Press Release

From pruning to canning, Centennial Farm is hosting a wide variety of weekend workshops now through June


Costa Mesa, Calif. (Feb. 15, 2018) – Centennial Farm at OC Fair & Event Center is hosting several weekend workshops in the coming months on a variety of different topics, even well beyond the typical gardening class.

All classes are held on Saturdays and begin at 9:30 a.m.; pre-registration is required.

Here’s a look at what’s coming up: 

Ikebana Floral Arrangements – Feb. 17

Learn the basics of Ikebana floral arrangement and design from instructors Miyako Arao, a Sogetsu Ikebana 1st degree grandmaster; Marilyn Drageset, a Sogetsu Ikebana 1st degree teacher; and Rie Miura Strong, a Sogetsu Ikebana 2nd degree teacher. Attendees will create their own arrangement to take home.

Cost: $35 includes materials and handouts; bring scissors/snippers

Homegrown Tomatoes – Feb. 24

This how-to class will provide all the practical knowledge necessary to begin growing tomatoes today. Learn which varieties to grow, how to plant and care for tomatoes and how to combat common diseases and pests that afflict them.

Cost: $5 includes materials and handouts. 

Citrus Care and Pruning – March 3

Learn about growing and caring for citrus trees in beautiful Southern California from Isabel Barkman, who will cover the basic tasks of growing citrus trees, including choosing varieties, site selection, planting, irrigation and year-round care. Barkman is a local gardening expert who has been a UCCE Master Gardener since 1999 and a member of the California Rare Fruit Growers, Inc. since 1991.

Cost: $5 includes materials and handouts. 

Floral Design Workshop: Centerpieces – March17

Learn the basics of floral design at this workshop, where instructors Miriam Somoano, Gail Call and Kathleen Castagnoli will teach important floral arrangement principles and attendees will create their own floral centerpiece to take home.

Cost: $35 includes materials and handouts.

Make It, Take It Food Preservation Workshops:

• Escabeche (spicy pickled vegetables) – March 10
• Morning Cheer Marmalade – April 7
• Blue Ribbon Dill Pickle Spears – May 12
• Simply Delicious Cherry Chutney – June 9

In these hands-on classes, attendees will learn the basics of steam canning and make three jars of that class’s food item to take home, give as a gift or enter in the 2018 OC Fair competitions. Each class is conducted by Pamela Wnuck, OC Fair’s Culinary Arts Supervisor. Youth ages 9 and up are welcome in these classes but must be accompanied by a registered adult.

Cost: $25 each class includes ingredients and handouts; bring three half-pint (Marmalade, Cherry Chutney) or one-pint (Escabache, Dill Pickle Spears) canning jars with lids and rings.

To register for any of the workshops offered at Centennial Farm, use the form at http://ocfair.com/community-programs/centennial-farm/garden-classes/. Class sizes are limited. Classes are intended for participants 16 years and older unless otherwise noted. Each class is generally about 2 hours and take place in the Silo Building at Centennial Farm, 88 Fair Drive, Costa Mesa.