Programs & Workshops
Appalachian Farm-Arts Heritage Foundation has two types of structured educational opportunities; Workshops and Programs.
Workshops are one day (usually 5 hours) events where we gather to learn through hands on participation in activities common in Appalachian Heritage. These are hosted at Bowmantown Ruritan. Workshops are also mobile. We are happy to bring workshops to any location with kitchen facilites; minimum attendance is 10. Email us at AppyFarmFoundation@gmail.com
Programs are monthly workshops that last one year and teach more complex Appalachian Heritage skillsets. Currently in development are:
Bee-Keeping and Sheep to Sweater. Watch Facebook for more information and registration. Class size is very limited.
Programs launching sooN
Bee Keeping
Sheep to Sweater
Sheep to Sweater
Bees have a cycle of activity through each season. Learn how to care for bees and their hive from our Persimmon Ridge garden host and experienced beekeeper.
- Learn hands on what bees need each season and how to care for your own hives before investing.
- Learn alongside others with similar interests.
- Grow your skillset through supervised part
Bees have a cycle of activity through each season. Learn how to care for bees and their hive from our Persimmon Ridge garden host and experienced beekeeper.
- Learn hands on what bees need each season and how to care for your own hives before investing.
- Learn alongside others with similar interests.
- Grow your skillset through supervised participation.
- Adults only. Limited class sizes, on site monthly meeting.
Email for details
Sheep to Sweater
Sheep to Sweater
Sheep to Sweater
Or maybe Alpaca! Join a group to learn about every step of processing animal fur for producing textiles. We will meet monthly and participate in the process of preparing the sheep wool or alpaca fleece.
- raising sheep/alpaca/llamas
- preparing the animal
- washing the fleece/wool
- harvesting /sheering
- carding
- the dying process using natural plant dye
Or maybe Alpaca! Join a group to learn about every step of processing animal fur for producing textiles. We will meet monthly and participate in the process of preparing the sheep wool or alpaca fleece.
- raising sheep/alpaca/llamas
- preparing the animal
- washing the fleece/wool
- harvesting /sheering
- carding
- the dying process using natural plant dyes
- spinning
- drying and storage
- using your prepared wool/fleece to create textiles.
Workshops
Plant Identification and Foraging
Take a guided hike on the Foundation grounds to look for and identify wild edibles, medicinal plants, and mushrooms. Our expert guides will explain edible plant parts and processing techniques for best use. The hike is currently in development and will be offered twice each season, Spring, Summer, and Fall.
$25 per person; youth ages 8 and up are welcome to join an accompanying adult at no charge.
To be alerted to the development of this activity follow us on Facebook.
**Unguided foraging by participants is prohibited on the Foundation Grounds.
Survivalist 101
This class combines some of our other offerings to provide a comprehensive but basic guide to woodland survival. Expert guided, on-site classes build your confidence in basic survival practices such as; fire building, water safety, staying warm and hydrated, raw foraging, temporary shelters, and woodland safety. This activity will be scheduled quarterly to test your skills in all climates. Follow us on Facebook to be alerted to class formation. $35 per adult; youth ages 8 and up are welcome to join an accompanying adult at no charge. This is an introductory activity. If you have intermediate to advanced survival skillsets email us at AppyFarmFoundation@gmail.com to talk with us about partnerships to advance this area of self-sufficiency.
- Want to do a survival day for your homeschool, corporate, or church group? Contact us to make arrangements, minimum participants is 8 adults; youth ages 8 and up are welcome with an accompanying adult.