Martha Wagbo Farm and Education Center

Friends of the Wagbo Orchard

2012-01-30T19:35:00.003-05:00

The Friends of the Wagbo Orchard needs your input!

The Friends of the Wagbo Orchard (FWO) will be an all-volunteer group that manages the Wagbo apple and pear orchard. The FWO's goals, policies, and agendas are currently under development; but in general we would like it to look like the Friends of the Wagbo Sugarbush model, in which volunteers receive a share of fruit in return for their work. If you are interested in working with the FWO or would like to guide its development, please send an email to info@wagbo.org

Thank you!

Felting Free-for-all!

2012-01-23T14:14:00.000-05:00

Felting Free-for-all!

Date and Time: Saturday, February 11th, 12pm
Location: Wagbo
Cost: FREE

Come out to the Martha Wagbo Farm and Education Center for our monthly potluck program! Lunch begins at 12pm with a potluck in the farmhouse. Bring a dish to pass if you can, but it's not required. Wagbo provides drinks and table service.

The program begins at 1pm with a wool felting workshop. Fiber artists Diane Strezlinski, Jennifer Lewis, and Maria Wesserle will be on hand to teach needle felting and wet felting techniques. Learn to applique designs onto clothing, make three-dimensional objects, and create sheets of felt fabric. If you've never felted before you will be amazed at how simple the process is! Bring a sweater, scarf, or other woolen material if you would like to embellish it. Recommended ages 8 and up.

Wassailing Winter Celebration

2011-12-26T14:06:00.001-05:00

Date and Time: Saturday, January 21st, 6pm
Location: Wagbo
Cost: FREE

Join the Martha Wagbo Farm and Education Center for a potluck and winter celebration! Dinner begins at 6pm with a potluck in the farmhouse. Bring a dish to pass if you can, but it's not required. Wagbo provides drinks and table service.

The wassaling begins at 7pm. Wassaling is an ancient rural tradition of toasting to the health of an orchard in hopes that a bountiful crop will ensue the following year. A community celebration, Wassailing is done on a January night beginning with a feast and libations, followed by a short procession to the orchard where toasts are made and torches lit. Bring a sled! Immediately following will be a sledding party!

Wild Game Potluck

2011-12-26T13:44:00.000-05:00

Wild Game Potluck
Date and Time: Saturday, January 14th, 6pm
Location: Wagbo
Cost: FREE

Come out to the Martha Wagbo Farm and Education Center for our third annual wild game potluck! Join us at the Wagbo farmhouse at 6pm and share in the bounty of northern Michigan foods. Bring a dish of wild or local food to pass if you can, but it’s not required for attendance. Wagbo provides drinks and table service.

The potluck wraps up with a showing of the film The Complete Angler at 7pm. Set admist the beauty and tranquility of Irish and English waterways, this visual poem celebrates the joys of nature and literature, of solitude and beauty and the elegant art of fly fishing. Called "a visual journey for the fisherman's soul," this film reinforces the notion that fishing is more than recreation: it cleanses the soul and allows a simple reconnection to nature. 47 min.

Holiday Greens Workshop and Potluck

2011-11-19T15:44:00.001-05:00

Date and Time: Saturday, December 10th, 12 pm
Location: Wagbo
Cost: FREE

Come out to the Martha Wagbo Farm and Education Center for our monthly potluck program! The potluck begins at 12 pm with lunch in the Wagbo farmhouse. Bring a dish to pass if you can, but it’s not required for attendance. Wagbo provides drinks and table service.

The program begins at 1 pm with Alana Haley of Roots & Wings Herbs teaching a Holiday Greens Workshop. Make a wreath or swag from fresh cut greens, berries, twigs and cones. Even if you’ve never made a wreath before, you’ll be amazed at what you can create. If you plan to make a wreath, bring a grapevine wreath for the base.

Limited to 15 people. Call 231-536-0333 to register.

Potluck and Cider Making Demo

2011-10-24T15:38:00.001-04:00

Potluck and Cider Making Demo
Saturday, November 12th, 12pm

Come out to the Martha Wagbo Farm and Education Center for our monthly potluck program! The potluck begins at 12 pm with lunch in the Wagbo farmhouse. Bring a dish to pass if you can, but it’s not required for attendance. Wagbo provides drinks and table service.

The program begins at 1 pm. Homebrewers Keith Kintigh and Jason Stephens will provide an introduction to the art of making "hard" cider. Discussion will include history of cider making, the role of apple varieties, and the importance of yeast choice. This is the perfect opportunity to find a delicious use for the glut of apples that have grown this year!

Autumnberry Harvest and Picnic Potluck

2011-09-22T11:36:00.000-04:00

Date and Time: Saturday, October 8th, 4pm
Location: Raven's Roost Farm
Cost: FREE

Join the Martha Wagbo Farm and Education Center for our monthly potluck program! This October, WEEDS (the Wagbo foraging group) will host the event. Activities begin at 4pm with a journey into the world of autumnberries. Autumnberry (aka Autumn olive) is a common invasive shrub throughout the United States, but few realize the berries are edible and choice! Come join us in this forager's foray and learn how to identify, harvest and prepare this delicious fruit.

When everyone's worked up an appetite we will start our picnic potluck! Bring a dish to pass if you can, but it's not required to attend. But please bring your own plate, bowl, utensils, and a chair if you'd like a seat. (We will have some on hand, but not enough for everyone!) Berry pickin' will resume until folks have enough; there will be plenty for all.

Raven's Roost Farm is located at 2398 Vandermark Road in Bellaire. For directions, see Google Maps

Benefit Concert to Raise Funds for Wagbo Roof

2011-09-01T15:53:00.004-04:00

Courtesy of Chris Bathgate

TheMartha Wagbo Farm and Education Center is excited topresent a benefit concert and raffle to raise money for their farmhouse roof. Workingwith Ric Evans of Paradigm Energy Services, they have developed a model torepair and reengineer the roof to improve its insulation value, therebyincreasing its energy efficiency. To help cover the costs of this venture they havelaunched a “Raise the Roof” campaign which will be capped off on Saturday, September24th with a benefit concert and raffle at the beautiful Banks Township Hall inEllsworth, located at 6520 Center Street. This event will bring in local and regionalmusicians, dance instructors, artists, and farmers to share their skills andgoods with the community. “Our events really attract adiverse crowd— it’s great to see people of all ages, beliefs, and lifestylescome together and have fun,” Maria Wesserle, WagboProgram Coordinator said. Ticket prices are sliding scale $10 to $20 per adult,kids 12 and under get in free.

Startingat 7 pm Peacemeal String Band will play old-time music with Dan Gorno and JanFowler teaching contra dances. Collectively, Gorno and Fowler have over 45years of dance instructor experience between them. Fowler has been callingdances since 1978, when she began somewhat reluctantly at the behest of afriend. That reluctance fell away as soon as she started. “I just fell in lovewith calling- it’s fabulous!” Fowler said.

Dancersof all levels of experience are welcome. If you've never participated inthese group dances before, now is the time to discover what fun they are! “Traditionaldance is something everyone can enjoy. You don’t need a partner, just a desireto have a good time,” Fowler said.

Folkmusician Chris Bathgate will perform at 9:30 pm accompanied by Graham Parsonsand others. Born in rural Iowa and raised inrural Illinois, Chris currently resides in Pickney, Michigan.Called a "skilled purveyor of lovely gloom" by NPR's StephenThompson, Bathgate has honed his signature version of country-tinged gothicfolk through years of labor. His fourth full-length album, Salt Year,was released in April 2011.

At10 pm there will be a break in Chris Bathgate’s set to draw raffle tickets. Thegrand prize is a side of pork from Providence Farm and CSA with an approximatevalue of $250. (Raffle license #X79079 by the Wagbo Peace Center.) How much is a sideof pork, exactly? It’s half a pig cut lengthwise down the middle. In this case,it's been processed into two hams, two smoked hocks, six packages of bacon, and27 packages of sausage, for a grand total of about 56 pounds of pork!

Providence pigs are raisednaturally with plenty of access to the outdoors and ample opportunity toforage. They are fed non-GMO grain and nutritious vegetable scraps. The meat isprocessed by Ebel's Family Center without adding anyMSG, preservatives, or additives. “It’s delicious meat raised in a beautifulsetting by an amazing farmer,” said Jason Stephens, Wagbo volunteer andfive-season buyer of Providencepork sides. There will also be three runner-up prizes of gift baskets stuffedwith artisanal craft and food items. Raffle tickets are available for sale nowat the Wagbo Farm and can be bought at the concert for one dollar each.

Finally,complimentary food, tea, and coffee will be on hand, together with samples ofwild edible fare. “There will be a diversity of locally foraged foods includingfish from Lake Michigan, pickled fiddlehead ferns, wild berry cookies, and nutbreads,” Fischer Jex, Wagbo Intern and wild foods enthusiast, said. Handcraftedgoods will be available for sale at the merchandise table and installations oflocal art will decorate the walls.

Formore information, visit http://www.wagbo.org/benefit.phpor contact Wagbo at 231-536-0333 or info@wagbo.org.

Sponsored by Providence Farm and CSA , BCPizza, and Jo Jo’s Natural Market.

Fermented Punch

2011-08-29T22:35:00.000-04:00

According to Sally Fallon's Nourishing Traditions, "punch" come from the Hindu word meaning "five," because it was crafted from five ingredients. During American colonial times, recipes called for water, sugar, lemons, tea, and liquor. In this version we use raw cane sugar (which would have been traditional in India) and whey (also readily available in India.) This results in a delicious lacto-fermented drink that's a great pick-me-up during the day!

If you start making a lot of your own yogurt cheese, you'll be left with more whey than you probably know what to do with. Making lacto-fermented drinks is an easy and delicious way to use it up! Recipe below is adapted from Sally Fallon's Nourishing Traditions.

Ingredients:

Sucanat, Raw Cane Sugar

1 1/2 cups lemon juice (about 6 to 8 lemons)
1/2 cup raw cane sugar such as Sucanat
1/2 cup whey
1/2 teaspoon nutmeg
2 quarts water (it's important that the water is non-chlorinated so it doesn't interfere with the fermentation process)

Directions:

Heat 2 quarts water in a large saucepot and add sugar and nutmeg. Stir until dissolved and remove from heat. Cool the water to a comfortable temperature- you should be able to hold your finger in it indefinitely without discomfort. This step is important- if the water is too hot it will kill the bacteria and the fermentation process won't take place!

When the water has cooled, add lemon juice and whey. Pour into a half-gallon glass container and cover tightly. (Mine is in a gallon jug because I couldn't find anything smaller.) If you taste the punch right now you won't be impressed. It doesn't taste like much yet, but wait for the fermentation to happen! That's when the magic begins.

Let sit out at room temperature for at least 2 to 3 days. The ideal temperature is around 72 degrees Fahrenheit- if it's cooler let it set longer, if it's warmer it will take less time. Taste it after a couple days. If it seems good to you, transfer to a refrigerator for long-term storage. If you would like it tangier, let it set longer. I like mine pretty tangy and leave it on the counter about 5 days before moving it to the fridge.

Finally, pour yourself a glass and enjoy!

Easy Home-made Cream Cheese

2011-08-29T21:59:00.003-04:00

You don't need fancy cultures, special equipment, or technical knowledge to make your own tasty cream cheese at home! All you need is yogurt, a strainer, and some thin cloth. This type of cream cheese, also called yogurt cheese or labneh is far superior to most commercial varieties. This is because the beneficial bacteria in the yogurt transfer to the yogurt cheese, so you get a live-cultured product that is good for your digestion and immune system. Plus you are left with the yogurt liquid, called whey, which you can use for other fermentation adventures!

What you need:

Yogurt: I like using the whole milk organic variety. Whatever kind will work, but make sure it has live cultures! (The container will tell you if it does.) Without these, the whey won't have the bacteria needed to initiate other fermentations.
A strainer
Cloth- something thin like muslin works best. If it's too thick it will take forever to drain!
A clean bowl
Optional: spices, herbs, dried fruit, honey, or whatever other flavor enhancer you can think of.

Directions:

Line a strainer with some thin cloth. Place the strainer over a bowl. (Make sure the bottom of the strainer is at least a couple inches above the bottom of the bowl. You will be surprised by how much liquid comes out!) Pour the yogurt into the strainer. In a matter of minutes you will see the whey starting to drain out.

Let the yogurt strain for several hours, or until it reaches the desired thickness. You will see a pool of whey collected at the bottom of the glass. (Note: it actually doesn't look yellow like in this picture! That's just an optical illusion from the green counter top. The actual color is quite clear.) If you are looking for a thick, greek-style yogurt, let it hang for 2 to 3 hours, then put in a container and refrigerate. If, on the other hand, you're looking for something thicker, proceed to the following step.

