On the Farm
Farmer’s Kitchen: Botanical Alchemy
Thursday, August 22: 6pm
Join Alchemist Anna Belton, owner of From My Heart products as she share insight on the art of preserving plants for beauty and wellness needs. She will demonstrate the creation of tincture and infused oils in this amazing workshop!
Farmer’s Kitchen: Farm to Fitness
Thursday, September 19 : 6pm
Chef Maddie Sobel of Bloomingdales joins fellow Food for Life Instructor Rob Klein in this amazing cooking demonstration! This class will focus on plant-based cooking for chronic disease prevention and survival as well as plant-based eating for athletic performance. Chef Rob will share his inspiring fitness journey as the pair prepare a few delightful and nourishing menu items using farm-grown veggies!
Farm Market
May-October: Thursdays 11am – 2pm & Saturdays 9am – 1pm
The Fairgate Farm Market will have a “soft” open in May offering whatever spring crops are ready for harvest. We will also have various herb, vegetable, and flower starter plants available for sale, while supplies last. These are all started by seed right at Fairgate Farm, grown in organic soil, and ready to be planted in your garden!
If you would like to receive these emails to stay up-to-date with when the market is open and what we will have, volunteer opportunities, and other farm events, please email us at fairgatefarm@gmail.com requesting to be added to our mailing list.
2024 Past Classes & Events
Farm Yoga: Ruvi T
Saturday, July 27: 10am
Join us for a restorative morning on the Farm as Yogi Ruvi T, a Norwalk creative and wellness enthusiast, guides us through a relaxing and connecting yoga experience. We will meet under our lovely shaded pergola and should have extra yoga mats if you don’t have your own to bring! Arrive early to find your spot.
Special Market: Floral Fun!
Saturday, July 20: 9am – 1pm
At this special market we will celebrate the bloom with a make-your-own bouquet station featuring the Farm’s organically grown flowers! Get some groceries from our farm market and shop with some local CT vendors selling plant-based and healthy products.
Farmer’s Kitchen: Food All Around Us
Thursday, July 18 : 6pm
Join us for this interactive Farmer’s Kitchen where Gardener Michele Sorensen from Native Landscape CT will guide us through an exploration of plants that are overlooked and often considered weeds despite their amazing health benefits and medicinal uses. We will also be able to taste some of these delicious plants in a farm fresh salad.
Farm Yoga: Sync with Sachi
Saturday, June 1: 10am to 11am
Sachi Welikannage, registered nurse and certified Hatha Vinyasa yoga teacher, will guide us through another connecting and restorative yoga sequence as we enjoy the beauty of nature. Bring your own yoga mat and come early to find your perfect spot!
Doonya: The Bollywood Workout
Wednesday, July 17: 4:30pm – 5:30pm
Join us at the farm for this unique workout class! Doonya is a dance based high-intensity interval training fitness program. Spend 55 minutes sweating to the powerful drum beats of South Asia lead by instructor Fatima Toor.
Diggin’ In: Intro to Gardening & Office Hours
Saturday, May 11: 10am to 12pm
New to gardening and not sure how to get started? This class is for you! Farmer Pete will cover all the basics to growing healthy plants at home/work/wherever you grow! Stay after class to get tailored help during our “Office Hours”. Bring all your plant questions and get answers!
Diggin’ In: Office Hours
Saturday, April 27: 10am
This is an opportunity for you to step into our “office.” Send us your specific plant care questions for Farmer Pete to answer online or bring your plants to the farm for plant care assistance. Send questions through our Instagram, Facebook or by email! Answers will be posted on our Instagram highlights @fairgatefarm.
Earth Day Celebration
Saturday, April 20: 9 am – 12pm
Spend some time on the Farm with us in celebration of this beautiful planet we live on. Get your hands in the dirt and help us plant native flowers, learn more about sustainability, and enjoy this green space. Farmer Pete will also be teaching a Diggin’ In workshop of growing plants in collaboration with the environment.
Farm Yoga: Sync with Sachi
Saturday, April 13: 11:30 am
Sachi Welikannage, a registered nurse and certified Hatha Vinyasa yoga teacher, will guide us through a grounding yoga sequence on the farm with the intention of syncing breath to movement and connecting with the environment around us. Bring your own yoga mat and come early to find your perfect spot!
Diggin In: Office Hours
Saturday, March 16: 10am – 11am
This is an opportunity for you to step into our “office.” Bring your specific plant care questions for Farmer Pete to answer and discuss with other home-growers in this community!
