Registration open for 16th annual Back to Basics

   Registration is now open for 2022 Back to Basics, featuring in-person and virtual options. Now in its 16th year, the event offers workshops about and resources for sustainable living. It all kicks off Saturday, January 22, 2022 at 10 a.m. with a virtual keynote from Diane Wilson, former executive director for the Native American Food Sovereignty Alliance and author of “The Seed Keeper.” Her keynote topic is “Growing Justice and Equity in Our Food Landscape.” You can watch the keynote address live on Happy Dancing Turtle’s Facebook page for free. If you register for the Virtual Workshops, you will receive a Zoom link for the keynote, giving you the option to watch it live or after it is uploaded to the channel with all the virtual workshops. 

From January 22 and continuing through February 6, all virtual workshops will be available for paid participants to watch at their leisure. The pre-recorded workshops include topics such as fermenting, yoga, cooking, native plants, nature, cordwood construction, health & wellness and more! 

   In-person workshops will begin January 24, running as a series of evening classes through February 25. Classes will be held at the Pine River-Backus High School. The variety of topics include child development, wellness, gardening, felting, beekeeping, raising chickens, Ayurveda, personal development and more! Each presenter has determined their requests for masking and social distancing for each workshop, which is noted in the course descriptions.  

This year will also feature a Spring Fair to be held outdoors on Saturday, May 21st at the Lakes Music & Events Park in Pine River. Select workshops and activities for the whole family will also be offered there. It will also be where you can meet vendors and exhibitors providing goods, demonstrations and information about sustainable living. There is no admission fee or registration required to attend the Spring Fair. 

   For more information about all these events, visit happydancingturtle.org/back-to-basics.