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!
CANCELLED: 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. 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
Saturday, October 24, 2026 | 10AM
Note
In-Person
Wheatsfield Community Room
Hands-on
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
Fire Cider Workshop: DIY Immune Support Tonic
Join us as we get ready for the colder months by making Fire Cider. Fire Cider is a tangy and hot flavored vinegar sometimes used as a home remedy to boost digestion and the immunity as the months get colder. It’s also tasty!! Each participant will leave with a jar of their own customized to their liking.
Meet the Instructor!
Schontonia Davis is a local farmer, Master Gardener, and seed enthusiast! She enjoys making home remedies and other concoctions in the kitchen that are both yummy and nutritious. You might recognize her from Mustard Seed Community Farm, the Seed Library, or anywhere people are talking about gardening.
Date & Time
Thursday, October 29, 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!
Grad Research Night, at the Co-op
Date & Time
Wed, Nov 4, 2026 | 6 – 7:30 PM
Class Location
Community Room
Clothing Swap
Donate clean clothing in good condition (no holes, stains, etc.), exchange something old for something new to you, or just come by for the free clothes! All are welcome. Please no undergarments or used socks. Limit to 2 paper grocery sacks donation per person. Donations accepted early from 11 AM – 1 PM on Saturday, then from 4 PM – 5:30 PM during the event.
Date & Time
Saturday, November 07, 2026 | 4 PM – 6 PM
FREE
Note
In-Person
Wheatsfield Community Room
Secondhand Sunday “Free Thrift”
Browse remaining items donated during the clothing swap. No new items accepted! Any clothing remaining after the free thrift will be donated to Overflow Thrift Store.
Date & Time
Sunday, November 08, 2026 | 11 AM – 1 PM
FREE
Note
In-Person
Wheatsfield Community Room
Indigenous Knowledge & the Roots of Regenerative Agriculture
Contemporary regenerative agriculture draws on principles that have long informed Indigenous food and farming systems around the world. This presentation examines the historical and ecological connections between Indigenous agricultural practices and modern approaches to soil health, biodiversity, crop diversity, and ecosystem stewardship to understand farming as part of a larger ecological and cultural system. Together, we will consider how honoring Indigenous knowledge can help shape more resilient food systems grounded in reciprocity, responsibility, and respect for the land.
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Please RSVP in advance. You will receive an email from Eventbrite that contains a Zoom link to join the class. Please ensure you are able to receive emails from Eventbrite here*.
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* If you have not received a link prior to class, please check your spam folder. If you have previously unsubscribed to Eventbrite’s emails, you may also not receive a Zoom link email. If you are still having issues receiving Eventbrite emails, try their troubleshooting guide here.
Please email [email protected] or call 515-232-4094 with any questions.
Meet the Instructor!
Corbin Scholz is currently serving as the Farm Director at Seed Savers Exchange in Decorah, Iowa. She has been working in the food system for almost a decade owning and managing organic vegetable farms and food hubs, serving on several ag non-profits board of directors, and participating in leadership committees to organize support programs for young farmers. After graduating from the University of Iowa with a Bachelor of Science in Human Physiology on the pre-medical track, Corbin pivoted to creating healthy communities through thriving food systems.
Date & Time
Thursday, November 12, 2026 | 6:00-7:00PM
Class Location
Virtual – synchronous
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!
