The Learning Council
A community organization supporting life long learning and education as a resource for everyone. Sign Up for Our NewsletterSupport Us!
The Learning Council has purchased a building – the Hearth – in Downtown Paonia!
We need your help to create an educational community hub for the whole valley to enjoy!
Vision
The Learning Council is an educational hub for the North Fork Valley, connecting learners and educators to meet specific needs and empower personal growth. The outcomes of our programs encourage learners to give back to the community through service. Responding to the needs of our community we offer a variety of classes and learning opportunities for all ages and skill levels, continually broadening our course selection.
Mission
Education, art, advocacy, and wellness for all.
Diversity Statement
We believe in lifelong learning and education as a resource for everyone. We are committed to inclusion across race, gender, age, religion, identity, and experience.
Our Sponsors
Upcoming Events
Traditional Thai Food Pop-Up Dinners
Traditional Thai Food Pop-Up Dinners every Friday evening featuring head kitchen chef Ramphai Noikaew from Chiang Mai, Thailand.
Movement as Medicine – Hour Practice
Aug 19 – Movement as Medicine is a moving, dynamic, transformational practice – dance your way home to yourself; inspired by the practice of 5 Rhythms.
Movement As Medicine – Experiential Dance Practice
Aug 21 – In the Movement As Medicine – Experiential Dance Practice, your tears are welcome, your strength is welcome. Come and move with us.
CSU Field Day
Aug 22 – At CSU’s Field Day, celebrate the harvest and learn about interesting agricultural research through farm tours and workshops.
Seniors on Farms
Aug 26 – Seniors on Farms will be at Thistle Whistle Farm in Hotchkiss and focusing on nightshades. Also, we will talk about local grain.
Bouquet Design
Aug 30 – Join us to learn how to work with locally grown flowers to design your own flower bouquet and bring it home with you!
Festival AgrÃcola
Sep 10 – Come celebrate Heritage Days in honor of our agricultural workers at Festival Agricola on September 10, 4-10pm in Olathe.
West African Drum, Song and Dance
Sep 18 – Etienne Tolno from Guinea will be leading a West African Drum, Song and Dance workshop. He has been studying West African music since his early teens and drumming professionally with various companies in Guinea since his early twenties.
Vegetable Variety Tasting
Sep 27 – Enjoy a Vegetable Variety Tasting event at the Arbol Farmers Market. Also participate in our newest variety trial of regionally adapted seed.
Harvest for Health Monday Lunch
Harvest for Health Monday Lunch is prepared by Chrys Bailey, family and friends. 2nd and 4th Monday of each month. Pick-up – Trading Post.
We’re back at the Hearth (138 Grand Ave, Paonia).
Also, a special shout out to everyone who participated in the show last on Nov 26, 2021.
Between the KNVF takeover and seeing our collective artwork on the wall – it’s hard not to feel the power of our community! Truly grateful! Here are photos, in case you missed it.
Programs
The Learning Council strives to provide educational opportunities to people of all ages and abilities with a focus on community-building and cultivating classical arts, agriculture and practical arts.
Branches
(Activities We Do)
Umbrellas
(Organizations We Sponsor)
Featured Activity
Community Lunch
Our cooking class utilizes local organic foods, to turn students on to the vitality, nutrition and flavor of our local bounty, while supporting local farms. The class prepares a community meal ($10 suggested donation or 1 hour of work in the kitchen).
We offer weekly meals attracting more community members each time, as well as, people from neighboring communities. We serve a minimum of 50 people each week lunch. This class teaches practical skills, service, and has a mentoring system where students will share their knowledge with each other while working together on a dish.