Rippling Waters Organic Farm in Steep Falls will host its annual “May I Help You?” workshop event Saturday, May 16, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. on the farm grounds.

The informal but informative workshops are designed to bolster community food security. The farm staff hope that by offering these educational workshops, a higher number of residents will have the confidence to maintain an organic garden at their homes, thus providing their families with fresh and healthy produce.

Home gardening is presently making a comeback nationwide. Seed companies are reporting record sales, and the installation of an organic garden at the White House has drawn a lot of positive attention to the urban, suburban, and rural gardening movements.

Rippling Waters Farm, a local non-profit organic farm, is known for its community based agricultural practices. The farm machinations are performed largely by community volunteers, it is still selling CSA farm shares for the season, and it manages five community gardens that provide food for students, seniors, and food pantries.

The scope of the workshops will be from container and kitchen gardens to backyard permaculture, and are designed for gardeners of all skill levels, from those who are just thinking about installing a garden to master gardeners. All questions are welcome, and experts will be present to discuss a number of possible solutions.

“A Successful Garden without the Pain,” presented by Gus Favreau, is the first workshop at 11 a.m. Attendees will learn techniques and methods to reduce physical strain that may prohibit some from gardening. Next, at noon, learn about the benefits of “Permacutlure in the Backyard,” hosted by Sarah Bostick.

After a 1 p.m. optional pot-luck lunch, get down to the nitty-gritty with “Tips for your Home Compost Pile” by Mike Bendzella of the University of Southern Maine at 2 p.m. Julee Applegarth, the farm manager, will wrap things up at 3 p.m. with “Methods for Mulching a Sustainable Garden.”

Come out and join your neighbors for one or all of these workshops at 55 River Road, Steep Falls. A $3 minimum donation is requested. The 2009 workshop schedule is available online at www.ripplingwaters.org. For more information about this or any event, contact the farm at 642-5161 or e-mail volunteer.ripplingwaters@gmail.com.