Share Your Knowledge – Teach a Class at the Co-op!
Do you have a skill, craft, or passion you’d love to share? We’re inviting our knowledgeable community members to teach a class at the co-op! Whether it’s cooking, gardening, sustainability, wellness, or a hands-on DIY, we’d love to feature your expertise. This is a great opportunity to connect, inspire, and strengthen our community while sharing what you love. Interested in teaching? Let us know! Email Sheba Wright, Outreach & Education Coordinator at [email protected] or stop by the co-op to sign up.
Let’s learn and grow together!
Gentle Yoga on the Deck
Join us for a one-hour, all-levels gentle yoga class on Wheatsfield’s deck! Explore gentle movements, postures, breathing techniques, and meditations that relieve anxiety and release tension while strengthening the body. Attendees will receive a discount on a beverage item to enjoy brunch following the class. Please bring your own yoga mat. In the event of rain, class will move into the community room. Space is limited.
Meet the Instructor!
Crystal Jewell, M.S., PhD is a food sovereignty enthusiast, yoga instructor, and neuroscientist who specializes in alternative & complimentary medicine. She is also Wheatsfield’s Community Education and Outreach Coordinator!
Date & Time
Sunday, October 4, 2026 | 10AM
Note
In-Person
Wheatsfield Deck
Howler Growler: DIY Halloween Arrangements
Trick or treat! Here’s an easy make and take workshop using a glass jug (growler) with Halloween (howler) decorative additions. This is family friendly; a youngster can participate with a grown-up. We are offering staggered start times for everyone’s convenience. Instructions will start at 5 PM and repeat at 5:30 PM and 6:00 PM. Coaching available in between as you complete your own distinctive design. All materials provided. Take home some seasonal fun for your porch, entryway, or countertop.
Meet the Instructor!
Co-instructors for this class are Sandy Gossman and Nan Bonfils. They have been botanical buddies for close to thirty years. Sandy has been a flower show judge for garden clubs and fairs since 1998 and began teaching floral design in 2000. She has a beautiful home garden in Ames and Nan runs an organic farm in rural Madrid. You may also recognize Nan as a co-op staff person.
Date & Time
Tuesday, October 13, 2026 | 5PM
Note
In-Person
Wheatsfield Community Room
Hands-on
2026 Annual Meeting of the Members
ANNUAL MEETING OF THE MEMBERS
October 20, 5:00-8PM, Torrent Brewing Co.
You’re Invited to Wheatsfield’s Annual Meeting!
We look forward to gathering with you, sharing the latest updates from your co-op, answering your questions, and hearing your feedback. As a member-owned cooperative, your voice and participation truly matter.
This year’s meal: Co-op Made Soup! Vegan, Vegetarian, and Gluten-Free options will be served.
Drinks: Cash bar by Torrent Brewing.
Please RSVP in advance so we can plan accordingly. Register with the TOTAL number of people in your party. Help our sustainability measures and bring your own bowl, plate, and tableware.
Email: [email protected]
Call: 515-232-4094
We can’t wait to see you there!
Eat the Weeds: Dandelion Kimchi
Learn how to make dandelion kimchi with Lucky Kim! Kimchi is a healthful food that introduces important probiotics into your diet and is, therefore, an effective way to increase the healthy bacteria in your intestinal tract. Preserving vegetables is also a great way to be more sustainable and prevent food spoilage. This fun and engaging one-hour class includes step-by-step directions on salting, slicing, mixing, and packing a traditional recipe with fish sauce and shrimp paste. At the end of the class, you’ll get to pack your own container of dandelion kimchi!
Meet the Instructor!
Lucky Kim has a passion for homemade food, edible plants, and foraging. She enjoys using natural, locally sourced ingredients and loves preserving traditional recipes and food traditions. These days, Lucky Kim is also enjoying making pottery — creating beautiful, functional pieces for serving and holding healthy, homemade foods. Her love of natural ingredients, traditional cooking, and handmade pottery comes together naturally in her kitchen and studio.
Date & Time
Tuesday, October 27, 2026 | 5:30PM
Note
In-Person
Wheatsfield Community Room
Hands-on
Trick-or-Treat at the Co-op!
Saturday, October 31
11am-1pm
Bring the kiddos for our 11th Annual Trick-or-Treat at the Co-op. Trick-or-treat stations will be set up all around the store with plenty of goodies.
Costumes encouraged!
