| Author |
A Farm of My Own:  My Inspiration  |
|
|
deeredawn
True Blue Farmgirl
2306 Posts
Dawn
Cordova
TN
USA
2306 Posts |
 Posted - Jul 07 2009 : 09:14:01 AM
|
As I get ready to spend my last hours on the Palouse, I am filled with so much inspiration. I truly have found my niche' while here and want to share!
I have been watching Contrary Wife for a week now. She makes all her meals from scratch, still tends to chores, laundry etc etc... I honestly felt so re-energized for life spending time with her.
So she had an idea for me and I WILL make it happen. I have a small store front/farmers market on my property and I am hoping to present Homesteading Classes there by October of this year. Each month I will host a class on seed saving, soap making, bee keeping, sewing, cheese making etc etc. I honestly feel like this is a needful thing and am hoping to host these classes in my barn. A little more work needs to be attended to in there, but I think that this is going to be a huge success. I think back to my Spring Fling and the interest that spun off of that and I know in my heart of hearts that this is my farm niche. I have always been comfportable speaking in front of large crowds and feel like I have the people skills to pull it off.
Any more ideas out there and has anyone else done something like this and would like to share tidbits of helpful info? I am going to have to buy a new bnotebook for the flight home tonight so I can continue to jot down all my cool ideas!
Dawn #279
MJ's Heirloom Mavens-QMD
http://harvestthyme.blogspot.com
~the only thing for certain, is uncertainty~ |
|
|
Corinnelouise
True Blue Farmgirl
957 Posts
Corinne
France
957 Posts |
Posted - Jul 07 2009 : 09:20:27 AM
|
Maybe you can have guest teachers come once in a while and give a class on one specific topic. I am sure you could invite Teresa Sue for a quilting class sometimes.
A Christmas workshop on making wreaths, an Easter one of decorating eggs, a Mother day themed 'something'... and then, you can do that full time, how fun.
I can even pop in for some french cooking from scratch class one day (wink wink)
Corinne
Sister # 101
'Heaven on Earth' is a choice you must make, not a place you must find.
Dr. Wayne Dyer |
 |
|
|
deeredawn
True Blue Farmgirl
2306 Posts
Dawn
Cordova
TN
USA
2306 Posts |
Posted - Jul 07 2009 : 09:23:39 AM
|
YES~
mmmm.... bring that recipe for that raspberry sauce stuff...heaven
Dawn #279
MJ's Heirloom Mavens-QMD
http://harvestthyme.blogspot.com
~the only thing for certain, is uncertainty~ |
|
|
|
RubyJunes
True Blue Farmgirl
246 Posts
June
Greenwich
Ohio
USA
246 Posts |
Posted - Jul 07 2009 : 09:40:48 AM
|
wow, what a NOVEL idea! LOL! It does sound great, and I know you can do a great job of it, too!
--June
Farmgirl #545
www.RubyJunes.com |
|
|
|
Huckelberrywine
True Blue Farmgirl
1607 Posts
Michelle
Rosalia
1607 Posts |
|
|
Laila
True Blue Farmgirl
273 Posts
Laila
Kutztown
PA
USA
273 Posts |
Posted - Jul 07 2009 : 10:26:07 AM
|
Dawn,
Isn't it great how we inspire each other. Good luck on your new venture.
Laila |
|
|
|
Contrary Wife
True Blue Farmgirl
2164 Posts
Teresa Sue
Tekoa
WA
USA
2164 Posts |
Posted - Jul 07 2009 : 10:32:44 AM
|
Michelle, I am so sorry I didn't get a chance to meet you!
Teresa Sue
Farmgirl Sister #316
Planting Zone 4
"Learn the rules so you know how to break them properly." The Dalai Lama |
|
|
|
Contrary Wife
True Blue Farmgirl
2164 Posts
Teresa Sue
Tekoa
WA
USA
2164 Posts |
Posted - Jul 07 2009 : 10:33:52 AM
|
oops. the last post was from me, Deeredawn. Forgot that Contrary is signed in....
Teresa Sue
Farmgirl Sister #316
Planting Zone 4
"Learn the rules so you know how to break them properly." The Dalai Lama |
|
|
|
prariehawk
True Blue Farmgirl
2914 Posts
Cindy
2914 Posts |
Posted - Jul 07 2009 : 3:45:40 PM
|
I think it sounds like a fabulous idea--maybe you could include classes on growing herbs, composting, etc. If you have the means and the gift for it, then go for it!
