While university offices remain closed, Cooperative Extension continues its outreach with distance-delivery programs, and we’re available to answer questions you have, on processing fish, planting the garden, raising chickens and many other topics.
A list of free upcoming workshops and activities for the next two weeks includes:
Gardening and agriculture
Bob VanVeldhuizen will host Stump the Chump: Peony Growers Q&A at 6 p.m. May 26. The Zoom is for new or established peony growers or just folks who want information about growing beautiful flowers. He will offer information on fertilizer and lime applications, irrigation and fertigation. Register here.
In the Virtual Garden with Cooperative Extension meets every Wednesday at 12:30 p.m. with 30 minutes of gardening information hosted by the Anchorage Outreach Center. May programs emphasize flowers. The May 27 event is Intro to Fabulous Flower Garden Design, and on June 3, it’s Terrific Tomatoes. Register at https://bit.ly/AOC_ITVGCES.
DeShana York and Art Nash will join the AgrAbility project’s nonprofit partner, Assistive Technologies of Alaska (ATLA), for a “Coffee Chat” on accessible gardening. The topics are resources, modified tool options and planning for accessible spaces. The discussion will take place from 11 a.m.-noon Thursday, May 28. Register here.
Kenai Peninsula agent Casey Matney is leading a spring series on lawn and garden topics from 5:30-7 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays. Dates have changed on the upcoming classes, which are currently full, but they will be posted on the Kenai Ag-Hort YouTube channel. They are Lawn Management for Your Home, May 28; Preparing Your Garden Soil for Planting and Warming Your Soil, June 2; and Direct Seeding and Transplanting into the Garden, June 4.
What came first, the chicken or the disease? Join two veterinarians at 6 p.m. Tuesday, June 2, as they talk about basic diseases of the backyard layer and how to maintain their health. Hosted by the Matanuska Experiment Farm and Extension Center. Register in advance for the meeting.
Food Preservation and foods
Health
The Anchorage Movement Culture will meet via Zoom every Wednesday in May from 3-3:30 p.m. The featured activity for May is Dynamic Stretch, a family-friendly program that is great for people of all ages and fitness levels. These gentle movements are fun and will increase mobility, decrease pain, and will invigorate. Register at https://AnchorageMovementClub for the link and information on how to join.
Other Workshops
Ann Biddle and Jodie Anderson of the Matanuska Experiment Farm and Extension Center will host Walkabout Wednesdays: Citizen Science Opportunities from Home at 2:15 p.m. Wednesdays during May. Join them May 27 on Facebook Live from the farm’s page. They promise “nerdy science tidbits you can take part in from home.”
Publications
Kids Activities
Follow Extension’s Facebook page for announcements of upcoming events.
Faculty and staff are still working, so don’t hesitate to contact them with questions. Emails are best since many of us are working from home. Look up contact information on our directory or use the Ask an Expert form to get your questions answered!