Calendar of Events

Check out our upcoming events. Most, but not all are held in Stelle, so be sure to verify the location.

Click on the links to learn more.

Seminars – Workshops

Getting Started Beekeeping (Saturday January 31, 2009)
If you have thought about keeping honey bees this workshop will help you begin your adventure. Learn from two local beekeepers some basic bee knowledge, what equipment you will need, how to put hive components together, and what seasonal duties are required. Location: Nisse Farm, Manteno, Illinois.
Presenters: Julie Larsen and Mark Hoffman.

Permaculture Orchard Design and Maintenance (February 21, 2009)
Tired of buying hard, tasteless fruit from the supermarket - fruit that was picked before fully ripening to allow shipping? If you've ever eaten tree ripened fruit then you know that supermarket fruit can't compare. This workshop will cover the ins and outs of planting and caring for your own orchard, and doing so without the use of chemicals. Location: Nisse Farm, Manteno, Illinois. Presenters: Mark Hoffman and Bill Land

Our Ongoing Events

CSC Monthly Open House
On the first Saturday or Sunday of most months you can meet CSC folks and tour Stelle. Includes an open discussion on what's going on with CSC. Most months feature an afternoon speaker. 10am - 4:00pm Includes lunch. Not scheduled during winter months.

Stelle Community Open Houses

Stelle's Earth Day Open House - First Sunday in May
One of Stelle's biggest events of the year, this is when Stelle opens its doors to celebrate Earth Day. Enjoy tours of the solar homes, windmills, the solar powered telephone company and high speed internet system, community gardens, chicken co-op, and the Haeme's strawbale home. The day usually includes some recycling (garage) sales, organic food, and more.

Solar Home Tour - First Sunday in October
Stelle's Annual Solar Home Tour is hosted by the Center for Sustainable Community and a handful of residents as part of the National Annual Solar Home Tour event. The major focus of this day is to offer opportunities for groups and individuals to learn more about solar power. The community of Stelle has a large number of solar power applications for residential use and also has the first, solar-powered, off-the-grid telephone mutual and internet service provider in the United States. By offering ongoing presentations throughout the day we are able to share our love of renewable solar energy with others. Presented by members of the Stelle community

Public School Field Trips and Large Group Tours
Over the years we have hosted groups requesting a visit to Stelle. In recent years we have been taking some of the local public school children for a romp through our orchards and gardens in the fall and then giving them the hands on experience of making their own apple cider with an old time cider press. Call 815-256-2204 or email us to request a group tour.