Cindy
"Dog is my co-pilot"
Visit my blog at http://www.farmerinthebelle.blogspot.com/ |
|
|
|
paradiseplantation
True Blue Farmgirl
1277 Posts
julie
social springs community
Louisiana
USA
1277 Posts |
Posted - Jul 14 2009 : 12:57:02 PM
|
Dawn! I love the idea, and have often contemplated it myself. Let me know how it goes. Trust me, if I could get from Louisiana to Ohio, I'D take one of the classes!!!!!
from the hearts of paradise... |
|
|
|
deeredawn
True Blue Farmgirl
2306 Posts
Dawn
Cordova
TN
USA
2306 Posts |
Posted - Jul 14 2009 : 1:41:28 PM
|
Just to let ya know... I've mentioned the idea casually at a farmers market, the grocery store, and a yard sale and I've had TREMENDOUS response! So I'm off to make a monthly plan, a class a month starting in September, with each class corresponding to it's particular month. Here's what I got so far: please feel free to give idea's or introspect:
Jan: Candlemaking
Feb: Soapmaking
Mar: Backyard Poultry
April: Green Cleaning/Laundry Soap Making
May: Heirloom Gardening/Companion Gardening
June: Kids in the Country (making rock candy, homemade bubbles, resurecting old games-hopscotch-make believe-etc)
I also might throw in an adult class that month too
July: Pantry Essentials and Storage
August: Canning/Preserving/Drying Food
September: Seed Saving/Composting
October: Cheesemaking OR Cast Iron Cooking
Nov: Herbal Health/Beauty/Apothecary
Dec: undecided
I also want to offer classes on beekeeping, and homemaking. Any other idea's out there? I tried to pick a task that corresponded with each month and subsequently, some tasks have to precede the next months class (ex: pantry storage and then preservation).
Dawn #279
MJ's Heirloom Mavens-QMD
http://harvestthyme.blogspot.com
~the only thing for certain, is uncertainty~ |
|
|
|
RubyJunes
True Blue Farmgirl
246 Posts
June
Greenwich
Ohio
USA
246 Posts |
Posted - Jul 14 2009 : 1:55:18 PM
|
Looks great, Dawn! Sign me up! 
--June
Farmgirl #545
www.RubyJunes.com |
|
|
|
gramadinah
True Blue Farmgirl
3557 Posts
Diana
Orofino
ID
USA
3557 Posts |
Posted - Jul 14 2009 : 2:09:27 PM
|
How about butchering and plucking.
Diana
Farmgirl Sister #273 |
|
|
|
deeredawn
True Blue Farmgirl
2306 Posts
Dawn
Cordova
TN
USA
2306 Posts |
Posted - Jul 14 2009 : 2:36:59 PM
|
Thanks Diana, I'll add that one to the list! Duh, being raised in a butcher shop guess I should've thought of that one! lol!
Dawn #279
MJ's Heirloom Mavens-QMD
http://harvestthyme.blogspot.com
~the only thing for certain, is uncertainty~ |
|
|
|
RuralSuburbia
True Blue Farmgirl
251 Posts
Leslie
Northern CA
USA
251 Posts |
Posted - Jul 14 2009 : 3:56:22 PM
|
for June's Kids in the Country, what about something to do with making bird houses from sticks & glue, or decorating gourds that the adults have cleaned the month before, or collecting lint for the birds' nests...making those sticky honey & seed feeders out of pine cones collected during the winter...or painting terra cotta pots for seedlings?
It kind of fits the garden theme from the previous month. Just a thought. I think your entire plan sounds fabulous!! |
|
|
|
RubyJunes
True Blue Farmgirl
246 Posts
June
Greenwich
Ohio
USA
246 Posts |
Posted - Jul 14 2009 : 4:23:48 PM
|
Great ideas, Leslie! I know that mamas/grandmas will appreciate having some fun ideas to help keeps the kids busy during the summertime! Kids also take such pride in doing things like those you mentioned. Whether it be planting, decorating, or feeding our feathered friends, these activities give them a real sense of ownership when they take part in the garden, etc.
