GULFPORT, FL — Since forming in 2019, Nerd Nite’s passionate speakers have brought an array of nerdy topics to St. Petersburg — public health and death, space travel, beer making, Marvel.
Now, the series is expanding to offer Nerdscursions, small themed adventures led by former Nerd Nite speakers.
The first Nerdscursion takes place Saturday, 2 to 4:30 p.m., as speaker Laura Oldanie, a green living coach, leads a visit to an urban homestead in Gulfport.
“We wanted to cultivate experiences outside of Nerd Nite, more intimate experiences,” Gerni Oster, one of the event’s founders, told Patch, adding, “A big thing for Nerd Nite St. Pete is the idea of building community and connection, and so I think, Nerd Nite has gotten really big, which is amazing, but people still want to talk to each other and connect with people. They still want that opportunity for a small group and intimate conversations.”
Saturday’s Nerdscursion will focus on sustainable living in urban Florida.
The homestead is two properties next to each other – one owned by her boyfriend, Albert Risemberg, and the other owned by his close friends, a couple, Cary Catts and Rachel Perrino, who operate the nonprofit Little Tree Homestead, which teaches sustainable living practices.
Risemberg, who has lived at his home for 13 years, has grown a food forest on his land, growing perennials and fruit trees. Next door. Catts and Perrino focus on raised beds and seasonal growing.
The two properties also have shared chicken coops and an apiary for bees.
“We just have this whole effort to live more sustainably and we’re excited to share it,” Oldanie said. “I think more and more people are interested in the topic … Now, look at the war in Iran and the Strait of Hormuz being cut off with the supply chain being interrupted and how it will impact food supply. It’s an opportunity for people to build a climate sustainable life. We’re excited to help people think differently and realize how many options are available to them locally to live more sustainably.”