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Homestead

HOMESTEAD SERIES

The Homestead series is a continuing series of classes designed to inform and assist those interested in learning about greater self-sufficiency, sustainability and preservation strategies for life on the land. 

Let us hear from you about the classes you would like to take, or teach!

Contact us with your suggestions.

Classes

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February 2024

Bread and Broth

A two-part workshop where participants make yeast bread and bone broth from scratch using time-honored techniques and simple, natural ingredients.

Becky Lillywhite & Briana Colbert

Fish Swimming

September 17, 2019

An Aquaponics Overview 

Mickey Rosenfeld will walk participants through his own journey, detailiing the steps he took in introducing aquaponics to his farm in Zuni, VA.

Mickey Rosenfeld

Making Wreaths

December 1, 2018

Wreath Making Workshop

Learn to make a beautiful and professional holiday wreath!  Our master naturalists will be on hand to help you create a stunning, professional, native holiday wreath! 

Board Members & Volunteers

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March 31, 2018

Soil Fertility Discussion

This workshop will focus on increasing participants' knowledge of the physical, biological, and chemical factors that contribute to building soil health. Steve Miles will talk through the regenerative approach.

Steven Miles

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December 2, 2017

Wreath Making Workshop

Learn to make a beautiful and professional holiday wreath!  Our master naturalists will be on hand to help you create a stunning, professional, native holiday wreath! 

Board Members & Volunteers

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March 11, 2017

Beekeeping Basics

Keith Flannagan raised bees for many years and sold his honey through Local Roots and Fall Line Farms. He brought with him examples of all the tools and equipment needed to get started. The program covered how to construct a hive and the proper use of the tools required. Keith will discussed local and web based sources for materials and equipment.

Keith Flannagan

Solar Energy for your farm, home or busi

November 12, 2016

Solar Energy for your 
Farm, Home or Business

The Sustainable Technology Institute discussed what's new in solar energy for farms, residences and businesses. Attendees learned about the latest in solar panel technology, ground mount options, REAP grants and federal tax credits.

Andrew Rich

Trowel and Soil

September 26, 2015

Organic Strategies for the Garden

Steven will go beyond the basics to show you how to identify and correct (organically) whatever Mother Nature may send to challenge your gardening skills. Including cultivar selection, soil preparation, and how to manage insects and diseases.

Steven Miles

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April 11, 2015

Growing Culinary Herbs

Jo will demonstrate the best ways to propagate some of the most reliable herb varieties for Central Virginia. Topics will include growing requirements for each herb as well as when and how to harvest and store them. Propagation by cuttings and division as well as growing herbs from seed will be discussed.

Jo Pendergraph

Free Range Poultry Farm

August 6, 2014

Small Flock Poultry

A well managed small flock can provide one or two dozen hormone and antibiotic free eggs a week. There are many considerations you have to evaluate before beginning this adventure. This informative workshop presented the basics about getting started raising chickens at home. Topics included space requirements, coop design, rearing chicks, feed, protection and egg production. 

Shalom Farms

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March 29, 2014

Shiitake Mushrooms at Home

Stu discussed the techniques for growing shiitake mushrooms on logs in Central Virginia. Some of the topics include: selection of logs, inoculation process, harvest, mushroom storage and use. He also took the group on a tour of Rock Castle Farm's production area to see the process in action. A hands-on class, each participant was given a log to innoculate with mushroom spawn.

Stu Doetzer

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October 12, 2013

The Art of Home Brewing

Learn about he simple equipment and techniques you can use to brew tasty beer at home. Sean Pumphry, an accomplished home brewer, will lead the program and take you through the brewing process from start to finish. He will have on hand examples of the equipment and have a batch or two brewing.

Sean Pumphry

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August 14, 2022

Tomato Canning

Canning is equal parts science and art. Preparation is key for your safe canning experience. If you're new to the whole canning thing, we'll get you started.

Becky Lillywhite & Briana Colbert

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April 20, 2019

Bitters, Tinctures, Shrubs, and Liqueurs

Max is sharing his knowledge of bitters, tinctures, shrubs, and liqueurs so that you can go home and try making your own.

Max Watman

Ray of Light

October 20, 2018

Managing Small Woodlots

Discuss chainsaw use, safety, maintenance, as well as an in depth discussion on the general principles of woodlot management.

Paul Stoneburner & Chuck Wright

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June 24, 2018

Goats on the Homestead

Goats are an excellent addition to any homestead. Join us on a working dairy goat farm in Goochland to learn the fundamentals of raising goats. Learn the fundamentals of raising goats. We will discuss housing, fencing, purchasing your goat, as well as basic care.

Crystal Neilson-Hall

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April 2, 2017

Mead Making Workshop

Ben will provide an overview of the Healthberry Farm honey operation that specializes in the production of varietal honey throughout the season. His program will review “Old World” style mead making techniques, terms and traditions. 

