Homesteader's Day

Homesteader's Weekend

And the things that thou hast heard of me among many witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also. Thou therefore endure hardness, as a good soldier of

Jesus Christ.

II Timothy 2:2 & 3

Our Homesteader Families

What: Homesteader's Weekend - Spring 2010

When: Thursday, Friday and Saturday

May 27, 28, 29 - beginning 9:00 Friday morning

and ending at 4:00 Saturday afternoon.

Where: Shepherds Hill Farm

144 Roll Tide Lane

Cragford, Alabama 36255

Well, Summer is still here but we are planning our next Homesteader's Event. The date is set for Thursday - May 27th, Friday - May 28th and Saturday - May 29th.

Our entire family has cleared their calendars and are preparing for three days of wonderful food, fun and fellowship along with a LOT of learning. One of the advantages of having three days together is that we will have plenty of opportunity to sit down and have real discussion on all the in's and out's of homesteading, sustainability and to delve into the reality of what we need to prepare for in the coming months and years. This event will be food for the soul as much as practical application for the physical. We hope that you will join us for this incredible time together.

Classes May Include: We will have a full class list closer to the event.

Make and choosing Wick

Purchasing Waxes and their uses

Mixing different waxes

Purifying beeswax

Dipping Tapers

Homestead Pantry

Make-ahead mixes

3-month Family Food storage plans

What kind of containers to use for specific foods

Make it yourself- Teas, Seasonings and Sauces

Making family meal plans

Preserving Foods

Homestead Toiletry and Household cleaners

Mix your own all-purpose cleaners

Make your own Dishwashing Liquid

The wonders of Vinegar

Make your own hair rinses, Lotions, Hand wash and Toothpaste/powder

Blacksmithing

Basic blacksmithing (bending, shaping, punching and cutting)

Make an S Hook, and a nail

Safety, fire maintenance and shop setup

Soap making

Make a batch of soap over a fire using tallow

Working Green Wood

How to harvest trees and split them down to a usable size.

Rounding wood on a shaving horse

Turning wood on a lathe

Chain Saw use, care and maintenance

Butchering

Demonstration of butchering a rabbit and chicken

Beekeeping

Honeybee Biology

Beehive designs and construction

Managing Colonies

Diseases and Predators

Equipment

Honey Harvest

Seasonal “To Dos”

Raising Livestock

Housing

Feeding

Grooming

Breeding/ Raising Offspring

Disease/Predators

Milk and Meat Production

Herb Workshop

How to grow herbs

Wildcrafting

Storing Herbs- Tinctures, Drying

Using herbs culinary, medicinal and craft

Gardening

Soil Types and Improving Your Soil

Propagation of Plants

Different Gardening Techniques

Planning What To Grow

Pests

Harvest

Appropriate Technology

Cooking – Solar, Rocket Stove Construction

Heating – Water and Air

Woodfired Water Heating

Spinning and Weaving

Processing fleece

Spinning Wool - Drop Spindling and Spinning Wheel

Dying Wool

Weaving on a Loom

- Types of Looms

-Warping a Loom

-Weaving

Basket Making

Cost - The cost for the Homesteader's Fall Event will be $150 per person, $80 for children 9 to 12. This price will cover all the classes you attend and any supplies needed for the class. It also includes all your meals while you are with us:

Friday - breakfast, lunch & supper

Saturday - breakfast, lunch and a heavy afternoon snack.

We will also make sure there are plenty of munchies and goodies to keep your strength up during the day!! ;-)

When you register for Homesteader's Spring Event we require a deposit of at least half of your fee and the second half payable on arrival. We will not refund deposits if you cancel after May 1, 2010. You may however transfer your deposit to another person who wishes to attend.

Since this is a family friendly event, little ones will be welcome. Please know that our entire family will be involved with the classes so we are not able to provide babysitting services. There will be a fee charged for additional children who will be eating with us even if they do not participate in classes, so please include that information in your reservation request. Contact me if you have further questions on this issue. 256-354-9919 or angeliakay@mindspring.com

We have set a minimum of 15 and a maximum of 25 for this event. If you register and we do not receive the minimum number of registrations your deposit will be refunded.

We have already had folks from several states emailing about spots so please don't wait to get in your reservation. There are a limited number of primitive campsites available here on our property, so if you are interested in one please let us know right away and get that reserved. These sights DO NOT have electric or water hook-ups. **We do have composting outhouses (nice ones ;-) and hot showers in the shower house for campers. We do not charge additional fees for camping but do ask for the areas to be kept clean.

Please no shorts, sleeveless shirts, no sandals or flip flops and no video cameras. Our family is focused on Christ in every aspect of our lives and He will be the main focus of this event.