THE ADVENTURE COLLECTIVE® · Independent discovery and booking for outdoor travel
Learn hands-on fermentation—kimchi, curtido, and sauerkraut—with herbalist Amanda G. Verkest at Crabtree Farms of Chattanooga. This two-hour, beginner-friendly class includes educational materials and a jar of locally-grown veggies to take home.
Learn hands-on fermentation—kimchi, curtido, and sauerkraut—with herbalist Amanda G. Verkest at Crabtree Farms of Chattanooga. This two-hour, beginner-friendly class includes educational materials and a jar of locally-grown veggies to take home.
Book with Crabtree Farms of Chattanooga
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Operated by Crabtree Farms of Chattanooga · Chattanooga, Tennessee
On a bright autumn afternoon at Crabtree Farms of Chattanooga — 1000 E 30th Street, Chattanooga, TN 37407 — a long wooden table in the Evelyn Center becomes a small laboratory of tang and culture. The farm's raised beds and herb patches are steps away from the classroom, and for two hours on SEPT 19 (12:30–2:30PM) herbalist Amanda G. Verkest will walk beginners through safe, practical fermentation: kimchi, curtido, and classic sauerkraut. This beginner-friendly workshop is part of the three-part autumn series Cultivating Community at Crabtree: Preserving Autumn Harvests, hosted in partnership with Gaining Ground. Attendees get hands-on instruction, printed educational materials, and a jar of locally-grown vegetables to take home — a compact introduction to the microbial alchemy that feeds the gut microbiome and preserves seasonal harvests. The experience blends the sensory: the salt’s hiss, the crisp pull of cabbage leaves, the tang as jars seal. What makes this not just a class but a community moment is the setting and the instructor. Amanda G. Verkest brings formal training — a Bachelor of Science in Nutrition and Food Science, a Master in Global Studies and International Relations, and years of work in food microbiology and herb farming — plus local ties through volunteer work with the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians and regional farms. That background translates to precise technique and context: why salt ratios matter, how to prevent unwanted mold, and how fermentation connects to local foodways. Practical details are straightforward: find a seat in the Evelyn Center upon arrival and park in the main lot. The class accepts learners age 12 and up; children under 16 must be accompanied by an adult. Spaces are intentionally small (group size listed as 25), which keeps instruction focused and hands-on. A mandatory client waiver is required at Crabtree Farms of Chattanooga, and for logistical questions you can contact Chloe Watts at 423-493-9155 or [email protected]. For visiting outdoor-minded travelers, the workshop is a low-effort slice of farm life that dovetails with walks around the property, seasonal harvesting scenes, and the chance to bring Chattanooga home in a jar. It’s quick, practical learning rooted in place — a class where the landscape, soil-to-table stories, and a skilled herbalist make a simple culinary technique feel like a local craft worth mastering. Bring comfortable clothing and closed-toe shoes for the short walk between beds and the Evelyn Center; water and apron help keep hands clean. If you need to cancel, email [email protected] The class is ideal for travelers who want usable skills rather than a demonstration—participants leave with a labeled jar, tasting notes, and simple recipes. It’s the kind of small, local program that changes how you cook at home and share the results.
Participants must be at least 12 years old; children under 16 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian.
Please find a seat in the Evelyn Center upon arrival; parking is available in the main lot at Crabtree Farms of Chattanooga.
To cancel, email [email protected] as noted in the event information.
No prior experience is necessary—this is a beginner-level class designed for first-time fermenters.
Yes—attendees receive a jar of locally-grown vegetables and printed educational materials to continue at home.
Contact Chloe Watts at 423-493-9155 or [email protected] for event logistics and questions.
Crabtree Farms of Chattanooga operates a 22-acre urban farm and community center in Chattanooga, Tennessee. The farm cultivates seasonal produce, sustainable flower crops, beekeeping projects, and educational programming that connects urban residents to local food systems. Crabtree Farms offers guided group tours, volunteer opportunities, and hands-on workshops covering topics such as sourdough breadmaking, kombucha brewing, herbal remedies, fire cider making, cool-season cut flowers, and introductory beekeeping. Workshops are led by local instructors and visiting experts and often include a take-home project, such as a sourdough starter, a bottle of kombucha, or a jar of herbal preparation. The Evelyn Center is an on-site rustic-modern event venue with high beam ceilings, an open layout, and seamless indoor-outdoor flow. The venue hosts small and large private events, and rental fees support Crabtree Farms’ mission. Volunteer groups and community participants engage in stewardship projects that support farm operations while learning about composting, organic growing practices, and seasonal planting. Group tours can be tailored by age and interest and focus on gardening, local eating, and environmental stewardship. Crabtree Farms partners with educators and community organizations to expand accessibility and learning opportunities across Chattanooga. Visitors can reserve public workshops, schedule private tours, or book the Evelyn Center online or by contacting the farm directly to confirm availability and pricing.
Book with Crabtree Farms of Chattanooga