Tie up the corners of the cloth so that the yogurt is wrapped into a ball. Hang this cloth from a long spoon into a bowl. Let it drain about 6 hours or overnight.

When you unwrap it, the yogurt should be thick and retain its shape as shown above. At this point you can add spices, herbs, sweeteners, or whatever you want to enhance the flavor. Use as you would normal cream cheese. Enjoy!

What to do with the whey? Try replacing water with it in baked goods, put it in a smoothie, or use it to kickstart other fermentations! For starters, check out this fermented punch.

Home-made Goat Cheese

2011-08-10T22:35:00.006-04:00

Making your own cheese has many benefits. You select your preferred type of milk, you control exactly what goes into the cheese (instead of some far-away factory!) and you can make it exactly how you enjoy it. Plus it's just plain fun! Learn how to make simple cheeses in your own home following this recipe.

Farmer Cheese Recipe (AKA Vinegar Cheese AKA Queso Blanco AKA Paneer)
Farmer cheese is the most simple way to make cheese out there. It doesn't require any cultures, thermometers, or special equipment (except some cheesecloth.) All you need is milk and vinegar! (Salt and spices help, though.) This cheese also has some special properties. For starters, it doesn't melt! You can cut it up into chunks and fry it as you would tofu and it retains its shape. Actually, it benefits in taste if you treat it more like tofu than like regular cheese. Because it doesn't contain any cultures, this cheese doesn't have a magnificent flavor. But it's perfect dressed up with spices or prepared in a spicy dish. This cheese is very versatile and goes great with savory foods, hot foods, sweet foods- all kinds of foods! I hope you'll have as much fun finding new ways to serve it as I do!

Ingredients:
1 gallon milk (preferably unhomogenized, not ultra-pasteurized)
1/2 cup vinegar
salt (optional)
spices (optional)

Equipment:
Cheesecloth
Strainer
Large pot
Measuring cups and spoons
Thermometer (optional)

Directions:
1. Get some milk! I used fresh goat milk for this recipe.
2. Put it in a pot to heat. You want to make sure the flame isn't so high that the milk will scorch. Stir frequently so it doesn't burn. Heat the milk until bubbles form around the edges, or when the milk is about 190 degrees Fahrenheit. Remove from heat.
3. Slowly add the vinegar until the milk curdles. (This is where the magic happens!) You should see it separating into curds and whey. If it doesn't seem to be curdling well, add more vinegar. You can use any kind of vinegar for this. I've used apple cider and white vinegar, and both yield good results. Experiment and see what works for you!

4. Line strainer with a couple layers of cheesecloth. (I like taping mine to the strainer so it doesn't fall all over the place.) Strain the curdled milk into the sink or into a bowl. (Whey can replace water in baked goods or be fed to farm animals.)
5. For a soft cheese, collect the corners of the cheesecloth and twist into a ball to force remaining whey out of cheese. Put in container and refrigerate- you're done! This type of cheese is a great substitute for ricotta, and can be used to make sweet goodies like blintzes or cheesecake.

6. For a harder cheese, add some salt according to taste. I used about 2 teaspoons salt in this recipe. This is also the point at which you should add spices if you desire. I added fresh basil and ground black pepper to this recipe.
7. Collect the corners of the cheesecloth and twist into a ball, forcing out excess whey. Hang from a hook and let it drip until it reaches the desired consistency. (The longer it hangs, the harder it becomes.) If you want a really hard cheese, see next step...

8. Instead of hanging the cheese ball from a hook, place it under a weighted object to force the moisture out. Here I placed it on a cutting board that I put a mason jar band underneath to tilt the board toward the sink. Then I put another cutting board on top and weighed it down with a large cast iron skillet. Any heavy object will work for this though, as long as it's steady and not in danger of falling over or breaking. Improvise and have fun with it! Note: To get a square-ish block of cheese like I did, shape the whey into a rectangular log and wrap in cheesecloth. (I used muslin because I ran out of cheesecloth.) Mine was bound with rubber bands, which is why there are lines running down it, but this step isn't really necessary. (I only did it because my piece of muslin was pretty small and I didn't want it unfolding!)
9. When the cheese looks and feels how you want, you're done! I let mine drain under weight for about eight hours. It produced a nicely firm, slice-able cheese.
10. The best part: eat it!

September Potluck

2011-08-10T21:13:00.004-04:00

Second Saturday Potluck

Barter Circle

Saturday, September 10th, 12pm

Join the Martha Wagbo Farm and Education Center for our monthly potluck program! The food is delicious, the company enjoyable, and the programming delightful- what more could you ask for? The event begins at 12pm with a potluck in the Wagbo farmhouse. Bring a dish to pass if you can, but it’s not mandatory. Wagbo provides drinks and table service.

The program starts at 1 pm with a barter circle. Traditionally practiced for hundreds of years (if not more), barter circles bring together diverse groups of people to respectfully share their bounty with one another. Trading transfers goods to people who need them, builds relationships, and strengthens communities. So bring your handmade crafts, garden produce, agricultural products, gently used items, or anything else you find appropriate and become part of a tradition! (Remember, however, that this is not a garage sale or a place to dump unwanted items; rather bring something you think others will enjoy and hope to come away with something useful in return!)

Raise the Roof Benefit Concert and Raffle

2011-08-10T15:53:00.001-04:00

"Raise the Roof" Benefit Concert and Raffle
An evening of folk dancing, local music, and good food to raise money for our roof

Date and Time: Saturday, September 24th, 7 pm
Location: Banks Township Hall, Ellsworth
Cost: Sliding Scale $10-$20 per adult; Kids 12 and under are free

Support the Martha Wagbo Farm and Education Center by coming out to our "Raise the Roof" benefit! Starting at 7 pm the Peacemeal String Band will play old-timey music with Dan Gorno and Jan Fowler calling contra and square dances. We welcome dancers of all levels of experience; if you've never participated in these group dances before, now is the time to discover what fun they are! Folk musician Chris Bathgate will perform starting at 9:30pm. We will also sell raffle tickets for three gift baskets, plus a grand prize of a side of pork from Providence Farm and CSA (valued at approximately $250!) Finally, be sure sure not to miss our complimentary food, tea, and coffee; enjoy samples of wild edibles; check out our merchandise table featuring handcrafted goods; and browse installations of local art. Come prepared for a fun time, and bring the whole family!

Photo courtesy of Chris Bathgate

Sponsored by Providence Farm and CSA, BC Pizza and Jo Jo's Natural Market

Read more about our benefit on our website.

New Website!

2011-06-14T18:44:00.003-04:00

Check out the new website for the Martha Wagbo Farm and Education Center at www.wagbo.org

Canoe for Cattails!

2011-06-06T18:05:00.003-04:00

WEEDS Event: Canoe for Cattails

Saturday, June 18th, 5 pm

Bring your own canoe as we float the Jordan River downstream from Rogers Road in search of the edible flower spikes of the wonderful cattail. Likened to miniature corn-on-the-cob, this vegetable tastes mild and delicious. Try it out yourself! Float will end with a potluck at Sportsman's Park. Please bring your own plates and utensils. Free and open to the public.

Click here for a map of the canoe launch area.

Wild Edibles for Ecological Dietary Sustainability (WEEDS) is a Northern Michigan Foragers Group devoted to wildcrafting food for fun and sustenance as we reconnect to the Land. Check out our blog at http://eataweed.blogspot.com.

Event Cancelled!

2011-05-26T12:56:00.003-04:00

From Pest to Pesto, the garlic mustard harvest scheduled for Saturday, May 28th, has been CANCELLED. Sorry for any inconvenience this may cause. Please stay in touch for future Wagbo events. Thank you!

Barter Circle and Potluck

2011-05-16T17:36:00.004-04:00

First Saturday Potluck

Barter Circle

Saturday, June 4th, 12pm

From Pest to Pesto

2011-05-16T17:28:00.005-04:00

THIS EVENT HAS BEEN CANCELLED!

~~From Pest to Pesto~~

~~Saturday, May 28th, 4pm~~

The garlic mustard harvest has been CANCELLED. Sorry for any inconvenience this may cause. Please stay in touch for future Wagbo events.

Join the Martha Wagbo Farm and Education Center for garlic mustard identification, harvest, and preparation at Raven’s Roost Farm in Bellaire. Learn how to transform this invasive weed into tasty table fare while clearing it from the forest. We will have a propane burner to cook some on the spot, and send everyone home with recipes. Free and open to the public.

Mother's Day Morel and Leek Walk

2011-04-20T18:15:00.005-04:00

A Partnership of ISLAND and the Martha Wagbo Farm and Education Center

Sunday, May 8th at the Wagbo Farm

Morel and Leek Walk: 10 am to noon.
Come take a walk and learn about wild edible plants and spring mushrooms. We will cover what habitat to look for and identication of wild plants and mushrooms. Please remember to dress for the weather, wear hiking footwear, and bring a basket. Stick around to learn how to pickle leeks and preserve morels at a workshop to follow!

$5-$10 suggested donation. No preregistration required. No one will be turned away for lack of funds.

Morel and Leek Preservation Workshop: 1 to 2:30 pm.
There are many ways to preserve morels and leeks. We will cover how to dry and freeze morels, and how to dry, freeze, and pickle wild leeks. Each participant will take home one half pint jar of pickled leeks. If you didn’t attend the walk, that’s okay! Anyone can attend the workshop.

$5-$10 sliding scale. Pre-registration required.

May Potluck: Wild Edibles Hike

2011-04-20T18:04:00.004-04:00

First Saturday Potluck: Wild Edibles
Saturday, May 7th, 12 pm

Join the Martha Wagbo Farm and Education Center for an afternoon of good food, fun company, and inspired programming. This month the potluck starts at 12 pm. Bring a dish to pass if you can, but feel free to attend with a dish or without.

The program begins at 1 pm with a hike on the Wagbo property to locate wild edibles! Learn to identify, harvest, and prepare springtime fare. We will also provide recipes to turn your harvest to a tasty dish!

Free and open to the public. For more info, contact Wagbo at 231-536-0333 or wagbo@torchlake.com.

Wild Parsnip Diggin

2011-04-07T12:03:00.004-04:00

WEEDS Event: Wild Parsnip Diggin'
Saturday, April 23rd, 3 pm

WEEDS (Wild Edibles for Ecological and Dietary Sustainability), a project of the Martha Wagbo Farm and Education Center, is a Northern Michigan forager group devoted to wildcrafting food for fun and sustenance as we reconnect to the land. We meet throughout the year in Antrim County and beyond to harvest and prepare our wild bounty. Learn more at the WEEDS blog.

Few know that wild parsnip, an invasive bane of habitat restorers, is the exact same plant you buy in the store! Bring a shovel to harvest this delicious root vegetable and help preserve native wildflowers. Free and open to the public.

For more info, contact Wagbo at 231-536-0333, or email wagbo@torchlake.com.

Maple Sugaring Open House Update

2011-03-23T20:25:00.000-04:00

Our Maple Sugaring Open House-- scheduled for Saturday, March 26th, 10am to 3pm-- is still happening in spite of the weather. However, we are making a few changes for your convenience, and the convenience of those working for us.

The following activities have been canceled:

Live music
Naturalist-led hike to sugarbush

The following activities have been moved indoors:

Bake sale
Syrup sales
Drawing for gift baskets
Syrup samples served over ice cream

The sugar shack tours and farm animal visits are scheduled to continue as planned. Furthermore, we will have recorded music; maple sugaring displays; and hot tea, coffee, and cocoa inside.

We hope you can still make it out to the farm!

Music at the Open House

2011-03-17T20:44:00.000-04:00

We will be presenting live music at the Maple Sugaring Open House on Saturday, March 26th. The musicians will play from 10 am to 2 pm, and include:

Dwain Martin
Kelly Shively
Robin Luce
Ryan Luce
Michael Lee
Gordon Howie

You may be familiar with these folks from Back Porch Music at the Front Porch Cafe in Ellsworth. Types of music will include folk, soft rock, mountain, blues,and originals; with instruments including guitar, fiddle, harmonica, ukulele, banjola, mandola, mandolin, and banjo, among others. Come out and see it- you'll be sure to have fun!

April Potluck: Woodcock Walk

2011-03-15T15:55:00.000-04:00

Second Friday Potluck: Woodcock Walk

Friday, April 8th, 7 pm

Come out to our monthly potluck program for an evening of good food, fun company, and interesting presentations. The potluck starts at 7 pm. Bring a dish to pass if you can; but it's not required, so don't feel obligated! Wagbo provides drinks and table service.

