Fall Classes (September-November)
Thanksgiving Bakes
Learn how to make two holiday favorites. The best pumpkin roll anyone can do and the most delicious dinner rolls around! Ages 18+. Instructor: Jessica Waggoner of The Hazelnut Baking Co. Registration deadline: October 30. Min. 7. Max. 14.
Code Date Day Time
453855-W1 11/6 W 6-8 pm
# Sessions/Fee: 1/$45
Location: Salomon Farm Park Learning Center, 817 W. Dupont Rd.
Sip and Savor: Tea Essentials
Join us on this fun and educational journey to learn about this aromatic beverage enjoyed all around the world. You will experience multiple tea tastings, savor foods that pair well with the teas, and receive tea samples to take home, all while learning the origins of tea, differences between tea varieties, how to ensure tea quality, health benefits of tea and more! Your guide on this journey is Lori Berndt, owner of The Olive Twist, a local retail olive oil store. Ages 12+. Registration deadline: November 4. Min. 6. Max. 20.
Code Date Day Time
453904-M1 11/11 M 6-7 pm
# Sessions/Fee: 1/$35
Location: Salomon Farm Park Learning Center, 817 W. Dupont Rd.
Miso Happy
Miso is a key ingredient in Japanese cooking and it forms the base of many dishes, including miso soup. There are more than 1,000 types of miso with different texture, flavor and color. Dashi, an all-purpose vegetable broth made from sea kelp, is also a staple in Japanese cooking. Suzi Hanzel will share her knowledge of both staples while the miso soup, miso dressed salad and a miso glazed chicken is being prepared. Ages 16+. Instructor: Suzi Hanzel. Registration deadline: November 14. Min. 5. Max. 16.
Code Date Day Time
453857-R1 11/21 Th 6-8 pm
# Sessions/Fee: 1/$45
Location: Salomon Farm Park Learning Center, 817 W. Dupont Rd.
Little Roots: Culinary Classes for Preschoolers
*Adult/Child
Empower your little one to create his/her own healthy snacks. We’ve partnered with Wholesome Roots Cooking to offer fun, age appropriate cooking classes bursting with hands-on learning and cooking! Younger siblings are welcome to stay with their caregiver, but any child participating in class must register. Ages 2-6. Instructor: Meghan Hauser. Registration deadlines are one week prior to the start of each class. Min. 5. Max. 17.
Code Date Day Time
Breakfast Banana Splits
We’ll provide the banana and you prepare your toppings! Instead of ice cream, we will use yogurt to make a healthier option for breakfast!
453920-W8 11/13 W 10-11 am
# Sessions/Fee: 1/$25
Location: Salomon Farm Park Learning Center, 817 W. Dupont Rd.
Roots: Culinary Classes for Youth
Designed to help children feel confident and comfortable in the kitchen, our Roots classes allow students to grow in their culinary skills. Classes are kept small so that recipes can be catered to the ability of the student! Each class offers hands-on cooking and time for taste testing at the end! Ages 6-14. Instructor: Meghan Hauser. Registration deadlines: September 17, October 2 and November 6. Min. 7. Max. 20.
Code Date Day Time
Thanksgiving Appetizers
Just in time for Thanksgiving, participants will try a couple of appetizer recipes that would be perfect to serve at your Thanksgiving gathering!
453921-W5 11/13 W 6-7:30 pm
# Sessions/Fee: 1/$40
Location: Salomon Farm Park Learning Center, 817 W. Dupont Rd.
Kids Painting on the Farm
Bring out your inner artist! We’re in a painting frenzy at Salomon Farm Park this fall. Our instructor Angela Esselburn will share her passion for art as she guides you step-by-step from blank canvas to finished painting. Subjects include Cozy Dog (watercolor), Scarf Cat (canvas) and Santa Mug (canvas). These classes provide a unique opportunity to express yourself through art and bond with your peers in an engaging setting. All necessary supplies will be provided. Ages 6-12. Registration deadlines: September 12, October 10 and October 31. Min. 10. Max. 20.
Code Date Day Time
Scarf Cat
453934-R2 10/17 Th 6-7:30 pm
Santa Mug
453934-R3 11/7 Th 6-7:30 pm
# Sessions/Fee: 1/$25
Location: Salomon Farm Park Learning Center, 817 W. Dupont Rd.
