Education

Classes & Workshops

A growing list of classes for Montura residents and neighbors. Some are local, some online, some at partner organizations. If you teach a skill and want to add a class, email the coalition.

Montura Garden Club

Monthly meetups at the clubhouse for gardeners of every level — from first-time tomato growers to longtime homesteaders. Bi-weekly classes you can sign up for, covering seed saving, organic fertilizers, garden-bed design, and what thrives in USDA Zone 10A. We repeat the basics regularly so newcomers never feel behind. Special sessions on weeds versus native helpful plants, plus hands-on design and pottery workshops. Seed swaps and a small plant market run three times a year. Bring cuttings, seeds, questions, and a folding chair.

Permaculture

Design your land to work with nature — water harvesting, food forests, swales, and soil building. Online and in-person courses available from Florida-based instructors and the global Permaculture Research Institute.

Welding

Basic stick, MIG, and TIG welding through Florida technical colleges and Hendry/Glades adult ed programs. Great skill for ranch repairs, gates, trailers, and side income.

Carpentry & Building Trades

Framing, finish carpentry, and small-structure building. Look for Home Builders Institute (HBI) programs and local CareerSource Heartland courses.

Food Preserving

Canning, dehydrating, fermenting, and freezing — taught through county Extension programs. Pressure canning is essential for low-acid foods (meat, beans, vegetables) and the only safe method.

Animal Husbandry

Cattle, goat, poultry, and small-ruminant care. County Extension small farms programs run workshops on herd health, breeding, pasture management, and humane handling.

Gun Safety, Local Ranges & Hunter Tours

NRA-certified instructors offer Basic Pistol, Rifle, Shotgun, and Florida Concealed Weapon License (CWL) courses throughout Hendry, Glades, and Lee Counties. Montura also has local gun ranges where residents practice and train. Experienced hunters in the community are willing to lead guided wildlife tours — teaching tracking, conservation ethics, and safe handling in the field.

Airboat Rides & Everglades Education

Local airboat operators offer rides that teach the ecology of the Everglades — the water cycle, native wildlife, invasive species, and why this landscape matters. A hands-on way for kids and adults to understand the environment we live in.

Online Safety & Digital Literacy

Free courses on scam recognition, password security, kids' online safety, and social media privacy — from the FTC, Common Sense Media, and the National Cybersecurity Alliance.

Kids' Programs

4-H, FFA, scouting, junior shooting sports, and Florida Forest Service youth programs. Hands-on learning in agriculture, livestock, conservation, and leadership.

Sustainable Living Classes (full guides under Sustainable Living)

Each of these has its own page with vendors, courses, and step-by-step guides — click through to learn more: • Crop Classes (/program/crop-classes) — what grows when in Zone 10A and planting calendars. • Zone 10A Growing (/program/zone-10a-growing) — heat, humidity, sandy soil, and the tricks that actually work down here. • Seed Saving (/program/seed-saving) — save money and keep heirloom varieties alive year after year. • Composting (/program/composting) — turn kitchen scraps and yard waste into free, rich soil. • Food Forest (/program/food-forest) — design a low-maintenance edible landscape that feeds your family for decades. • Rainwater Harvesting (/program/rainwater-harvesting) — capture and store rain for gardens, animals, and emergencies. • Solar Power (/program/solar-power) — off-grid and grid-tied basics, sizing, rebates, and local installers. • Off-Grid Basics (/program/off-grid-basics) — water, power, waste, and food independence for rural Montura life. • Backyard Chickens (/program/backyard-chickens) — coops, feed, predators, and fresh eggs the easy way. • Rabbits & Meat Birds (/program/rabbits-meat-birds) — small-space protein, humane processing, and feed costs. • Beekeeping (/program/beekeeping) — hive setup, Florida pests, honey harvest, and pollinator benefits. • Cottage Food Law (/program/cottage-food-law) — sell baked goods, jams, and shelf-stable foods from your home kitchen, legally.

Helpful Links

Have information to add to this page? Email hello@monturacivic.com