The program begins at 8 pm with an evening viewing the spectacularly dramatic courtship display of the woodcock. Find out why they are nicknamed “the Little Brown Ghost” as we sneak through forest and field to experience our local harbingers of spring. Take advantage of this wonderful opportunity to encounter the wild animals that live in the Jordan River Valley. Great for individuals, couples, and families! Free and open to the public.

For more info, contact Wagbo at 231-536-0333, or email wagbo@torchlake.com.

Maple Sugaring Open House

2011-03-15T15:52:00.000-04:00

Maple Sugaring Open House

Saturday, March 26th, 10am to 3pm

Come out to the Martha Wagbo Farm and Education Center for a fascinating glimpse into our maple sugaring operation! Browse our maple-themed bake sale, take a naturalist-led hike out to the sugarbush, receive a tour of our sugar shack, and watch maple syrup being made right in front of you. Bring your kids out to meet our friendly farm animals. We will be serving samples of maple sap and syrup served over ice cream. There will be a drawing for three syrup-themed door prizes. Donations suggested.

For more info, contact Wagbo at 231-536-0333, or email wagbo@torchlake.com.

March Potluck: Maple Tree Tapping!

2011-02-18T15:13:00.000-05:00

Potluck and Maple Tree Tapping

Saturday, March 5th, 12 pm

Join the Martha Wagbo Farm and Education Center for an afternoon of good food, fun company, and inspired programming. Potluck starts at 12 pm. Join us with a dish to pass or without. Wagbo provides drinks and table service.

The program begins at 1 pm with an excursion to the Wagbo Sugarbush to tap maples with the Friends of the Wagbo Sugarbush (FWSB)! Our sugarbush is a half-mile hike from the farmhouse, so come prepared for the trip. Bring snowshoes or skis if you have them (and if there's snow on the ground!) and dress for the weather. And remember, the time you spend working for FWSB earns you sweet syrup in exchange!

No experience necessary. Bring a cordless drill and 5/16" bit if you have one. Free and open to the public. Located three miles south of East Jordan on M-66. For more info, contact Wagbo at 231-536-0333, or email wagbo@torchlake.com.

Film Showing: The Economics of Happiness

2011-01-27T18:35:00.003-05:00

Film Showing: The Economics of Happiness
Friday, February 18th, 7 pm
Donations Suggested

The Martha Wagbo Farm and Education Center invites you to participate in the exciting launch of the new film from the International Society of Ecology and Culture (ISEC) titled "The Economics of Happiness," which has been shown this month to sold-out audiences in Seattle, San Francisco and Portland. The film describes a world moving simultaneously in two opposing directions: while government and big business push for a globalized economy based on high technology and increased trade, people all over the world are working from the grassroots to nurture small scale, ecological, local economies. Running time of 67 minutes, followed by discussion. Snacks and refreshments will be served. Donations suggested. For more information, follow this link to view a trailer of the film and learn more about the localization movement: http://theeconomicsofhappiness.org

Guided Winter Hikes

2011-01-21T13:45:00.001-05:00

Guided Winter Hikes

Saturday, February 12th and Saturday, February 19th 1 pm

Cost: $5 per person

Join the Martha Wagbo Farm and Education Center for a guided winter ecology hike through the Jordan Valley. Learn to identify animal tracks, trees, bird calls, and other winter wonders. Hike ends with sledding and a warm meal! Cost: $5 per person. Located three miles south of East Jordan on M-66. For more info, contact Wagbo at 231-536-0333, or email wagbo@torchlake.com.

February Potluck: Biomass Presentation

2011-01-21T13:38:00.001-05:00

Potluck and Biomass Presentation

Friday, February 11th, 6pm

Join the Martha Wagbo Farm and Education Center for an evening of good food, fun company, and inspired programming. Potluck starts at 6 pm. Join us with a dish to pass or without. The presentation begins at 7 pm with Anne Zukowski and John Teesdale of the Friends of the Jordan River Watershed speaking about the problems of wood-burning biomass plants. Learn about the threats these plants pose to Michigan's forests and our health. Free and open to the public. Located three miles south of East Jordan on M-66. For more info, contact Wagbo at 231-536-0333, or email wagbo@torchlake.com. See also the FOJ page on biomass.

January Potluck: GasLand Film Showing

2010-12-17T18:02:00.000-05:00

First Friday Potluck

Friday, January 7th, 6 pm

Gasland Film Showing

Join the Martha Wagbo Farm and Education Center for our monthly potluck series. Dinner starts at 6 pm. Bring a delicious dish to pass if you can, but it's not required, so feel free to join us with a dish or without. The documentary feature GasLand starts at 7 pm. Director Josh Fox journeys across America to examine the negative impacts of natural gas drilling, from poisoned water sources to kitchen sinks that burst into flame to unhealthy animals and people. Is natural gas a viable alternative to our dwindling energy resources, or do the potential harmful effects outweigh the positives? This question is especially important to the gas-rich community of northern Michigan.

For more info, contact Wagbo at 231-536-0333, or email wagbo@torchlake.com.

For more information about the film, see GasLand the Movie.

Homebrewing Classes: Beer and Mead

2010-12-17T17:54:00.000-05:00

Saturday, January 15th 1-5pm
Homebrewing Classes: Beer and Mead Making
Two Workshops and Demonstrations at the Wagbo Farmhouse

Cost: $10 per person each workshop, $15 for both

1 pm: Homebrewing Ale: In this workshop we will be showing the basics of making ale over your own stove, discussing brewing history, and even sampling examples of the style being brewed: a Traditional Scottish Ale. Samples are only for those of legal age. $10 per person,

3pm: Old School Home Brewin' - Mead making at home: Mead, a honey wine, is the most ancient alcoholic beverage known. Come learn the basics of making this archaic wine and find out why it was once known as the "Nectar of the Gods." Samples will be provided to those of age. $10 per person.

* $10 per person each workshop, $15 for both workshops
* Samples and snacks provided

Wildlife Tracking Workshop

2010-11-16T17:49:00.001-05:00

Wildlife Tracking Workshop

Saturday, December 4th, 1pm-5pm
Cost: $5 per person

Hunters, wildlife photographers, wildlife researchers, and outdoor enthusiasts all benefit from tracking knowledge. Join the Martha Wagbo Farm and Education Center for a study of animal tracks and trails, skulls, and feathers. We will be doing some indoor exercises as well as observing animal sign in the field. Come rain or shine, and dress for the weather. For more info, call Wagbo at 231-536-0333 or email wagbo@torchlake.com.

First Friday Potluck: Feast and Film

2010-11-16T17:44:00.001-05:00

Feast and Film: A Wild Game and Local Foods Potluck and Film Showing
Friday, December 3rd, 6 pm

Join the Martha Wagbo Farm and Education Center for our second annual Wild Game and Local Foods Potluck. Dinner starts at 6 pm. Bring your favorite wild game, wild food, or local food dish to share. It's not required though, so feel free to join us with a dish or without. The film starts at 7:15 with The Great Dance: A Hunters Story. This rare film is a glimpse into the beautiful and spiritual life of the nomadic hunters of the Kalahari desert: the San Bushmen. A visual feast, this film explores the importance of animals, the depth and meaning of tracking, and the relationship between the hunter and the hunted. To the Bushman hunter, animals are to be revered and the hunt itself is sacred: “Tracking is like dancing. You are talking with God when you are doing these things.” 90 minutes. Rated PG. FREE and open to the public.

Second Friday Potluck: Wild Parsnip Diggin!

2010-10-21T21:22:00.000-04:00

Friday, November 12, 4 pm

Join the Martha Wagbo Farm and Education Center for our monthly potluck series! Bring a dish to pass if you can, but it's not required. Wagbo provides drinks and table service. This month we will start the program by digging wild parsnip- a notorious invasive pest. But few realize that this is the exact same plant as the domestic parsnip you buy in groceries and farmers markets. It grows wild here at Wagbo, displacing our native boneset, joe pye weed, and goldenrods. Come armed with a shovel and work clothes as we help remove this threat to our native wildflowers (and gather food at the same time!) After we're satisfied that we've harvested enough parsnip, we will move into the farmhouse and enjoy the potluck dinner.

For more info call Wagbo at 231-536-0333, or email wagbo@torchlake.com.

October Potluck: Bike Repair!

2010-09-24T12:11:00.000-04:00

October Potluck
Bike Repair Workshop
Saturday, October 2nd, 4 pm

Join us at the Martha Wagbo Farm and Education Center for our monthly potluck series. On the first Saturday of October, avid bicyclist Glenn Goodman will share his knowledge on the basics of bike mainenance. Bring along your own bike for the possibility of a free tune up! Due to time restrictions we may not be able to service all of the bikes, but you're guaranteed to learn a thing or two to help keep your bike in good shape. Stick around afterwards for a potluck in the farmhouse. As always, Wagbo provides drinks and table service. Feel free to join us with or without a dish to pass!

Canoe for Cranberries

2010-09-24T12:08:00.000-04:00

WEEDS Autumn Foraging Events

Wild Edibles for Ecological and Dietary Sustainability

Canoe for Cranberries: Saturday, October 9th, 2 pm

A Jordan River Float for Highbush Cranberry and Wild Ginger!

Highbush Cranberry (Viburnum trilobum) is a native shrub that grows wild in wetlands and is especially prolific along the Jordan River. Great in jams and juices, we will learn to identify this tasty berry as we float Michigan's first wild and scenic river. This float is not for those unwilling to get wet or those without waders; we will be hopping in and out of canoes once this conspicuous crimson culinary comestible is spotted. Wild ginger (Asarum canadense) grows in certain hidden spots along the river. We will stop at one large patch to uproot this tasty treat and potent medicine. Recipes for candied ginger made with Wagbo syrup will be shared with those foragers with dirt under their nails. Bring your own canoe and baskets, or call Wagbo to see if any lenders are available. Put-in will be at Old State Road. Call 231-536-0333 for any questions.

Autumnberry Harvest

2010-09-24T12:05:00.000-04:00

WEEDS Autumn Foraging Events

Wild Edibles for Ecological and Dietary Sustainability

Sunday, October 10th, 5 pm
At Raven's Roost Farm in Bellaire

Autumnberry (AKA autumn olive) is a prolific and conspicuous invasive shrub known to nearly every person concerned with habitat preservations. What is often overlooked is its edible and delicious berries, which ripen to a speckled-red in autumn. Excellent raw, dried, juiced, or made into jam, we will harvest loads of berries as well as recipes. Come rain or shine!

Raven's Roost Farm is located at 2398 Vandermark Road in Bellaire. Call Wagbo at 231-536-0333 for directions.

Second Annual Apple Pressing

2010-09-24T12:00:00.000-04:00

Saturday October 23rd and Sunday, October 24th
1 pm to 5 pm

Bring your apples to juice into sweet cider! An autumn tradition for hundreds of years, community apple pressing is great for the whole family. This weekend-long event is the perfect answer to a surplus of apples, so save the date! Bring your own jugs to fill. Suggested donation of $5 per family

August Potluck: Picnic and Paddle

2010-07-26T12:43:00.000-04:00

Picnic and Paddle
Friday, August 6th at 6 pm

Join the Martha Wagbo Farm and Education Center at the beautiful Jordan River for a streamside potluck and float down the water. Dinner will start at 6 pm at the Webster Bridge on the Jordan River, just off of M-66. Bring a dish to pass if you can, but it’s not required. Please bring your own plates, cups, and utensils. Following dinner we will load up our canoes or kayaks and take off down the river! The Jordan is Michigan’s first designated “wild and scenic” river, so paddling it is a real delight. Bring your own canoe or kayak if you have one. Otherwise, you can call Wagbo at 231-536-0333 to reserve one of the canoes we have available for loan. Space is limited! Please call by Thursday, August 5th if you plan to reserve a canoe. Hope to see you there!

Board of Directors Meeting

2010-07-26T12:32:00.000-04:00

The next Wagbo Board Meeting will be held on Thursday, August 19th. Feel free to join us if you have something you'd like to contribute, or just want to sit in and see what it's all about. Please call ahead to confirm the time.

Board of Directors Meeting

2010-06-21T12:35:00.000-04:00

The next Wagbo Board Meeting will be held on Thursday, July 15th at 4:30 pm. Please feel free to join us if you have something you'd like to contribute, or just want to sit in and see what it's all about.

If you are interested in joining the Board of Directors or serving on a committee, please attend the informational meeting at 7 pm on the same day. The Wagbo Board Members will provide desert to share- yum! The board meetings aren't overly formal, so feel free to come as you are!

