockdale, retired nonprofit leader, educator, and passionate gardener, to learn the principles of water-efficient landscapes and design your own.
In this second session, participants will have the opportunity to tour a low-water garden and see implemented, working design strategies. They can also receive personalized feedback on their draft landscape designs.