The community is invited to attend a class taught by gardener James David Sneed on how to garden without money; finding and working garden plots in unique places; planning and designing for low-tech or no-tech watering and cultivation; finding and using tools and plant varieties best suited to grow on Orcas Island; and saving seeds, bulbs and tubers.

“Drawing upon archaeological evidence, medieval monastery records and oral traditions from around the world, I offer a simple, natural, cost-free approach to growing all our own food in times of climatic and economic/political stress,” said Sneed. “Focusing on multiple small garden plots, this method provides high nutrition for nearly all dietary preferences, helping us through the tough times we are in. Real food security is really local, right here, grown by ourselves.”

The class will be held on Feb. 20 from 1-4 p.m. at the Odd Fellows Hall in Eastsound. All are welcome and admission is free, but donations are suggested.

The workshop is sponsored by the grassroots organization Food Masters. Donations go toward paying instructors $100 per half-day class; any additional donations will help establish a permanent Seed Bank on Orcas Island, a Food Masters goal for 2011.