Shakopee Community Education

Enjoy the health benefits of fermented tea without the high price tag! Explore flavor combinations, different levels of carbonation, and bring home a SCOBY (symbiotic culture of bacterial yeast) to continue brewing at home. Tea bags will be sent home with you so you can start your kombucha and feed your SCOBY after class. A gallon-size glass jar with a lid is recommended to brew your kombucha at home. Bring a glass container with lid to transport your SCOBY home.

This six-week class will focus on building a reliable foundation of basic obedience commands. You will learn how to communicate effectively with and handle your dog, shape desirable behaviors, and reduce unwanted behaviors quickly and efficiently. We will focus on “relationship-based” training methods that are designed to strengthen the bond between you and your dog, because a well-balanced relationship is key to having a well-behaved dog. Dogs must be 16 weeks or older to participate, and must have current bordetella, distemper, and rabies vaccinations. This is not a class for behavior modification, so if your dog is exhibiting any aggression or reactivity, please consider working with your dog in a private training session. The environment of a group class will not be a good fit for reactive/aggressive dogs. Bring proof of mentioned vaccinations and leave your dog home for the first day of class. Meets six times.

With the growing season in full swing, it’s a great time to learn how to preserve the taste of summer! Homemade jams, spicy salsas, fresh beans, and fermented cabbage can all be enjoyed during the cold winter months. Once you know the basics, home canning is fun and easy. Join us to learn what tools and equipment you’ll need, how to ensure your food is safe to eat, and some tried-and-true recipes you’ll enjoy for years to come. All supplies are included in the class fee. Each participant will take home a jar of jelly or jam.

Take the mystery out of growing and cooking with herbs, such as basil, dill, cilantro, lavender, rosemary, thyme, sage, lemongrass, and tarragon, to name a few. Taste and smell the flavors of these herbs and discover the ways each of them can enhance your cooking. In this make-and-take class, we will have an open discussion about herbs and plant a pot to use for cooking all summer long! Come with questions or ideas to share! Since we are working with soil, please dress to get messy and bring gloves. All supplies are included in the class fee.

Learn how to safely forage for wild berries! We will begin with a discussion about wild berry foraging, followed by a walk through the park looking for and discussing wild edible berries along the way, as well as how to identify poisonous berries. Berries found may include wild raspberries, blackberries, mulberries, chokecherries, gooseberries, wild grapes, plums, and more. Bring home any berries you find! This class will take place outdoors, rain or shine, but will be cancelled for severe weather. The foraging location will be determined and emailed to you two days prior to class due to variation in conditions that affect berry availability. The class location will be within 20 minutes of Shakopee. You will be walking on uneven terrain, so please dress accordingly. Bring a basket or bag, a pocket knife, and sun and/or bug protection if you wish to use it. There is no guarantee we will find berries, but you can bring home any that you find! Handouts will be provided to assist you in future foraging.