Join Local Food Systems & Small Farms Educator Nick Frillman at PrairiErth Farm (2047 County Road, 2100th St) in Atlanta, IL, 61723 on Saturday, February 8th from 1:00 to 3:00 PM for a hands-on workshop on tree fruit pruning basics. COST FOR WORKSHOP: $5. Registration is required to attend. Attendees will learn three basic pruning principles that will build tree fruit health and increase fruit production for years to come. Those principles are: increasing sunlight penetration, enhancing airflow, and strategic shaping cuts. These will be discussed in relation to apple, pear, Asian pear, cherry, and peach. Participants will also learn how to prioritize what to remove from established as well as new trees, and what it means to prune strategically over multiple seasons. After that, participants will get to practice some of what they've learned on the fruit trees of PrairiErth Farm's small family orchard, by helping prune their fruit trees for a productive season. Bring sharp hand pruners or loppers, a clean rag, isopropyl alcohol spray if you have it, and dress for the weather! A warm beverage will be provided, courtesy of PrairiErth Farm. Specific instructions for arriving at PrairiErth Farm and any additional necessary details will be provided to registrants in the week before the workshop. NOTE: If inclement weather is forecast for this event, we will cancel the event. We will try our best to not cancel. If we have to cancel, we will give 24 hours' notice.