Experience Level: Beginner 

Learn the skills of improvisation, including scene creation and team dynamics at Improve Your Improv on Thursdays, Sept. 10 through Oct. 15 from 6:30 to 8 p.m. in the Music Barn. 

Instructor Kyle Tasch returns to The Farms to teach this popular course, which will be jam-packed with improvisational fun that uses both short-form games and long-form scenes. 

Students will be performing as much as possible to emphasize the mechanics needed to act out an entertaining and meaningful scene on the spot with no lines. There are many elements of improv that are not only useful on stage, but also in everyday life, wherever you might be put on the spot! 

Students who have already completed this class are welcome to join again. Beginners and those experienced in improv are all encouraged to join! 

$25/class. Registration will two days before each class. 

— Sept. 10
— Sept. 17  
— Sept. 24  
— Oct. 1
— Oct. 8  
— Oct. 15

Experience Level: Beginner

Learn how to grow herbs in the Central Illinois climate, pot herbs in a container, and then taste how they are used in a meal at Cooking with Herbs on Saturday, Sept 12 from 10 a.m.-12 p.m in the Herb Garden and Evergreen Lodge.

Join Kay Karnes and Piatt County Master Gardeners in the Herb Garden to begin this workshop, where you will receive a tour of the garden, which is certified by the Illinois Herb Association.

Then, adjourn to the classroom in Evergreen Lodge to learn how to grow herbs and plant a container of herbs that do well in Central Illinois.  Finally, a buffet lunch prepared by Leah Bodine of the Greenhouse Cafè will be provided along with cooking tips to use herbs and spices in various recipes.

$50/person.Registration closes Sept. 5 or when capacity is reached. All sales are final.

Experience Level: Beginner

Learn the basics of working with a loom at Beginning Weaving I (Morning) on Saturdays, Sept. 12 through Oct. 10 from 10:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. in the Greenhouse Auditorium.

This 5-week class led by Sharon Bowles will encompass all aspects of beginner weaving as students create a table runner.  Students will become familiar with weaving terminology, parts of the loom, figuring the weaving pattern for the width of the loom and project, measuring out the warp, beaming the warp back to front, threading heddles, threading the reed, tying on the warp, and winding bobbins.

$250/person*. Registration will close Sept. 7 or when capacity is reached. All sales are final.

*Students should bring a 4-shaft loom if they have one. All other supplies will be provided, including a loom if needed.

Experience Level: Beginner

Learn the basics of working with a loom at Beginning Weaving I (Afternoon) on Saturdays, Sept. 12 through Oct. 10 from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. in the Greenhouse Auditorium.

This 5-week class led by Sharon Bowles will encompass all aspects of beginner weaving as students create a table runner. Students will become familiar with weaving terminology, parts of the loom, figuring the weaving pattern for the width of the loom and project, measuring out the warp, beaming the warp back to front, threading heddles, threading the reed, tying on the warp, and winding bobbins.

$250/person*. Registration will close Sept. 7 or when capacity is reached. All sales are final.

*Students should bring a 4-shaft loom if they have one. All other supplies will be provided, including a loom if needed.

Experience Level: Beginner 

Get a first-hand look at how honey bees manage hive activity at Beehive Observation on Sundays, April 12 & 26, May 10 & 24, June 7 & 21, July 5 & 19, Aug. 2, 16 & 30 and Sept. 13 & 27 in The Studio and outside at the beehives.  

Instructor Maggie Wachter will provide an overview of seasonal influences, followed by a peek inside the hives to observe honey bees at work. Traditional and Flow Hives will also be discussed. Each two-hour session may be attended as a standalone or combined with any or all other classes. 

$30/class. Registration will close three days before each class. All sales are final. 

*Students should wear loose-fitting long sleeves and pants, close-toed shoes and bring a protective bee veil and unscented rubber gloves.  

— Sept. 13 
— Sept. 27 

Experience Level: Both beginner and those experienced with tarot decks are welcome

The tarot is mysterious, but it doesn’t have to be! Learn more at Mystic Mondays: Intro to Tarot on Monday, Sept. 14 from 6-8 p.m. in the Mansion Library. 

Instructor Charlie Rainbow Wolf will guide students through the history of tarot, what it does and doesn’t do, and how to detangle myth from method when learning to read the cards. Students will then use the cards to determine how to intuitively interpret tarot for their own purposes and learn how to start reading for others.

Tarot cards are included with registration.

$75/person*. Registration closes Sept. 7 or when the capacity is reached. All sales are final.  

*Students should bring a notebook and pen. 

Experience Level: Beginner (ages 16+)

Learn a new instrument at Learn Guitar: Get Started the Right Way on Tuesdays, Sept. 15 through Nov. 17 from 6-7 p.m. in the Studio.  

Leading this course is musician Rex Parvin, who has a very specific approach to teaching guitar based on having an understanding of how music works and how that understanding applies specifically to the guitar. It is essentially a 3-step process: 

— Learn the notes on the guitar
— Learn how those notes go together to form chords.
— Apply and combine steps 1 and 2 to form chords and play songs, developing your own style and creative expression. 

$200/person*. Registration will close Sept. 11 or when capacity is reached. All sales are final. 

*Students should bring their own guitar.  

Experience Level: Beginner 

Learn the skills of improvisation, including scene creation and team dynamics at Improve Your Improv on Thursdays, Sept. 10 through Oct. 15 from 6:30 to 8 p.m. in the Music Barn. 

Instructor Kyle Tasch returns to The Farms to teach this popular course, which will be jam-packed with improvisational fun that uses both short-form games and long-form scenes. 

This will not be a class to sit down, hear lectures, and take notes.  Students will be performing as much as possible to emphasize the mechanics needed to act out an entertaining and meaningful scene on the spot with no lines. There are many elements of improv that are not only useful on stage, but also in everyday life – wherever you might be put on the spot! 

Students who have already completed this class are welcome to join again. Beginners and those experienced in improv are all encouraged to join! 

$25/class. Registration will close on Sept. 8 for the entire series or two days before each subsequent class. 

— Sept. 10
— Sept. 17  
— Sept. 24  
— Oct. 1
— Oct. 8  
— Oct. 15