Join us for a guided, conversational class exploring how the growing season begins before spring arrives. In this one-hour session, Gardens & Growing Manager Jeremy LeClair and his team will share a behind-the-scenes look at how an organic regenerative farm plans crops, selects seed varieties, and prepares thousands of plants for a successful season. Together, we will trace the journey from winter planning to vibrant summer harvests and explore how early decisions influence the food we grow and serve.
Topics will include:
How farms select seed varieties suited to climate, soil, and flavor goals
The biology of germination and the conditions that determine success or failure
Why and how farms propagate thousands of seedlings each season
The role of soil mix, timing, and early root development in plant health
How winter planning balances productivity, soil health, ecosystem resilience, and risk management
Participants will have the opportunity to:
Examine and handle seed varieties used at the farm
Observe propagation trays, soil mixes, and blocking tools
Ask questions about farm decision-making and plant development
What You’ll Leave With
A clearer understanding of how farms prepare for the growing season
Insight into the biology of seed germination
Practical tips to improve seed-starting success at home
A deeper appreciation for organic regenerative agriculture
Recommended for: Home gardeners, aspiring farmers, and anyone curious about how food begins.
Class takes place indoors in the Farm Commons Barn (where the Market and dining areas are located) and is limited to 30 participants.
Tickets are $35 per person and include lunch. Tax will be charged at checkout.
About The Instructor
Jeremy LeClair is the Gardens & Growing Manager at Philo Ridge Farm, where he leads our certified organic regenerative vegetable production with a focus on soil health, ecological balance, and hands-on education. He first followed his passion for farming to Green Mountain College, where he immersed himself in land-based learning through draft animal power and experiential agriculture. He later deepened his expertise at the University of Rhode Island, studying plant sciences and sustainable crop production—bringing science and practice together in a way that continues to shape his approach to farming.
Over the years, Jeremy has grown food in many forms and places. He’s led diverse farm operations, mentored young farmers, worked with community organizations, and stewarded land through seasons of both abundance and challenge. His experience includes managing Four Season Farm in Maine—founded by Eliot Coleman and known for its pioneering role in sustainable agriculture—and overseeing production at Stonewood Farm, a nonprofit farm in New York’s Hudson Valley. Jeremy brings a thoughtful, grounded perspective to his work, always looking to cultivate not just healthy plants, but healthy systems and communities.