Hope to see you there!

July Potluck

2010-06-21T12:21:00.000-04:00

Seals and Art: Inuit Life and Culture
Friday, July 9th, 6 pm

Join us at the Martha Wagbo Farm and Education Center for our monthly potluck series! Dinner starts at 6 pm. Bring a dish to pass if you can, but feel free to come with a dish or without. Wagbo provides drinks and table service.

Then stick around after dinner for an inspirational program by Sarah Juntune based on an expedition to Greenland and Arctic Canada. She will share her pictures of the expedition; experiences with the Inuit; and knowledge that she gained of Arctic history, life, art, music, tales, geology, flora/fauna, politics, economics, and the extreme importance of the seal to the Inuit culture. It’s sure to be an exciting and informative presentation- don’t miss it!

Thank You!

2010-05-29T13:21:00.000-04:00

We would like to extend a big "Thank You!" to all the folks who made the Spring Harvest Festival possible. To our partners at ISLAND and Grass River, thanks for all your hard work organizing this event! To the instructors, thank you for coming out and sharing your knowledge with the community. Your workshops were very much appreciated! Thanks also to all the volunteers, whose hard work and dedication made this event possible. Thanks to our sponsors for your generous contributions. Please let them know that you appreciate their support of community events!

Sponsors:
American Spoon Foods of Petoskey
Cherry Republic of Charlevoix
Lake Street Market of Boyne City
Freshwater Studio of Boyne City
Turtle Kitchen of East Jordan
Diversions of Traverse City

June Saturday Potluck

2010-05-20T13:56:00.002-04:00

Songbirds of Field and Forest
Saturday, June 5th, 8:30 am

We're doing things a little differently for our monthly potluck this June- changing it from a "First Friday" to a "First Saturday," and making it a breakfast potluck instead of dinner! Bring a dish to pass if you can; but feel free to come with a dish or without. We will meet in the farmhouse and start off the morning with a bird walk lead by wildlife biologist Keith Kintigh. Bring binoculars and bird guides if you have them, and remember to dress for outdoor conditions. Birders of all skill levels are welcome.

After the hike, join us in the farmhouse for delicious food and good company. Beverages and table service are provided by Wagbo.

Hope to see ya there!

Spring Harvest Festival

2010-04-27T12:21:00.006-04:00

Sunday, May 23rd, 1-5 pm

Presented in partnership with ISLAND and Grass River Natural Area

Celebrate the bounty of spring! Come participate in spring-related workshops such as mushroom hunting, wild edibles, wild medicinals, mead-making, and more! Browse our vendors selling local spring-time products. Come away with an increased knowledge of our local ecology, and renewed appreciation for the spring season!

Cost is $10 if you pre-register by May 20th or $15 at the door. To register, or if you are interested in becoming a vendor, call Maria at 231-536-0333 or email wagbo@torchlake.com.

Workshop List:

Edible Plant Walk and Salad Forage by Maria Wesserle
Mushroom Hike by Franny Bluhm and Yvonne Stephens
Pickling Asparagus and Wild Leeks by Jason Stephens
Nature Walk with Sugarbush Tour and Leek Harvest by Fischer Jex
Brewing Beer by Flip Rutledge
Mead-making by Keith Kintigh and Jason Stephens
Sheep Shearing by Zack Shaltz
Herbal Plant Walk by Joyce Wardwell
Children's Activities by Mike Reddy, Andrew Cart, Jen Lewis

Hope to see ya there!

Update 5/20: The planned children's activities were canceled, but are back on. Samantha can no longer make it, but we have found some other instructors. yay!

Workshop Schedule

1:00—1:15: Registration

1:15—2:15: Workshop Block A

Children’s Activities by Mike Reddy, Andrew Cart, Jen Lewis

Mead-making by Keith Kintigh

Sheep Shearing by Zack Shaltz

1:15—2:45: Extended Hike Block A

Nature Walk with Sugarbush Tour and Leek Harvest by Fischer Jex

2:30—3:30: Workshop Block B

Edible Plant Walk and Salad Forage by Maria Wesserle

Mushroom Hike by Franny Bluhm

Brewing Beer by Flip Rutledge

3:15—4:45: Extended Hike Block B

Herbal Plant Walk by Joyce Wardwell

3:45—4:45: Workshop Block C

Mushroom Hike by Yvonne Stephens

Pickling Asparagus and Wild Leeks by Jason Stephens

4:45—5:00: Gift Prize Drawings

May Potluck and Wild Edibles Hike

2010-04-27T12:00:00.001-04:00

Friday, May 14th, 6 pm

Join us at the Martha Wagbo Farm and Education Center for our First Friday (or second Friday in this case!) Potluck! Meet in the farmhouse for delicious food and good company. Bring a dish to pass; but feel free to come with a dish or without! Beverages and table service are provided.

After dinner, (starting at about 7 pm) stick around for a "Wild Edibles Hike" through Wagbo's scenic 212-acre property. 'Tis the season for wild leeks, trout lily, spring beauty, and other delectable greens. Learn how to identify these wild goodies and go home with simple recipes that you can make at home. These spring ephermerals don't stick around long - let's enjoy them while they're here. Come rain or shine!

Business Expo and Taste of Boyne

2010-04-27T11:45:00.000-04:00

Come visit your favorite non-profit in Boyne City this Thursday!

Stop by and say "Hi!" as Wagbo exhibits at the Boyne Business Expo this Thursday, from 3 to 7 pm. We will have informational material out, maple syrup for sale, and a small prize give away for new additions to the email list.

The Boyne Business Expo and Taste of Boyne will be held at 1315 Boyne Avenue (M-75 South, former Carter's store.) It will feature 85 booths from business and non-profits, including 11 "Taste of Boyne" food vendors, a cash bar, and an art exhibit. Admission is $5. For more information, visit http://www.boyneexpo.com.

Woodcock Walks

2010-03-22T17:19:00.006-04:00

Woodcock Walks

Every Sunday in April

8pm to 9pm

Register today for an evening viewing the spectacularly dramatic courtship display of these amazing birds. Find out why they are nicknamed “the Little Brown Ghost” as we sneak through forest and field to experience our local harbingers of spring. Take advantage of this wonderful opportunity to encounter the wild animals that live in the Jordan River Valley. Great for individuals, couples, and families!

To Register, call the Martha Wagbo Farm and Education Center at 231-536-0333 or email wagbo@torchlake.com

April Potluck: Friday the Second

2010-03-21T14:16:00.003-04:00

Are you feeling that spring-time itch? Are you dying to see new signs of life with the coming of the spring season? Then mark your calendar for Wagbo Farm's First Friday Potluck in April! (This one comes up quick, happening on the second day of the month.) The evening will start with dinner at 6 pm. Bring a dish to pass if you can, but it's not required. Wagbo provides drinks and table service.

The program will start after dinner at 7 pm. Join Wagbo Intern Maria Wesserle on a hike through the farm's scenic property. Look for signs of spring like migrating birds, sprouting wildflowers, and awakening animals! Learn about your surrounding environment and come away with a renewed appreciation for this beautiful season!

For more info, call Wagbo at 231-536-0333.

Sugartime is here!

2010-03-02T16:15:00.005-05:00

Saturday, March 20, 10:30am-3:30pm

MAPLE SYRUP FAMILY FIELD DAY

Come out to the Wagbo Farm for a fun and educational tour of the world of maple syrup! Learn how to tap trees, boil syrup in your own backyard, and operate a large-scale commercial evaporator. There will be separate children’s activities, including a short hike, storytelling, and puppet shows. Please come dressed for the weather, as this event will be mostly outdoors!

Schedule:

10:30-12:30 (Adult)- Evaporator Training: Workshop and demonstration on how to run a large-scale commericial evaporator with Wagbo's 5'x16' wood-fired system.

10:30-12:30 (Children)- Maple Ecology Hike: A short hike to a stand of maple trees, with hands-on lessons on tapping maples. Maple sap and syrup will be available for tasting, and help boil down sap in our cauldron!

12:30-1:30- Lunch: Wagbo will provide hot soup, beverages, and maple-themed snacks.

1:30-3:30 (Adult)- Maple Ecology Hike: Hike out to Wagbo's sugarbush and gain knowledge of a vacuum sap collection system. Receive hands-on lessons on how to tap maples, and taste delicious maple sap and syrup.

1:30-3:30 (Children)- Turning the Seasons: Join Chris Evans of Wild Ginger Children's Arts as she presents puppet shows and tells stories about the coming of spring.

**Please Note- Of course children can attend the adult's programming, or vice versa, if they so wish! However, we do ask that adults don't leave the Wagbo premises while their children are here.

Cost $10 of adults, $5 for children, $28 for a family, 3 and under are free. Please register by Thursday, March 18. For more info, call 231-536-0333, or email wagbo@torchlake.com.

Saturday, March 27, 10 am-3 pm

8TH ANNUAL MAPLE SYRUP FESTIVAL

Join us at the Wagbo Farm for our annual family event to celebrate Maple Syrup! Pancake breakfast served all day with real Wagbo Maple Syrup and locally-produced sausage and bacon. Music, sleigh rides out to the sugar bush, syrup tasting, “pancake” flipping contests an more – plus view maple syrup being made in our sugar shack! All food and activities are included for one price!

Cost $10 of adults, $5 for children, $28 for a family, 3 and under are free. No pre-registration required. For more info, call 231-536-0333, or email wagbo@torchlake.com.

Second Friday Potluck: Apple Pruning

2010-03-01T11:28:00.006-05:00

To Prune or not to Prune?

Nope, not referring to the shriveled plums- I’m talking about pruning apple trees! Do you have any young or old apple trees that you’d like to make more productive, but you’re really not sure how to do it? Come to the Wagbo “2nd Friday Potluck” on March 12 at 6pm. We'll start by heading out to the Wagbo apple orchard where you’ll learn hands-on pruning techniques. After the demonstration, we'll fill our bellies with great locally prepared food (by you, me, and anyone else who so desires!) If you have any pruning shears or a pole saw, bring them along! The more the merrier and more efficient! See you there!

This workshop will be presented by Pepper Bromelmeier, who, along with her husband, Tom Brown, and friend, Mark Randolph, operate an organic, heirloom apple orchard near Central Lake.

Wagbo's Sno-Blast Event

2010-02-12T16:42:00.010-05:00

Wagbo's participation in the East Jordan Sno-Blast Celebration was a great success! Chris Evans of Wild Ginger Children's Arts kindly came out to present stories, songs, and puppet shows to children. She was a big hit! Her imaginative stories really caught hold of the kids' attentions, and her puppet shows were very beautiful and unique.

She started out with a puppet show of the rabbit and the carrot, a tale of friendship in which the forest animals share a carrot with one another during the bitter winter:

She followed this tale with some interactive songs and poems, which the kids had a fun time acting out:

Then came the tale of the lost mitten, in which the kids pretended to be various wild animals hiding in a boy's lost mitten:

After this came more interactive songs and poems, followed by the last story. It was an Ojibway tale of Shingebiss the duck, who bravely faced the fierce North Wind:

Chris' presentation ended with a few more songs, and then the kids headed out to go sledding! Here is board member Alana Haley carting board member Jennifer Lewis' child back to the farmhouse:

It was a perfect day for outdoor activities: sunny, warm, with a clear view of the Jordan River Valley. (Though I'm not sure the kids noticed this much while flying down the hill!) We here at Wagbo hope to see you out at the farm for more winter events!

Folklore Film Series

2010-01-25T19:00:00.001-05:00

The Martha Wagbo Farm and Education Center presents:
Folklore Film Series

For traditional cultures throughout the world, many stories were reserved for Wintertime and few were children’s bedtime stories, but tales to open the minds of all ages. At 7pm every Friday in February we will be honoring this tradition with a film version of a classic Folktale from various cultures throughout the North.

February 5th will be our monthly “First Friday Potluck” at 6pm followed by the film The Secret of Roan Inish, a hauntingly beautiful tale set along the Irish coast, this story concerns an infant that some say has been taken by seals! 1hr 43min. PG.
February 12th we will be showing The Storyteller. (PG) This HBO series from Jim Henson patterned its tales from old, often dark tales from the bards of Northern Europe. We will be watching three 22 minute episodes: The Three Ravens, The Heartless Giant, and The Luck Child.
February 19th will show the award-winning Spirited Away. (2hrs. PG.) This intense and surreal animation borrows it’s themes from Russian as well as Japanese traditions. A highly acclaimed movie, it is the highest grossing film in Japanese history!
February 26th will conclude the film series with the rare film Ofelas aka Pathfinder (1hr 26min. PG-13 for scenes of blood and violence.) Academy award nominated, this film is a 1000 year old tale from the Sami people – Scandinavia’s last remaining nomadic Reindeer herders. This harsh Arctic tale sheds light on the tragic loss and resiliency of indigenous people in the face of conquest.

