Courses and Classes
COURSES
Smallholder Course - 1 day (beginners)
10am - 4pm (refreshments included)
£105 per person
Booking essential (contact us to book)
Set in the heart of the beautiful Tud Valley in Norfolk, Longwater Farm is offering a unique one day smallholders course for people who have been dreaming about, planning or have just started a smallholding. If you're just getting going, or want to explore the smallholding world more, either for your own personal enjoyment or with a mind to start your own business, this is the perfect day course for you!
The course has been developed and is led by our experienced founder and farm manager, who will be taking you through an incredible day of learning while experiencing life on an active smallholding.
We want you to ask questions, debate the issues around ethical farming, and get as much out of the day as you can. Be prepared to get your hands dirty and get sheep cuddles too! We want you to leave Longwater Farm feeling confident and ready to start your smallholding dream.
By taking part in this course you will:
- Learn about where to start and who can help; what are the rules, do's and don't's of getting up and running.
- What to be aware of whether you're buying or renting land and how to make this as simple a process as possible.
- Guidance to help you avoid common pitfalls, including planning information, buying and moving animals safely.
- Have a look at a variety of different types of holdings you can set up, how to plan ahead and create an income.
- Get to grips with the vital elements that your holding will need such as irrigation, soil health and land management.
- You'll get to explore the farm, meet the animals, and explore what it means to farm sustainably and ethically.
- You'll get a crash course in sheep and pig husbandry.
- Get involved with a talk from our special guest Agronomist, who will tell us all about the pros and cons, truths and myths of agricultural chemicals with your chance to ask questions and debate the issue.
- You'll go home with an e-handbook with all the info covered to help you get planning, along with a comprehensive list of important contacts, organisations and government offices.
- You'll be able to as your questions to our Farm Manager who has been the drive behind setting up the holding, securing funding to purchase the land, set up the business, carrying out the successful planning application that secured our place as a community and education farm, secured lottery funding and much more.
- Ongoing support via email or phone for future questions.
Pig Keeping - for beginners
(No 2023 Dates)
10am - 2pm (refreshments provided)
This half day course is designed specifically for those who want to learn animal care/husbandry. Spend the morning with us here on the farm and gain the confidence to start your own journey with animals, not just for yourself, but confidence knowing you will be providing the best care for your animals possible as you go on to continue your learning journey. This course will equip you with the basics pf how to care for a variety of farm animals as well as the rules and regulations. For each type of animal we will look at:
- Space and environment
- Fencing and neighbours
- Housing, shelter and bedding
- Paperwork, cost, rules and regulations
- Illness, vets and medication
- Grooming and routine care
- Food and treats
- Why are you keeping animals - animal ethics
- What happens at the end/if you can't look after them anymore
WORKSHOPS (NO DATES FOR 2023)
Smudge Stick Making
10am - 12pm booking essential
Refreshments and materials included
Join us in learning about the traditional and ancient craft of smudge stick making; how ours and other cultures use a vast variety of fantastic herbs, wild and cultivated at the centre of this deeply spiritual and healing activity.
Breathe in the fresh air, the beautiful scent of nature, and relax in all the glories and wonders that nature in summer provides on the farm. We will take a walk around the farm, learning and picking a selection of wild plants for you to make your own smudge sticks with..
You can take part in sensory activities designed by the workshop leader to get you think about and experience the different effects different smells, herbs and flowers can have on us mentally, emotionally and therefore physically.
It will be a relaxing and fun morning, giving you the chance to have some time for yourself. Take the time to reconnect with nature and your inner sage, while enjoying the beautiful surroundings of our off grid farm. Pick your own herbs and experiment with different bundle combinations. Indulge your senses, exploring the benefits and effects from different scents. All with a cuppa and cake of course!