Fresh Mode Fest 2026 Learning Sessions
Intergenerational Workshop: Fruit Guilds & Regenerative Design
Friday, March 20th | 10:00 AM – 3:00 PM
Location: Food Forest Classroom and Greenhouse, Cottonwood Restoration Campus
Led by Mike Wird, experienced regenerative designer and permaculture practitioner
Join us for an inspiring, hands-on workshop where participants of all ages collaborate to build thriving fruit guilds—thoughtfully designed plant communities that mimic natural ecosystems to support productive, resilient food forests. Under Mike Wird's expert guidance, you'll learn regenerative principles tailored specifically to Crestone's unique high-desert climate: intense sun, cold winters, low precipitation, short growing seasons, and sandy soils. We'll focus on creating soil structure and planting edible perennials and medicinal plants that thrive in arid mountain conditions—building fertility, conserving water, attracting pollinators, suppressing weeds, and providing year-round yields with minimal inputs.
This interactive session includes:
- Practical demonstrations and group activities building real fruit guilds
- Site-specific strategies for soil regeneration, water harvesting, and climate-adapted companion planting
- Exploration of multifunctional plants that stack benefits (nitrogen fixation, dynamic accumulation, pest protection, mulch production, and more)
- Time in our curated Food Forest Classroom and Greenhouse for inspiration and direct application
Perfect for:
- Homeschool families seeking meaningful outdoor education
- Homesteaders and gardeners ready to level up their perennial systems
- Curious youth and intergenerational groups wanting to connect with nature, food, and community
- Anyone passionate about regenerative agriculture, permaculture, and sustainable living
Public welcome—no prior experience required! All tools, materials, and guidance provided. Come ready to get your hands dirty and leave with new skills, plant knowledge, and inspiration for your own space.
Suggested Donation: $50 per person FREE for youth (Presale registration includes complimentary entry to the Saturday Evening Fest!)
Permaculture, Social Permaculture & Financial Literacy for the Future
Saturday, March 21st | 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM
Location: Greenhouse Classroom, Cottonwood Restoration Campus
Led by Mike Wird, advanced permaculture designer, regenerative educator, and co-founder of Regenerative Adventures. Co-facilitated by Crestone Energy Fair
Dive deep into holistic regenerative living with this dynamic morning session that bridges ecological design, community dynamics, and practical financial empowerment. This workshop equips you with tools to create abundance not just in your landscape, but in your relationships, networks, and economic life. Following this talk engage in a dynamic action centered facilitation with Crestone Energy Fair from 11-12 pm to develop a community wide Ask /Give /Receive template for local cultivation of social permaculture principals.
Explore key themes:
- Permaculture Principles — Core ethics and design strategies for sustainable, resilient systems that work with nature rather than against it.
- Social Permaculture — Designing thriving human communities: building trust, collaborative decision-making, conflict resolution, shared abundance, and the "nine forms of capital" (including social, cultural, experiential, and living systems capital beyond just money).
- Financial Literacy for a Regenerative Future — Practical strategies for personal and community-level economic resilience: rethinking money, building alternative exchanges, creating regenerative livelihoods, reducing dependency on extractive systems, and aligning finances with values of justice and sustainability.
This interactive workshop includes:
- Thought-provoking discussions and real-world examples
- Group activities to map personal and community "capital" flows
- Actionable takeaways for applying permaculture thinking to daily finances, relationships, and long-term planning
Ideal for:
- Individuals and families seeking a more intentional, values-aligned life
- Homesteaders, community organizers, and activists interested in holistic resilience
- Entrepreneurs, educators, and youth exploring regenerative economics and cooperative models
- Anyone ready to move beyond survival mode toward thriving in uncertain times
No prior experience needed — just an open mind and willingness to rethink what's possible. Leave inspired with fresh perspectives and practical steps toward personal empowerment and collective well-being.
Suggested Donation: $25 per person
(Presale registration includes complimentary entry to the Saturday Evening Fest!)
Permaculture Action Work Party: Build Soil, Shape the Future
Saturday & Sunday, March 21–22 | 1:00 PM – 5:00 PM
Location: Food Forest Classroom, Greenhouse, Cottonwood Restoration
Roll up your sleeves and join us for two full afternoons of hands-on permaculture action! This volunteer work party is all about regenerative groundwork — literally building the foundation for thriving edible landscapes in Crestone's unique high-desert climate (intense sun, dry winds, cold nights, and sandy soils).