Come re-awaken your imagination and reclaim our mythic past with traditional tales and modern filmmaking! Refreshments will be provided. Call 231-536-0333 for more information.

First Friday Potluck

2010-01-25T18:56:00.001-05:00

Potluck: Folklore Film
Friday, February 5th, 6:00 pm

Come to the Wagbo Farm’s monthly potluck for food, fun, and good company! A dish to pass is always welcome, but not required. Wagbo provides drinks and table service. Then stick around after dinner for the kick-off of our Folklore Film Series with “The Secret of Roan Inish.” A hauntingly beautiful tale set along the Irish coast, this story concerns an infant that some say has been taken by seals! 1hr 43min. Rated PG. For more info, call Wagbo at 231-536-0333.

Storytelling with Chris Evans

2010-01-04T10:28:00.003-05:00

Join Wagbo as we celebrate winter with East Jordan's Annual Sno-Blast Festival! On Saturday, January 16th, at 11:30 am and 1:00 pm, storyteller Chris Evans of Wild Ginger Children's Arts will be telling stories and doing puppet plays of winter tales including:"Rabbit and Carrot," a story of friendship, and the Chippewa story "Shingebiss," about a duck who defeats the fierce north wind. The children will be able to help act out the story "The Mitten" as Chris tells it. We'll also move together as we sing songs, recite poems, and play games full of wintery themes. Probably most suitable for ages 2-12 but all ages are welcome.

Hope to see ya there!

Sno-Blast Winter Festival

2010-01-03T17:13:00.002-05:00

The Wagbo Farm is joining in with East Jordan's Annual Sno-Blast Festival on Saturday, January 16th and Sunday, January 17th. Come out to the farm on Saturday between 10 am and 4 pm to enjoy sledding with full view of the beautiful Jordan River Valley! Hot chocolate, tea, and baked goodies will also be served in the farmhouse. Chris Evans of the Wild Ginger Children's Group will be doing a puppet show and storytelling at 11:30 am and 1:00 pm.

Join us Sunday at 3:30 pm for a film showing of The Neverending Story. Wolfgang Petersen made his first English-language film with this 1984 fantasy about a boy (Barret Oliver) visualizing the stories of a book he's reading. The imagined tale involves another boy, a warrior (Noah Hathaway), and his efforts to save the empire of Fantasia from a nemesis called "the Nothing." In this epic tale of danger and heroism, more than just an empire is at stake - it is childrens imaginations the world over. Rated PG.

For more information, call the East Jordan Chamber of Commerce at 231-536-7151, or call Wagbo at 231-536-0333.

Winter Ecology Walks

2010-01-03T17:13:00.001-05:00

Winter Ecology Walks in the beautiful Jordan Valley!
Every Sunday in January at 2pm
Meet at the Wagbo Farmhouse

Join us for a naturalist-lead hike through forest and field as we experience the beauty of Winter at one of Antrim County's Nature Preserves. Learn more about trees, Natural History of the Valley, and search for animal tracks and sign while we hike along a tributary of the Jordan - our 1st designated "Wild and Scenic River." Then warm up indoors with Hot Chocolate! Suggestion Donation $5 per person. Come dressed for the weather as the snow may be deep. Snowshoe rental is available. Call 231-536-0333 for more information.

Second Friday Potluck: Living off the Grid

2010-01-03T17:11:00.000-05:00

Our regular “first” Friday potluck will be held on the second Friday of January. "Living off the Grid" will take place January 8th at 6:00 pm at the Martha Wagbo Farm. A dish to pass is always welcome, but never required, so don’t feel overly obligated to bring one! Drinks and table service are provided by Wagbo.

The program will start at 7:00 with a powerpoint presentation about living off the grid. The speaker will be Michael Buttigieg, who has been living off the grid with his wife Tammy since they moved from Detroit to the East Jordan area in 1998. Michael has been an active and influential part of the community: he was president of the Lake Charlevoix Association for four years; served as a board member for Friends of the Boyne River;and is a current board member of Tip of the Mitt Watershed and the Water and Aire Team of Charlevoix. He is also the proud owner of Michael's Solar and Wind. Don't miss this intriguing and educational presentation!

Adopt-a-Tree from Friends of the Wagbo Sugarbush

2009-11-28T13:39:00.003-05:00

Adopt a Sugar Maple tree for one year! A rewarding and educational christmas gift for friends and family, and a great learning experience for classrooms. As each tree's "foster parents," you first get sent a print-out including a color photo of your individual tree, a place to write the tree's name of your choice, and interesting facts about our "sugarbush"-- perfect for framing. Once the Sugarin' Season rolls around come March, you will receive a folder packed full of educational activities, and facts and folklore for children and adults alike, thus taking part in the adventures of Maple Sugaring. You will also receive weekly updates on your tree's sap flow, the syrup production, and the progress of our all-volunteer run operation. You can also schedule "Meet your Tree" days where you can come out and take a free tour of our sugarbush, be introduced to your tree, view our sap evaporator in operation and sample fresh Maple Syrup. And if that's not enough, at the end of the season for each tree you adopt you will receive a quart of our delicious 100% pure wood-fired Michigan Maple Syrup in decorated jugs!

One Year Tree Adoption: $50 per tree

Second Friday Potluck: Feast and Film

2009-11-28T13:35:00.002-05:00

Our regular “first” Friday potluck will be held on the second Friday of December. “Feast And Film: a Wild Game and Local Foods Potluck and Film Showing” will take place December 11th at 6:00 pm at the Martha Wagbo Farm. A dish to pass is always welcome, but never required, so don’t feel overly obligated to bring one! The focus for this potluck is Wild Game and Wild Food, so if you have some dried morels, chanterelles, frozen Juneberries, pickled Leeks, etc; a dish of those would all be great for our vegetarian friends. Local Food is the fall-back in case people cannot obtain wild foods. For those of you who have access to Wild Game, but need recipes, call 231-536-0333 or email us at the Wagbo Farm for suggestions. We have delicious recipes on everything from Possum to Porcupine, Deer heart to Beaver tail, Squirrel to Salmon!

The Film will start at 7:30 with a screening of the documentary “Diet of Souls” – a movie exploring the intimate relationship between the Inuit, their arctic environment and the Animals they must hunt to survive. A powerful look at the sacred art of the Hunt, this film blurs the borders between Animal and Human, and by listening to the stories of Inuit Elders it preserves an important world-view of these Traditional People. (Not Rated. Some Subtitles.)

Hope to see you there!

Apple Pressing Correction!

2009-10-26T20:30:00.002-04:00

The last e-musings said that Wagbo is seeking a $5 donation per gallon of apple cider. This is incorrect--we're actually looking for a donation of $5 per family! (Makes quite a difference, huh?)

We also thought it would be helpful to mention the approximate apple to cider ratio. On average, it takes about one bushel of apples to make 2 gallons of apple cider. This will help you determine about how many apples to bring, as well as how many containers to bring. The other information pertaining to apple pressing is correct.

Also, please don't bring apples that have been laying on the ground, as they accumulate dirt and bacteria. If you shake the tree and pick them up, that's okay. (As long as they don't land in deer poop!)

Wagbo Farm Through the Seasons

2009-10-20T12:53:00.001-04:00

While our frosts are getting harder and flocks of migrating birds are heading south, the colors of autumn are getting more intense by the minute. There are few places in Northwest Michigan where this is more dramatic than the Jordan River Valley. Wagbo is fortunate to have some of the best eastern views of the valley – its lowland scarlet Red Maples, rolling golds of Beech-Sugar Maple forests, deep green of sentinel White Pines and the dark oaken mound of Mt. Bliss looming on the horizon. Hiking the Wagbo property is especially rewarding this time of year when it is cool enough to not worry about overheating and yet warm enough for leisurely picnics.

A wonderful time for bird-watching, one passer-through that is common in the fields near the barn at the moment is the White-Crowned Sparrow. These handsome, not-so-shy little birds are visiting Wagbo as a convenient rest-stop on their great journey from the tundra to as far south as central Mexico. Come out and see them while they’re still here! There’s no need for registration, trail fee or even a ‘heads-up’: our trails are always open to visitors.Red-Tailed Hawks and the occasional Northern Harrier have been visiting lately, hunting the fields and a Bobcat was recently spotted near the campground. Almost nightly, once the stars begin to awake, a chaotic symphony of Coyotes can be heard joyously celebrating something known only to them, and the mournful call of the Barred Owl can be heard to the south. As November rolls around we expect to see more Porcupines as they search for mates. This is the best and easiest time to see these normally inconspicuous animals and catch them in the act of their dramatic courtship displays! All in all, this is a great time to get out and visit the Wagbo Farm and there is always something interesting happening here beyond the programming. You just have to look for yourself…

First Friday Potluck

2009-10-20T12:33:00.003-04:00

Join us at the Wagbo farmhouse for food, fun, and good company. Next month's First Friday Potluck will be held on November 6th. Dinner starts at 6 pm. Bring a dish to pass if you can; but feel free to join us with or without one. Drinks and table service are provided by Wagbo.

Then stick around after dinner for the program. At 7:00 PM Ellen Addinton will present Making Peace in a Hostile World- A view of indigenous peoples search for peace in Columbia and Venezuela. Ellen, a resident of Ellsworth, MI and long time peace activist has travelled and worked extensively in a number of Central American countries. Much of her work has focused on the struggles of women in the Central American peace effort. Don't miss this amazing presentation!

Press Your Apples!

2009-10-17T11:37:00.006-04:00

Got Apples? Come to the Martha Wagbo Farm and Education Center in East Jordan on Sunday, November 1st, 1:00 to 4:00 PM to press them into delicious Cider! Bring your own apples to grind and press. Bring your own jugs to fill for a suggested donation of $5 per family. Community Apple Pressing has been a rural tradition for centuries. Keep this family-fun autumn pastime alive and well in Northern Michigan!

Wagbo will provide an apple grinder and press for all your cider needs! We hope to rent a large, electric grinder and manual press from a local orchard. If this doesn't work out, however, there will still be a manual grinder and press supplied. If you haven't tried apple cidering, come out and share the experience! You'll never have such delicious cider as your own fresh-pressed stuff.

The Wagbo Farm is located 3 miles south of East Jordan at 5745 N. M66. 1-4pm. Call 231-536-0333 for more details.

Fungi and Fermentation

2009-10-13T13:05:00.011-04:00

Fungi and Fermentation was a great success! Despite the cold and rain, approximately 60 people showed up to the skill swap--all in good spirits and excited to learn. Here's the front yard all packed full of cars:There were so many different classes offered that day, that it isn't possible to fit pictures of them all on this entry. But here are some highlights:

This is Julie Hurd showing off her samples of wool yarn dyed with wildharvested mushrooms. Her knowledge of this subject was very impressive, and the colors the mushrooms created were beautiful! It was great to see all the wonderful dyes that can be created from fungi growing right in your backyard.

Amanda Kik teaching cheesemaking. You had to really squeeze in to get a good look at this one! In this class, Amanda taught everyone how to make queso blanco, also called vinegar cheese. It's a fairly simple process, but the outcome is delicious. Everyone was inspired to go home and make some of their own!

Here is Mark Meier teaching sauerkraut preparation. His methods were quite impressive, as he brought his own hand-made shredder to and wooden stomper to process the cabbage! He also brought along some samples of vegetables he'd fermented. The delicious taste is enough to inspire anyone to ferment their own veggies.

Another happy participant! How can you be sad with all the delicious wine, beer, mead, cider, and fermented foods to sample? Thanks so much to all the instructors for making this event possible! Also thanks to ISLAND, all our wonderful volunteers, and the following sponsor:

with support from the following: Krios Consulting, Higher Grounds Coffee, Lubrecht and Cramer Ltd., Field and Forest Products, Pleasanton Bakery, Tandem Ciders, Right Brain Brewery, Leelanau Cultured Veggies, Black Star Farms, Frasure Farms, Sunra Farms, Shetler Dairy, Turtle Kitchen, Morel Mania, FUNGI Magazine and Mushroom the Journal.

To see more pictures, please visit ISLAND's Facebook page or Wagbo's Shutterfly account.

First Friday Potluck

2009-09-24T14:58:00.003-04:00

Join us at the Wagbo farmhouse for food, fun, and good company. Next month's First Friday Potluck will be held on October 2nd. Dinner starts at 6 pm. Bring a dish to pass if you can; but feel free to join us with or without one. Drinks and table service are provided by Wagbo.