Winter Classes (December-February)
Field Trips on the Farm
Salomon Farm tours make a great field trip for any group. Offered in 1-2 hour increments on Tuesday, Thursday and Friday mornings from August 13-through mid-October, tours feature visits with goats, pigs and chickens, a stop in the garden, and talk about life on the farm. Wagon rides are also available upon request for farm tours of 1½ hours or more. All ages welcome! The cost is $4/participant/hour. Reservations must be made at least two weeks in advance. Contact DeAnna Harris at 427-6790 ext. 2 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. for questions and scheduling.
Seeking 2024 Fall Harvest Festival Vendors
We are now accepting applications for the 2024 Fall Harvest Festival. Vendors must produce their goods within a 75-mile radius of Salomon Farm Park and are required to grow their own fresh fruits, vegetables and herbs. We strive to find vendors who embrace sustainable and organic growing practices. A vendor may also include baked goods, honey, maple syrup, handmade crafts, food, demonstrations, entertainment and/or children’s activities. The Fall Harvest Festival is Saturday September 28, 10:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m. If you are interested in receiving a Fall Harvest Festival application, please call 260-427-6790 ext. 2 or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
Photo credit: Rylan Capper
Meet Our Salomon Farm Chefs
Jessica Waggoner
Jessica is a lifelong Fort Wayne native with degrees in both pastry arts and psychology. After spending the last 10 years in the corporate world, she stepped away to focus solely on baking. Owner of The Hazelnut Baking Co., a cottage bakery named after her young daughter, Hazel. She loves how food connects cultures, communities, and the joy good quality baked goods brings to people.
Meghan Hauser
Meghan is the founder of Wholesome Roots Cooking. She spends a lot of time cooking and enjoys teaching her 6 children that a healthy lifestyle doesn’t mean boring and gross food! Her mission is to inspire families to plant wholesome roots for a healthy lifestyle.
Suzi Hanzel
Suzi is a retired teacher who has taught many cultural food classes. She travels often, has taken classes from cooking experts around the world, and loves to share her knowledge of their culture. She recently co-edited the “Taste of Sister Cities” cookbook that highlights international recipes from Fort Wayne’s Sister Cities. Suzi has learned to create many delicious dishes from the more than 30 countries she’s visited over the years.
This brochure goes over everything Salomon Farm Park has to offer, be sure to check it out before visiting!
Dirt Wain Community Composting
Salomon Farm Park has partnered with Dirt Wain, a new composting initiative in the area that processes food scraps from households. Members are provided with a bucket that they fill, drop off at the Farm at their convenience, and then pick up a clean bucket to repeat the process. For more detailed information or to sign up check out www.dirtwain.com or Salomon Farm Park on Facebook.
Testimonials
Cooking Classes
Chef Patrick is a wonderful instructor because he listens, is knowledgeable, and goes above and beyond to prepare for his classes. -Lana Scherer
Chef Whetstone was helpful, approachable, gave great tips, and answered questions. The food was delicious! -Ashley Kas
Wonderful class with an amazing chef! I will be trying Chef Whetstone‘s recipes at home! -Betty Lars
Instructor Suzi was very pleasant, sweet voice, and did an awesome job! Thank you! -Heather Lyres
Excellent, Thank you! -Kayden Janit
Chef Patrick was fun to watch cook and engaged the whole class. Will look for more classes. Lisa
Love the classes! Always a repeat! Guat
A great, laid back introduction for homemade pasta. Beginners and more experienced cooks will enjoy and learn techniques. Sandra
Use food to learn about culture and broaden your horizons in the world we share-Jeanette
Chef Whetstone is always organized, fun, professional and knowledgeable. Most of all the recipes are delicious and interesting. Lana
Patrick is very informative and makes the class very fun and interactive. Tina
Awesome class. Learned a few tricks that were really cool and time savers. The three dishes were delicious, easy to make and definitely something I can do at home. Pat
Great class and instructor! Carrie
The combination of the cooking knowledge gained plus the cultural and personal history made this very enjoyable. Anita
Delicious food, great comradery, and excellent instructor. We had a blast. Shay
Chef Patrick offers help and suggestions and makes you comfortable. Realistic ideas that you can use at home. Highly recommend!
-Laura
We enjoyed taking the class and learned new and valuable tips for making pizza at home. Plus, the pizza was delicious! Deanne
We loved this easy-to-follow and fun, delicious pizza! We would take another class!. Lindsay
This cooking class was so much fun! I learned a lot and the food was delicious! Thank you, Fort Wayne Parks, for offering this opportuinty. I'll be back! Megan
Patrick is an amazing instructor. I’ve attended four of his cooking classes always learn something new. The classes are fun and the food in delicious. -Pat C.