Second Chances: The Art of Repurposed Cards
Join Ames artist Lisa Kuehl for a fun evening of trying your hand at greeting card repurposing! Give those cute cards you receive a second life by easily turning them into a brand new card to share. There is no fee for this class and all supplies and tools will be provided. Attendees are encouraged to bring in several of your own greeting cards to work with. Snacks will be provided!
If you have specific dietary restrictions, please reach out to us in advance before signing up for the class at [email protected] or by calling the co-op at 515-232-4094 and speaking with Crystal Jewell, Education Coordinator.
Limited substitutions can be made during the class.
Meet the Instructor!
Ames resident and artist Lisa K. Kuehl of Heartland Scrapbooks is a 1982 graduate of Iowa State University, where she earned her B.A. in Graphic Design. Though her career path led her into professional aviation, Lisa never lost touch with her creative roots. Throughout her student years at ISU, she produced and preserved an extensive collection of original designs—and her current scrapbook projects continue to reflect her lifelong love of art and composition.
Since retiring from United Airlines in 2006, Lisa has devoted much of her time to animal welfare advocacy and more recently, to promoting pollinator habitat. In recent years, she has presented a creative “Memories Into Masterpieces” class through the ISU Alumni Association’s OLLI as well as at the Sixty Forward Center in Ames. Lisa is excited to be back at Wheatsfield Cooperative to share her newest passion of repurposing greeting cards.
Date & Time
Thursday, December 03, 2026 | 5:30PM
Note
In-Person
Wheatsfield Community Room
Hands-on
Nature’s Relief: DIY Zero-Waste Acorn Cap Salve
Discover the simple magic of turning acorn caps, herbs, flowers, roots, and beeswax into your own nourishing salve! In just one hour, you’ll learn to infuse, blend, and pour your salve using 100% natural, zero-waste ingredients. Each attendee will leave with their personalized salve—perfect for relieving unbroken skin or as a tiny gift from nature. No experience needed, just curiosity and a love for wildcrafting! Class is limited to ages 18+.
Meet the Instructor!
Crystal Jewell, M.S., PhD is a neuroscientist, science educator, and wildcrafter who specializes in alternative and complimentary medicine. She is also Wheatsfield’s Community Education and Outreach Coordinator!
Date & Time
Tuesday, December 08, 2026 | 5:30PM
Note
In-Person
Wheatsfield Community Room
Hands-on
Fonduementals: Chocolate, Cheese & Wine
Celebrate National Chocolate Covered Anything Day with an indulgent evening of fondue! Fondue is simple, fun, and great for sharing. This demonstration class covers two classics: a savory swiss fondue and a chocolate dessert fondue. You'll leave knowing how to make both at home. We'll cover cheese and chocolate selection, how to get the right texture, and good dippers. You'll also sample a few wines chosen to pair with each fondue, so you know exactly what to serve when you recreate it. Must be 21+ to attend.
If you have specific dietary restrictions, please reach out to us in advance before signing up for the class at [email protected] or by calling the co-op at 515-232-4094 and speaking with Crystal Jewell, Education Coordinator.
Limited substitutions can be made during the class.
Instructor
Bronwyn Beatty-Hansen is a native of Emmetsburg, Iowa. She moved to Ames to study Political Science at ISU, and is happy to call Ames home. Bronwyn is the Operations and Human Resources Manager, and one of the Wine & Beer Buyers for Wheatsfield Cooperative. In addition to working at Wheatsfield, she has served for 9 years on the Ames City Council.
Date & Time
Wednesday, December 16, 2026 | 5:30-7:00PM
Class Location
Community Room
ONLINE RSVP
- RSVPs required for all classes! Class sizes are limited, RSVP to guarantee your seat!
- If you cannot RSVP online, call the store and talk to a Marketing Staff member.
- If a class is full – please call or email marketing staff to be added to our waitlist.
- We do consider waitlists when planning the next cycle of classes.
LOCATION
Classes are held in our teaching kitchen located in the east end of the co-op unless noted otherwise.
FEES
- Fees are transferable but not refundable unless the Co-op cancels the class due to weather, instructor illness, low attendance or other unforeseen circumstance.
The views presented in classes are not necessarily the views of the Co-op. Please consult with your health care provider before starting any new health regimen.
THANK YOU
A HUGE thank you to Cook’s Emporium for supplying the Co-op Classroom with a variety of useful cooking equipment. Come to a class to see the equipment in action! Make sure to stop by this locally-owned business for your kitchen gear needs!