Then stick around after dinner and help us prepare for the Fungi and Fermentation Skill Swap! Volunteers will receive free or reduced admission to the event, depending on how much they volunteer. Call Maria for more details at 231-536-0333.

Fungi and Fermentation Skill Swap

2009-09-22T16:30:00.002-04:00

Join the Institute for Sustainable Living, Art, and Natural Design (ISLAND) and the Martha Wagbo Farm and Education Center as we explore the wide world of fungi and fermentations. Anyone with an interest in local foods; wild-crafting; food preservation; or tasty, healthful meals will greatly benefit from the workshops offered here. Experienced teachers will present an array of topics, including wild mushroom hikes, mushroom dyeing, mushroom paper, cheese making, vegetable fermentations, mead making, and much more! There will also be local vendors selling fungal and fermented goods. The skill swap is taking place Sunday, October 4th from 1 pm to 5 pm. It will be held at the Wagbo Farm, located three miles south of East Jordan at 5745 North M-66. Cost is $20 for pre-registration by Friday, September 25th or $25 at the door. For a complete list of workshops and vendors, or to register, call Yvonne at 231 480 4515 or email info@artmeetsearth.org.

Mushroom cultivation with Jim Ruster of Mitchell Hill Farm
Paper-making with polypores taught by Franny Bluhm
Fall mushroom hunting led by Michigan Mushroom Hunter's Club Vice President Jim Provci
Dyeing wool with mushrooms taught by fiber artist Julie Hurd of the Lake Charlevoix Weavers Guild
Cheese making taught by Amanda Kik of ISLAND
Sauerkraut preparation by Mark Maier
Composting with Mike and Monika Fiebing of Bella Terra Farms
Kombucha with Pepper Bromelmeir
Mead making with Nels Veliquette, beekeeper and fourth generation farmer in Northern MI
Wine making with Brian Hosmer
Live ginger beer and kefir with Nirinjan Singh and Kimberly Dante of Anahata Balance
Whole Grain Home Brew with Jerome Grskovic, BJCP (Beer Judge Certification Program) beer judge

Sponsored by Eden Foods, and support from the following: Field and Forest Products, and Pleasanton Bakery, Tandem Ciders, Leelanau Cultured Veggies, Black Star Farms, Mushroom the Journal.

The Art of Tracking

2009-09-06T14:05:00.002-04:00

The Tracking Workshop held on August 29th and 30th in collaboration with ISLAND was a great success! We reached a full registration of 15 enthusiastic students, plus the tracker and several volunteers. Paul Raphael, a tracker from Leelanau County, and Intern Maria Wesserle led the activities. Saturday started out rather dreary and rainy, but everyone became inpsired to learn by Paul's talk about tracking and bird language. Then we went out in the field to engage in some exercises.

Here's a picture of folks walking along the "Unnature Trail"--trying to find human-made objects hidden near the rope.

In the evening, folks headed inside to learn more about animal tracks.

Everyone picked a picture of an animal track that they couldn't identify. Then, using taking clues from the foot morphology, (does it have claws, long fingers, webbed toes, etc.) the students tried to imagine a 24-hour period of life for their animal. People seemed rather confused during this activity, but actually everyone ended up with a description really close to the actual animal!

The next day was dedicated to learning about animal sign and bird language in the field.

Here are Chris and Maria practicing animal forms--in this case they were emulating the walk of a raccoon. This exercise was designed to help people empathize with the animals they're tracking. Understanding (and feeling!) the way an animal moves is as important to tracking as understanding what its feet look like.

The rest of the day was spent studying animal tracks and trails.

This picture shows Art and Oren looking for deer tracks and marking them with colored popsicle sticks. The ones in the sandy road were usually easy to find, but once the deer moved into the forest, finding tracks was much more challenging!

This event was loads of fun, and hopefully there will be more of its kind in the near future. However, event couldn't have happened without the dedicated volunteers and generous sponsors. Please show the following businesses your support, and thank them for sponsoring community events in northern Michigan!

Oryana Natural Foods Market

Bellaire Smokehouse

Grain Train Natural Foods

Turtle Kitchen

Providence Farm and CSA

Valley Graphics Printing Company

Fun Fermentations at the First Friday Potluck

2009-07-28T13:41:00.003-04:00

Join us at the Wagbo farmhouse for food, fun, and good company. Next month's First Friday Potluck will be held on August 7th. Dinner starts at 6 pm. Bring a dish to pass if you can; but feel free to join us with or without one. Drinks and table service are provided by Wagbo.

Then stick around after dinner for the fermentation program. Learn how easy, enjoyable, and healthy fermented foods can be! Intern Maria Wesserle will demonstrate vegetable fermentation, kombucha, yogurt cheese, and vinegar cheese. She will also have these delicious foods available for sampling. Fermentation guides will be on-hand for your perusal.

Beehive Basics

2009-07-21T12:41:00.004-04:00

Wednesday August 5th — Beehive Basics from 5 to 7 pm, on ISLAND's property, in Bellaire. Suggested donation of $10.

Workshop on beekeeping basics and preparing for your first hive(s) next spring. We will cover what items and tools you need to get a hive started, as well as the ideal location for a hive. Plants that encourage the health of a hive will also be discussed, and we will visit an active hive. Guest beekeeper will be Jay DeKorne. There will also be a raffle of some beekeeping items, including a bee "nuc" valued at $100! You'll also take home lots of literature.

You may register in advance by calling or emailing Yvonne at ISLAND 231-480-4515 or ylstephens@gmail.com.

Tracking Workshop

2009-07-21T12:27:00.007-04:00

The Art of Tracking
When: Saturday, August 29th to Sunday, August 30th
Time: Saturday-- Check-in starts at 1 pm; Classes go from 2 pm to 9pm
Sunday-- Breakfast starts at 8 am. Classes go from 9 am to 5 pm
Cost: $30 for 3 meals and camping, $25 for 2 meals without camping (breakfast excluded.)
Registration is limited! Reserve a space today!

The Institute for Sustainable Living, Art, and Natural Design, (ISLAND) and the Martha Wagbo Farm and Education Center are partnering to bring you a valuable resource in outdoor education—tracking knowledge. If you are a hunter, a wildlife researcher, a nature photographer, or if you have an interest in primitive skills or the animal world, then this workshop is for you. The Art of Tracking will be held at the Wagbo Farm just south of East Jordan at 5745 North M-66. Activities will be lead by Paul Raphael, an experienced tracker who has worked with celebrated outdoorsmen such as Jon Young and Paul Rezendes, and has taught tracking classes across the United States at renown outdoors schools such as the Wilderness Awareness School in Washington and the Institute of Natural Learning in Maine. He has even travelled oversees to Europe to teach this valued skill.

At The Art of Tracking, you will learn how to fully engage your senses so that animal trails and sign can be readily observed, how to understand the meanings of bird calls, and how to interpret animal behavior through tracks and gaits. The first day will focus on sense awareness and tracking exercises, and the second day will center on interpreting animal signs and bird language in the field. Snacks, drinks, and three meals (dinner Saturday, breakfast and lunch Sunday) are included. Overnight camping is available at the Wagbo Farm—please call Wagbo at 231-536-0333 or email wagbo@torchlake.com for more details.

Schedule
Saturday
• 1 pm—Check in, Set up tents, Orientation
• 2pm to 6 pm—Sense Awareness Exercises, Becoming Familiar with Tracks
• 6 pm to 7 pm—Dinner
• 7 pm to 9 pm—Tracking and Trailing Exercises
• 9 pm onwards—Bonfire and Storytelling (Optional)
Sunday
• 8 am to 9 am—Breakfast
• 9 am to 12 pm—Tracking and Bird Language in the field
• 12 pm to 1 pm—Lunch
• 1 pm to 5 pm—Tracking and Bird Language in the field

Registration
This event is limited to just 15 participants, so please register by Monday, August 24th by following this link or calling ISLAND Directors Brad and Amanda Kik at 231-480-4515. Supervised older children are welcome. Please note that your registration is not complete until we have received your payment.
For further general information, contact Intern Maria Wesserle at 231-536-0333.

First Friday Potluck!

2009-06-29T14:06:00.002-04:00

Date: Friday, July 3
Time: Potluck starts at 6 pm
Program begins at 7 pm

Join us at the Martha Wagbo Farm and Education Center for our First Friday Potluck! Meet in the farmhouse for delicious food and good company. Bring a dish to pass; but feel free to come with a dish or without! Beverages and table service are provided.

Carl Eklund, forester with Fahl Forest Products, plans to give a presentation on sustainable timber management and lead a tour of the recently harvested 40 acre stand of northern mixed hardwoods at the Martha Wagbo Farm and Education Center. Prior to the harvest, Carl marked approximately 6-7 trees per acre for removal based first on poor form, damage and overcrowding and lastly economically mature trees. If time allows, we can also look at a 50 acre hardwood stand that is in need of a TSI (Timber Stand Improvement). This cut is scheduled to begin in August and will be done to improve the stand by removing deformed, damaged and diseased trees to release the higher quality stems in the stand.

First Friday Potluck

2009-05-30T19:50:00.004-04:00

Date: Friday, June 5th

Time: Potluck starts at 6 pm

Program begins at 7 pm

Join us at the Martha Wagbo Farm and Education Center for our First Friday Potluck! Meet in the farmhouse for delicious food and good company. Bring a dish to pass; but feel free to come with a dish or without! Beverages and table service are provided.

Want to learn how to grow your own gourmet mushrooms? Then stick around for the after-dinner program! Char-Em ISD AmeriCorps volunteer Yvonne Stephens and her husband Jason have successfully grown shiitake mushrooms and want to share what they know. They will be demonstrating how to inoculate logs with shiitake sawdust spawn. They will also have information available about where to purchase supplies.

Fiber Arts Skill Swap

2009-05-29T14:29:00.012-04:00

Well, the Fiber Arts Skill Swap that we held on May 16th in collaboration with ISLAND was a great success! Despite the cold, dreary weather, everyone showed up in good spirits and made the most out of the day. It started out with shearing, during which Zack Schaltz of Schaltz farm demonstrated shearing on two sheep using an electric shearer.

Here's one of the sheep after she had her coat taken off! She didn't seem terribly happy about being exposed in this way, but I think she got over her shyness pretty quickly.

Next was the dyeing workshop, in which Wagbo intern Maria Wesserle demonstrated natural and chemical dyeing.

Here's her little table of props to show off, including naturally dyed fiber and hand carders. I think everyone was excited to find the wide range of colors that can be dyed with plants, and inspired by the ease with which chemical dyeing takes place.

Next came spinning, also taught by Maria. Here are some participants trying out their drop spindles with some nice shetland wool. Spinning is a tricky art to learn, and probably most of the folks in that class would agree! However, they did excellent for beginners, and as some of them brought spindles and fiber home, I hope they were inspired to keep practicing!

The final class was felting, taught by Michelle Ferrarese. She taught everyone how to make felted place mats or oven mitts, and showed how to incorporate neat designs into the felt piece. The outcomes were very beautiful and nicely designed! Plus, there was enough wool left over for people to take some home and continue experimenting.

Finally, a big huge Thank You to everyone who helped make this event a success. This includes the folks at ISLAND (thanks to Amanda for the pictures, by the way!) and Stonehedge Fiber Mill located right outside of East Jordan. Stonehedge graciously donated the wool used for both the spinning and felting workshops. We couldn't have done it without you!

Weekend Event Wrap-Up

2009-05-13T13:36:00.004-04:00

First off, a big "Thank You!" to everyone who came out to our weekend hikes! Luckily the weather was beautiful, and we were all able to enjoy an educational stroll through the woods. The fact that we were searching for delicious wild edibles made it even more fun! The weekend started out Friday, with the potluck and wild edible hike.

Here is Wagbo intern Maria Wesserle teaching participants about the ediblity of various field-growing plants. There was tons to learn, and everyone agreed that they wouldn't remember half of it, but at least they were inspired to dig around in their own backyards for tasty veggies!

On Sunday, Yvonne Stephens lead the morel mushroom hike. It started out rather pessimistically, with people not expecting to find much. But then...

What's that over there?

Morels! They really are here! Everyone was able to leave with their own hand-harvested morels! Plus, Yvonne and Jason brought some of their own stash to snack on, as well as delectable shiitake-infused goat cheese. Yum! Thanks for the treats, guys!

