This course teaches new and developing beekeepers how to prepare colonies for a successful Iowa winter. Participants will learn how to assess colony strength, manage mite loads, ensure proper food stores, and configure equipment for cold-weather survival. The class covers insulation options, moisture control, entrance management, wind protection, and how to monitor colonies without disrupting the cluster. We also explore common overwintering challenges in the Midwest and practical steps to minimize losses. Whether this is your first winter or you want to refine your approach, this session provides clear guidance to help your bees emerge healthy and strong in spring.

This hands-on class guides new and experienced beekeepers through the complete honey harvesting process from start to finish. Participants will learn how to assess hive readiness, safely remove frames, and use essential tools such as smokers, uncapping knives, and extractors. The class also covers best practices for filtering, bottling, and storing honey, along with practical tips for keeping equipment clean and protecting hive health during and after the harvest. Whether you are preparing for your first season or looking to sharpen your technique, this session offers clear steps, demonstrations, and plenty of time for questions.

July 18, 2026, 9:00am-10:15am
Join us for a history hike through Council Bluffs’ past, Saturday, July 18, at 9 am.  We’ll walk 30 minutes from the 100 block of West Broadway to the Bayliss Park area, take a fifteen-minute break, then walk 30 minutes back to our point of origin. Give us an hour and we’ll give you 150 years of history, right from the very spots it happened! Meet in front of Barley's, 114 W Broadway.

From a forced Native American relocation to a religious enclave, from the frontier’s wildest saloons to the first capital of Nebraska, these city blocks have witnessed some of the most remarkable chapters in American history. They were the setting for Lincoln’s meeting with Dodge and later became the focus of one of the nation’s most sweeping urban renewal projects.  

June 5- June 25

This is a 4-week series at Bent Tree Golf Club led by PGA Professionals!

Looking for a fun way to spend time together? Spend your Thursday evenings at Bent Tree Golf Club during this 4- week couples golf lesson series. Whether you're new to golf or just want to strengthen the basics, this series is designed to help you build skills, confidence, and enjoy time together!

You'll learn:
-Chipping
-Putting
-Full swing
-Golf etiquette and rules

Walk away with a skill you can continue to enjoy together!

Open to adults 18 years and older.
Thursday evenings in June from 6:00-7:30pm
$120 per person for the full 4-week session. Must register each person individually.
 

Class is Saturday June, 27, 2026 - 8:30am - 10:30am - Council Bluffs Campus 
Designing a self-sufficient backyard starts with intention and smart planning. In this class, you’ll learn how to assess your space, map out productive zones, and build a system that works with your goals—whether that’s feeding your family, reducing grocery bills, or creating surplus. We’ll cover garden bed placement, perennial vs. annual crops, water access, composting systems, and how to stack functions within limited space. You’ll leave with a clear framework for designing your own backyard system and the confidence to begin implementing it immediately.

Class is Saturday, July 11, 2026  8:30am - 10:30am - Council Bluffs Campus 
Urban farming isn’t just a hobby—it can be a profitable venture when approached strategically. In this class, you’ll learn how to identify high-value crops, maximize production in small spaces, and create multiple income streams from a single property. We’ll explore real-world examples of market gardening, plant sales, value-added products, and subscription models like crop shares. You’ll also gain insight into pricing, marketing, and building a loyal customer base. Whether you’re looking for side income or a full-scale operation, this class will help you see what’s possible and how to get started.

Class is Saturday, July 25, 2026 11:00am - 1:00pm - Council Bluffs Campus 
Fall gardening is one of the most overlooked opportunities for productive growing. In this class, you’ll learn how to transition your garden from summer into a highly productive fall system. We’ll cover which crops thrive in cooling temperatures—such as leafy greens, root vegetables, and brassicas—and how to time plantings for continuous harvests before and after the first frost. You’ll also learn techniques for season extension, including row covers, low tunnels, and strategic planting windows. Whether you’re looking to get a second harvest from your space or maximize production late into the year, this class will give you a clear and actionable plan.

Saturday, August 15 10am-11:30am
In this sustainable flower design workshop, we will explore design techniques and strategies for creating a seasonal fresh cut flower arrangement from local flower farm, The Swallow's Nest. We will discuss aspects of the global flower industry and intentional ways to reduce environmental impact through flower design choices. All supplies are provided. 
Holly Lukasiewicz with District 2 Floral Studio will guide participants through this process. 

