Check out our upcoming late summer / early fall workshops! Workshops will be posted below as they are confirmed. Please register in advance for all workshops.
Suggested donation levels are listed below. No one turned away for lack of funds. Our workshops are donation-based and support the farm. Please give at the suggested level or higher if you are able.
Upcoming Workshops
Birds of Alemany Farm: Bird Walk
Sunday, September 6, 2026
10:00 am to 12:00 pm at Alemany Farm
Instructor: J.R. Blair
Suggested Donation: $35 per person; no one turned away for lack of funds
Register in advance with link below.
We will spend a couple of hours wandering around Alemany Farm identifying and discussing the birds found there and how the birds interact with the farm. In addition to bird “watching” we will spend some time talking about the intersection of birds and other organisms including humans – pollination, seed dispersal, conservation, introduced species, taxonomy, birding resources, etc.
Bring binoculars if you have them and any field guides you have.
J.R. Blair has been an active birder since the early 1980s. He was a lecturer of biology at San Francisco State from 1999 until the end of 2020 when he retired. Since 2010 he was the director of the Sierra Nevada Field Campus where he also teaches Birding 101 and Natural History of the Sierra Nevada. He has been volunteering at Alemany Farm since the summer of 2021.
Fall Organic Vegetable Gardening in the Bay Area
Saturday, September 12, 2026
10:00 am to 12:30 pm at Alemany Farm
Instructor: Vanessa Lieu
Suggested Donation: $35 per person; no one turned away for lack of funds
Register in advance with link below.
Fall in SF is an abundant time – we are still harvesting our summer foods – but it is also time to plant your cold season garden (bok choi, kale, chard, broccoli, kohlrabi) as well. In this workshop we will discuss how to gracefully pivot from summer to fall, including discussion of crop varieties that thrive in our climate, and ideal planting times. We will also discuss planting techniques, nutrient needs, basic irrigation requirements, and more. Bring your veggie and fruit gardening questions–there will be time for a Q&A!
Vanessa Lieu (any pronouns) is a Farm Manager at Alemany Farm. Vanessa is an earth tender and educator, and is deeply passionate about nurturing networks of relationality with the land and all her beings. They bring with them over 10 years of experience in urban agriculture, public health, healthcare, and community education. As a settler working and living on unceded Ohlone land, they recognize that land and liberation are inseparable, and they are so honored to care for the land and community at Alemany Farm in ways that fortify us to liberate all our peoples and lands from imperial oppression.
Make Your Own Worm Bin & Worm Composting Basics
Sunday, September 13, 2026
10:00 am to 12:00 pm at Alemany Farm
Instructor: Abby Bell
Suggested Donation: $50 per person (includes materials for you to take home); no one turned away for lack of funds
Register in advance with link below.
Join us for a hands-on workshop where you’ll learn the art and science of vermicomposting , using red wiggler worms to transform food waste into nutrient-rich fertilizer for your plants and garden.
What You’ll Learn
- The basics of how vermicomposting works and why it’s more efficient than traditional composting (and great for urban living)
- What worms can (and can’t) eat, and how to keep them happy and thriving
- How to troubleshoot common issues like odor, pests, and moisture balance
- How to harvest and use finished worm castings (“black gold”) in your garden
What You’ll Do
By the end of the workshop, you’ll build and take home your own fully functional worm bin, complete with bedding, and a starter colony of red wigglers.
- Materials provided: Bin, bedding, worms, and starter guide
- Takeaway: One complete worm bin, ready to start composting that day
Abby Bell is the Alemany Farm Director and has been keeping worms for over 15 years.
Water Gardening & Alemany Pond Restoration Day
Saturday, September 19, 2026
1 to 5 pm at Alemany Farm
Instructor: Brett Stephens
Suggested Donation: $5 – $15 per person; no one turned away for lack of funds
Register in advance with link below.
Come out and learn about aquatic plants and water management and help with our Fall pond maintenance. Learn about pond ecology and support habitat restoration for the red wing black bird, tule reeds, and more. The pond work day will include a discussion on pond ecology, the importance of water sources on organic farms, strategies for management and creating plant and animal diversity. Bring your hip waders or rain boots, if you have them (a few will be provided), gloves, snacks, and join us in getting your hands wet!
Brett Stephens is owner/project manager of San Francisco Landscapes. He is certified in permaculture design, a Bay-Friendly professional, ARCSA accredited professional, and a long-time volunteer at Alemany Farm.
Summer Fruit Tree Pruning
Sunday, September 20, 2026
10 am to 1 pm at Alemany Farm
Instructors: Vanessa Lieu & Herison Leitao
Suggested Donation: $35 per person; no one turned away for lack of funds
Register in advance with link below.
Come to Alemany Farm and learn about the basics of when, why, and how to prune apples and stone fruit trees, with an emphasis on summer pruning. This class will focus on the basics of tree biology and care to encourage a healthy and productive fruit tree. There will be a group lecture, followed by smaller breakout groups to look at trees and talk through strategies and how to approach a pruning session. We will spend the last part of the workshop answering your home fruit tree questions.
Note: This class will not focus on citrus trees, though the high level basics of citrus pruning can be discussed.
Vanessa Lieu, (any pronoun) is one of the Alemany Farm Managers and has been working with land, trees and community for many years.
Herison Leitao (he/him) is passionate about regenerative agriculture, agroforestry, and soil health. Originally from Brazil, he brings an academic background in Agronomy from the Federal University of Roraima (UFRR), along with a deep appreciation for ecological stewardship and sustainable food systems. He began volunteering at Alemany Farm in January 2025, where he quickly developed a strong connection with the land and community. Today, Herison manages the orchard program, focusing on regenerative practices, perennial crops, and agroforestry systems.