Wildflower Hikes Update

2009-05-10T21:17:00.004-04:00

Important Change!
The wildflower hikes that were scheduled for Saturdays in May are shifting their focus to that gourmet vegetable, the wild leek, also known as "ramps." We will take a hike through Wagbo's scenic beech-maple forest and learn a bit about the wildflower's importance in the community. Then we'll get down and dirty unearthing these delectable additions to our northern Michigan table fare. Following the harvest and wildflower walk will be Ramps Pickling in Wagbo's outdoor kitchen. Everyone will leave with their own half pint of pickled ramps! Or, if you'd rather not pay the five dollars, you can participate in the hike and watch the process, but not make any for yourself.
Please register by calling 231-536-0333 or email wagbo@torchlake.com
Cost: $5 per person
Date and Time: Every Saturday, May 9th to June 6th, 2-4:30 pm

Fiber Arts Skill Share

2009-05-04T20:04:00.005-04:00

Date and Time: Saturday, May 16th, 1:00 pm to 5:30 pm
Cost: $20 per person for the whole day
Space is limited! Please register by Wednesday, May 13th.

The Institute for Sustainable Living, Art, and Natural Design (ISLAND) and the Martha Wagbo Farm and Education Center are teaming up to bring you this exciting fiber arts field day! If you enjoy working with wool, if you've ever thought about raising your own sheep for wool, or if you’re just curious about how wool is taken off the sheep and transformed into textiles, then this event is for you. Experienced instructors will take you through the process from raw wool to finished product. Four approximately one-hour workshops/ demos will teach shearing; skirting, cleaning, and carding the wool; natural and chemical dyeing techniques; spinning yarn on a drop spindle; and felting. One price covers all workshops as well as snacks and refreshments. Everyone will go home with their own hand-made yarn and felted piece!

1:00 pm
Shearing, Skirting, and Cleaning: So you have the sheep... now how do you get the wool off of her? Zack Shaltz of Shaltz Farm will demonstrate how to accomplish that using both hand shears and electrical shears. The tags and vegetable matter will then be pulled off, and skirting will be demonstrated. We will also talk about different ways to clean the fleece once it's taken off.

2:10 pm
Dyeing Wool: Wagbo intern Maria Wesserle will show you how to take washed, undyed wool and transform it into a colorful work of art! She will demonstrate natural dyeing with madder root, and acid dyeing using food coloring. (Don't worry--the 'acid' mentioned here is only vinegar!) Learn everything you need to know to dye your own fiber at home. Also, carding will be demonstrated during this workshop, and we will have a couple hand carders available for folks to try out.

3:20 pm and 4:30 pm
Spinning Wool and Felting: At this point we will split into two groups to make teaching more manageable for the instructors. One group will start out with spinning at 3:20, the other will start felting, and then the groups will switch at 4:30 so that everyone gets a turn! The participants will get hands-on in these two workshops and go home with their own hand-made yarn and felted piece! Michelle Ferrarese will be teaching the felting workshop, in which students will choose from colorful merino roving to create their own felted article. Yarn, wool, and textile scraps will also be available to work into the piece. Maria Wesserle will teach spinning. Everyone will receive 2 ounces of wool to make their own yarn on a drop spindle. Spindles are often considered a 'primitive' device, but they have gained popularity due to their simple design, portable nature, and ability to create fantastic yarn in a surprisingly timely manner.

The event will be held at the Martha Wagbo Farm and Education Center, 5745 North M-66—at the intersection with Kidder Rd. just three miles south of East Jordan! For more information or to register, please go to http://www.artmeetsearth.org/fiber; email brad@artmeetsearth.org; or call ISLAND at 231-480-4515. You can contact Wagbo at 231-536-0333 or wagbo@torchlake.com.

First (or second!) Friday Potluck

2009-05-04T20:03:00.001-04:00

Date:Friday, May 8th
Time:Potluck starts at 6 pm
Program begins at 7 pm

Join us at the Martha Wagbo Farm and Education Center for our First Friday (or second Friday in this case!) Potluck! Meet in the farmhouse for delicious food and good company. Bring a dish to pass; but feel free to come with a dish or without! Beverages and table service are provided.

After dinner, stick around for a "Wild Edibles Hike" through Wagbo's scenic 212-acre property. 'Tis the season for wild leeks, trout lily, spring beauty, and other delectable greens. Learn how to identify these wild goodies and go home with simple recipes that you can make at home. These spring ephermerals don't stick around long - let's enjoy them while they're here. Come rain or shine!

Mother's Day Morel Hunt!

2009-05-04T20:01:00.001-04:00

Join Wagbo volunteer and fungus enthusiast Yvonne Stevens for a Morel walk on Sunday, May 10. Meet for the morning session at 10:00. We'll return to the farmhouse by about noon to take a break for lunch and ID our mushroom bounty! An afternoon session will meet at 1:00, for another hike and more mushroom ID. The day will end at around 4:00. Come for one or both sessions! If possible and there is interest, we will saute some mushrooms for people to sample.

Things to bring along: a small knife, basket or mesh bag, compass, insect repellent, sturdy boots or shoes, long pants, rain gear, water or juice and a sack lunch or snack.

This program is free! Pre-registration is encouraged but not necessary. Contact Wagbo at 231-536-0333 or wagbo@torchlake.com for more information.

Wildflower Hikes

2009-05-04T19:59:00.001-04:00

*Dates: Every Saturday from May 9th -30th
*Time: 2-4pm
*Cost: Free!
April showers bring which flowers? And why are they important members of our natural community? What secrets do they hold and what do they have to teach us? Join us in the Jordan River Valley as we explore the forest, listen to bird songs and search for these facinatingly beautiful wildflowers and hear the stories they have to tell. Register today by calling the Martha Wagbo Farm and Education Center at 231-536-0333 or email wagbo@torchlake.com.

Nature Observation and Tracking Club

2009-05-04T19:53:00.000-04:00

Wagbo's own resident interns, Maria and Fischer, are looking to start a club focused on interpreting tracks and sign left by local animals. This will not be limited to looking at prints in the mud or scratches on bark, but will include a broad range of nature observation skills including bird language, animal behavior, plant and tree identification, and weather observation. Ecological life cycles must be included in the matrix of tracking, or the tracker will be very limited in her or his interpration of prints and trails. This club will be less teaching-oriented, and more focused on learning together in a non-competitive environment. If you are interested, please call Wagbo at 231-536-0333, or email wagbo@torchlake.com.We are hoping to set up a schedule where everyone can meet once or twice a month at Wagbo, and possibly carpool from there to more sandy locations.

Woodcock Walks

2009-04-09T10:28:00.000-04:00

Date: Every Sunday and Wednesday Evening, April 5th to the 30th
Time: 8pm to 9pm
Cost: Free!

Register today for an evening viewing the spectacularly dramatic courtship display of these amazing birds. Find out why they are nicknamed the "Little Brown Ghost" as we sneak through forest and field to experience our local harbingers of spring. Great for individuals, couples, and families!

To register, call us at 231-536-0333, or email wagbo@torchlake.com

First Friday Potluck!

2009-04-01T09:13:00.001-04:00

The Wagbo Peace Center is continuing its monthly tradition of first Friday potlucks, which this month happens to fall on April 3rd. Come out at 6 pm to start the delicious meal and enjoy good company in the Wagbo Farmhouse. Bring a dish to pass, if you can. Then, starting at 7 pm, there will be an interpretive nature hike led by interns Fischer and Maria. Spring really is here- you can see it in the drip of the sap, the wildflowers that are slowly awakening, and the new birds that fly in everyday from their southerly winter homes. Let's go for a hike together to discover these harbingers of spring!

Maple Syrup Festival

2009-03-25T18:36:00.003-04:00

7th Annual Maple Syrup Festival!

Come out Saturday, March 28th to enjoy Wagbo's own celebration of that wonderful food- maple syrup! There will be pancake breakfast served all day with locally produced sausage and bacon, and maple syrup of course! We will be giving tours of the sugar shack where the syrup is made, and the sugar bush where the sap is collected from the maple trees. Fun family activities will be available all day, including maple-themed games, a petting zoo, boiling demonstrations and syrup tasting, live music, and much more! There will also be raffle drawings to win maple syrup gift baskets. Plus, new this year is the crowning of a maple prince and princess! To win this position, your child must write an essay explaining why they love maple syrup and the sugaring season. Call us for more details.

Cost is $10 per adult, $5 per child, and $28 per family. Kids 3 and under are free. This includes all activities, food, and a raffle ticket!

See us on TV!

2009-02-27T14:33:00.002-05:00

If you'd like to learn a little bit more about our sugaring process and how it all works, then be sure to tune into the 9/10 news on Monday, March 2 from 6:15 am to 8:45 am. They will be showing a series of 6 short segments that highlight our sugaring operation and upcoming events. Included is a segment on how to tap a tree at home, how we do it in our commercial operation, a tour of our gravity lines and sugar shack, and a short exploration into maple treats and sweets! Later in the afternoon they will also air a short interview about the upcoming weekend events. It's sure to get your interest piqued in what we do here!

Event Cancelled

2009-02-27T14:27:00.001-05:00

Our Saturday, February 28th event, Maple Folklore and Traditions is canceled due to low registration. However, we will have a sugar bush work day instead, so if you're still interested in learning about the sugaring process, you can come volunteer with us--there will be plenty to learn! We will probably focus on the sugar shack and get it cleaned up and ready to go for the evaporator training on Saturday, March 7th.

Celebrating Maple Syrup

2009-02-19T09:48:00.005-05:00

Spring is fast approaching and with it, Maple syrup makers across the state are preparing for their busy season and annual labor of love. Soon the trees will be tapped, the sap will be flowing, and steam will be rising from stoves and evaporators as syrup is produced from the sap of the Sugar Maple tree. Just in time, the Friends of the Wagbo Sugar Bush is welcoming families to a series of weekend events to celebrate and learn about this awesome tree of the north and the agri-cultural heritage of “Maple Sugaring.”

The Friends of the Wagbo Sugar bush (FWSB) is an all volunteer-run program of the nonprofit Wagbo Peace Center that produces Maple syrup at the Wagbo farm. Proceeds from syrup sales and related programming allow the FWSB group to continue to operate the 1700-tap operation at Wagbo. The local community and out-of town visitors, young and old, can come to the Wagbo farm and share in this unique and important part of northern Michigan ’s history and economy. The FWSB offers hands-on activities and demonstrations through various programming opportunities for school children, adults and families so that everyone can join in on the fun!

The Friends of the Wagbo Sugar Bush provides training for new members. There are a wide variety of ways to volunteer – from making syrup and marketing to programming and pancake flipping – and opportunities to earn syrup. It is a great family activity! Tom Brown, long-time volunteer from Central Lake , had this to say about bringing out the whole gang to help in the sugar bush, “Put your snowshoes to good use! It gives the kids a chance to develop their whole body, not just their thumbs!”

Starting February 28th, the FWSB has a month-long celebration planned with a variety of programming for families, including interpretive hikes and workshops, leading up to our Annual Maple Syrup Festival. Three different weeks of snowshoe hikes will lead participants out to the Wagbo sugar bush, where we will tap trees and explore Maple themes and topics. (Bring your own snowshoes, or rent them for $5.) This one-mile venture overlooking the beautiful Jordan River Valley will lead us back to the Wagbo farmstead for boiling demonstrations and good Maple eats! Concurrent fun and educational activities are available for younger children, including petting the barnyard animals, and Maple-themed games and activities.

A workshop dedicated to making sap into syrup will teach participants the critical steps to making a delicious product on a larger scale in the Wagbo Sugar Shack. And once the sap starts flowing, our Sugar Shack is open to the public any time – just watch for the sign out front and the steam rising from the stacks (or give us a call to check on our syrup boiling schedule). The last Saturday in March, our Annual Maple Syrup Festival boasts a local food pancake breakfast, sleigh rides, music and a whole day of fun and games for the whole family.

If you are interested in exploring the trails with skis instead of snowshoes, Lou Awodey of Aspen Grove X-C Center at the Wagbo Peace Center is offering interpretive and nature cross-country ski tours of the Wagbo Sugar Bush and surroundings (concurrent with hikes, see dates and times below). Tours are $10 (cost of trail pass) and Lou has skis available to rent as well (special price, $5).

Consider a “silent sport” multi-adventure in the Jordan River Valley – and on the river itself! – by booking a snowshoe or ski tour paired with a guided rafting trip with Jordan Valley Outfitters! It’s a great way to celebrate this harbinger of spring and take advantage of the eco-tourism opportunities available here in the pristine Jordan Valley !

Our program schedule is listed below. If you want to schedule your group for a field trip, call or email: (231)536-0333, wagbo@torchlake.com!

