 |
Date |
Fri 3rd - Sun 5th September 2010 |
| Duration |
3 Days |
| Time |
10 a.m. to 4p.m. |
| Cost |
£165 (Bursary Available) |
| Group Size |
12 |
| Minimum Age |
18 |
| Course Tutor |
Alan and Rosie Beat |
Course Schedule and Enrolment
| To purchase Smallholding and Self Reliance, Fri 3rd - Sun 5th September 2010 click here: Add To Basket |
Summary
To escape the rat-race for “the good life” is the dream of many people today - but how does the reality compare? This course looks in detail at the practicalities of leading a self-reliant lifestyle on a few acres of land, producing much of your own top-quality food while meeting many other needs in a sustainable and satisfying way.
More Information
Outline course programme with an additional visit to Yarner’s Natural Bees:
FRIDAY
10.00am Coffee, registration and welcome
10.15 Introduction - smallholding ideals and realities
11.15 Smallholding basics – from garden to farm
1.00pm Lunch
2.00 Goats and dairying, with guest speaker Penny Hall
3.00 Finance
4.00 Close
SATURDAY
9.30am Visit to Providence Farm – organic meats, farm shop
11.15 Visit to Ceridwen – organic veg boxes, polytunnels
1.00 Lunch at The Bridge Mill
2.00 Discussion of morning visits
3.00 Visit to Owlies microholding - much in a small space
3.30 Close
SUNDAY
9.30am Visit to The Bridge Mill:
Morning livestock round - sheep, pigs, hens and ducks
Land management - fences, gates, grazing, trees, hedges, wildlife
Tools and machinery
1.00pm Lunch
2.00 Gardens - fruit, vegetables, flowers, herbs
3.00 The good life – finding the balance
3.30 Close and departure
Alan & Rosie have run their sixteen acre smallholding along organic lines for over twenty years. They keep sheep, pigs, hens and ducks, plus a neighbour’s cattle through the grazing season, and use positive management for wildlife. They are regular contributors to Country Smallholding magazine and Alan's book
A Start in Smallholding was published in 2004.
In 2008 they were highly commended finalists in Natural England's Future of Farming Awards "for exemplary management of wildlife, landscape and access". Website: www.thebridgemill.org.uk
Comments from this year's course:
'Hi Alan and Rosie,
We just wanted to drop you an email to say we really enjoyed the self suffiency course you ran at the end of May, we walked away really feeling inspired and you have made us think differently about how we are now approaching different projects. June has been a bit hectic, so we haven't spent much time in Devon, but already we have started a compost heap, in readiness for our veg garden which we have started to plan and want up and running for next year. Simon is also looking at the possibility of getting some pigs next year too.
Rosie, on the course you told us how to make elderflower champagne, but I can't remember, would you mind emailing your recipe and how to make it through, we have an elderflower tree in the garden, so I thought I should give it a go.
If you are passing through our way, do drop in for a cuppa.
.
Thanks again for you inspiration!!
Nicky & Simon'
Student Requirements
Please make sure you bring the following to the course:
- Outdoor clothing and footwear
- A contribution to a shared ploughman's style lunch such as cold meat, cheese, bread, salad, fruit or cake.