Our Classes

Join us at Gathering Grains Farm for a delightful and educational bread baking experience. Secure your spot today and unleash your baking potential with expert guidance from Dianne Kressin!

January -April 2026 Class Dates at a Glance (You will find detailed descriptions of each class along with Registration Information in the pages to follow)

Saturday- Jan. 31  (1-4:30 p.m.) The Basic Loaf:  Fundamentals of Bread

Friday- Feb. 13 (5-8 p.m.) Friday night Pizza Date Night

Saturday- Feb. 21 ( 1-5 p.m) Fresh-milled Wheat Whole-grain Bread

Saturday- Feb. 28  (1-4:30 p.m.) Cinnamon Rolls Class

Friday- March 6 (5-8 p.m.) Friday night Pizza Date Night

Wednesday- March 11 (1-4:30 p.m.) The Basic Loaf:  Fundamentals of Bread

Saturday- March 14 (12-5 p.m.) Sourdough Bread Class

Saturday- March 28 (1-5 p.m.) Exploring Ancient Grains

Friday-April 10 (5-8 p.m.) Friday night Pizza Date Night

Saturday- April 25  (1-4:30 p.m.) Cinnamon Rolls Class

 

We will be announcing the dates for our May and June classes by the end of March.

 

The Basic Loaf: Fundamentals of Bread

Overview: Join us for a delightful and hands-on introductory class designed for individuals eager to delve into the art of bread baking. This 3 1/2-hour session focuses on the fundamental principles of bread-making, providing you with the knowledge and skills essential for more advanced techniques. From understanding ingredients to mastering dough handling, this class is your gateway to the joy of crafting your own delicious bread.

What You'll Learn:

  1. Introduction to Ingredients:

    • Explore the role of key ingredients in bread baking.

    • Understand the significance of flour types, yeast, water, and salt.

  2. Hands-on Techniques:

    • Engage in the entire bread-making process.

    • Gain practical experience in mixing, kneading, and shaping dough.

  3. Bread Types:

    • Make a classic white sandwich loaf using a poolish.

    • Experience creating a flavorful yeasted focaccia using the straight-dough method.

  4. Dough Development:

    • Learn the stages of dough development and fermentation.

    • Understand the impact of fermentation on flavor and texture.

  5. Shaping Techniques:

    • Master the art of shaping a traditional loaf of pan bread.

    • Explore decorative and functional shaping methods.

Class Details:

  • Duration: 3 1/2 hours (1 to 4:30 p.m.)

  • Included: Light refreshment; Recipes to take home.

  • Takeaway: Your own loaf of sandwich bread.

Dates Offered:

  • Saturday, January 31, 2026

  • Wednesday, March 11, 2026

Registration:

  • Individual Price: $89 (Check, Venmo, Zelle, Cash), additional $3 for Credit Card

  • Group Discount: Register as a group of 8 and receive a 10% discount.

Limited Availability: To ensure a personalized experience, each class is limited to 8 persons. Reserve your spot early to guarantee your spot in this immersive bread-making journey.

Note: Please inform us of any dietary restrictions or allergies when registering.

Embark on a culinary adventure and uncover the secrets behind the perfect loaf of bread. Register now to secure your place in our Fundamentals of Bread class!

Cinnamon Rolls & Dinner Rolls

Unlock the secrets of delightful cinnamon rolls and flavorful dinner rolls in this hands-on beginner level class. Led by experienced instructor DianneKressin, you'll dive into the foundational rules of bread making, gaining practical skills and knowledge that will elevate your baking expertise.

What You'll Learn:

  1. Perfecting Cinnamon Rolls:

    • Craft delicious cinnamon rolls with just the right balance of sweetness.

    • Master the art of making soft, gooey cinnamon rolls from scratch.

  2. Incredible Dinner Rolls:

    • Make roll dough that is not only flavorful but also versatile.

    • Learn the techniques for shaping and baking perfect dinner rolls.

