Start the new year with a hands-on gardening workshop with Duane Marcus at The Funny Farm. Whether you are a beginner or an experienced gardener wanting to convert from conventional to organic methods, whether you have a sunny townhouse patio or a 3-acre lot, this class will put you on the path to taking control of your food future. Six sessions begin Sunday, Jan 31 and continues every other Sunday until April 11.

In the workshop, you’ll learn to make compost and manage your soil; grow vegetables from seed; put biodiversity to work to reduce or eliminate pests; use perennial vegetables and fruits as part of a permaculture garden; use mushrooms to recycle nutrients and produce high quality protein and much more.

Classes meet at The Funny Farm 4459 Allgood Springs Dr. in Stone Mountain. Each class, limited to 10 students, will be divided between classroom work and work in the garden. The cost for the workshop is $300. For more details call (770) 527-0395 or register online  at this link. Visit the The Funny Farm blog at www.happyfood-funnyfarm.blogspot.com.