NACOGDOCHES, Texas - Join Elyce Rodewald, SFA Gardens education coordinator, for "Gifts from the Garden," a soap-making workshop at Stephen F. Austin State University.

The workshop will be held from 9 a.m. until noon Saturday, Oct. 20, in Room 118 of the Agriculture Building on Wilson Drive. Participants will create a variety of herbal soaps, learn recipes and techniques of soap making, and take home samples of luxurious soap they make themselves.

"The soap will be made from coconut and palm kernel oil, lye, essential oils, and dried herbs," Rodewald said, "Participants will learn the step-by-step process of soap making, so they will have the skills to make soap at home on their own."

"This is great soap," she added. "Once you use it, you'll never go back to store-bought. This is a fun workshop - don't picture yourself stirring over a hot iron kettle. Join us for wonderful fragrances and special gifts from the garden."

Cost for the seminar is $25 for SFA Gardens members and $30 for non-members. Participants must pre-register on or before Oct. 18. To register for the seminar or for more information, contact the education office at (936) 468-1832 or e-mail erodewald@sfasu.edu.