Interested in growing your own pork or poultry? There’s a lot to know about putting hogs and chickens on your own pasture land, especially if you’re planning to put home-grown wings and bacon on the table when the animals’ life cycles are done.

To help local growers get a leg up (or maybe even a wing) on how to approach on-the-farm animal processing and food safety, the Alabama Cooperative Extension System and the North Alabama Agriplex will host “Pasture Poultry & Pork 101” Aug. 8, a first-step workshop that’s aimed at addressing many of the questions and issues that DIY farmers commonly have.

Part of the Agriplex’s monthly Military Veteran and Beginning Farmer learning series, the course is free to attend and even includes a light dinner — though advance registration is required. Local farmers will guide the session at the Agriplex, sharing their own experiences on raising poultry and pigs on pasture.

Though the course is aimed at beginning farmers and veterans, any local farmer who’s interested in the topic is encouraged to register and attend. To learn more about the workshop and register online, visit www.aces.edu/calendar/ and scroll to the Pasture Poultry & Pork 101 event heading.

Here’s a look at all the learning opportunities happening at the Agriplex (www.agriplex.org) in August:

Children’s programs

Aug. 22 at 12 p.m. — Heritage Homeschool (Secondary): Life Skills. Do you know how to sew a button? What about following a recipe? Bring your homeschooler to learn all about these essential skills and more. Course cost is $10 per student.

Aug. 29 at 9 a.m. — Heritage Homeschool (Elementary): Mooove Over Dairy Queen. See into the world of dairy production and make your own homemade ice cream. Course cost is $10 per student.

Aug. 30 at 8:30 a.m. — Little Farmers: Sunny Flowers. The sun is out and the sunflowers are growing. Join in for games and crafts that feature this garden favorite. Course cost is $7 per child.

Adult programs

Aug. 8 at 6 p.m. — Military Veterans & Beginning Farmer: Pasture Poultry & Pork 101. Local farmers will share tips on raising poultry and pigs on pasture. Alabama Extension will discuss on-farm poultry processing and food safety. The workshop is free to attend, registration is required.

Aug. 21 at 12 p.m. — Lunch & Learn: Seed Saving. Since the invention of agriculture, humans have been saving their seeds with an eye toward next season’s planting. This session covers the basics of this age-old cost saving practice. Course cost is $10 per person.

Aug. 22 at 6 p.m. — Heritage Skills: Pumpkin Pottery. Come make your own unique pumpkin pottery in a few easy steps with Rebecca from Keramos Ceramics. Each participant will make a pumpkin during this class. Course cost is $35 per person.

Aug. 27 at 6 p.m.: Living Landscapes — Natural Farming Method. Harness the power of indigenous microorganisms and build incredible living soil. All nine core solutions in the Korean Natural Farming method will be explained in a systems approach to farming that honors nature’s processes. Learn how to locally source materials to make natural farming solutions on your own farm. Course cost is $10 per person.