Grape Jelly Making at Zenda Farms

Instructor: Fred Schmitt

Learn the art of grape jelly making from expert jelly maker Fred Schmitt in this hands-on experience rooted in land stewardship and local food traditions. In collaboration with the Thousand Islands Land Trust, we invite participants to Zenda Farms Preserve to harvest grapes grown on conserved land and transform them into homemade grape jelly. This workshop highlights how protected landscapes like Zenda Farms support sustainable agriculture, local food systems, and community connections to the land. Participants will gather their own grapes, learn the jelly-making process step by step, and leave with a deeper appreciation for how conservation helps preserve both working landscapes and traditional skills. Major thanks to Fred and Nancy Schmitt, Justin and Debbie Taylor, and Reinman’s Department Store for sponsoring this collaboration.