Workshops for Sustainable Living
Since 1981, MUD workshops have provided Missoulians with hands-on experiences in self-reliance. Our workshops teach topics that help you live lighter on the land and lighter on your budget. Past topics include Small Engine Repair, Basic Auto Mechanics, Beer Brewing, Cheese Making, Alternative Energy, Tiling, a Start-to-Finish Gardening Series, and much more! Ranging in skill level from introductory to highly skilled, our workshops pair you with local experts who demonstrate skills and empower you to master them yourself.
Scholarships
A limited number of scholarships are available for all MUD workshops. Fill out the application here and a staff member will follow up with details to register for the workshop.
Upcoming Workshops
Backyard Chicken Series
Join MUD in collaboration with the Missoula County Fairgrounds and Blue Mountain Flowers for this 3 part Chicken Series!
Session 1: Egg to Coop will take place March 26th, 12-3pm in the Floriculture Building at the Missoula County Fairgrounds. Session 2: The Scoop on the Coop will be April 8th, 12-2pm at Blue Mountain Flowers. This series ends with Session 3: Keeping up with the Flock on May 6th at Blue Mountain Flowers. Visit our virtual store for a full description and to purchase your tickets!
Scholarships are available! Email kathleen@mudproject.org.
Tickets can be purchased here per session or buy all 3 for a discounted rate!
MUD Members: $20 for 1 session, $50 if you buy all 3.
Non-Members: $40 for 1 session, $100 if you buy all 3.
Tree Pruning Workshop
Join MUD to learn and practice the skills you need to effectively prune your own fruit trees. Whether you want to boost fruit production, clean out dead branches, or just create a healthier, more visually pleasing tree or shrub, MUD Workshop instructor Mark Vander Meer will teach how to do it the right way.
There will be 2 sessions:
March 18, 9 am – 12 pm at Orchard Garden Farm, 210 Grove St.
March 25, 9am – 12 pm at MUD Tool Library
Cost: $20 MUD members and $40 for non-members.
Building a Beehive
Looking to house your own honey bee colony? Join us for this informative workshop where we’ll build a bee hive together. This is a community building workshop where participants will collaborate to build the hive while also learning the fundamentals to build their own. If you are interested in building your own bee hive simultaneously with the instructor, you are welcome to bring your own materials. Once signing up, email kathleen@mudproject.org to get a complete supply list.
Cost: $20 MUD members and $40 for non-members.
Tickets can be purchased here!
Scholarships are available! Email kathleen@mudproject.org to learn more.
Bee Hive Health
Join us to learn about the life cycle of honeybees and what is going on inside the hive. We will cover how to feed your bees, how to split the hive to make more colonies, methods of managing pests and diseases, and preparing your hive for winter. You will leave equipped with the knowledge and skills to keep your bees happy and healthy all year long.
This workshop will be held in the Home Resource Community Room.
Cost: $15 MUD members and $30 for non-members.
Tickets can be purchased here!
Scholarships are available! Email kathleen@mudproject.org to learn more.
Coming Prepared
- Dress appropriately.
- Most workshops take place outdoors regardless of rain, snow, or heat. Please wear/bring appropriate layers, sun protection, and water.
- You may be working with some serious tools that can catch loose objects! Wear comfortable and well fitted clothing, close-toed shoes, tie back your hair, and be prepared to get a little dirty.
- Come a little early. Some classes can’t start until everyone gets here.
- You must be 18 years or older to attend without a guardian or parent present.
- We’ll provide tools and protective equipment to keep you safe. Some classes may require your own materials to complete the project. Contact us if you have any questions on what to bring for a workshop.
Refund Policy
We know that sometimes life comes up and plans change. If you can’t make a workshop, please let us know as soon as possible. The earlier we know you can’t make the class, the better the chance we can fill your spot, ensuring that 1) instructors, MUD, and our partners are compensated appropriately for their time and effort, and 2) other people interested in the class have the opportunity to participate. With that in mind, our policy is as follows:
From purchase until 1 week before the workshop: full refund
1 week to 48 hours before the workshop: 50% refund
48 hours to workshop start: Sorry, no refund!**
**Your tickets are transferable at any time! If you have a friend who would like to attend the workshop in your place, you can pass your ticket on to them for free. Just send us their contact info to let us know.
We rarely cancel workshops but sometimes it is necessary due to extreme weather, instructor concerns, or low workshops signups. If MUD cancels a workshop, we will give participants the option to either attend a different workshop or receive a full refund.