--June
Farmgirl #545
www.RubyJunes.com |
|
|
|
deeredawn
True Blue Farmgirl
2306 Posts
Dawn
Cordova
TN
USA
2306 Posts |
Posted - Jul 14 2009 : 5:02:21 PM
|
For those of you that don't know, RubyJunes is my partner in crime. We are doing this as a team!
Dawn #279
MJ's Heirloom Mavens-QMD
http://harvestthyme.blogspot.com
~the only thing for certain, is uncertainty~ |
|
|
|
farmmommy
True Blue Farmgirl
500 Posts
Kelley
Texas
USA
500 Posts |
Posted - Jul 14 2009 : 5:28:04 PM
|
Hay Dawn!!..lol...get it?? Hay (hey)...ROFL!!! Ok, not really rolling on the floor, but close..tee-hee
Ok...what about Homestead building and up keep projects, or just a carpentry class. Properly cleaning, storing and sharpening tools, and maybe Jerry (or a local hanyman) could come in and teach the basic carpentry skills...(Sterling would be great in this department) He (or she) could teach how to use basic saws and what not, with maybe a bookshelf or small table or something as the project...I know that this spring, when Sterling taught me how to use his circular saw, I felt so empowered and independent!! I think that women who could be taught how to really use a few of her husbands or fathers or brothers tools could discover a whole new area of DIY, ya know???
http://cockadoodledewberries.blogspot.com |
|
|
|
marcy jo
True Blue Farmgirl
453 Posts
Marcy
Wawaka
Indiana
USA
453 Posts |
|
|
deeredawn
True Blue Farmgirl
2306 Posts
Dawn
Cordova
TN
USA
2306 Posts |
Posted - Jul 15 2009 : 6:23:59 PM
|
This is what I'm hoping for. I'll think about the carpentry ones Kell, Jerry is not a carpenter by a long shot! We'll see how the basics take off first!
Dawn #279
MJ's Heirloom Mavens-QMD
http://harvestthyme.blogspot.com
~the only thing for certain, is uncertainty~ |
|
|
|
Julia
True Blue Farmgirl
1949 Posts
Julia
Shelton
WA
USA
1949 Posts |
Posted - Jul 15 2009 : 10:45:30 PM
|
Dawn, that sounds like a wonderful idea! Wish I were closer to attend! Just the short time of meeting you at farm fair, I think you will do well at this!
For tomorrow and its needs I do not pray, but keep me, guide me, love me, Lord just for today.
St. Augustine
#440 |
|
|
|
paradiseplantation
True Blue Farmgirl
1277 Posts
julie
social springs community
Louisiana
USA
1277 Posts |
Posted - Sep 01 2009 : 07:47:13 AM
|
Dawn, I sure wish I were closer, too! What a great idea. Keep us posted on how it works! I really wish there was something like that close to me. I'd be in the front row every single class!
from the hearts of paradise... |
|
|
|
Aunty Krys
Farmgirl in Training
21 Posts
Krystal
Vancouver
Wa
USA
21 Posts |
Posted - Sep 01 2009 : 4:08:56 PM
|
Hi Dawn! If you'll teach me, I'll teach someone else! I would love to have something like this here--I love knowing that I can do what needs to be done and take care of my family--I'm trying to learn how to do more of the things you are teaching--do you know anyone out here who might be interested in teaching some classes to correspond to yours?
Be the person your dog thinks you are. |
|
|
|
deeredawn
True Blue Farmgirl
2306 Posts
Dawn
Cordova
TN
USA
2306 Posts |
Posted - Sep 02 2009 : 07:11:03 AM
|
Well, I don't kow how far you are from Tekoa or even if Contrary Wife would be up to the task, but try to email her and see if she'll teach you some of these things. She was MY inspiration when she welcomed me into her home for Farm Fair. She taught me so much in such a little time. She is an amazing farmgirl with a lot to give. You can tell her I said that too!
Dawn #279
MJ's Heirloom Mavens-QMD
http://harvestthyme.blogspot.com
http://maknfaces.blogspot.com
~I'm rough & tough and I don't wear bloomers~ Nellie Braken 1887 |
|
|
|
vintagediva1
True Blue Farmgirl
1251 Posts
Michele
Brighton
Michigan
USA
1251 Posts |
|
| |
A Farm of My Own: My Inspiration |
|
My Inspiration
