Come for the foundations, and leave with your very own piece of furniture!

In this hands-on course, you’ll gain an introduction to power tools and carpentry by building your own potting bench from scratch!

You'll learn how to read plans, perform measuring, marking, and cutting, and assemble lumber into a sturdy, functional piece of furniture that you'll get to take home at the end of the day. This program will cover safe and accurate use of common household power tools, including drills and drivers, circular saws, mitre saws, and more. 

The bench will be constructed with 2x4’s, screws, and wood glue, so no woodworking joinery will be covered in this course. The completed project will measure 60''H x 48''W x 20''D, designed for easy disassembly to a height of 36'' for transport. 

Potting bench examples.

While working through this building project, we'll have discussions about design considerations when creating custom pieces. If you are hoping to take your basic knowledge to the next level, or gain more flight time using power tools in a safe and supportive environment, this course is for you! 

Bring any questions you have about current or upcoming projects—we love helping you build your skillset and vision!

Below is a more detailed look for how we expect to spend our time together. Subject to slight changes based on class pace. 

• 9AM-12PM // Intros; reading plans; circular saw and mitre saw (demos and practice)
• 12PM-12:30PM // Lunch break
• 12:30PM-4:30PM // Drill and driver (demos and practice); potting bench assembly; questions and outro

Important Notes:

• Registration Deadline: In order to provide enough time for ordering and shipping building materials, registration for this program CLOSES on Wednesday March 25th at 11:59PM. We cannot accept sign-ups after this date.
• Register early!: A very limited number of spots are available in this class, so early registration is encouraged!
• Transporting Your Project: By the end of the class, you will have a finished or nearly-finished piece of furniture to take home. The design allows for easy disassembly and transport in smaller vehicles. No truck, no worries! Just consider having room set aside in your vehicle for loading your bench after the class. 
• Costs: This program includes both a teaching cost (sliding scale options available) and a required fee of $135 to cover the materials for your bench. More details below. 

What to bring: 

• Measuring tape (extras are available to borrow for those who need) 
• Sturdy, closed-toe shoes.
• Clothing suitable for moderate physical work with power tools. Class will take place both indoors and outdoors as weather allows. Expect to get dusty!
• Lunch & snacks.
• A notebook and writing utensil for note-taking.
• Any questions you may have about personal projects or project ideas. 

What We're Providing: 

Attendees are welcome to bring their own items if they have them

• Safety goggles
• Ear protection
• Carpenter's pencils (take-home) 
• Speed squares (take-home) 
• Building plans and lumber (take-home)
• A fun and informative experience working with power tools! 

What to Anticipate:

• Expect a fair amount of physical labor with considerable time spent standing and moving around. Plenty of breaks will be provided to ensure everyone is comfortable throughout the day. If physical accessibility is a concern, please email us at education@hornfarmcenter.org to discuss how we can accomodate. 
• This class values safety, teamwork, and a supportive/uplifting working environment. You can expect to spend much of the class working in pairs and small groups, with space afforded for you to address individual questions and learn at your own pace.
• No prior experience is required to join this course. We'll cover the basics of tool technique and safety throughout the build. 

Standard Program Cost: $86/person

Covers instructor time, facility use, and shared materials. Sliding scale options are available to help the class become more affordable for students who need financial support. 

Materials Cost: $175/person

Covers lumber and all materials for your individual potting bench. 

Pay By Installments

Customized payment plans can also be discussed if spreading out payment makes the class cost more accessible. Please note that using a payment plan will require a non-refundable downpayment of $50 in order to secure a spot in the program. Please email education@hornfarmcenter.org to inquire about payment plans. This option is only provided in cases of financial need.

Before registering, please review the Horn Farm Center's Program Waiver & Release Form and  Cancellation & Refund Policy. 

About the Instructors:

Alex Catizone

Alex is a maker from Northeastern Pennsylvania, who has received her training in woodworking, carpentry, and design through Lohr School of Woodworking, Yestermorrow Design/Build School, years of self-directed learning, and experience in the field.  Her journey and fascination with craft all began with a camper renovation in Austin, TX, and the rest has been history.  From there, she continued her education and worked in a traditional furniture shop building chairs.  Alex came to Yestermorrow in 2022 to work as a Shipping Container Teaching Assistant and a Semester Design/Build Teaching Assistant.  Since that time her professional focus has been on design and carpentry.  She is passionate about affordable housing solutions, the effect of built environment on human behavior, and empowering people through the design/build process.

Alex is currently finishing a tiny cabin that she designed on family land in Pennsylvania, and has a piece of furniture she designed and built on display at the University of Madison, Wisconsin. Samples of Alex's work can be seen on her website at alexandracatizone.com/

Matthew Kramer

Matt is a builder, woodworker, DIYer, and community facilitator with a deep commitment to hands-on creativity and land-based learning. His building journey began in the Smoky Mountains, where he constructed his own yurt—up to residential code—with no prior experience. Learning woodworking, sewing, electrical wiring, plumbing, cob, and natural plaster along the way showed him the empowerment of building with your own hands, listening to the land, and meeting challenges that once felt impossible. That experience continues to shape his belief in sustainable, accessible, heart-led ways of living and building.

Matthew brings a grounded, steady presence to collaborative spaces, paired with a creative, expansive way of thinking. He helps reconnect teams to their larger purpose, offers fresh perspectives when conversations stall, and supports thoughtful, inclusive decision-making. His approach blends heart and mind, linking imaginative ideas with practical, real-world solutions.

As a homeschooling father, Matthew carries a lived understanding of intergenerational learning and youth empowerment. He sees resilience as something cultivated through hands-on experience, curiosity, and shared problem-solving — and believes in reconnecting not only young people, but adults as well, with their own inner child who is eager to learn, explore, and play in the creative process.

Matthew is passionate about developing localized, community-rooted systems that integrate shelter, food, education, and belonging. He aligns deeply with Tierra Sagrada’s mission and hopes to contribute natural building expertise, collaborative creativity, and vision-driven thinking grounded in compassion and practical experience.