The Alliance for the Arts’ GreenMarket will host free backyard farming workshops, When the Shelves Go Bare, at 10:30 a.m. every Saturday morning in June and July in Fort Myers. The events cover food security, backyard vegetable gardening, beekeeping, raising livestock for eggs and meat, permaculture, brewing, distilling and food preservation, as well as discussing increasing concerns about a potential future food shortage.

“Just as we pay insurance for our cars, but don’t expect to be in an accident, we should know the basics of growing our own food as insurance against potential disruptions that may or may not come,” says organic farmer and GreenMarket manager Santiago De Choch, who has witnessed firsthand food security situations in South America and Latin America, Eastern Europe and the Middle East.

The GreenMarket strives to support local growers, bakers and artisans, including SOL Urban Farm, Green Paradise Eco Farm, Brittain Farms, Pine Manor Community Garden and The Unruly Gardener.

Admission is free, donations are welcome. Location: 10091 McGregor Blvd. For more information, call 239-939-2787, email [email protected] or visit ArtInLee.org.