Diggin’ In: Starting Seeds
Saturday, March 2: 10am -11am
Join us on the Farm for our first Diggin’ In class of the year! Farmer Pete will share tips and techniques for starting your seeds to encourage healthy plant growth.
2023 Past Classes & Events
Fall Farm Fixer and Mixer
Saturday, November 4: 9am – 1pm
Join us on the farm for a fun morning of garlic planting, farm clean up, and winter preparation followed by a BYOB hangout with some fresh farm pizza made right here in our wood-fire pizza oven. Please let us know by November 1st if you are planning to attend!
Thanksgiving Farm Market
Saturday, November 18: 10am – 1pm
Stop by with the family at our special Thanksgiving market. We’ll have a bounty of local seasonal produce for sale, some delicious treats to sample, and some fun activities for the kids.
Harvest Festival
Saturday, October 7th: 11am – 2pm
Bring family and friends to this big farm celebration of a successful growing season. There will be games and activities for all ages, food truck, farm market, music and more!
Farmer’s Kitchen: Nutritional Nature Therapy
Thursday, September 21: 6pm
Enjoy the sensory experience of creating a virtual bowl ratatouille by exploring the garden-fresh Veg East let’s from the farm while learning about the nutritional benefits gained from this recipe.
Farmer’s Kitchen: Cultural Cuisine
Thursday, September 14: 6pm
This Farmer’s Kitchen will be taught by some of our very own farm volunteers! Neha Karir is an interior designer, and foodie originating from Mumbai, India. She will be joined by some fellow volunteers as they share about different regional Indian cuisines and guide us through a few flavorful dishes. You don’t want to miss this special night!
Diggin In’: Saving Seeds
Saturday, August 26: 10am
Did you know? Using your own seeds every year can be beneficial for your plants (and your wallet)! Farmer Pete will guide you through best practices, tips and techniques for saving seeds from some common summer vegetables.
Farmer’s Kitchen: Healthy Living Series Part 2
Thursday, August 17: 6pm
This is the second part of the Healthy Living Series led by Professor Drew, a Chinese Medicine Specialist. He will guide us through more explorations of herbal medicine and other strategies for healthy, balanced lives. You do not need to have attended the first part of the series to enjoy the second!
Farmer’s Kitchen: Healthy Living Series Part 1
Thursday, August 10: 6pm
The “Tao” translated as “The Way,” is many tools used by great masters of Eastern medicine and modern nutritionists to promote health and longevity. This is the first part of a two-part series where Professor Drew DiVittorio will take us through an exploration of strategies for healthy living, including herbal medicine and a balanced diet.
Farm Yoga: Sync with Sachi
Saturday, July 29: 9:30am
You don’t want to miss this beautiful morning at the farm! Sachi Welikannage, a registered nurse and certified Hatha Vinyasa yoga teacher, will guide us through a grounding yoga sequence on the farm with the intention of syncing breath to movement and connecting with the environment around us. Bring your own yoga mat and come early to find your perfect spot!
Farmer’s Kitchen: Summer BBQ with a Twist
Thursday, July 20: 6pm
Join Farmer Pete and Chef Joy on the Farm as they demonstrate a few healthful and delicious alternative foods that take inspiration from your classic summer barbecue.
Fairgate Farm Day
Saturday, July 8: 10am – 1pm
A fun day at the Farm for the whole family. Learn about Fairgate Farm and urban agriculture, educational workshops, shop fresh local produce at our market, fun activities for kids, music, and more. More info coming soon!
Diggin In’: Tomatoes
Saturday, June 24: 10am – 11am
Learn all about TOMATOES. From types and styles to growing, feeding, watering, pruning, trellising…You’ll be well on your way to becoming a tomato expert after this one!
Farmer’s Kitchen: Greens, Greens, Greens
Thursday, June 22: 6pm – 7:30pm
Kale, collards, arugula, dandelion…Greens are powerful on our health and palate. If you don’t already include a variety of greens in your typical meal planning then come learn the many delicious (and simple) ways to add greens to your diet. We’ll explore cooked and raw, full-grown, baby, and microgreens. Green foods are nutrient powerhouses that should not be excluded from your plate.
Farmer’s Kitchen: Step Up Your Salad Game
Thursday, June 15: 6pm – 7:30pm
Ditch the boring salads and learn how to make salads you will crave! The salads we are talking about are packed with flavor, texture, and nutrition. We’ll explore options for greens, mix-ins, and homemade dressings you can feel great about. A salad a day keeps the doctor away.
