Community Grow-Alongs

Whether on your farm, in your home dye garden, or in a pot that rests on your porch or window sill, learn how to grow and process your own natural dyes. Choose persicaria tinctoria (Japanese indigo) or marigolds and join a virtual community of natural dyers to discover the magic of producing your own homegrown color!

This ancestral art form is an exclusive workshop opportunity for select members of our Homestead Club. Offered on a limited basis, once a year, this immersive series delves into the traditional practice of transforming raw hides into supple, usable tanned leather or sheepskin rugs. Led by skilled artisans, learn the intricate techniques, tools, and natural processes involved in preserving hides.

Watch and Learn  Community Days

Our Demo Days offer a mini glance at some of the hard work and creativity that goes on around the farm. 

The Tour:

Stop by and smell the flowers, tour our expanded orchard and color-full dye gardens,  and delve into a variety of enlightening demos and activities, like hand-spinning, needle felting, or soapmaking. Not all demonstrations are hands-on, (like Abraham’s blacksmith forge), but they will hopefully provide you with a skill-based glimpse  to inspire your inner farmer. Meet our beloved horse Hercules, our fluffball sheep, and our irresistibly adorable Angora bunnies. You may also be entertained by our comical bands of ducks and chickens.

Light refreshments will be available for purchase at our farm stand where you can  shop a selection of farm favorites to take back home.

Visit the calendar for more info and to reserve you spot, weather permitting. Spaces are limited.

Curious about natural dyes and how they work? Join us at one of our hands-on sessions where you’ll learn to prepare fibers for lasting natural color, including essential steps like scouring and mordanting. Whether you’re into immersion dyeing, bundle dyeing, ecoprinting, or starting your first indigo vat, we’ll explore the alchemy of successful, repeatable dye processes. Discover how to create a vibrant rainbow of colors on various natural fibers. Take away useful tips for maximizing exhaust baths, while crafting your own beautiful hues with natural dyes.

Natural Dyes for Beginners

Curious about natural dyes and how they work? Join us at one of our hands-on sessions where you’ll learn to prepare fibers for lasting natural color, including essential steps like scouring and mordanting. Whether you’re into immersion dyeing, bundle dyeing, ecoprinting, or starting your first indigo vat, we’ll explore the alchemy of successful, repeatable dye processes. Discover how to create a vibrant rainbow of colors on various natural fibers. Take away useful tips for maximizing exhaust baths, while crafting your own beautiful hues with natural dyes.

Herbal Tincture and Salve Making Class

This is an introductory class for those interested in making their own herbal-infused remedies and their healing properties. Explore our medicinal herb garden, then learn the art of making potent tinctures and soothing salves using nature’s bounty. This session guides you through the process, from identifying and harvesting medicinal herbs to hands-on creation. Enjoy a holistic experience and take home your handmade herbal creations.

Goat Milk Soapmaking 101

Craft luxurious, artisinal goat milk soaps in our beginner’s soapmaking class. Join us for an enriching session where you’ll learn the basics of soapmaking using nourishing goat milk. Discover tips for infusing your soaps with homegrown florals, herbs, and essential oils. Gain inspiration and ideas to create your own personalized bars that cater to your skin’s needs. Unleash your creativity and embark on a journey to craft beautiful, natural soaps that elevate your daily routine.

Small Farm Photography Wksp

Join us in creating compelling farm stories through the lens. This class is designed to empower photographers of all levels with the skills, insights, and techniques needed to capture the rustic charm, vibrant landscapes, and authentic moments that define life on a farm.

Course Highlights:

• Mastering Natural Light
• Composition and Storytelling
• Working with Subjects and Animals
• Landscapes and Environmental Portraits
• Macro and Detail Photography
• Post-Processing and Editing
• Ethics and Respect in Farm Photography

Whether you’re a seasoned photographer looking to expand your portfolio or a novice eager to embark on a creative journey, this farm photography class will help equip you with the skills and inspiration needed to capture the soul of your farm and the genuine moments that transpire within them. 

• Introduction to Drones for Small Farms
• Precision Monitoring for Enhanced Yield
• Livestock Care at a Glance
• Cost-Effective Infrastructure Inspection
• Efficient Data Analysis Simplified
• Navigating Small Farm Regulations
• Personalized Case Studies
• Exploring Future Possibilities 

High Hog Farm’s blacksmith shop is up and running. During your tour, stop by and learn about early forging history and the craft of blacksmithing. While the forge is lit, our son and resident smithy, Abraham, will be doing demonstrations and storytelling.

Interested in learning how to process your own backyard poultry? Join us for a hands-on class where you’ll be guided through the essential skills and requirements for processing farm-raised broiler chickens or ducks. From breed selection and humane handling techniques, to understanding the process from start to finish, our sessions aim to answer all of your pertinent questions. Learn proper methods for dispatching, eviscerating, and preparing birds for safe consumption. Emphasis is placed on the importance of sanitation and safety throughout the entire process.