We'll focus on soil structuring and site preparation for:
- Fruit tree guilds — Creating layered, supportive plant communities around future fruit trees to build fertility, retain moisture, attract pollinators, and boost resilience.
- Food forest expansion — Enhancing perennial systems with swales, mulch zones, and earthworks to mimic natural ecosystems.
- Greenhouse and market garden beds — Prepping raised beds, improving soil structure, and setting up for productive, climate-adapted annual and perennial growing.
No planting this time — we're concentrating on the essential groundwork: digging, shaping, mulching, building structures, and enriching soil with organic matter and regenerative techniques. Expect wheelbarrows full of compost, wood chips, and amendments; swale digging; sheet mulching; and collaborative earth-moving to create water-harvesting and fertility-building features.
Bring your own:
- Shovels, wheelbarrows, work gloves, and sturdy work clothes/boots
- Water bottle, sun protection, and enthusiasm!
Tools and materials provided on-site, but extra hands (and your own tools) speed things up and make it more fun. All ages and experience levels welcome — perfect for homesteaders, families, youth, permaculture enthusiasts, and community members ready to give back.
Special Highlight: While we work, witness live garden art unfolding simultaneously! Talented graffiti artists and creative youth will transform garden elements into vibrant, inspiring murals and installations — turning the site into a living canvas of regenerative beauty and cultural expression.
Volunteer Perks:
- Free food ticket for the day's efforts
- Complimentary entry to the Saturday Evening Music Event (or both days' festivities, depending on participation)
This is more than volunteering — it's co-creating abundance, learning practical permaculture skills, connecting with like-minded folks, and helping build a more food-secure, resilient Crestone. Every shovel full of soil brings us closer to thriving food forests and regenerative systems that feed body, mind, and community.
Spots are open — come make a tangible impact! No registration required, but RSVPs help us plan
Unlock the Power of Compost Tea
Workshop on Feeding Your Soil Food Web
Friday March 20th 3-4:30pm
Location: Food Forest Classroom
Dive into the transformative world of compost tea — a potent microbial extract pioneered by Dr. Elaine Ingham that supercharges your soil's vitality. By brewing and applying this living elixir, you introduce billions of beneficial bacteria, fungi, protozoa, and nematodes that cycle nutrients, build soil structure, suppress diseases, and unlock vital minerals — resulting in more nutrient-dense, flavorful food from your garden.
Based directly on Elaine Ingham's groundbreaking research and teachings, this hands-on workshop reveals how a thriving soil food web turns ordinary dirt into a living ecosystem that nourishes plants naturally — no synthetic fertilizers needed.
Simple Setup You Can Do at Home
- Using everyday items and local ingredients for maximum relevance to your soil
- No fancy equipment required — keep it low-cost and effective!
- Apply as a soil drench or foliar spray to deliver the biology straight to roots and leaves. Watch your plants thrive with improved resilience, better nutrient uptake, and higher yields of healthier, more vibrant produce.
Join us to brew your first batch, see the fizz of life under discussion, and take home the knowledge to regenerate your soil year-round. Your garden — and the microbes that power it — will never be the same!
Live Enshin Crestone Martial Arts Demonstration
Join us for an inspiring showcase of Enshin Karate at Fresh Mode!
Saturday March 21st 11:30 AM
Location: Enshin Crestone Dojo
Our leadership students will perform dynamic Kata forms, demonstrating precision, focus, and traditional technique. Watch the powerful Sabaki method in action through takedowns, sweeps, and fluid redirection of energy—highlighting the art’s emphasis on adaptability and control. The exhibition culminates in an exciting Kumite ("fighting") demonstration, illustrating real-time application, timing, and respectful combat skills.
This live presentation offers a window into the philosophy and practical learning our youth engage in through the Enshin Curriculum—building discipline, confidence, resilience, leadership, and community connection. Come experience the energy, ask questions, and discover how Enshin empowers young people in Crestone and beyond.
