Tidewater Farm Events

Preserving Elderberries

bowl of elderberries on table with jar of honey, cinnamon sticks, ginger root and powdered spice off to side

Tuesday, August 11, 2026
5:30 – 7:30 p.m.
Cost: $20 register online

Join Kate McCarty and a Master Food Preserver Volunteer for a hands-on workshop on preserving elderberries. Because elderberry season is short in Maine, learning how to safely preserve these nutritious fruits allows you to enjoy their flavor and benefits long after harvest.

In this interactive class, you’ll learn the best practices for freezing, drying, and preserving elderberries in syrups and jellies. We’ll discuss food safety considerations and techniques for maintaining the quality and flavor of elderberries.

Participants will gain practical knowledge and hands-on experience while making and taking home their own elderberry products. This workshop will take place at the Cumberland County Extension Office/UMaine Regional Learning Center, 75 Clearwater Dr, Ste 104, Falmouth, ME 04105. 

Registration is required and the program fee is $20 per person.

Soil Health

person holding soil in their hand, small roots are poking out of the handful of soilTuesday, September 15
5-6:30 p.m.
Cost: $15 register online

Join UMaine Extension Horticulture Staff, Rebecca Long, for an engaging workshop on the foundation of a successful garden: healthy soil. Soil is a living system, and understanding how its physical, chemical, and biological properties work together can help you grow healthier, more productive plants.

In this workshop, you’ll explore the role of soil organic matter and the soil food web, learn how to assess the health of your garden soil, and discover how to use soil test results to guide management decisions. We’ll also discuss practical techniques for building and protecting soil health, from improving soil structure and organic matter to supporting the organisms that help your soil function.

Participants will gain practical knowledge and strategies to better understand, manage, and improve the soil in their own gardens. This workshop will take place at the UMaine Gardens at Tidewater Farm, 200 Presumpscot Point Rd, Falmouth, ME 04105.

Registration is required and the program fee is $15 per person.

If you have any questions or would like to request an accommodation for one of these events, please contact Pamela Hargest at pamela.hargest@maine.edu or 207.949.4524.

The University of Maine System is an equal opportunity institution committed to nondiscrimination. For more information, visit extension.umaine.edu/nondiscrimination.