      3. Hands-On Experience:

    • Engage in the entire process of making cinnamon rolls, dinner rolls, and crescent rolls.

    • Take home the delicious rolls you create during the class.

Class Details:

  • Duration: 3 1/2 hours (1:00 to 4:30 p.m.)

  • Includes: Refreshments featuring freshly baked cinnamon rolls and dinner rolls. Recipes to use at home. Take home your pan of freshly baked cinnamon rolls.

  • Price: $89 per person (Check, Venmo, Zelle, Cash), additional $3 for Credit Card

  • Group Discount: Register as a group of 6 and receive a 10% discount.

Dates offered:

  1. Saturday, February 28, 2026

  2. Saturday, April 25, 2026

Registration Information:

  • Classes are limited to 8 persons for a personalized experience.

  • Secure your spot by gathering a group of 8 and enjoy a 10% discount.

Join us for an afternoon of baking bliss, and take home not only new skills but also the delicious cinnamon rolls you create! Reserve your spot now and embark on a culinary adventure with Gathering Grains Farm.

Fresh-Milled

Wheat

Bread Baking

Elevate your baking skills and embrace the nutritional goodness of whole grains in this intermediate level class. Led by seasoned instructor Dianne Kressin, this 4-hour session delves into the world of fresh-milled wheat and other grains, offering a unique opportunity to create nutrient-dense and delicious breads and baked goods. You will learn how fresh-milled wheat can be beneficial to many chronic health conditions, including diabetes and heart disease, and how wheat is not the villain in our health journey.

What You'll Learn:

  1. Whole Grain Benefits:

    • Understand the nutritional advantages of baking with fresh-milled wheat and other whole grains.

    • Explore the diverse vitamins, minerals, essential fatty acids, and phytochemicals they offer.

  2. Sourcing and Milling:

    • Learn the art of sourcing and milling whole grains for optimal freshness.

    • Understand proper storage techniques to preserve the integrity of your grains.

  3. Dough Development Techniques:

    • Experience the 2-stage sponge technique for robust dough development.

    • Experience the art of proper kneading, mixing, shaping, and baking with whole grains.

    • Explore mixer options to develop 100% whole wheat breads.

  4. Bread and Scones Creation:

    • Craft a fresh-milled wheat bread that is both hearty and flavorful.

    • Experience delectable whole grain scones that showcase the versatility of whole grains.

Class Details:

  • Duration: 4 hours (1:00-5:00 p.m.)

  • Includes: Refreshments featuring fresh-milled wheat baked goods. Recipes to use at home.

  • Takeaway: Your own loaf of Honey Wheat Bread and a selection of scones.

  • Price: $89 per person (Check, Venmo, Zelle, Cash), additional $3 for Credit Card.

Dates Offered:

  1. Saturday, February 21, 2026

Registration Information:

  • Classes are limited to 8 persons for personalized instruction.

  • Enjoy a 10% group discount when registering as a group of 8.

Embark on a flavorful journey with whole grains and hone your skills in creating nutrient-rich, delicious baked goods. Register now and join us for an afternoon of wholesome baking at Gathering Grains Farm!

Embark on the exciting journey of sourdough bread baking with our hands-on intermediate level class. Led by experienced instructor Dianne Kressin, this 5-hour session is designed for individuals eager to dive into the basics of sourdough without feeling overwhelmed. Discover the art of creating our signature soft-crusted Sourdough Sandwich Loaf and gain valuable skills in sourdough maintenance, levain building, gluten development, shaping, and more. Learn the intricacies of creating beautiful and delicious artisan loaves.

What You'll Learn:

  1. Sourdough Starter Mastery:

    • Learn how to feed and maintain a sourdough starter.

    • Understand the crucial role of a healthy starter in sourdough baking.

  2. Levain Building Techniques:

    • Master the art of building the levain for your sourdough recipe.

    • Explore the science behind creating a robust and flavorful levain.

