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!
HANDS-ON CLASS: DIY Herbal Lip Balm

Dive in to the art and science of handcrafted herbal lip care in this interactive, hands-on workshop! Using a plethora of natural, nourishing, and eco-friendly ingredients including beeswax, oils, butters, and plant essential oils, participants will make and take home two different lip balm formulations to protect lips in all four seasons. It's herbal lip care made simple, made from scratch, and made by you!
Meet the Instructor!
Ann Staudt is the founder, chief soap formulator, kitchen chemist, graphic designer, sales manager, packaging extraordinaire, and overall operations manager behind Siberian Soap Co. She holds degrees in both chemical and environmental engineering. Soapmaking provides a wonderfully creative outlet that combines her interests in science, art, and living a simple, eco-friendly lifestyle.
Date & Time
Tuesday, September 8, 2026 | 5:30-7PM
Class Location
Community Room
CANCELLED – COOKING CLASS: The Mighty Chickpea

THIS CLASS HAS BEEN POSTPONED – WE WILL KEEP YOU UPDATED ON A NEW DATE!
Discover the versatility of the humble garbanzo bean (chickpea) in this demonstration-style vegetarian cooking class. Join us as we showcase the transformative power of this pantry staple, turning it into 3 delicious, flavor-packed dishes that are easy enough for weeknight meals yet impressive enough to wow your guests at any gathering.
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 Sheba Wright, Education Coordinator.
Limited substitutions can be made during the class.
Meet the Instructor!
Rama Sridhar is an expert chef in vegetarian cooking and has dedicated more than 40 years to communicating the benefits of vegetarian nutrition. Rama's cooking is based on two fundamental principles: (a) develop recipes that excel in both nutrition and taste and (b) draw and use ideas from all over the globe to develop creative fusion foods. She is a guest Chef at a local restaurant – Lockwood Café – where she offers Indian and International foods. Rama has a close connection to Ames. She has lived here for 35 plus years and received a Dietetics degree from Iowa State University. She is a diehard Cyclones fan.
Date & Time
Tuesday, September 29, 2026 | 5:30-7PM
Class Location
Community Room
Grad Research Night, at the Co-op

Date & Time
Wed, Sep 2, 2026 | 6 – 7:30 PM
Class Location
Community Room
Class Details
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!
