IUH Special Events

Special Events 2013
Unlike classes, events require no pre-registration,
Just show up at the location listed or if none is listed, email us for details.

See what established home-scale urban farmers are up to and what is possible on a small. medium, large, or extra large urban lot.
In 2013 our Farm Tours will be focused on sites in El Ceritto, El Sobrante and Richmond.
You will see fruit & vegetable gardens, composting systems, rabbits, goats, bees, greywater and more, plus you will get to sample some of what these urban farmers are producing. Each homestead is unique in its interpretation and use of space. This will be a chance to ask questions about animals, gardening, techniques, greywater systems, rainwater harvesting, food forests, permaculture and more.

How it Works
If you are already on our mailing list, you will receive maps and directions in our June newsletter.
If you are not already on our mailing list, use our contact form to tell us you want to come. We'll send you the locations a week before the event.
Once you have the locations, plan your itinerary and bike, drive or walk yourself there. Visit as many of the sites as you have time or interest for.
Guided tours with tasting and Q & A are lead by the farmers once per hour on the hour . Each tour lasts about 45 minutes.
You can pay as you go at each site, or support the tour by paying in advance, allowing you entrance to all the sites.

LIST OF 2013 FARMS

Pay as you go option
$5 per person, per location. Kids under 12, $3. No one turned away for lack of funds.
This option lets you pay as you go and decide how many sites to visit on the spur of the moment. Visit one, two or all the sites if you can!. CASH only.

Purchase In Advance and Win Prizes!
SUPPORT THE FARM TOUR & The Institute of Urban Homesteading
This CASH FREE option allows you to support the farmers and IUH with your generous donation.
It s a "one size fits all" ticket that allows you entrance to all the sites (we do not make reservations on a per site basis)
Your advance purchase ticket is tax decductible and advance purchase makes you eligible to win prizes.

WHAT IS THE FARM TOUR RAFFLE?
We want to reward folks who support the farm tour by paying for a full price, full price plus or full price double plus ticket. If you purchase in advance you will be entered in a raffle to win private tours and a number of different farm to table goodies. Pre-purchase of tickets ends 48 hours before the tour and the raffle winners will be announced at the tour. For a complete list and description of raffle prizes click here.

Although we pay farmers who participate, Urban Farms tours is a benefit fro the Institute of urban Homesteading and helps us to be able to keep class prices low and offer a sliding scale for every class. We do this with no outside funding or other contributions. Advance ticket purchase is an opportunity to give a little extra while still receiving a bounty in return!

Raffle prizes include
Private Tour and A Meal at Beegrrl Gardens
Private Tour & Cheese Tasting at Green Faerie Farm (
Farm Tour Goodie Basket
Local Honey From One of our Farm Tour Farmers
A dozen eggs from one of our farm tour farmes

2nd Annual
North Oakland Day of the Dead Celebration
Procession, Altar Building and Candlelightt Dinner
Friday, November 1, 2013
RAIN OR SHINE
if it is raining put on your galoshes, get out your umbrella and laminate your photos--come down to the park and have tamales and hot chocolate on us!

WHERE: Processions starting from the two triangle parks (Driver Park & MacGregor) will converge at Dover Park for altar building and a community style candlelight picnick.
map

Driver Park: 60th & Geno/Adeline, Across from Lois the Pie Queen
McGregor Park: 52nd & MLK/West , Across from the childrens hospital
Dover Park: Dover Street between 58th & Aileen

north oakland day of the dead

5pm Gather at either triangle park, Driver Park a) or MacGregor Park (t). Feel free to dress in honor of your beloved dead, ancestors or others who have passed.

5:30 pm Processions to Dover Park.
Route TBA. While we acknowldege the inherant picturte taking opportunity of this event, we ask that you refrain from taking photographs during the procession and ceremony.

6:00pm Music circle and community ceremony--Calling in the dead.

6:30 pm Altar building and community candlelight dinner. YOu will be invited to add your flowers, candles and photographs to the altar (other offering also welcome). Simple food will be provided, feel free to bring food to share or eat your self

8pm Clean up

TO BRING: Yourself , your friends, your neighbors, your family
A costume that reflects who you would like to honor. Flowers, Candle or photographs (digital copies of course). A blanket to sit on for dinner. Utensils ( we'll have some paper utensils, but it is great f you can bring your own). Any food to eat yourself or share.

Volunteers needed! : traffic & security monitors, cooks, people to help with altar construction, set-up and clean up. We are also still looking for a person to take leadership of the procession from MacGregor Park ( organise musician, help people gather, start off the procession at 5:30 and make sure people know the route. Use our contact form to volunteer.

WINTER OPEN HOUSE & Art Sale

Saturday December 14 & Sunday December 15, 2013

FREE and open to the Public, Please use our contact form to have directions sent to you.
Join the party! Our year-end event is a celebration of the bounty. There will be tasting (homemade jam, bread, wine and more), convivial people and shopping! Who could ask for more? Lots of cool handmade goodies and treats starting as low as $1. Come grab your stocking stuffers, Secret Santas and private stash. Enjoy the cheer and support the local economy. Win-win happy joy!

Classes in gardening, urban animal husbandry, food preservation, brewcraft, herbal medicines, and more