  3. Gluten Development:

    • Engage in mixing, stretching, and folding techniques for optimal gluten development.

    • Understand the importance of gluten in achieving the perfect texture.

  4. Shaping and Baking:

    • Learn the art of shaping sourdough bread to bake in a loaf pan.

    • Gain insights into the baking process for a beautifully crafted Sourdough Sandwich Loaf.

    • Experience the shaping and baking of artisan loaves.

  5. Utilizing Sourdough Discard:

    • Discover creative ways to use sourdough discard in other recipes.

    • Minimize waste and maximize flavor with smart discard utilization.

Class Details:

  • Duration: 5 hours (12 to 5 p.m.)

  • Includes: Enjoy samples of fresh-baked bread during the class.

  • Takeaway: Receive a bowl of sourdough bread dough to shape and bake at home the following day. Take home enough sourdough starter for future bread-making adventures. You will also take home a loaf of our signature Rustic Sourdough Bread.

  • Price: $119 per person (Check, Venmo, Zelle, Cash), additional $3 for Credit Card

Dates Offered:

  1. Saturday, March 14, 2026

Registration Information:

  • Classes are limited to 6 persons for personalized instruction. Sorry, no discounts for this class.

 Join us for an afternoon of sourdough exploration, and take with you the knowledge and dough to continue your sourdough journey at home. Reserve your spot now and become a sourdough enthusiast at Gathering Grains Farm!

Introduction to Sourdough Breads – Intermediate Level Class

Sourdough Pizza Night-Date/Friend Night

Discover how to make delicious pizzas in your home oven, or realize an excuse to buy one of those great portable pizza ovens that have risen in popularity. Grab your spouse, friend, or favorite person and learn to make delicious scratch-made sourdough pizza. We will even have a limited sampling of wins and you may bring your own favorite adult beverage to enjoy with your pizza.

What You'll Learn:

  1. Flour and Ingredient Mastery:

    • Explore various flours and toppings for great pizza.

    • Learn the best flours to use for your dough and where to get them

  2. A brief overview of the sourdough process:

    • You will learn the elementary principles of baking with sourdough. This is not an in-depth explanation of the process used in making breads.

  3. Hands-on experience:

    • Making your own dough (we will provide the dough for the class; you will get to take home dough to use during your weekend.

  4. Shaping Techniques:

    • Hands-on experience of shaping the perfect crust for your pizza.

  5. Home baking options:

    • Learn how to bake great pizza in your home oven.

    • Experience the use of an outdoor pizza oven

    • Understand the factors that contribute to a perfect crust that will support your toppings.

Class Details:

  • Duration: 3 hours (5 to 8 p.m.)

  • Includes: Your own pizza to eat for supper. All recipes to use at home.

  • Takeaway: Dough to take home for another pizza over the weekend. A fun evening with your favorite person!

  • Price: $179 per couple (this is for 2 people) (Check, Venmo, Zelle, Cash), additional $6 for credit cards.

Dates offered:

  1. Friday, February 13, 2026

  2. Friday, March 6, 2026

  3. Friday, April 10, 2026

Registration Information:

  • Classes are limited to 8 persons (4 couples) for personalized instruction. Sorry, no discounts for this class.

Join us for an evening of fun with your favorite person and discover the secrets behind making great pizza at home!

Exploring Ancient Grains

Einkorn, Emmer, Kamut, Spelt, Quinoa, Barley…. you are hearing about these grains but you want to know more.  Discover these nutrient-dense powerhouses that are rising in popularity and experience delicious ways to incorporate them into your meals.  You will learn the history of a variety of grains, as well as their different characteristics and ways to use them.  Nutritional benefits are numerous and they bring variety to your table.

What You'll Learn:

Ancient Grain History: 

·         Take a journey through time as we explore a variety of grains throughout history into our modern era.

Health Benefits:

    • Different grains have different nutrient profiles.