Soil Blocking Demonstration in the Greenhouse Classroom
Build Stronger Healthier Roots
Saturday March 21st 1-2pm
Location: Greenhouse Classroom
Discover the game-changing technique that's revolutionizing seed starting: soil blocking. In this hands-on demo, you'll learn how to form compact, freestanding soil cubes using a simple blocker tool—no plastic pots or trays required.
Why gardeners are switching to soil blocks:
- Stronger, healthier roots through natural air pruning — roots branch densely instead of circling, creating vigorous plants that establish faster in the garden.
- Minimal transplant shock — simply plant the entire block directly into soil for seamless transitions and quicker recovery.
- Eco-friendly & plastic-free — ditch disposable trays, reduce waste, and save money on supplies year after year.
- Space-saving and efficient — blocks fit neatly on shelves, use less soil overall, and speed up both seeding and transplanting.
Flowhes Music in the Greenhouse Classroom
Acoustict Set
Saturday March 21st 2-3pm
Location: Greenhouse Classroom
Flowehs is a heartfelt singer-songwriter whose music serves as a gentle companion on the journey through life's inner landscapes and outer adventures. With lyrics that weave introspection, hope, and connection, her songs aim to uplift, ground, and support listeners as they navigate their personal paths.
Taking root in the vibrant streets of San Francisco, Flowehs carries the city's spirit of creativity and openness, planting seeds of inspiration wherever her music travels—be it intimate venues, streaming playlists, or shared moments around the world.
Her sound is an invitation to pause, reflect, and bloom.
Regenerating Soil & Supporting Biodiversity
Wood Chip Distillation Workshop
Saturday March 21st 3-4:30pm
Location: Food Forest Classroom
Join us for an inspiring demonstration by Peter May from E3//KFM, where he'll showcase an innovative, solar-powered method to passively distill wood chips using only the power of the sun.
This gentle process removes the essential oils—the "fire" component—leaving behind enriched, transformed material that becomes pure soil (the earth element). Peter will also guide participants in incorporating native mycelium to establish a thriving native mushroom nursery.
The result? A boosted ecosystem where plants interconnect underground, efficiently sharing water and nutrients to foster resilience and abundance in your landscape.
Discover this sustainable, nature-aligned technique for regenerating soil and supporting biodiversity
MIND-BODY WELLNESS & UNIVERSAL CONSCIOUSNESS: NAAM Yoga
NAAM Yoga class
Saturday March 21st 3-4:30 PM
Location: Enshin Crestone Dojo
NAAM YOGA is a complete approach to personal mind-body wellness and Universal Consciousness. It is an invaluable self-healing technology that balances the brain, the glandular, digestive and nervous systems, allowing people to experience vibrant health. NAAM YOGA merges the precise science of sound, breath, movement, mudra (hand postures), and Asana.
Reset & Recalibrate Your Mind Body Spirit Connection
Healing Arts Lounge
Saturday March 21st 5-8 PM
Location: Healing Lounge
Step into a serene sanctuary designed for deep rest and renewal. Unwind with a soothing chair massage that melts tension from your back, neck, and shoulders in just minutes. Rejuvenate on the BioMat—a luxurious infrared session that promotes relaxation, eases discomfort, and supports your body's natural healing with gentle far-infrared heat and negative ions.
Experience the gentle power of BodyTalk, a holistic energy-balancing session that helps release stress, clear emotional blocks, and restore inner harmony—tailored just for you.
Throughout your visit, sip warm herbal tea and soak in the pure chillness of our peaceful space: soft lighting, calming sounds, and zero rush. Whether you have 20 minutes or an hour, The Healing Lounge offers simple, effective ways to recharge your body, mind, and spirit.
Why Come To Fresh Mode Fest
Hands On Learning - Live Music - Healing - Community Impact
Discover Fresh Mode Fests—a vibrant celebration of hip-hop culture, ecological wellness, and community convergence. At the heart of the experience: Hands-On Learning through interactive workshops, Live Music from dynamic DJs, emcees, and performers, and Healing in our dedicated Healing Lounge featuring restorative practices and mindful spaces.
Gather in the cypher for freestyle vibes and creative expression, savor nourishing food options, and join in creative celebration with dance floors pulsing to eco-fresh energy.