Diggin In’: Garden Planning and Planting / Container Gardening
Saturday, May 6: 10am
This class will now be combined with Container Gardening! The next step in getting your garden ready. What are you planting, how much, spacing, companion planting, and more. Also, if you don’t have the space to plant an in ground garden, learn specific info and tips to getting the most of growing in pots and other containers.
Diggin In’: Dealing with Weeds
Saturday, May 27: 10am
We all got them. Weeds are inevitable, but in time they can be easily managed. Learn tips and techniques to help get weeds under control in your garden.
Diggin In’: Garden Planning and Planting
Saturday, April 29: 10am
The next step in getting your garden ready. What are you planting, how much, spacing, companion planting, and tips for actually planting your first set of crops. Just in time before the busy planting season in May!
Earth Day
Saturday, April 22: 10am
Celebrating the Earth! Get some fresh air and soak up the sun as we prepare the soil and plant a special Earth Day crop of veggies, herbs, and flowers. Composting Workshop at 10am.
Food waste has a huge negative impact on climate change and our environment. Let’s work together to reduce food waste in Stamford. Learn all the whys, wheres and how-tos to get started composting…no matter where you live!
Diggin In’: Starting a Brand New Garden (or revitalizing an old one)
Saturday, April 15: 10am
The first steps of preparation. Choosing a location, size, tools, preparing the soil, and protecting your garden. All the basics you need to get started!
2022 Past Classes & Events
Harvest Festival
Saturday, October 15: 10 am – 1 pm
A celebration of a successful harvest and Autumn season!
Farm To Table Thursdays: Pizza Party
Thursday, August 25: 6:00 pm – 7:30 pm
Chef Maddie Sobel is excited to return to Fairgate Farm to share her pizza-making talent as we fire up our new pizza oven. See her creations come alive on the last Thursday in August when the harvest is bountiful and summer winds down. It’s the perfect time for a celebration of flavor, fun, and the bounty are local farms provide us. “Eat the rainbow” with farm-fresh, nutrient-packed toppings.
Farm To Table Thursdays: Plant-Based Power Night
Thursday, August 18: 6:00 pm – 7:30 pm
It’s summer time and plant-based cooking couldn’t be easier! NYC vegan chefs Joy, Bart, and Cliffe are ready to show you how to prepare nutrient-packed summer favorites using the farm fresh harvest. Learn how to make tantalizing gazpacho, herbes de Provence cashew cheese, savory plant protein, served with fresh artisan whole wheat sourdough bruschetta. Experience a simple, fun, mouth-watering summer feast.
Farm To Table Thursdays: Healing Power of Foods
Thursday, August 11: 6:00 pm – 7:30 pm
In this class, Professor Drew will look at the medicinal properties of common herbs, foods, and medicinal mushrooms used for centuries to enhance the immune system, relieve allergies, address chronic health conditions, support detoxification, and maintain overall health. Topics discussed will include how to incorporate healthy foods and herbs into your diet, as well as recipes and tasting of delicious, nutritious soup and salad.
Nature Therapy Placemaking
Saturday, August 6: 10 am – 11:15 am
Join Maura Smotrich, certified Nature Therapy Guide, as she invites you to awaken your senses through nature. Nature Therapy Placemaking is a program designed to invite participants to experience the natural world of the community farm through their senses, potentially discovering a connection to nature that is rejuvenating, restorative, and maybe even playful. There are empirically demonstrated health benefits from nature therapy. They can include reduced blood pressure, reduced cortisol levels, boosted immune function, mood improvement, and increased focus/cognition. The experience is designed as a trauma-informed and pressure-free practice for participants.
Farm To Table Thursdays: Health Starts in the Gut
Thursday, August 4: 6:00 pm – 7:30 pm
Truly, YOU ARE WHAT YOU EAT, and that all begins with our digestive system. Explore our “second brain” with Farmer Pete and learn about fiber, prebiotics, probiotics, polyphenols and the whole foods that nourish our gut microbiome. He’ll demonstrate some simple fermentation techniques and other recipes to promote gut health foods in your regular diet.
Summer Celebration
Saturday, July 30: 10 am – 1 pm
A fun day at the farm for all to enjoy summer’s bounty! Food, fun, celebration. More info to come!
Nature Therapy Placemaking
Saturday, June 11: 10 am – 11:15 am
Join Maura Smotrich, certified Nature Therapy Guide, as she invites you to awaken your senses through nature. Nature Therapy Placemaking is a program designed to invite participants to experience the natural world of the community farm through their senses, potentially discovering a connection to nature that is rejuvenating, restorative, and maybe even playful. There are empirically demonstrated health benefits from nature therapy. They can include reduced blood pressure, reduced cortisol levels, boosted immune function, mood improvement, and increased focus/cognition. The experience is designed as a trauma-informed and pressure-free practice for participants.
