PARIS — Oxford County Soil and Water Conservation District is partnering with the University of Maine Cooperative Extension to offer a series of workshops based around the theme of homesteading. The workshops will be offered monthly between February and June.

Maple Sugaring Webinar – Thursday, Feb. 24, 6-7:15 p.m.

Join UMaine Extension Professional Jason Lilley to learn everything you need to know about making your own maple syrup, including identifying and tapping trees, collecting and boiling sap, as well as filtering, grading, and canning syrup. Jason will focus on homestead-scale systems that require a limited initial investment in equipment.

Fruit Tree Pruning – Saturday, March 19, 10 a.m.-12:30 p.m.

Do you want to learn how to revitalize that old apple tree in the yard? Looking to learn the proper way to care for your fruit trees? Join “Apple Tree Enthusiast” Joe Dembeck to learn methods and tools used to prune fruit trees in order to increase their viability and production. After a brief overview, participants will then test their skills in pruning apple trees. Dress in warm layers as we will be outdoors for the event. Feel free to bring your own pruning equipment if you like. There will be pruning poles/saws, hand saws, loppers, etc. for you to try. We will be meeting in Waterford.

Non-traditional Fruits Production – Saturday, April 16, 10 a.m.-12:30 p.m.

Join Jesse Stevens of Sy’s Trees in Sweden, ME to learn about “Three Fruits You Never Would Have Thought About Growing in Maine.” Jesse will give a tour of his diverse orchard, and show participants some unusual fruits that are not commonly grown in Maine. Participants will have the chance to ask questions, and also purchase some of Jesse’s plants to get started this spring.