This entire 4-class series is offered at a discounted rate. Series starts Saturday, July 25 and continues through October 3. All classes held at the Council Bluffs Campus.
From planning your fall garden at the height of summer to preserving the last harvests of the season, this series walks you through what to grow, when to harvest, and how to make the most of every crop before winter sets in. Each class pairs seasonal growing knowledge with hands-on preservation skills, giving you a complete picture of how to keep your garden productive and your pantry stocked well into the colder months. Fall-Season Fruits & Vegetables: What to Start, Plant, Harvest — 07/25/26, 11 AM–1 PM, Late-Season Fruits & Vegetables: What to Start, Plant, Harvest — 08/22/26, 11:30 AM–1:30 PM, Hands-on Preserving Fall-Season Fruit & Vegetable Harvests NOW — 09/19/26, 11 AM–2 PM, Hands-on Preserving Late-Season Fruit & Vegetable Harvests NOW — 10/03/26, 8:30–11:30 AM

This entire 4-class series is offered at a discounted rate. 
Series starts Saturday, June 13 and continues through August 8. All classes held at the Council Bluffs Campus.
From the first cool-weather crops of early summer to the peak of the main growing season, this series walks you through what to grow, when to harvest, and how to preserve it all before it goes to waste. Each class pairs seasonal growing knowledge with hands-on preservation skills, giving you a complete picture of how to get the most out of your garden all summer long. 

 Early-Season Fruits & Vegetables: What to Start, Plant, Harvest — 06/13/26, 11 AM–1 PM, Hands-on Preserving Early-Season Fruit & Vegetable Harvests NOW — 06/27/26, 11 AM–2 PM, Main-Season Fruits & Vegetables: What to Start, Plant, Harvest — 07/11/26, 11 AM–1 PM, Hands-on Preserving Main-Season Fruit & Vegetable Harvests NOW — 08/08/26, 8:30–11:30 AM

Class is Saturday, June 27, 2026  11:00am - 2:00pm - Council Bluffs Campus Student Center Room 152
Don’t let your early harvest go to waste—learn how to preserve it at peak freshness. In this hands-on class, you’ll work directly with early-season produce to practice simple preservation techniques such as quick pickling, basic water bath canning, and refrigeration methods. We’ll focus on crops like greens, radishes, early cucumbers, and berries, showing you how to turn them into shelf-stable or ready-to-use products. You’ll leave with practical experience, preserved items to take home, and the confidence to continue preserving your harvest throughout the season.
**PARTICIPANTS SHOULD BRING AN APRON**
 

Class is Saturday, September 19, 2026  11:00am - 2:00pm - Council Bluffs Campus Student Center Room 152
Fall harvests bring a different set of flavors and preservation opportunities. In this hands-on
class, you’ll work with fall crops such as root vegetables, apples, and hardy greens to learn
practical preservation techniques. We’ll focus on methods like water bath canning, pickling, and
simple storage strategies that help extend shelf life and reduce waste. You’ll gain direct
experience preparing and preserving seasonal produce, along with guidance on adapting these
methods at home. Participants will leave with preserved items and the confidence to make the
most of their fall harvest.
**PARTICIPANTS SHOULD BRING AN APRON**

Class is Saturday, October 3, 2026  8:30am - 11:30am - Council Bluffs Campus Student Center Room 152
As the season comes to a close, preserving your final harvest becomes essential. This hands-on class focuses on handling larger quantities of late-season produce such as squash, root crops, apples, and storage vegetables. You’ll practice preservation techniques including
water bath canning, batch processing, and proper storage methods for long-term use. Emphasis will be placed on efficiency, safety, and maximizing shelf life. Participants will leave with preserved goods, practical skills, and a clear understanding of how to carry their harvest into the winter months.
**PARTICIPANTS SHOULD BRING AN APRON**

Class is Saturday, August 8, 2026  8:30am - 11:30am - Council Bluffs Campus Student Center Room 152
When the garden is in full production, preservation becomes essential. This hands-on class focuses on managing and preserving larger volumes of produce at peak ripeness. You’ll learn and practice techniques such as water bath canning, basic sauce preparation, and batch preservation methods suited for tomatoes, cucumbers, beans, peppers, and fruits. We’ll emphasize efficiency, safety, and flavor—helping you turn abundance into long-term food security. Participants will leave with preserved goods, tested recipes, and the confidence to handle even the heaviest harvest weeks.
**Participants should bring: 3–4 pint or quart jars with lids and rings, dish towel, apron**

Class is Saturday, September 5, 2026 6:00pm - 9:00pm - Impact Hill, Oakland, Iowa
Hard cider is one of the simplest and most rewarding fermented beverages to make at home. In this class, you’ll learn how to transform apple juice or fresh-pressed cider into a flavorful, naturally fermented drink. We’ll cover yeast selection, fermentation basics, flavor variations, carbonation options, and bottling techniques. You’ll also learn how to adjust sweetness and alcohol levels to suit your taste. Whether you’re working with store-bought juice or apples from your own trees, this class will show you how to produce consistent, high-quality cider at home.