Farm Classes

We offer a variety of classes & experiences that showcase the farm and are fun and educational, including Cooking Classes.  We are happy to schedule private ones.  Chefs Tami Grooney and Mary Ellen Forster await the arrival of their cooking class students. Classes include 2-hour instruction, a light dinner and recipes to take home. Limit: 11 people.  BYOB is welcome.

Cancellation Policy:  Due to limited seating, upfront costs, and preparation, cooking classes are non-refundable and non-transferable to another class.  If you are unable to attend your class and there is a wait list, you will receive a refund if we’re able to fill your seat.  If we are unable to fill your seat, you are welcome to send someone in your place.  We will email you the class recipe booklet if we weren’t able to fill your seat or you didn’t send someone in your place.

We appreciate your understanding that in order to offer cooking classes we require a minimum number of seats to be filled.   

 

Sugar Kelp Cookery Class * April 20

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Join us for our annual class during the New England kelp harvest to learn how to cook simple dishes in your home with this supremely nutritious, local and sustainable sea vegetable.  We have partnered with Stonington Kelp Co to get the word out to promote this tasty sea vegetable in a two hour class, cooking demonstration, and talk with Stonington Sea Kelp farm owner, Suzie Flores. During class, we will cover how to process sugar kelp, pickle it, use it dried for seasoning as well as for some very simple dishes that the whole family can enjoy.  We will enjoy the dishes made during class together family style, BYOB!  All participants will take home a packet of recipes as well as a couple of sea kelp treats! 

Register

Indigo Dye & Needle Felting Workshop + Supper

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Back by popular demand !  Join fiber artist Nicole Clark and WGF Chef Tami Grooney to learn needle felting and indigo dyeing.  All participants will take home a felted “painting” and an indigo dyed dishtowel.  Class will be followed by a simple dinner.  BYOB is welcome! 

Register

Sheepskin Tanning Workshop

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Spend 5 days at the farm learning the ancient art of sheepskin tanning and take home your own luxurious, soft creation. Instruction is by Jeff Butler, expert tanner as well as singer and instrumentalist, shown below on the left with our own Kevin Gallagher.
Jeff says: “I’ve been traditional tanning hides for almost 15 years now. I began hunting on my grandparents homestead in Virginia wanting to use the whole animal. The skins from deer hunters are often discarded so I had many chances to try my hand at tanning buckskin. Later, working at a farm in Oregon I learned from a wilderness skills expert more about buckskin and also sheephide tanning, which makes great rugs, sleeping mats and warm clothing. I have since tried my hand at everything from fish skin to coyote to blackbear, studying to traditional methods and always learning and having fun along the way. Tanning is a hard yet rewarding experience, and great way to connect with the earth and use its resources to the fullest. “
We have enough sheepskins for only 6 students to tan and take home their own skin.
We also have space for 6 students to learn and work on skins only.  4 of them may purchase already tanned skins from the farm.  We have space for 12 students to stay in the Inn at the discounted rate of $350 + tax for 5 nights, with the option of farm-to-table dinners.

Register

Jamming & Canning

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This is a 2-hour class followed by a light dinner.
Join White Gate Farm Chef Tami and Head Grower Dan for a tutorial in making jam and canning it, using the blackberries and cherry tomatoes from the farm freezer.  All equipment will be provided.  After the canning session, students will enjoy a simple dinner featuring the canned goodies !  Students will take home a jar of each jam + printed instructions.  BYOB is welcome. Limited to 10 people.

Cancellation Policy: Due to limited space and advance purchasing requirements cooking classes are non-refundable.  Cancellations will receive credit towards a future cooking class, or you can transfer the class to another person. If the class is cancelled for any reason you will receive a full refund.

Register

Mothers’ Day Flower Class

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Come gather flowers at the farm and make your own beautiful creation to take home or give to a lucky mother. We provide vases, flowers, quiche, scones, coffee & tea, as well as instruction and clean up.  The class is led by farmer Dan Wood and farm owner Pauline Lord.

Register

Forage & Feast 2024

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Come roam the edges of fields and woods for delicious, nutritious wild plants and then sit down at a table outside to a multi-course repast.  In the event of rain we will refund your money.  

  • Knotweed Quick Pickles
  • Salad of Lambs quarters and wild Brassicas
  • Stinging Nettle Chowder 
  • Fried Pokeweed with Wild Sorrel, Vetch and Wild Onion Cream
  • Sautéd Dandelion Greens and Wild Garlic Sourdough Pizza with Freshly Foraged Mushrooms
  • Hot Dandelion Root and Sassafras Tea
  • Forsythia and Mint Iced Tea
  • Knotweed Crisp with Dandelion Syrup & Ice cream       

Instructors are Farmer Dan (shown above with a Chicken of the Woods mushroom) and Farm Owner Pauline.  Chef Tami will prepare our dinner.  BYOB is welcome.  20 people max.

Register