Grow It Green Morristown, a nonprofit organization focused on building community through collaborative projects centered around food, education and shared outdoor spaces, announces its first-ever yearlong class series aimed at the home gardener.  The “Be Your Own Farmer” Gardening Class Series is designed to empower area residents to grow their own produce, create a thriving organic vegetable garden and begin elements of homesteading. The series consists of nine classes beginning in March and running through October. Grow It Green Morristown’s community initiatives provide educational opportunities for children so they can make healthier eating choices. The group also donates thousands of pounds of produce to food pantries in Morris County.

Classes range from beginner topics, such as Starting Your Seeds at Home and Building a Raised Bed, to more in-depth classes on Beneficial Plants and Insects and Fall Planting and Winter Bed Preparations. The final class offered is a Backyard Homesteading class, which provides an overview of keeping bees and chickens.

“The ‘Be Your Own Farmer’ Gardening Class Series is meant to provide community members with the tools they need to grow their own food and sustain their families,” said Abby Gallo, the group’s executive director. “We’re very excited to offer our first formal class series to the Morristown community.”

Those interested can sign up for just one class, a three-class series, or the whole nine-class series. Individual classes are $20, three-class series are $50, and the full nine-class series is $140. Needs-based scholarships are also available. The series is sponsored by Country Mile Gardens and Morristown Lumber. Classes will be held at several locations in Morristown, including the Urban Farm and Early Street Community Garden.

A full class schedule and information on each session can be found at Growitgreenmorristown.org/classes. For more information, call Abby Gallo, Grow It Green Morristown, at 973-206-4177 or email [email protected].