July: Events and Happenings Around the World

Horse Progress Days is an instant education in draft-horse farming with exploratory classes devoted to grooming, driving and harness-fitting that should help fence-sitters decide whether or not to go equine. Field demos are free.
Where? Montgomery, Indiana
When? Friday, July 3 to Saturday, July 4
Cost? $500
http://www.horseprogressdays.com

Summer Supper with Chef Rob Newton is a dinner to benefit The Youth Farm, which teaches young New Yorkers about their food system and allows them to build high-level organic growing skills to share with other members of their communities. Chef and restaurant owner Rob Newton cooks up a meal for a cause alongside beer, wine and good company.
Where? Brooklyn, New York
When? Tuesday, July 7, 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.
Cost? $125-$250
http://brooklyngrangefarm.com/event/summer-supper-fundraiser-for-the-youth-farm/?instance_id=2212

Intro to Beekeeping is a lesson in the unlikely beehaven of Brooklyn, proving urban beekeeping is possible, sustainable and enjoyable. Learn the basics of starting your own hive before suiting up and observing a live hive-check for yourself.
Where? Brooklyn, New York
When? Wednesday, July 8, 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Cost? $45
http://brooklyngrangefarm.com/event/intro-beekeeping-workshop/?instance_id=1884

The Junior Livestock Show is just another reason for you to visit Cooperstown’s excellent Farmers’ Museum. This 4-H show adds kids and animals to the mix. The former homestead of James Fenimore Cooper, the museum has a collection of 23,000 farm artifacts.
Where? Cooperstown, New York
When? Sunday, July 12 to Tuesday, July 14
Cost? $12 for adults, $6 for children
http://farmersmuseum.org

The 16th Annual Agroecology Shortcourse explores the global movement and roots of agroecology from a scientific and practical perspective. Students are introduced to agroecology and taught the connection between diverse and powerful agroecology experiences worldwide. Visualize how to better facilitate cross-fertilization across the world’s agroecology movements and how to overcome obstacles to global unity.
Where? UC Santa Cruz, California
When? Sunday, July 12 to Saturday, July 25
Cost? $2,200
http://www.canunite.org/agroecology-shortcourse/1671-2/

Weed Day 2015 invites pest control advisers, farm advisers, chemical company cooperators, college faculty and students and regulatory officials to learn about weed control research happening at UC Davis. Tour the grounds where weed science is researched and learn about how tomatoes, melons, safflower and more react to different herbicides.
Where? UC Davis, California
When? Thursday, July 16, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Cost? $110
http://wric.ucdavis.edu/events/weed_day_2015.html

Seed Savers Exchange Conference and Campout has been going on for 34 years. Each year, seed geeks have eagerly anticipated this annual opportunity to infiltrate the 890-acre headquarters of the Seed Savers Exchange. The 2015 agenda features vegetarian chef Deborah Madison and PBS gardening host Joe Lamp’l.
Where? Decorah, Iowa
When? Friday, July 17 to Sunday, July 19
Cost? $175 includes meals, $25 for camping
http://www.seedsavers.org

Local Plant Dyeing Hike: Foraging & Extracting Color is a two-part event. On the evening hike, learn to identify common dye plants and how to collect them as you gather materials for the dyeing workshop. At the workshop, dye silk scarves with the hike’s bounty.
Where? Schuylkill Center for Environmental Education; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
When? Hike: July 17, 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Dyeing Workshop: July 18, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Cost? $20 hike, $60 workshop. $75 combo price
http://www.schuylkillcenter.org/blog/event/local-plant-dyeing-workshop-foraging-extracting-color/

Cycle to Farm is your chance to ride through the beautiful yet challenging terrain of Black Mountain, N.C., in exploration of the local farm community. Each farm stop offers tasty samples and an opportunity to purchase goodies, which Cycle to Farm volunteers take to your final destination. After your hard work is done, enjoy a locally sourced farm-to-table meal with friends, family and fellow riders.
Where? Black Mountain, North Carolina
When? Saturday, July 18, 7 a.m. to noon; after-party noon to 5 p.m.
Cost? $85 registration fee includes celebratory post-ride dinner
http://cycletofarm.org/

Milwaukee Firkin Fest is a beer festival praised for attracting curious and educated beer drinkers, rather than rowdy frat boys. 150 beers available and 40 firkins – 10-gallon casks dedicated to housing true (cask-conditioned) ale. Quoting the site, it’ll be “a firkin good time.”
When? July 18, 2015, 3 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
Where? Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Cost? $48 General Admission, $80 VIP, $15 Designated Driver
http://milwaukeefirkin.com/

FarmOn! Hootenanny is a farm fresh benefit dinner under the stars at a historic, 220-acre family farm. Shake hands with the men and women who feed you, and end the night with a bonfire until the flames burn out. Jonathan Wright of Rainbow Room is the celebrity chef of the evening.
Where? Copake, New York
When? Saturday, July 18 from 6 p.m. onward
Cost? $165
http://farmonfoundation.org

The Sylvia Center’s Farm to Table Benefit Dinner happens yearly at Katchkie Farm, featuring local and seasonal ingredients. Proceeds will benefit The Sylvia Center as it continues to help teach young families how to eat well and live healthy, fulfilling lives.
Where? Katchkie Farm, Kinderhook, New York
When? Saturday, July 25, 6p.m. to 9 p.m.
Cost? Ticket amounts vary.
http://sylviacenter.org/

Berries & BarBQ Wine Trail is an adventure through Missouri Wine Country, exploring the marriage of luscious berries, savory barbecue and delicious wine.
Where? Hermann, Missouri
When? Saturday, July 25 to Sunday, July 26
Cost? $30
http://hermannwinetrail.com/wine-trail-events/berries-barbq-wine-trail/

Soil Sisters is a culinary celebration of Wisconsin’s family farms and the rural life surrounding them. Come hungry for some farm-to-table feasts, and kick back in your overalls and farm boots to tour, taste, learn and play at one or all 20 of the farms involved.
Where? Monroe and Brodhead, Wisconsin
When? Friday, July 31 to Sunday, August 2
Cost? Various, for five events
http://soilsisters.wix.com/soilsisters