Fall brings some of the most interesting and season-specific events to the North Alabama Agriplex, and the October lineup of classes, lectures, and hands-on how-tos is packed with some of autumn’s most traditional and fun activities.

Pumpkins, pottery, peanuts and more are part of the autumn-themed mix as the North Alabama Agriplex kicks off an October events calendar filled with hands-on learning opportunities aimed at both children and adults.

There’s lots to celebrate at the Agriplex this month, with the nonprofit now well past the halfway point in its funding effort to construct a new Community Hub facility planned for its existing west Cullman campus. September’s Harvest to Home Dinner and auction event raised $20,000 for Agriplex outreach and programs, said director Rachel Dawsey, while the capital campaign to fund construction of the Community Hub itself has now passed the 60 percent mark on the way toward the project’s eventual $2.3 million goal.

Local kids have a lot to look forward to at the Agriplex in October, including a sessions this Friday that explores the many fun ways people use pumpkins, as well as a Saturday, Oct. 7 class that takes the fright and mystery out of 8-legged arachnids. Adults, meanwhile, can learn beginning beekeeping later this month, as well as tackle a crocheting project that’ll give them a make-and-take keepsake.

Here’s a look at everything happening at the Agriplex in October:

Children’s Programs

Oct. 5 from 12 p.m. until 2 p.m. — Heritage Homeschool (Secondary): Makers — Alabama Pottery

Rebecca Horner from Keramos Ceramics will be on hand to help kids learn the step-by-step process of making pottery, including making their own Alabama-themed ornaments. Class cost is $20 per student.

Oct. 6 from 10 a.m. until 11 a.m. — Little Farmers Preschool: Pumpkins

Bring your little farmer (or farmers!) ages 3-5 to the Agriplex to sniff pumpkin spice, taste pumpkin treats, and pick your own pumpkin to take home. Cost is $5 per child, with a maximum of $10 per family.

Oct 7 from 9 a.m. until 10:30 am — Farm Kids Club: Arachnophobia

Kids ages 5 and older are invited to turn those “eeks” into “ahas!” in a class that’s all about learning how spiders are far more beneficial than they are actually scary. Visit www.agriplex.org to register your child; program cost is $10 per child with a maximum family cost of $20.

Oct. 26 from 9 a.m. until 11 a.m. — Heritage Homeschool (Elementary): Nuts About Peanuts!

Did you know that peanuts grow on a pea family plant with seedpods that ripen underground? Learn all about this important plant with roots that run deep through Alabama’s agricultural history. Visit www.agriplex.org to register; program cost is $10 per child with a maximum cost of $20 per family.

Adult Programs

Oct. 12 from 6 p.m. until 8 p.m. — Living Landscapes: Beginning Beekeeping

Join experienced local beekeepers Phillip Garrison and Laura Britt as they share the ins and outs of beekeeping — all while building a hive from scratch to give away. Visit www.agriplex.org to register; program cost is $10 per person.

Oct. 18 from 12 p.m. until 1 p.m. — Lunch & Learn: To Lime or Not To Lime?

Learn how to assess your soil’s needs to optimize its productivity at this cost-free noontime session with course host Kira Sims, including a primer on how to take and read a soil sample of your own.

Oct. 26 from 6 p.m. until 8 p.m. — Heritage Skills: Crochet Make and Take Make your own “little gobbler” decorative pot holder with host Diana Fowler in a fun guided project that’s appropriate for both experienced and beginning crocheters. The project fundamentals will be covered during the class so that guests can finish their work at home: After all, it’ll take about 6 hours in all to complete! Course cost is $15 per person.

Visit the Agriplex online at agriplex.org to browse all of this month’s classes and to register for the ones of your choosing.