What age is this class suitable for?

This workshop is open to participants age 12 and up.

Is there an extra materials fee?

Yes, there is a $10 materials fee paid directly to the facilitator to cover starter, flour, and other supplies.

Meet at Crabtree Farms of Chattanooga, 1000 E 30th Street, Chattanooga, TN 37407; check in at the designated meeting point.

Bring a large mixing bowl, a jar to take home your starter, and any preferred utensils; an apron and closed-toe shoes are recommended.

What is the cancellation policy?

Refunds can be requested up to 7 days before the start of the workshop with a cancellation fee of 10% of the ticket amount.

Who do I contact with questions?

Contact Chloe Watts at 423-493-9155 or cwatts@crabtreefarms.org for questions or details.

Hands-On Sourdough at Crabtree Farms: A Two-Hour Fermentation Workshop in Chattanooga

Crabtree Farms sits on the east side of Chattanooga at 1000 E 30th Street, a working educational farm where community gardening, native plants, and hands-on food skills meet. On November 14, the Simple Art of Sourdough workshop offers a compact, two-hour introduction to wild-yeast baking led by Sarah, a facilitator whose practice links fermentation, herbalism, and slow living.

The class begins at the Crabtree Farms meeting point, inside the farm greenhouse and teaching kitchen. Participants mix fresh sourdough starter and flour, learn feeding and maintenance rhythms, and shape loaves in banneton baskets supplied by the facilitator. The session covers fermentation fundamentals, hydration and feel, bulk fermentation cues, and basic scoring before baking together and tasting a range of sourdough styles. A $10 materials fee is collected directly by the instructor to cover starter and baking supplies; bring a jar to carry home your starter and a large mixing bowl if you can.

What makes this workshop special is the setting and the instructor. Crabtree Farms is a community hub focused on native plants and sustainable food education, and Sarah brings that ethic into the dough. Lessons weave practical baking technique with stories about fermentation, local herbs, and the patient pace of tending starter over time. You leave not just with a shaped loaf, but with a living culture and the confidence to bake at home.

This experience suits beginners and curious bakers age 12 and up. Expect hands-on work, tactile instruction, and a small-group pace that rewards questions. The class runs about two hours, making it an accessible add-on to a weekend in Chattanooga, or a focused afternoon activity for locals wanting deeper connection to their food.

Logistics are simple: check in at Crabtree Farms of Chattanooga, 1000 E 30th Street, and note the mandatory waiver listed by the farm. Cancellation requests are accepted up to seven days before the workshop with a modest fee. For questions or to confirm details contact Chloe Watts at 423-493-9155 or [email protected].

Sarah ties lessons to her herbal practice and home fermentations, including meads and herbal starters, so expect tips on pairing herbs with bread flavors. The class provides fresh starter, flour, and a banneton basket, while you should plan to bring any preferred utensils. This workshop reflects Crabtree Farms' mission to educate and connect people to local food systems and native plant stewardship, making it an ideal experience for visitors and residents who want hands-on, environmentally minded learning.