Guilds provide peer-to-peer learning, mentorship, demonstrations, swapping, bartering, sharing work and celebrating community. Guild members share the strength of many through advocacy, problem solving, collective bargaining, and shared marketing.

Below is a list of the current Crosshatch Guilds, their main activities and meeting schedule. Meeting and location times are subject to change. Keep an eye on the Crosshatch Guild Events page for specific meeting information.

For more information regarding any guild group, contact us at guilds@crosshatch.org or call (231) 622-5252.

Small Farm Guilds

The Small Farm Guilds are organized by farmers for farmers, though anyone who is interested in farming or growing food at a home-scale and beyond is welcome to join. We welcome all farmers and aspiring food and agriculture entrepreneurs for some networking, practice sharing, concern sharing, and social time. Topics that generally come up in group gatherings include: successful farm market sale practices, efficient hand tools and growing techniques, diverse production integrating plants & livestock and much more.

Main guild activities:

• farm tours

• peer to peer workshops

• member socials

• group bulk materials buying

• cooperative business ventures

Beekeepers Guilds

This network of beekeepers includes everyone from hobbyists to professional beekeepers. Members learn from each other and through workshops. Crosshatch currently supports beekeepers builds in two regions of Northern Michigan. The Little Traverse Bay Beekeeping Guild meets in Petoskey and the Grand Traverse Beekeeping Guild meets in Traverse City.  

Activities include:

• hive visits

• one-on-one mentorship

• bulk orders

• on-farm instructional classes

• community education events 

Herb Guild

The Northwest Michigan Herb Guild is open to all of those interested in sharing and learning more about herbs from all perspectives, whether practical, botanical, culinary, or medicinal. All are welcome with any level of experience. However, we seek to cultivate a committed community of herb enthusiasts and professionals who meet regularly.

If there are particular subjects you would like to learn more about, or if you would like to lead a meeting to share herbal information or activities, please be in touch.

MAIN GUILD ACTIVITIES:

• herb focused workshops

• herb-related craft making

• seminars on herbs

• herb tastings

• member potlucks

Fiber Guilds

For people interested in animal fibers, natural dye plants, knitting, weaving, spinning and more, from hobbyists to textile entrepreneurs. Members learn from each other and through organized functions.

Activities:

• sheep shearings

• material swaps

• member socials

• coordinates larger-scale events

The Fiber Guild does not meet regularly. However, former guild members currently organize the Tip of the Mitt Fiber Fair event each summer. 

Fruit and Nut Guilds

From backyard fruit and nut growers to established orchardists, the climate of Northern Michigan is ideal for fruit production. The only requirement for membership is a desire to grow fruit trees.

Main guild activities:

• grafting and pruning workshops

• seminars on disease prevention and tree care

• fruit tastings

• scion swaps

• member potlucks

Green Building Guild

For those interested in learning alternative building techniques. With a focus on the climate and resources of Northern Michigan, Green Building Guild members share knowledge of materials and techniques for the home or on the farm. All are welcome, from inexperienced volunteers to experienced builders.  

Grain Guild

Inspired by the Small Scale Grain workshop with farmer Craig Schaaf and bakers Gerard Grabowski and Jan Shireman in the summer of 2014, the Grain Guild provides a platform for sharing the emerging interest in the many aspects of local grain production.

Desires of the group:

• seed saving and sharing

• documenting what varieties work in our Northern Michigan climate

• testing how the grains are best used for pastry, breads, spirits, and/or oils

• sharing experience with tools and equipment in small scale production

Mushroom Growers Guild

The focus of the Mushroom Growers Guild is growing mushrooms at home or on the farm. It is an informal group interested in learning more about mushroom production. You need not grow mushrooms to join the guild.