Saturday, February 28th, 10:30 am to 12:30 pm

Sugaring Folklore and Tradition

Maple trees played a vital role in the lives of northeastern Native Americans and early settlers. They not only gave nourishing food after a long winter, but provided a pleasurable pastime as families came together in the sugar bush to tap trees and boil sap. Come learn the ways that Maple syrup was made before the days of tubing systems, vacuum pumps, and stainless steel equipment; and hear the folklore that surrounds this fascinating tree.

We’ll take a one-mile interpretive hike (on snowshoes) out to the Wagbo sugar bush, so come dressed for the weather! Everyone will get a chance to “tap a tree” and take home a “spile” for collecting sap from a Maple at home. Join us afterwards for a light meal including Maple-glazed ham, roasted nuts and brown rice pudding.

Concurrent children’s programming includes Maple-themed games and activities and tasting Maple syrup. We’ll stay outside as much as possible.

Cost $8 for adults, $5 for children, and $20 for a family. Work-trade is available. Snowshoe rental $5.

Please register by Wednesday, February 25th.

Saturday, March 7th, 10:30 am to 12:30 pm

Bring it to a Boil: Evaporator Training

If you’ve ever been curious about how a commercial sugaring operation is run, or have an interest in running your own large-scale operation, then this event is a must. Those interested in helping boil for the FWSB are encouraged to attend. Past Wagbo sugaring manager Ryan Romeyn will demonstrate on our own 5’x16’ wood-fired evaporator. Soup, Maple tea, coffee, and baked goods will be served. Please note: We do not have concurrent children’s activities planned for this event.

Cost is $8. Work-trade is available.

Please register by Wednesday, March 4th.

Saturday, March 14th, 10:30 am to 12:30 pm

Maple Ecology

Did you know that the sap of the Sugar Maple is loaded with vitamins and minerals such as calcium, zinc, and iron? How about that squirrels will “tap” the trees to drink the sweet sap? Can you name what plants are often found growing under the Maple tree? Learn interesting and fun facts about the famed sugar Maple in its native habitat.

We’ll take a one-mile interpretive hike (on snowshoes) out to the Wagbo sugar bush so come dressed to be outside! Everyone will get a chance to “tap a tree” and take home a “spile” for collecting sap from a Maple at home. Afterwards a light meal including baked beans, cornbread, and Maple cookies will be served.

Concurrent children’s programming includes Maple-themed games and activities and tasting Maple syrup. We’ll stay outside as much as possible.

Cost $8 for adults, $5 for children, and $20 for a family. Work-trade is available. Snowshoe rental $5.

Please register by Wednesday, March 11th.

Saturday, March 21st, 10:30 am to 12:30 pm

Making Maple Syrup

Most everyone in the northwoods is familiar with the Maple tree and its sweet product, but not many make it themselves. Join us on an interpretive snowshoe hike (approximately one mile) out to the sugar bush to learn various ways that you can collect sap at home. Then we’ll return the farmstead to experience making syrup using small-scale techniques. We will also give a tour of our own 1,700-tap operation. Please dress for the weather as we will be outside for the entire program.

Everyone will get a chance to “tap a tree” and take home a “spile” for collecting sap from a Maple at home. Snack on tea, hot cocoa, baked goods and other Maple sweets afterwards.

Concurrent children’s programming includes Maple-themed games and activities and tasting Maple syrup. We’ll stay outside as much as possible.

Cost $8 for adults, $5 for children, and $20 for a family. Work-trade is available. Snowshoe rental $5.

Please register by Wednesday, March 18th.

Saturday, March 28th, 10am to 3 pm

7th Annual Maple Syrup Festival

Our annual family event to celebrate Maple syrup! Pancake breakfast served all day with real Wagbo Maple syrup and locally-produced sausage and bacon. Music, sleigh rides out to the sugar bush, syrup tasting, “pancake” flipping contests and more – plus view Maple syrup being made in our Sugar Shack! All food and activities are included for one price!

Cost $10 for adults, $5 for children, and $28 for a family, 3 and under are free. (Tickets available at the door.)

Registration Information

Call or email for programming details, to register, for information on booking your group, or joining the Friends of the Wagbo Sugar Bush – (231)536-0333, wagbo@torchlake.com. Or visit http://wagbopeacecenter.blogspot.com.

You can reach Lou at Aspen Grove Cross Country Center at (231) 536-9860 or lawodey@twin-valley.net; and Kay Harper at Jordan Valley Outfitters at (231)536-0006 or info@jvoutfitters.com.

The Wagbo Peace Center is located at 5745 North M-66, three miles south of East Jordan and just north of Kidder Rd.

Natural History Walk

2009-02-01T13:41:00.005-05:00

Interested in animal tracks and signs, winter tree identification, traditional uses of plants, or natural history? Join us at the Cosner Nature Preserve on Saturday, February 7th at 9:00a.m., right across the street from the Wagbo Peace Center. (Park and meet at the Wagbo.)

Bring your snowshoes for a gorgeous naturalist-led hike through pine forest and cedar swamp. The talk will focus on the recent natural history of Cosner Nature Preserve- what the area probably looked like pre-European invasion, what plants and animals were found there, and what has changed between then and now. Afterwards, stay for a warm-up and reception at the Wagbo homestead and enjoy hot soup, cocoa, and baked goods. Then, stick around for sledding, skiing at Aspen Grove (right here at Wagbo!), or a tour through Wagbo's volunteer-run syruping operations.

The Wagbo Peace Center is partnering with the Grand Traverse Regional Land Conservancy to bring you this free and informative event. Please visit GTRLC's website to register.

Calling all Volunteers!

2009-02-01T13:39:00.001-05:00

-Photo Preservation-
The Wagbo Peace Center is looking for individuals interested in helping us organize and archive our old photos and paraphernalia. Wagbo is steeped in a rich history that needs preserving for future generations. We desire an organized person(s) to go through our stored materials and scan them into the computer for digital safekeeping, and organize the hard copies into albums or scrapbooks. Call 231-536-0333 or email wagbo@torchlake.com if you're interested.

-Website-
Do you enjoy graphic design? Consider helping Wagbo develop an up-to-date website! Call 231-536-0333 or email wagbo@torchlake.com if you're interested.

-Maple Syrup Activities-
If you enjoy the outdoors, working with a great group of dedicated people or participating in northern Michigan's cultural heritage, then come join the Friends of the Wagbo Sugar Bush in preparing for the 2009 Maple syruping season!

Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday pre-season workdays have begun (usually late morning to late afternoon - contact us for scheduling details). From tubing system repairs to tree tapping, boiling and bottling to our Annual Maple Syrup Festival preparations, there's always lots of ways to pitch in AND earn syrup while you're at it! The season typically runs through mid-April.

The Friends of the Wagbo Sugar Bush is an all-volunteer run group whose mission is fun and educational, while preserving an agricultural traditon. Call Wagbo at 231-536-0333, or email wagbo@torchlake.com.

First Friday Potluck

2009-02-01T13:31:00.004-05:00

You are invited to another round of our monthly First Friday Potluck at the Wagbo Peace Center! This month, the activities start pre-potluck with half price trail fees (making it $5 per person) at the Aspen Grove Cross Country Ski Center, right here at Wagbo (!/4 south of farmhouse), starting at 3:00 pm. Bring your own skis or snowshoes or rent some at additional cost.

Then, it's a "vegan" culinary tour with presenter (and Wagbo Board member) Paul Murray. Bring a vegan dish to pass (no meat, eggs, or dairy please). The potluck begins at 6:00 p.m., followed by Paul's presentation and a discussion of the new book "The World Peace Diet" at 7:00 p.m. We are located at 5745 N. M-66, just 3 miles south of East Jordan.
Come with or without a dish!

Winterfest Updates

2009-01-11T18:04:00.002-05:00

First of all, we are showing the movie at the Wagbo Peace Center, not at the library as previously mentioned. We will be borrowing a projector so that we can watch it Big Screen! Light refreshments will be served. The time is the same, 6:00 pm.

Also, if it is cold or windy Saturday evening, come out anyways! We will have an alternate activity planned if the weather forbids us from going on our nature hike. We will show episodes of Jim Henson's The Storyteller, an excellent rendition of old European folktales that's fun for all ages.

Friday Pot Luck

2009-01-05T22:06:00.001-05:00

Our monthly tradition continues in January - just a week later. Bring a dish to pass if you are able to the Wagbo Peace Center and join us for the First (or second!) Friday Potluck on January 9th at 6 p.m.. Table service, beverages and good company are provided! Dr. John Richter, president of the Friends of the Jordan River, will be the featured speaker at the January potluck. Dr Richter’s slide presentation and discussion “Protecting our Jordan Watershed;” and the proposed injection well near Alba, MI will follow dinner at 7:00 P.M.The program and potluck are free and open to the public. For more information call: Jeanette at (231) 585-6922 or the Wagbo Peace Center at (231) 536-0333.

New Addition to the Family

2009-01-05T21:53:00.003-05:00

Interested in buying eggs?

Wagbo recently received a donation of nine laying hens and a rooster! The chickens have so far been giving 5 eggs a day, and this amount is split in half with their current intern caretakers, Maria and Fischer. They will probably start laying more as they grow accustomed to their new home and as the daylight increases. If you're interested in purchasing eggs, please call the center at 231-536-0333 and leave a message, or email wagbo@torchlake.com The chickens are currently being fed a corn mash, and fruit and vegetable scraps, and we are in the process of obtaining organic feed.

Winter Fest

2008-12-19T21:14:00.004-05:00

Little Norway's

WinterFest
at the Wagbo Peace Center

5745 North M-66, East Jordan, Michigan

(231-536-0333) Wagbo@torchlake.com
You may need to call or write if you plan on attending workshops

A Celebration of Winter in the Scandinavian Tradition

Sled! Ski! Snowshoe! Workshops! Food!

Friday, Jan. 16, 6:00pm:
Film: Lord of the Rings: the Fellowship of the Ring
Tentatively planned at the East Jordan Public Library.

Perhaps no modern fictions so closely resemble the ancient
Scandinavian mythologies than the work of J.R.R. Tolkien. A student of mythology, Tolkien mirrored many of his tales off of relic European and Nordic texts, capturing both the epic cosmological world-view and the physical power of a demanding and inspiring landscape. With Mead-Halls, Tree-spirits, and ancient weapons forged to fulfill prophesies, Tolkien was not, as many believe, the “father” of so-called “modern fantasy,” but rather a writer who single handedly reawakened new generations to the legendary themes and styles of their ancestors. This film is the first in a beautiful and dramatically epic trilogy.

Saturday, Jan. 17,
Throughout the day:
Try Snowshoeing and Cross Country Skiing here at Aspen Grove XC Center!! Enjoy Sledding
hills overlooking the Jordan River Valley, with Hot Cocoa and Swedish-Style Baked Goods!

11:00 am: WEAVING BIRCH BARK:
The ancient Scandinavians perfected the art of weaving from the “Tree of Light”: the White Birch. Learn about their love for this versatile, dependable and magical tree first hand through weaving a simple and beautiful ring from its bark. Suggested instructor donation and materials fee $5. Class size limited, call now to save a space!

1:30-3:30 Pm: BREWING FINNISH ALE:
In 1994 the late British brewing historian Michael Jackson traveled to rural Finland in search of the legendary Sahti, an Ale he called “the only primitive beer to survive in Western Europe.” Come and learn to brew this ancient Finnish Ale over a warm fire using traditional ingredients. Enjoy Finnish Rye bread while sampling local interpretations of this once common Scandinavian beer, and learn a bit about Northern European brewing practices before the global wave of modernity put an end to interesting and fun superstitions. Suggested Instructor donation $15 (includes bread and Ale samples)

3:00-4:30 pm: FINGERWEAVING A TRADITIONAL SASH:
For the Scandinavian peasantry, a weaving loom was a luxury. A technique of off-loom weaving was therefore a popular rural folk practice. Called “Fingerweaving” in the Americas and simply “Braiding” in Scandinavia, this colorful style of hands-on weaving was essential for much of the traditional and festive wear of Scandinavia and is still popular today. Learn to weave your own sash, hat band, strap, etc. with 100% wool yarn by hand and without specialized or expensive equipment. Class size limited, call now! Materials fee $10.

6:30 PM: HIKING WITH VIKINGS:

A Night-Time Nature walk exploring the ancient mythical relations between Norsemen and Trees. Enjoy a torch-lit nature hike through forest and field focused on our Northern European ancestors’ rich folk traditions concerning their “pillars of heaven:” Trees. Hot Cocoa provided. Suggested Instructor donation $3.