    • Learn how vitamins and minerals found in whole foods can effectively treat dis-ease.

Sourcing and Milling:

    • Learn where to find ancient grains.

    • Understand proper storage techniques to preserve the integrity of your grains.

    • Learn about the differences in grain mills and the advantages of the options available.

Unique Characteristics of the various grains:

    • Different grains offer varying characteristics to your breads

Creating delicious foods with these grains:

    • Create loaf breads, flat breads, and quick breads using ancient grains

    • Learn about other ways to prepare and consume these grains.

 

Class Details:

  • Duration: 4 hours (1:00-5:00 p.m.)

  • Includes: Refreshments featuring ancient grain baked goods.  Recipes to use at home

  • Takeaway: Your own loaf of Spelt bread, muffins and flatbreads that we make in class.

  • Price: $89 per person (Check, Venmo, Zelle, Cash), additional $3 for Credit Card.

 

Dates Offered:

  1. Saturday, March 28, 2026

 Registration Information:

  • Classes are limited to 8 persons for personalized instruction.

  • Enjoy a 10% group discount when registering as a group of 8.

 

 

Discover how to incorporate these nutrient dense foods into your diet.  Ancient grains offer a variety of health benefits and have been promoted as being easier to digest for people that have difficulty with modern wheat consumption.  This is a great opportunity to experience and learn about these superfoods.

 

Registration Information

Payment Options:

Cash, Check, Venmo, Zelle are accepted.

Sign-Up:

Email: GatheringGrainsFarm@gmail.com

Text: @ 713-855-3639

Registration Deadline:

Registration closes 5 days before each class.

Payment Details:

Classes are non-refundable due to limited availability.

Classes can be rescheduled two weeks prior to your scheduled date.

Cancellation/Rescheduling Policy:

We reserve the right to cancel or reschedule a class for any reason, including instructor emergencies, low enrollment, or unforeseen events.

In the event of cancellation, you will receive a full refund.

Age Requirements:

Classes are for individuals 18 years or older.

Students aged 14-17 may attend if accompanied by an adult.

Your Instructor:

Hello! I'm Dianne Kressin, your guide into the world of bread baking and culinary nutrition at Gathering Grains Farm. With a passion that spans over 50 years, I've been crafting the art of bread making since my early days on a farm in western Kansas, surrounded by golden wheat fields.

My journey into bread baking began in the youth 4-H club, where the humble ingredients of flour, water, salt, and yeast transformed into the cornerstone of my lifelong love for the craft. Inspired by European bread-making traditions during my travels in the early 90s, I embarked on the challenge of mastering the intricacies of artisan sourdough breads, a journey I undertook independently.

The path led me to the bustling streets of Las Vegas, where my husband and I owned and operated the Artisan Bread Shop, immersing ourselves in the dynamic world of bread baking. Seeking to enhance my skills for larger-scale production, I pursued further education at the renowned San Francisco Baking Institute.

As a homeschool mom, I extended my love for cooking to teaching children in homeschool coop classes for several fulfilling years. My culinary journey took a holistic turn as I developed a passion for natural health. I earned the title of Certified Natural Health Practitioner through Trinity School of Health, followed by a deeper dive into health and nutrition at the Academy of Culinary Nutrition, where I became a certified Culinary Nutrition Expert and Instructor.

In 2020, the serene town of Brenham became my home, and with it, a vision to cultivate a culinary nutrition and bread baking business at Gathering Grains Farm. In early 2023, I launched my micro-bakery, treating customers to the delight of "Fresh Bread Fridays."

Yet, amidst all these accomplishments, the most rewarding aspect remains the opportunity to teach others. There's pure joy in guiding someone through the alchemy of turning a simple bowl of flour, water, salt, and yeast into a loaf (or two) of delicious, life-giving food.

Join me at Gathering Grains Farm, where the magic of bread baking meets the wisdom of culinary nutrition. Let's embark on a journey to understand the profound connection between good food and good health.