Thought For Food
Thursday, July 14: 6 pm – 7 pm and Saturday, July 16: 10 am – 11 am
Take a long, hard look at what we’re eating. Join Farmer Pete as we deep dive into the current food system and state of public health, how we got here, and what we can do about it. For anyone who wants to be healthier or is unsure of what they should be eating, this session should certainly be informative, perhaps sometimes troubling, but overall hopeful. If you are interested in food and health, or anyone who eats food at all, then this presentation is for you.
(Both days are the same presentation, just more chances to attend!)
Plant Sale
Saturdays, May 7 and 14: 9 am – 11:30 am
Location: Fairgate Farm
We will have a variety of VEGETABLE and HERB starter plants for sale, ready to plant in your own garden! These seedlings are grown right at Fairgate Farm in organic soil. Farmer Pete will be available both mornings to answer any questions to help you get your garden started this year. All proceeds support the Farm’s ability to continue growing healthy crops for the community all season long!
Earth Day
Saturday, April 23: 8am – 12pm
Earth Day Workshop: 10 am – 11 am
Celebrating all things EARTH. We’ll have regular volunteer hours but work on some special projects involving compost and planting herbs, veggies, and flowers. You can also join farmer Pete under the pergola at 10 am for a special Earth Day workshop on what we can all do to positively impact climate change through composting, waste reduction, and thinking about what we choose to purchase and consume. Also, plant your own Earth-friendly plant to take home!
Spring Groundbreaking
Saturday, March 26: 9 am – 1 pm
Location: Fairgate Farm
Help us welcome in Spring and wake up the Farm as we clean up, spread compost and mulch, prepare the soil, and plant our first field crops of the year! Bring a friend, get dirty, and then join us for pizza at noon as we revel in all our morning accomplishments.
RSVP to fairgatefarm@gmail.com if you plan to attend and please note any dietary restrictions or requests for the pizza.
2021 Past Classes & Events
Harvest Festival
Saturday, October 9: 10 am – 12 pm
Location: Fairgate Farm
Fall Farm Clean Up
Saturday, October 2: 10 am – 12 pm
Location: Fairgate Farm
Planning A Spring Garden
February 20, 2021 at 10 am
Location: Online Zoom class. Details below.
Don’t wait until May to get your garden started, get growing now! We’ll talk about making a plan for your garden, starting your seeds, what can be done before planting time, getting some crops in the ground earlier than you think, and transitioning from spring to summer.
Fairgate Farm Zoom Class Link:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87546944448?pwd=a1M2ZjdzUDMwY0gyL3c0ZUk4THhjZz09
Meeting ID: 875 4694 4448
Passcode: 168652
Winter Produce Zoom Cook-Along (Part 2) – SWEET!
February 13, 2021 at 10 am
Location: Online Zoom class. Details below.
Watch or cook along with plant-based eaters and chefs Joy & Bart Potenza and Maddie Sobel. Learn about traditional winter crops and how to use them to make some sweet treats. Chocolate Sweet Potato Mousse and other plant-based sweets will be on the menu this week. We’ll be sending out recipes in advance for all registered guests to cook along if they would like!
Fairgate Farm Zoom Class Link:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83714241954?pwd=Wk9aN1NKSmlFazgwYWdBaDVFUXYyZz099
Meeting ID: 837 1424 1954
Passcode: 171274
Winter Produce Zoom Cook-Along (Part 1) – SAVORY!
February 6, 2021 at 10 am
Location: Online Zoom class. Details below.
Watch or cook along with plant-based eaters and chefs Joy & Bart Potenza and Maddie Sobel. Learn about traditional winter crops and how to use them in some delicious, savory dishes. They’ll be making two great dishes for a warming winter meal; Kale and Potato Soup, and a hearty Root Veg Pot Pie. We’ll be sending out recipes in advance for all registered guests to cook along if they would like!
Fairgate Farm Zoom Class Link:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82793863020?pwd=Q3R2aVNWWkpkSHF2V3BSOTFMb1RMdz09
Meeting ID: 827 9386 3020
Passcode: 619269
Bringing Greens Indoors
January 30, 2021 at 10 am
Location: Online Zoom class. Details below.
In this class, we will discuss how to grow your own herbs and microgreens indoors during the winter. This is a simple and inexpensive way to add fresh and nutritious greens to your meals.