This convergence culture event fosters Community Impact by amplifying artistic voices, supporting local creators, and promoting sustainable, positive connections—blending beats, wellness, nature-inspired vibes, and collective joy for an unforgettable, uplifting gathering.
Join the movement. Fresh Mode. Fresh Vibes. Fresh Community.count on us to be there when you need us most.
What Makes Fresh Mode Fest Special?
- All ages & intergenerational — families, youth, elders, and newcomers welcome
- Hands-on regenerative action — learn permaculture while helping restore our campus
- Live music & art — hip-hop energy, live painting, and community-created garden art
- Healing & connection — sound healing, medicine elixirs, and nervous system support
- Full proceeds to youth — funding scholarships, leadership programs, permaculture education, and future summer camps
Saturday Evening Fest | 5:00 PM – 8:00 PM
Fresh Mode Cypher: Hip-Hop, Healing & Community Vibes
Location: Enshin Dojo at Cottonwood Restoration
All Ages Welcome!
All Ages Welcome!
All Ages Welcome!
Family-friendly, inclusive space for connection, creativity, and celebration.
Step into the rhythm of regeneration and resistance at the Fresh Mode Cypher — an evening of live hip-hop, soulful cyphers, and community healing vibes. This isn't just a show; it's a gathering where beats meet purpose, words spark change, and everyone gets to participate in the circle.
Headliners:
All Ages Welcome!
All Ages Welcome!
Mike Wird — Educator, advanced permaculture designer, regenerative practitioner, and acclaimed hip-hop artist (Emcee, poet, cultural ambassador). Known for his TEDxBoulder talk on "Hip Hop as Nature's Original Language," Mike fuses rhythmic flows with themes of social justice, environmental stewardship, and cultural empowerment. Expect co
Mike Wird — Educator, advanced permaculture designer, regenerative practitioner, and acclaimed hip-hop artist (Emcee, poet, cultural ambassador). Known for his TEDxBoulder talk on "Hip Hop as Nature's Original Language," Mike fuses rhythmic flows with themes of social justice, environmental stewardship, and cultural empowerment. Expect conscious lyrics, high-energy delivery, and a bridge between earth-based wisdom and street-level storytelling.
Papillon — Dynamic hip-hop performer bringing fire, flow, and fresh perspectives to the mic. With powerful presence and versatile style, Papillon elevates the cypher with authentic energy and collaborative spirit.
What to Expect:
All Ages Welcome!
What to Expect:
- Live DJ Sets — Curated beats spinning classic and contemporary hip-hop, soul, funk, and regenerative rhythms to keep the energy flowing.
- Open Hip-Hop Cypher — Jump in the circle! All skill levels encouraged — spit bars, freestyle, share poetry, or just vibe and support. This is a safe, uplifting space for expression and connection.
- Food — N
- Live DJ Sets — Curated beats spinning classic and contemporary hip-hop, soul, funk, and regenerative rhythms to keep the energy flowing.
- Open Hip-Hop Cypher — Jump in the circle! All skill levels encouraged — spit bars, freestyle, share poetry, or just vibe and support. This is a safe, uplifting space for expression and connection.
- Food — Nourishing, locally-inspired bites to fuel the night
- Elixirs — House-crafted herbal tonics, mocktails, and refreshing beverages for hydration and good vibes.
- Healing Lounge — Chill zone with grounding practices, light bodywork, sound healing elements, and space to recharge amid the music.
Details
All Ages Welcome!
What to Expect:
This evening weaves together hip-hop culture's roots in community resilience with regenerative living principles — celebrating creativity as a tool for personal and collective healing. Perfect for music lovers, dancers, poets, activists, youth, families, and anyone craving authentic connection in Crestone's high-desert magic.
Entry: Includ
This evening weaves together hip-hop culture's roots in community resilience with regenerative living principles — celebrating creativity as a tool for personal and collective healing. Perfect for music lovers, dancers, poets, activists, youth, families, and anyone craving authentic connection in Crestone's high-desert magic.
Entry: Included with presale workshop donations/tickets from the day's events (or available at the door — suggested donation $10–20 sliding scale to support the artists and venue).
Come as you are, leave inspired. Let's build fresh modes of being — one beat, one verse, one circle at a time.
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