Well folks we are going to do it again, get a bunch or really cool people together for 3.5 days at Nine Mile Farm.  As always the food, fun and learning will all be off the hook.  TSP-Spring-21 will run this year from March 24-28.

So what is the big difference between a TSP Spring vs. Fall workshop?

The first difference is size.  We pushed the limits last time and sold 65 seats (in under 10 minutes) last time and the crowd was huge as you can see in the above picture.  We now know 65 is doable and it is our limit as well.  It worked, but Spring is a different time and Dorothy and I do not have the energy to do two that big a year.  So we will limit this to 30 this time.

It is still a big crowd and we are going to be closer to 40 with staff (we were at 80 in the fall) but it is a bit more laid back and I get more time with people this way.   Key is with 30 spots it will sell out fast, DO NOT SNOOZE or you will LOOSE on sign up day.  More on that in a bit.

The second difference is we tend to do more session type stuff in the fall, lots of class room stuff and less hands on work.  Spring is the time to GSD and with a smaller group it is easier for us to keep things from going sideways with projects.  This time we are either going to install the new berry orchard and vineyard or the new duck pond fed copost/feed system, perhaps both.  We will do some sessions too but the builds will be based on how much pre work I can get done in the next month and what you guys who sign up say you want.

Just rest assured you will get a great experience, learn a lot and be fed like royalty by the time all is said and done.  Evenings will be filled with barter blankets and the garage bar vibe you see above, complete with darts, karaoke and pool.

I don’t need a lot of instructors for sessions I already have two, but could use a couple more.  If you’d like to pitch teaching a class email me about it.  It should run about 45 minutes with 15 for q and a, you can do it with or without a power point style deck I am pretty much open to anything.

Shut up Jack and just tell me when I can sign up already and what will it cost me

Soon!  I plan to open it for registration on Saturday Feb. 6th at 9AM CST.  I am going to drop the link at 9AM in our Telegram Channel, then if it lasts more than about 10 minutes I will post it live on the site, you know what that means right?  Get on our Telegram Channel like now.  Then set a reminder.  I can only imagine how fast this one will go.

As to cost we have kept the cost the same for 8 years running now.  500 bucks for three amazing days.  On sign up day I require a 150 dollar deposit by credit or debit card.  The balance is due in cash or crypto when you show up.  If you reserve and have to cancel as long as I can still sell your spot I give you a refund.  If not I let you apply it to a future event.  I don’t like being a hard ass on this but given how fast we sell out and the limits I have to set, it is a necessity.

What Are These Builds You Speak Of?

On the two potential builds, here are some rough sketches of what they will be like.  I plan to do a walk though video of them next week.

First the Duck Pond System that will use duck waste water to grow water hyacinth and azolla for the ducks, grow crawfish, grow gold fish, mosquito fish, etc.  It will also irrigate trees, include a small swale system and more.

Next up the new berry orchard and vineyard.  The plan is to grow grapes, black berries, tea (like yea real tea, a variety from the black sea area of the Ukraine), goumi berries and a ton of herbs in this system.  If you are familiar with my property this will be built just to the east of my aviary behind my main gardens, between the aviary and the east neighbors fence.  The beds will be 6 courses high of landscape timbers, arches between the ends will be made with cattle panels.  This is going to be a really cool project and give us the berry production we could never achieve with the ducks eating everything and our thin soils.

My hope is to get all the time consuming layout work done in advance, if I do manage that and get get all the materials staged in advance, etc. We may be able to do both, which will really be just finishing one and 90% of the build of the other.  No matter what a full explanation of both will happen.  Again this weekend or next week early on I will do a video walking you though both projects.

Anyway I just wanted everyone to get a heads up here.  I know some will be disappointed when they can’t get in but 30 is about all we can muster in spring.  And remember just 6 months later it will be Fall-21 here with a bigger class.  If you have any input about what you would like added, to learn, etc. just post a comment below.

Otherwise again mark your calendar, set an alarm, set two (two is one one is none) and be ready on Saturday Feb. 6th at 9AM CST.  If you are late you won’t make it.