upcoming events

Herb Gardening
Thursday, June 19th 5pm-7pm
Location: Banneker Community Center Garden
Join MHC staff to learn about growing and cultivating herbs, as well as their many culinary and medicinal uses. See our permaculture inspired herb spiral and learn about starting and propagating your own herbs. This class is open to the public, with priority given to MHC patrons and volunteers. If there are additional spots 2 weeks before the class community members may sign up on a first come first serve basis. Donations suggested if possible. To register for this class contact Stephanie at or 355-6843.


Introduction to Fermentation
Thursday, August 21: 6-8pm
Location: Banneker Community Center
Join Stephanie Solomon of Mother Hubbard’s Cupboard to explore the wide world of lacto-fermentation practices. Learn about fermentation of vegetables, dairy and grains, and leave with your own jar of fermenting seasonal vegetables! This class is offered through People's University. To register visit People's University website through City of Bloomington Parks and Recreation Website, or through the Program Guide.


Season Extension
Saturday September 20th, 2008 9am-noon
*Rain date September 27
Location: Hinkle-Garten Farmstead
City of Bloomington’s Michael Simmons and MHC’s Stephanie Solomon present the various methods of season extension in our area. Join us to learn in the classroom and hands on how to construct weather barriers and extend your growing season! This class is offered through People's University. To register visit People's University website through City of Bloomington Parks and Recreation Website, or through the Program Guide.


Canning Class
August/September TBA

Location: Purdue Cooperative Extension

Jamming Class
August/September TBA

Location: Purdue Cooperative Extension

Seed Saving
October TBA

Location: Wylie House

Bread Baking
TBA



Recently Held 2008 Classes and Events
If you missed out on these events check our website for seasonal updates for classes, or signup for our newsletter. We'll likely offer many of these classes again next year.


All about Oil
Tuesday, February 26, 2008 from 6pm-7:30pm
Location: MHC Conference Room at 1010 S. Walnut
Have you ever felt confused by all the contradictory information about cooking oils? Join us to learn about the health/nutritive properties of cooking oils, and how to infuse oils as gourmet cooking ingredients and medicine. Taste some infused oils and learn how to make your own infused oil.

Seed Starting Workshop
Tuesday, March 11th 6pm-8pm
Banneker Community Center
Join MHC staff and experienced garden volunteers to learn about seed starting for your home garden, and to help MHC plant seeds for our three community garden plots. We'll discuss planning and timing your plantings, lighting, watering and other basics of seed starting. This class is open to the public, with priority given to MHC patrons and volunteers. If there are additional spots 2 weeks before the class community members may sign up on a first come first serve basis. Donations suggested if possible. To register for this class contact Stephanie at or 355-6843.


Chickens in the City
Tuesday, April 8: 5:30-7:30pm
Thursday April 10: 5:30-7:30pm
Mother Hubbard's Cupboard Conference Room - 1010 South Walnut Street
Join MHC and expert poultry folks to learn about the chicken ordinance in Bloomington and how you can have chickens in your backyard. Learn about having chickens in the city as well as practical information about chicken physiology, behavior, health, nutrition, different breeds, and avian flu. Walk or bike a coop tour. This class is open to the public, with priority given to MHC patrons and volunteers. If there are additional spots 2 weeks before the class community members may sign up on a first come first serve basis. Donations suggested if possible. To register for this class contact Stephanie at or 355-6843.


Back Yard and Worm Composting 101
Tuesday, April 15th 5:30pm-7pm
Location: Crestmont Community Gardens
Join MHC staff and volunteer Tom Shelton to learn the basics of composting in order to provide your soil with the nutrients it needs at no cost while cutting down on kitchen and yard waste. Tom will cover the basics of backyard composting, while staff will provide you with handouts on different composting methods and systems, including a hands on tutorial in worm composting! This class is open to the public, with priority given to MHC patrons and volunteers. If there are additional spots 2 weeks before the class community members may sign up on a first come first serve basis. Donations suggested if possible. To register for this class contact Stephanie at or 355-6843.

Grow More Food!
Tuesday, April 22, 2008 from 5pm-7pm
Location: Crestmont Community Gardens
In this class you will learn how to increase your garden yields, even in a small backyard garden. We will cover an array of gardening techniques: soil preparation, using compost, synergistic plant combinations, biointensive growing, trellising, succession planting and more! Join MHC staff as we share useful resources and offer hands-on experience in this class. This class is offered through People's University. To register visit People's University website through City of Bloomington Parks and Recreation Website, or through the Winter Program Guide.

Introduction to Permaculture
Saturday, May 3rd 2008, 1pm-4pm
Location: Harmony School Garden
Join certified Permaculture instructor Rhonda Baird for an afternoon introduction to the dynamic lifestyle and growing practices encompassed by the Permaculture movement. Learn about the overall practices in Permaculture design, and how to apply them in your household and garden! This class is open to the public, with priority given to MHC patrons and volunteers. If there are additional spots 2 weeks before the class community members may sign up on a first come first serve basis. Donations suggested if possible. To register for this class contact Stephanie at or 355-6843.


Weed-Hugging
Thursday, May 8: 6-8pm
Location: Banneker Community Center and Banneker Green Thumbs Youth Garden
Join Lucille Bertuccio of the Center for Sustainable Living and IU Wild Edibles instructor and Stephanie Solomon of Mother Hubbard’s Cupboard to explore all the edible and beautiful weeds likely growing in your yard and garden. We will begin with a brief history of some of the common weeds in our area, then enter the garden and harvest some to make a tasty dish in the kitchen! This class is offered through People's University. To register visit People's University website through City of Bloomington Parks and Recreation Website, or through the Program Guide.


MHC 6th Annual Harvest Team Breakfast
Thursday, March 6th, 7:30-8:30 am
First Presbyterian Church located at 7th Street and Lincoln
The 6th Annual Harvest Team Breakfast will take place Thursday, March 6th. Enjoy a family style breakfast, local music, and a MHC documentary. For more information about this MHC event please email Brooke at or call MHC at 355-6843.



Homeward Bound Walk
Sunday, April 6th
3rd Street Park
Come walk with all of us at MHC against hunger and homelessness in our community! This community-wide event is a wonderful way to support the work you believe in. Follow this link: http://www.homewardboundindiana.org to register. Click on Browse Teams, select Mother Hubbard's Cupboard by clicking "join this team" on the right column. Then fill out the registration page to walk with us and to raise support for our food pantry. For more information email or call MHC at 355-6843.