Homesteading Camp

FARMING WORKSHOP

WHAT:

Back when we were starting to “tinker” with the idea of farming the first thing we did was fill the house with tons of books about every subject we thought we would be interested in. Goat milking, chicken processing, selling eggs, growing veggies, making goats milk soaps.

After spending 2 years reading and visiting other farms, the next step was to get some hands on training. BAM! Nothing! We had spent years gaining the book smarts we thought we needed but never once had we built a hog shelter, handled a goat, castrated a piglet. We were completely oblivious as to how “farming” actually FELT, hands on.

Our weekend homesteading camp will get you DOWN AND DIRTY, literally, all WE are doing is talking and pointing. We are going to show you everything we know, and everything we wished we had learned the easy way instead of through trial and error.

The homesteading class will be a small group so everyone has an opportunity to get hands on. You will walk away with confidence and motivation to get started on your own homesteading journey.

Some of the subjects covered will include:

- Building a goat milking stand

- Swine husbandry

- Meat and Dairy Goat husbandry

- Pen and shelter construction

- At home Veterinary care

- Farm Veterinarian Meet and Greet

- Making chevre

- Attending a Farmers Market

- Opening your farm to the public

- Using a microscope at home to identify parasites

WHEN:

The camp will be hosted Saturday November 14th and Sunday November 15h.

Saturday the camp will be working at Crazy Chick Heritage Farm 450 Kenal Road, Ridgeway SC 29130 from 10am-5pm.

Sunday the camp will be working from 10am to 5pm at Goat Daddy’s Farm 144 Tomahawk Trail Elgin SC 29045.

Each day we will break for lunch for 1 hour. You may leave during this time or bring a lunch to eat on the farm.

HOW:

Does this camp sound like something you are interested in?

Step 1:

Purchase your ticket

Step 2:

Send us an email introducing yourself, tell us about your operation and your goals!

Step 3: Grab a pen and paper, start listing goals of the things you want to learn while at the camp that you think a dairy goat farm, chicken farmer, veterinarian, cattle farmer, swine farmer, or farmers market manager could teach you!

Hosts:

The farm will be hosted by Jason Southers, owner of Goat Daddys Farm and Grade A Goat Dairy. Jason previously served in the Army in Veterinary Services. In addition to the dairy, Goat Daddy’s also raises old spot hogs in a hardwood forest setting.

The camp will also be hosted by Abbie Kowalke of Crazy Chick Heritage Farm. Also a veteran, Abbie and her family of 8 raise kune kune hogs, various breeds of meat and egg laying hens, and dexter cows for meat production.

COST:

Tickets for this camp are available through Eventbrite and are $150 each. The cost covers one person for the entire weekend. Once you purchase your tickets please be sure that you send an email to us at goatdaddys@gmail.com introducing yourself and letting us know what your goals are. This camp will be tailored to its participants as much as possible and the more we know the more we can help! Overnight tent camping options are available, please enquire via email if you are interested. Overnight options will include breakfast but you will need to bring a tent. Campers will stay together on the farm and enjoy getting to know each other by a campfire at the end of the day Saturday.

DRESS:

It is advised to bring a change of clothes in case you get mud or dirt on you, which you surely will. Boots, crocs, weather appropriate, work gloves.