Fairgate Farm Zoom Class Link:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82491897639?pwd=Zmc4ZWVLQ0Y1a1gyUWdiMS9zRVNrUT09
Meeting ID: 824 9189 7639
Passcode: 958772
2020 Past Classes & Events
Composting 101
ONLINE ZOOM FORMAT CLASS
October 20, 2020. 5:30 – 6:30 p.m.
If you missed our classes that were held early in the season, this a great chance to learn the do’s and don’ts of composting; what counts as green and brown matter; the importance of turning your compost; and how to work with worms. We will discuss the importance of soil health, not only to improve your garden and the nutritional value of your produce, but also to improve the sustainability of our environment and how soil health can combat climate change.
Composting 101 Online Zoom Class
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85689975923?pwd=aU92N3kzaHZpMDFCWnk0MW0xNkM4Zz09
Meeting ID: 856 8997 5923
Passcode: 957261
Hydroponics 101
ONLINE ZOOM FORMAT CLASS
October 13, 2020. 5:30 – 6:30 p.m.
This will be a virtual look all about getting started in Hydroponic growing. Learn what it takes to grow without soil, see different types of hydroponic systems, and find out what you need to hydroponically, even indoors!
Hydroponics 101 Online Zoom Class
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82315009150?pwd=QUk1RDlEN05ya0dJQjhoTURDY0lsQT09
Meeting ID: 823 1500 9150
Passcode: 094304
Composting 101
ONLINE ZOOM FORMAT CLASS
July 16, 2020. 5:30 – 6:15 p.m.
If you missed our classes that were held early in the season, this a great chance to learn the do’s and don’ts of composting; what counts as green and brown matter; the importance of turning your compost; and how to work with worms. We will discuss the importance of soil health, not only to improve your garden and the nutritional value of your produce, but also to improve the sustainability of our environment and how soil health can combat climate change.
Composting 101 Online Zoom Class
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87652960767?pwd=SCtVTDFYSy9WM2IvVitPb3JJZWlVZz09
Meeting ID: 876 5296 0767
Password: 012690
Composting 101
ONLINE ZOOM FORMAT CLASS
June 18, 2020. 5:30 – 6:15 p.m.
If you missed our April 18th class, this is a great chance to learn the do’s and don’ts of composting; what counts as green and brown matter; the importance of turning your compost; and how to work with worms. We will discuss the importance of soil health, not only to improve your garden and the nutritional value of your produce, but also to improve the sustainability of our environment and how soil health can combat climate change.
Composting 101 Online Zoom Class
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/8258
Meeting ID: 825 8697 1121
Password: 638037
Organic Gardening
ONLINE ZOOM FORMAT CLASS
May 9, 2020. 10:00-11:00 a.m.
Spring is here and it is time to get your garden going! In this beginner’s class we will cover multiple topics from starting your garden from seeds, transplanting seedlings and keeping your soil full of nutrients. We will talk about natural pest controls, companion planting, garden trellising, plant diseases to look out for and so much more!
Organic Gardening Online Zoom Class
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88399903132?pwd=cHRHUnIrOFB2Ym1zYXBHcHBkR201QT09
Meeting ID: 883 9990 3132
Password: 001018
Composting 101
ONLINE ZOOM FORMAT CLASS
May 6, 2020. 5:30 – 6:15 p.m.
If you missed our April 18th class, this is a great chance to learn the do’s and don’ts of composting; what counts as green and brown matter; the importance of turning your compost; and how to work with worms. We will discuss the importance of soil health, not only to improve your garden and the nutritional value of your produce, but also to improve the sustainability of our environment and how soil health can combat climate change.
Composting 101 Online Zoom Class
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86051874529?pwd=cWkrc2NaNTNuTG15QVFIRk8yVjZXUT09
Meeting ID: 860 5187 4529
Password: 013184
The Pollinator Pathway
ONLINE ZOOM FORMAT CLASS
May 2, 2020. 10:00-11:00 a.m.
This is the perfect time of year to commit to rethinking your garden and lawn. We are proud to have Melanie Hollas and Becky Collins, co-founders of Stamford’s Pollinator Pathway, as well as Katie Haas, committee member, discuss its creation, the importance of creating connected native landscapes and most importantly teach us how we can all make a difference. We will learn who the pollinators are, what native wildflowers and trees are beneficial, how we can rethink our lawns and discuss how you can be part of the Pollinator Pathway right here in Stamford!
The Pollinator Pathway Online Zoom Class
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86563915964?pwd=UTViT3I0elhuZ0lESTliaklqSnB6QT09
Meeting ID: 865 6391 5964
Password: 002517