Ben McKean

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February 25, 2017

Fruit Tree Pruning Workshop

Late winter is the best time to prune fruit trees and ornamentals. By pruning, you improve the plant’s health, thus reducing the needs for pesticides and improving water quality. This workshop will touch on pruning most of the fruit tree types in our area.

Don Smith

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April 9, 2016

Spring Garden Planning and Preparation

Betsy Trice (Sustainable Agriculture instructor) offered her insights on how to successfully garden organically in central Virginia. She covered many topics including; healthy soil requirements, companion planting, garden design, organic management techniques and many others.  

Betsy Trice

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May 16, 2015

Planning a Fruit Tree Planting

Success with fruit trees depends to a large degree on how you plan your plantings and how well you follow those plans. Don reviewed some of the basic principles of planning a successful fruit orchard, regardless of size, in the Powhatan-Goochland area.

Don Smith

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March 29, 2015

Shiitake Mushrooms at Home

Stu discussed the techniques for growing shiitake mushrooms on logs in Central Virginia. Some of the topics include: selection of logs, inoculation process, harvest, mushroom storage and use. A hands-on class, each participant was given a log to innoculate with mushroom spawn.

Stu Doetzer

Homemade Preserves

August 6, 2014

Preserve the Harvest: Jams & Jellies

Discussions and demonstrations centered on traditional methods of making and storing jams, preserves and jellies.

Participants learned the differences between jams, jellies and preserves and how to prepare each. Everyone helped prepare and process the fruits and went home with their own jars of jams and jellies. 

Keith Flanagan

Essential Oils

May 3, 2014

Essential Oils in the Home

Discussed the uses of Essential Oils in the home for cleaning products. She explained their healthy effects for yourself and the environment.

 

Participants made their own essential oil cleaners to take home and continue their journeys into the world of natural products for health and home.

Robin Knight

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March 8, 2020

Ready, Set, Grow!

A spring checklist for regenerative gardening: starting seeds, soil amendments, pest control, beneficial insects, choosing heirlooms for our climate.

Dominic Carpin

Bee Farm

March 24, 2019

Beekeeping Basics

This workshop introduces participants to beekeeping basics. D Mitchell has raised bees for many years and will explain all the tools and equipment needed to get started.

D Mitchell

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October 6, 2018

Season Extension: Four Season Farming!

We discuss the energy and economic balance points in extending the seasons. Covering four ranges of cold-hardiness.

Pam Dawling

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February 24th, 2018

Fruit Orchard Design and Selection

Success with fruit trees depends to a large degree on how you plan your plantings and how well you follow those plans. Don will review some of the basic principles of planning a successful fruit orchard, regardless of size, in our Central VA region. 

Don Smith

Appalachian Cuisine and Culture Dr Katie

September 9, 2017

Appalachian Cuisine and Culture 

A day of immersion in Appalachian foodways & music featuring Dr. Katie Hoffman —Appalachian Studies scholar, singer/songwriter & traditional musician — and bluegrass musician Brett Tiller.

Katie Hoffman & Brett Tiller

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November 16, 2016

Wreath Making Workshop

This year we are excited to offer a wreath making workshop. We will provide all the materials, ribbon, embellishments and of course, the star of the show, the greens! Our master naturalists will be on hand to help you create a stunning, professional, native holiday wreath!

Board Members & Volunteers

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October 10, 2015

Season Extension with Simple Garden Structures

Bill Cox discussed and demonstrated the passive systems he uses at Casselmonte Farm to extend the growing season, from weeks before to weeks after the typical frost dates in Central Virginia. Plant growth requirements, crop selection, siting, and the pros and cons of using high tunnels, low tunnels and cold frames.

Bill Cox

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December 16, 2014

Tanning Hides Workshop

Lee McLaughlin, a Goochland trapper, taught this workshop. He covered all aspects of the tanning process, from harvesting, fleshing, and stretching to the final pickling and breaking. Lee brought a couple of buckskins for demonstrating different steps so everyone could see the process from start to finish, as well as the tools and chemicals used

Lee McLaughlin

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November 14, 2014

Deer Processing Workshop

This program covered all the basics, from the tools needed to the aging, cutting and packaging of deer. All too often venison is over marinated and tough because the proper cuts were not made and it was way overcooked!

Johnathan Nadolski 

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April 5, 2014

Soil Conditioning

Discussed composting rules and techniques as well as green manures and cover crops. Becky Lillywhite discussed vermiculture and how to use this process to add fertility and structure to your garden soil. Instructors then helped participants make their own worm composter to take home and start producing worm castings to add to their soil.

Steven Miles

Image by Damien TUPINIER

February 22, 2014

Beekeeping

This workshop introduced participants to beekeeping basics. Keith Flannagan led the discussions. He has raised bees for many years and sells his honey at the Goochland Farmers Market on Saturdays. He brought with him examples of all the tools and equipment needed to get started. The program covered how to construct a hive and the proper use of the tools required.

Keith Flannagan

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