Our instructors were a joy to learn from. We all laughed the whole time and the lesson was organized and very enjoyable. -Renee E.
It was a wonderful class to take with a kiddo. It felt simple enough for us to follow instructions and enjoy a beautiful, finished piece! -Laura P.
Class covered way more than expected. Jessica was super knowledgeable and organized. Class was great for any skill level, and the Wolf Family Center was well equipped. -Rebekah R.
This was very fun. The steps were easy to follow. Overall a relaxing and positive experience -Karee P.
Little Roots
The tea parry was phenomenol! The class was very well prepared and presented. A "true tea party" was represented with a little history, a cute reco[e card amd elegamt cups, plates, etc. The verbal directions were easy to follow and very child friendly. No wonder there was a waiting list for this. Jeui
Great class- as always! Just enough parental instructions to keep us informed as to what to do and how to assist without overpowering our children so they can learn through the experience. I love that I can be catered to different ability levels and that there is a large variety of foods to eat. Terri
Urban Birding
I enjoyed the enthusiasm of the presenters. Each of them appeared to be interested in providing the best information that was available on the subjects on hand. Michael.
Salomon Trail
Be sure to check out the trail at Salomon! It is open to the public from 6 a,m.-11 p.m. To read more about the trail, check out the Salomon Trail Press Release
Salomon Farm Volunteer Opportunities
Salomon Farm Park relies on volunteers to help maintain the park and provide various amenities and services to our community. If you are interested in becoming a garden volunteer or getting involved in farm park operations indirectly through the Tractor Club, Flax and Fleece Guild or Gardeners of America, please plan to attend any of the clubs’ meetings. All meetings are held at the Salomon Farm Park in the Wolf Family Learning Center, 817 W. Dupont Rd. Please direct any questions regarding volunteering or possible service projects for your group to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or call Larry at 427-6005.
Pictured from left to right: Dave Fike, Carl Fike, and Roy Fike
Tri-State Antique Tractor Club
3rd Tuesday of the month, 7:00 p.m.
The Tri-State Antique Tractor Club tends the crop fields and is a key piece of our annual Fall Harvest Festival. The club is dedicated to the preservation and enjoyment of old farm machinery. Join the club and meet other tractor enthusiasts, assist in tending the crop fields, and get the chance to learn and work on a myriad of antique farm equipment pieces. For more information, contact Eden at (260-427-6790).
Gardeners of America Club
2nd Thursday of the month, 6:30 p.m.
The mission of the Gardeners of America is to promote gardening education and related environmental issues to its membership and the gardening public through charitable, educational and scientific means. Join the club! For more information, contact Eden at (260-427-6790).
Flax and Fleecers Guild
2nd Tuesday of each month at 6:30 pm
The Flax and Fleecers Guild is a group dedicated to the fiber arts: spinning, knitting, crocheting, weaving, felting and more! In addition to the monthly meetings, the guild participates in many activities throughout the year, including spin-ins, Salomon Farm Fiber Arts Celebration, the Johnny Appleseed Festival, spinning at the Old Fort, and many more. The club meets at Salomon Farm Park in the Learning Center on the second Tuesday of each month. The group gathers at 6:30 pm for business followed by a program or show and tell. Guild meetings in July and December will be held off site. For more information, contact Eden at (260-427-6790).
Wild Walkers 2024
Wild Walkers is an adult hiking group that meets the second and fourth Fridays of each month for a walk on the wild side. Each hike features a different natural area in the region (parks, wetlands, nature preserve, etc.) and carpooling is available when necessary. Please call Eden at 427-6008 or e-mail eden.lamb@cityof fortwayne.org if you have questions.
2024 Wild Walker Schedule
Blacksmithing
Thanks to Salomon Farm Blacksmiths for all of their volunteer hours in teaching classes and demonstrating at events. Folks interested in joining the blacksmith club are required to complete the beginner’s workshop. Keep checking this page or our Facebook page for workshop dates. The blacksmith club is for individuals 18 years or older. The club meets one Saturday morning a month.
The peaceful setting of Salomon Farm Park makes our elegant rental spaces perfect for weddings, receptions, reunions, concerts, dances, and many other special events.
Please contact our rental coordinator at 260-427-6790 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. to reserve your space.
Thanks to Carroll High School's Future Farmer's of America for their continued support of Salomon Farm Park!