The Merc Co+op’s Class Program aims to offer affordable learning experiences that promote fresh, local, sustainable and wholesome foods and food systems, as well as health and wellness.

We’ve added four class presenters this year, bringing you new cooking and lifestyle inspiration! Check out all our upcoming classes at www.themerc.coop/classes.

Jan Hornberger
A lifelong resident of Douglas County and raised on a farm, Jan did not go far from her roots, 3 miles to be exact, to join her husband Chip on their dairy farm, where they milked cows for over 35 years before selling their herd. They now run a Black Angus beef cattle operation with their son, Clint, offering local raised beef to customers through their farm. Cooking with local ingredients is something Jan was raised with, and cooking and instruction have become her passion. Attending K-State University majoring in Food Science, she loves creating recipes, and trying new techniques and ingredients. Jan has over 30 years’ experience as a food presenter, and as a certified Food Judge, Jan loves judging contests in eastern Kansas. She is also a member of Master Food Volunteers.

Upcoming Classes:
· Saturday, September 21: Breakfast for Supper
· Monday, October 7: (Hands-On) The 411 on Pies and Tarts
· Wednesday, November 6: Make Your Own Gifts from the Kitchen

Sarah Salzman
Sarah is the co-founder, owner and head fermentista of Wild Alive Ferments. She is passionate about sharing her love of fermentation with Lawrencians. She works with area farmers to preserve the seasons and utilize the immunities in our local soil. Her mission is to share her love of the deeply ancient and cultural practice of fermentation with others. To bring a new level of nutrition, passion, and magic into people’s lives. Check out Sarah’s website at www.wildaliveferments.com.

Upcoming Classes:
· Thursday, October 10: Autumn Feast with Kombucha Cocktail Pairings
· Monday, November 11: Make Your Own Ferments with Winter Squash
· Monday, November 18: Make Your Own Holiday Ferments

Sharon Burch
Sharon Burch, APRN, is an advanced practice holistic nurse who uses the integrative healing arts to guide clients to optimize their health and well-being. Sharon is a board-certified Public Health Nurse Specialist and a Holistic Health and Wellness Nurse-Coach who is certified by the Four Winds Society as an Energy Medicine Practitioner and a teacher of Dying Consciously. She has practiced nursing in hospitals, long term care facilities, home care, hospice, and the community-at-large since 1974. Today Sharon specializes in Holistic Pain Management, Holistic Healthcare Advocacy, Dementia Prevention and Reversal, and Caregiver Support through the Atma Clinic in Lawrence, KS.

Upcoming Classes:
· Monday, September 30: Sleep Well
· Saturday, October 26: Holistic Pain Relief
· Saturday, November 16: Mysteries of the Keto Diet Revealed (with Amy Bousman)

Amy Bousman
Amy Bousman is a Nutritional Therapy Practitioner (NTP) & Community Herbalist who works with clients out of the esteemed Atma Clinic in Lawrence. Amy is passionate about educating her community towards empowered, sustainable, self-directed health & nourishment. Amy supports her clients and class participants towards deep nutrition through her intensive training, medical research and personal experience. Amy is able to relate compassionately with her clients and students via her experience reversing her own autoimmune diseases & her love of cooking and tracking down nutrient-dense, flavor-packed recipes.

Upcoming Classes:
· Saturday, October 12: Soaking & Sprouting Gluten-free Grains
· Saturday, November 23: Keeping Wintertime Woes at Bay, The Natural Way
· Saturday, December 14: Traditional Methods for Making Bone Broth