With spring waiting in the wings, the North Alabama Agriplex is ramping up its activity schedule for another season of seminars, how-tos, kids’ activities and more, including a special lecture Thursday evening from regional author Darryl Patton.

Patton will be at the Agriplex for a free lecture on Appalachian herbalist and Alabama native Tommie Bass, relating stories and personal recollections from Bass’ life and career.

Patton who studied herbalism with Bass until his mentor passed away in 1996, is the author of Mountain Medicine: The Herbal Remedies of Tommie Bass. Published in 2004, the book shares much of what Patton learned about the healing power of plants as Bass’ apprentice.

Patton’s lecture begins at 6 p.m, but it’s only the beginning of everything the Agriplex has planned as the outdoor temperatures begin to warm. Next week, local kids will have the chance to meet a sheep up close when the Agriplex hosts “Sheep to Wool,” part of its ongoing Farm Kids’ Club learning series.

For the grown-ups, the Agriplex will host a “lasagna gardening” course on March 5, giving locals a primer on the basics of a quick and simple technique for starting their own garden beds. There’s also a quilting basics course on tap (also on March 5), offering participants the chance to learn the basics of choosing fabrics, rotary cutting, and machine piecing.

The rest of the Agriplex’s spring calendar is just as packed as next week’s. Here’s what’s coming up:

All programs will be at North Alabama Agriplex Heritage Center, 1714 Talley Ho St. For more information, call 256-297-1044 or email cullmanag@gmail.com. Registration required at agriplex.org.   

February 28

Heritage Homeschool Little Red Hen: In the story of the little red hen, the hen bakes a loaf of bread. From the time you walk in the door, your senses will be filled with the same aroma that the little red hen experienced as you take the wheat through the process from seed to bread. Those with wheat allergies be aware. From 9-11 a.m.

March 2

Farm Kids Club Sheep to Wool: Meet a sheep up close and learn the steps of making cloth from a sheep’s wool from 9-10:30 a.m. $5 per child, $10 max per family.

March 5, March 12

Quilting Basics for Adults: Led by the Sassy Sewing Sisters Quilting Group, participants will learn the basics of choosing fabrics, rotary cutting, and machine piecing. Participants must bring sewing machine and know basic machine sewing skills. $25 per person includes all supplies. From 9-11 a.m.

Living Landscapes Lasagna Gardening: This quick method of getting a garden bed started works great in the South. Your first year is virtually a weedless garden. $5 per person. At 6 p.m.

March 8

Little Farmers Preschool Farm Animal Babies: Spring babies on the farm. Visit with live animals from 10-11 a.m. $5 per child, $10 maximum.

March 14

Heritage Homeschool Victory Gardens: Learn all about victory gardens from 9-11 a.m. What was their purpose and significance? Take a trip through the Agriplex victory garden. $8 per child, $16 per family.

Heritage Skills Cheesemaking: Learn the art of caseiculture, in other words, the craft of cheesemaking at 6 p.m. Pam Stephenson will demonstrate the proper steps to make chevre, feta and velveeta cheeses. Cost is $10 per person.

March 20

Lunch & Learn Seed Starting: A free program with door prizes from 12-1 p.m. New topic every month. Bring your own lunch.

April 6

Farm Kids Club Planting the Garden – 9-10:30 a.m.

Help plant raised beds at the Agriplex. Also take plant home to start a garden. $5 per child, $10 per family.