The start of spring means the start of a busy warm-weather calendar for the North Alabama Agriplex, which already in full swing hosting a wide variety of classes, how-tos, lectures, and more.

Tomorrow the Agriplex will host a backyard flower bouquet how-to class, one of several scheduled as part of this year’s Heritage Skills series.

Titled “Cutting Flower Garden from Your Backyard” and hosted by Allison Creel of Blue Rooster farms, Thursday evening’s class will focus on proper plant placement, soil preparation, and identifying which varieties of plants make for great in-home bouquets. Admission to the 6 p.m. class is $5 per person.

Later this month, one of the biggest events on the Agriplex’s annual calendar will come to Wallace State with the 5th Annual Harvest to Home Local Foods Dinner and Silent Auction. The Agriplex’s signature fundraiser, this year’s dinner is Thursday, April 25 and will be a locally-sourced meal catered by Chef John Wilson and the Wallace State Culinary Pride.

In support of the ongoing anniversary celebration statewide for Alabama 200, the dinner will be themed around the Stories of Alabama. In addition to highlighting home-grown North Alabama foods, the event also will spotlight the talents of Alabama’s musicians through entertainment with the Wallace State Theater Department. Stories of the North Alabama Agriplex’s programming and outreach will also be featured through the evening.

Tickets for the dinner are on sale now at $40 per ticket, or $400 per corporate table of 8. They can be purchased at the Agriplex or online at agriplex.org.

Last year, more than 4,000 people visited the Agriplex’s Heritage Center on Tally Ho Street, where most of the nonprofit’s skills classes are held. Some are adults looking to refine their green thumb as a hobby; others are local students who participate in one of the dozens of ongoing field trips, classes and hands-on learning opportunities the Apgriplex continually provides.

Thursday’s bouquet session is just one of many upcoming Agriplex activities, which also include a “Little Farmer’s Market” at the Heritage Center this Friday at 10 a.m. Kids and parents who register for that event will learn about what farmers do to market their produce, visiting with a local farmer who’ll share stories about what they grow, and how they sell it locally. Admission is $5 for students and $10 for families.

The Agriplex has a lot going on — and this week’s events are only the beginning. To find and register for the programs and events that interest you, visit agriplex.org, or call 256-297-1044.

Benjamin Bullard can be reached by phone at 256-734-2131 ext. 145.