For the third year in a row I’m heading to the National Heirloom Expo in Santa Rosa California September 10, 11 and 12. I can’t say enough good things about it. For the insanely low price of $25 you get three days worth of lectures, cooking demos, a mini livestock show and an exhibition hall full of great companies and organizations. I’ll be speaking on a panel on Wednesday September 11th at 2:00 pm on urban homesteading along with longtime friend Suzanne Mackey of Petaluma Urban Homestead and Trathen Heckman of Daily Acts and Transition USA.

If you’re planning on attending please leave a comment and let’s try to meet up.

Our friends at Winnetka Farms are teaching a cast iron cookware class. I can’t say enough good things about cast iron–we ditched our Teflon years ago. Here’s the 411 on the class:

Cast Iron Cookware
How to use, maintain and restore.

History
We’ll start with a short history of cast iron cookware.

Techniques and use of cast iron
There will be cooking demonstrations (tastings) and discussion of the special techniques and uses of this timeless kitchen tool.

Cleaning and Maintenance
Very importantly the cleaning and maintenance of your cast iron cookware. While there are many theories regarding cleaning and maintaining cast Iron, I’ll discuss and demonstrate the system I adhere to after many years of experience.

Restoring cast iron
Either you found an old rusty pan in a thrift shop or after years of use your skillet needs more then a cleaning, you’ll learn how and what to do to restore that favorite piece in your collection.

If you have a problem piece of cast iron you can’t “fix,” bring it to class so I can make a recommendation to restore your item.

Thirty dollars per student to be paid upon arrival. Check or cash only. This class has a limit of 12 students. Light foods and beverages will be served.

Location and more info here.

I’ll be doing a keynote speech at the end of an intensive weekend of classes in bread baking, vinegar brewing, yogurt making and more. The event, which will take place on July 6th and 7th is presented by Growcology and the Emerald Village and will take place in Vista, CA.

This weekend intensive is designed to catapult you into a life of self-reliance through homesteading. Join Growcology and the Emerald Village Volunteers as we share the simple and effective ways to make: yogurt, cheese, butter, bread, home cleaning products, beer, salves, infusions, preserving, and healthy cooking. Special features include local farmers and food providers.

For more information and tickets head here.