Workshops and Classes for 2026
Unless noted, all workshops take place at Sustainable Settings Ranch in Carbondale, Colorado. To reserve a spot in one of our workshops we request a 50% non refundable deposit of total workshop fee one month before the workshop starts. To register for any class call 970-963-6107 or email rose@sustainablesettings.org More will be added monthly so check back often!
We have WORKING RANCH DOGS on the premise, Please leave your dogs at home. Sustainable Settings is not responsible for damage to your property if you have an animal with you.
All Biodynamic classes are taught by Lloyd Nelson, with contributions by Brook LeVan founders of Biodynamic Source
Previous guest mentors have been – Pat Frazier, Dawn Rains, Stone Hunter, Jared Minori, Megan Miller, Red Horse.
Biodynamic Spring Prep Intensive 2 day June 12 & 13, Friday & Saturday, 9am-5pm $600
includes 2 lunches and one dinner
to register, call 970-963-6107 or email rose@sustainablesettings.org
Hands-On Practicum:
· Making BD 501 Horn Silica and BD 502 Yarrow
· Unearthing the preparations buried last fall ; BD 500x Horn Manure, BD 503 Chamomile, BD 505 Oak Bark, BD 506 Dandelion
· Practical training in dowsing and homeopathic potentization
Lecture topics:
· Demystifying the preps -the significance of the materials
· Describing the physical and subtle cosmic forces of each prep
Tour of Biodynamic ranch systems
This workshop is intended to bring Biodynamics into your daily farming and gardening practice, introducing you to the main Biodynamic land therapies, and best dates for working with positive astronomical influences for the whole farm.
2026 Bee Guardians May 16-17
with Corwin Bell trained bee guardian Alex DeCesaro
Session l, May 16 Saturday,
Session ll, May 17 Sunday
Check the Back Yard Hive website for updates and to register online backyardhive.com/collections/natural-beekeeping-classes
Lunches both days are Pot Luck please bring a simple dish to share for 10 people.
Session 1
covers more than just the bee basics, which is a misnomer because there is nothing basic about the bees!
Alex paints a fascinating picture of how bee genetics informs survivor behavior traits, how these traits make up the bees’ behavioral immune system and directly relate to survivability. In Session1 Alex launches into the big picture of the bees as a super organism, why we teach bee keeping the way we do and why we designed the type of hives we use. We compare and contrast not only different hive styles generally used by the majority of bee keepers, but we also explore the various management practices which will clearly demonstrate how a natural Bee Guardian approach creates a sustainable habitat for the bees. Once we learn the bee basics, understand the individual types of bees in the colony, and can identify and discern the various combs and their uses in the nest, we will have the foundation to continue with Session 2.
Session 2
we go through step-by-step management practices during the seasons of the hive. We learn to “read” combs from different locations in the honey bee nest and assess their condition, their state of health and many other factors. Alex demonstrates unique techniques for hive management, presents a “time lapse” perspective of how the honey bee nest is initially created, how it evolves over the first year and how it is sustained over the years through careful observation and applying specific management techniques using right timing. By the end of Session 2 you should be able to identify colony problems, apply solutions and be able to assess what to do for your bees in just about every circumstance that you will encounter. Session 2 is also when we get to see how Alex approaches the hives and how she flows with the energy of the bees and moves through the hive, weather permitting.
Dowsing 101 the Practical Art
Sunday June 14 1-4pm $100
Dowsing 333 intermediate /advanced Sunday September 20 1-4pm $100
to register contact brook@sustainablesettings.org
Hide Tanning Spring & Fall dates
Animal Processing and Sheepskin Hide Tanning
June 4th-7th
Come join us at Sustainable Settings outside Carbondale, CO for 4 days of sheepskin hide tanning and animal processing. We will be utilizing the whole animal as we start the long weekend off with a humane animal slaughter, followed by 3 days of brain tanning sheepskin rugs. Throughout the weekend, we will be eating the lamb we slaughter, including an asado roast on Saturday evening.
Options: Thursday animal processing optional. Breakfast and Dinners included with meals being almost entirely farm grown or locally produced. Camping available onsite.
Cost: Thursday Animal Processing $200/Weekend Hide Tanning $650/All included $750
Animal Processing and Buckskin Hide Tanning
October 1st-4th
Come join us at Sustainable Settings outside Carbondale, CO for 4 days of deer buckskin hide tanning and animal processing. We will be utilizing the whole animal as we start the long weekend off with a humane animal slaughter, followed by 3 days of brain tanning deer hides into soft and supple buckskin. Leatherwork and sewing demos will be included.
Options: Thursday animal processing optional. Breakfast and Dinners included with meals being almost entirely farm grown or locally produced. Camping available onsite.
Cost: Thursday Animal Processing $200/Weekend Hide Tanning $650/All included $750
Biodynamic Fall Prep Intensive – 2 DAY
September 18 & 19 Friday, Saturday
9am-5pm $600
to register, call 970-963-6107 or email rose@sustainrose@sustainablesettings.org
Biodynamic Fall Prep Intensive – 2 DAY
Friday, Saturday, 9am-5pm. Lunch will provided. Please let us know if you have any dietary needs.
Camping available. Please call to reserve a spot.
All Biodynamic classes are taught by Lloyd Nelson, with contributions by Brook LeVan founders of Biodynamic Source. Previous guest mentors have been – Pat Frazier, Dawn Rains, Stone Hunter, Jared Minori, Megan Miller, Red Horse.
Don’t miss this rare opportunity in North America. We
bringing together Biodynamic mentors that collectively have over 4 decades of experience in the making and uses of the Biodynamic Preparations in farm, field and forest, orchard, vine, medicinal herbs, for
broad scale farms and ranches to smaller scaled homesteads.
Join us at Sustainable Settings for this illuminating 2-day intensive of on-
ranch Biodynamic (BD) preparation making. Participants will help make the
Biodynamic preparations and through whiteboard talks and demonstrations
learn the history, and the who, what, and why of how Biodynamic
Agriculture can enhance the quality and quantity of life in/on your garden,
farm, ranch, orchard or vineyard.
These preparations will be made with native foraged and specifically grown
flowers, herbs, tree barks and sheaths to create homeopathic remedies
that regenerate soil and heal the land. Third party scientific laboratory soil
tests and empirical testimonials from chefs and customers as well as
recommendations on how to begin to establish a Whole Farm Organism
will be shared.
The learning continues during meals and in the evening around the camp
fire. Bring your yarns, poetry, songs and musical instruments to share.
——- What you need to know——– Local Biodynamic and organically sourced
lunch provided Thursday and Friday, continental
breakfast and a lunch will be provided Saturday.
Limited reserved camping is available.
If flying or driving in from afar feel free to call about suggested best airports,
land routes and accommodations.
Call with any dietary concerns 970-963-6107. *Limited Work Study
Scholarships available call for more info. Register early, this course sells
out.
An Inquiry Into the Nature of Being,
A 6 month Initiatory Seminar
September, 2026
To register, click flyer below
For questions email danzehr@livinglandscapes.info
Sustainable Settings verified Regeneratively Grown 
A Member of the North American Fellowship Preparation Makers, has been Demeter Certified Biodynamic, and approved mentor ranch for North American Biodynamic Association Apprenticeship Program (NABDAAP), was a founding member of the Central Colorado Biodynamic group (CCBD), past member of the BDA.
DETAILS YOU NEED TO KNOW
unless noted all classes are held at
Sustainable Settings
6107 Highway 133
Carbondale, CO 81623
We require a 50% non refundable deposit at least one month before a class date to hold your spot in any class. Full payment is due when you arrive for the class.
