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Merrymeeting Community & Adult Education



Our Classes

It’s Not the Cow, It’s the How: Healing the Earth Through Regenerative Livestock Farming

$20

with Maine Tasting Center

Calendar Next available session starts Sep 25, 2025 at 5 pm, runs for 1 week

Join farmer and founder of Singing Pastures, John Arbuckle, for an inspiring and accessible introduction to regenerative agriculture - with a special focus on regenerative livestock practices. You don’t need a PhD to understand how to restore ecosystems; nature already knows what it needs. John will walk you through the simple yet powerful principles that can heal the land, rebuild biodiversity (above and below ground), and draw down carbon - all while producing some of the most nutrient-dense, delicious food on the planet. You’ll learn how these methods are being used successfully around the world and right here in Maine, from managing conservation lands with grazing animals to simple practices homeowners can adopt in their own backyards. Along the way, you’ll get to hear the story of Singing Pastures, taste some of their pasture-raised pork products, and enjoy light snacks sourced from other Maine farms using regenerative methods. This is your chance to meet a local producer who’s putting principles into action—and to see how regenerative farming connects food, wildlife, soil, and community in one resilient, delicious bundle.

Pine Needle Baskets

$75

with Zack Rouda

Calendar Next available session starts Sep 25, 2025 at 5:30 pm, runs for 1 week

White pine, Maine’s state flower, and Red pine, are ubiquitous throughout the state and provide a vital pool of resources for human and nonhuman Mainers alike. Pine needles are beautiful and strong! They can be coiled and sewn together to make hats, lovely usable baskets, and/or adorably tiny ones. Learn to identify, regeneratively gather and harvest, properly store and process, and weave with pine needles. We'll cover the basics of coiled basketry, which is a global, ancient human skill, and create a wonderful pine-needle basket. Every participant will make a basket to take home. *Program includes all required tools and materials.

Tincture Making

$35

with Katie Munn

Calendar Next available session starts Sep 25, 2025 at 6 pm, runs for 1 week

Herbal extracts are a wonderful way to get the healing power of plants. This class will teach you how to make herbal tinctures going over herbs that are commonly used for stress, anxiety, immune support and digestion. Every person will leave with their very own tincture. *A $10 Material fee is payable to the instructor on the night of class.

Foraging Walk

$45

with David Spahr

Calendar Next available session starts Sep 28, 2025 at 1 pm, runs for 1 week
1 additional session on Oct 12, 2025

Crave the forest's bounty? Join David (65+ years of experience!) for an immersive foraging adventure. Learn to identify edible treasures, from berries to mushrooms, and uncover the secrets of plant ecology. This isn't just a walk, it's a transformative experience that fills your basket and your soul! Limited spots, register today! David is a member of the Maine Mycological Assoc. NOTE: This class will start with an outdoor talk at the waterfront followed by the walking portion.

Wok & Cleaver Bootcamp

$200

with Chris Toy

Calendar Next available session starts Sep 29, 2025 at 5 pm, runs for 1 week
1 additional session on Oct 27, 2025

Participants will learn how to season, care for, and use a Chinese wok and cleaver. Each student will take home a specially selected kit with a seasoned wok, wok spatula, sharpened cleaver, honing steel, and a cutting board. Those in the know bring containers just in case! The Wok is the most versatile pan in the world. Join Chris Toy, author of the award winning The Complete Wok Cookbook and learn all about its 3000 year old history. Materials kits included! *However, since kits are ordered ahead of time, there is a $100.00 non-refundable fee for cancellations to cover the cost of the kits. If you cancel, your kit will be sent to the adult ed office for pick-up.

Hand Stamped Cards: Fall Fun

$20

with Dawn Stevens

Calendar Next available session starts Sep 29, 2025 at 5:30 pm, runs for 1 week

Let’s have fun making two Fall themed stamped projects together! Project One will use layering and lift-the-flap die cuts to make a card that you can customize for the intended recipient. Project Two will be a mini pizza box: it’s the perfect packaging for a gift card or sweet note! Precut kits and envelopes are provided. Participants need a pair of scissors and colored pencils or markers.

Understanding Medicare

Free

with Aaron Manning

Calendar Next session starts Sep 29, 2025 at 6:30 pm, runs for 1 week

Have you ever felt like Medicare regulations are a black box? There’s an alphabet soup of plans, a book of fine print and a calendar full of dates to remember. The whole thing seems like a mystery with too few clues to solve. Aaron Manning, a Licensed Insurance Agent with HealthMarkets, can answer many of the questions you may have about Medicare, from the beginning of the process on. He will discuss: when you are eligible, what is the timeline for enrollment without penalties, what original Medicare covers and what it doesn’t, what additional plans work in conjunction with original Medicare, and your financial assistance options.

Full Course

How Money Works

Free

with Sarah Blondin

Calendar Next available session starts Sep 30, 2025 at 6 pm, runs for 1 week

Do you want to eliminate debt? Stop living paycheck to paycheck? Take full control of your finances? Join us to learn how implementing a few simple financial concepts can transform your relationship with money!





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