Classes - Spring 2015

 This is our Spring line up.  I am teaching these classes at the Excelsior Springs Adult Education Center during the month of March.     See info at bottom of page.      

YOU MUST GO THERE TO REGISTER.    

 Medicine Cabinet Makeover      (kitchen)  Tues  March 3  6:30-8:30 pm

We will not only be learning about the Traditional Herbal remedies-including essential oils- that can replace many OTC items in your medicine cabinet and first aid kit, we will be making some of them!    Healing herbal salves,  therapeutic herbal extracts and tinctures, liniments and vinegars.  $10 class material fee if you want to take any home.

The Holistic Life of Cats and Dogs              (kitchen)  Tues March 10 6:30-8:30 pm

I developed a system of natural care for my animals here at the farm that keeps them happy, healthy  and  free from parasites.      We will be making dog food and some supplements -- $10 class material fee if you want to take any home.

Herbal TLC                           (kitchen)              Tues March 17 6:30 – 8:30 pm

Herbal remedies have been tried and tested by generations of our families.  We will focus on the antibiotic and anti-viral properties of herbs, how to make them, how to take them.  We will be making a few herbal remedies in class--$10 class material fee if you want to take any home.

Backyard or Barnyard Chickens                  Tues March 24 6:30 – 8:30 pm

How to keep your chickens happy, healthy and producing—naturally.  The class will cover how to control/prevent parasites, make balanced food ratios and some surprising supplements, free-range or fenced, natural first-aid,  coops,   eggs, chicken breeds and an astonishing chicken ancestor.

 All of these classes are being taught at:

Excelsior Springs Adult Education Center  

614 Tiger Drive Excelsior Springs, MO 64024

816-630-9240      To register on line go HERE.      Look in the catalog under Natural Remedies pg 5

Farm Fair Review

Farm Life so encompasses my time that it seems that I have completely ignored my farm blog forever. I plan to rectify that.

Yesterday was cold and rainy but we pressed on with our first annual Farm Fair. The idea was to have vendors with interesting wares, classes with spellbinding topics, demonstrations that wowed, kids games that prompted giggles and hay rides that showed off the view of the valley from the top of the mountain. And, except for the view from the top, everything thing else came to pass. Maybe with a few less peeps, but those who braved the weather left smiling.

There was added excitement when "Bob" the tractor failed to pull the wagon load of peeps up the steep, muddy "road" to the top of the mountain. With each of the three failed attempts backing down was a thrill in itself.

Hayride highjinks.

Cassie and the girls on the hayride. She never passes up an opportunity to be the center of attention.

Wonderful articulated carvings from Dale of Rayville. I especially like Abe Lincoln; a confederate soldier stood nearby!

My peeps learning how to mix their own feed to obtain the desired % of protein. I mix my own feed here at Rocky Creek and change the protein level depending on the circumstances.

Our incredibly talented Caitlyn and her felted animals. I loved the WOLF. Her hats were a hit; especially on this COLD day. Caitlyn also gave us a spinning demo. Caitlyn is another of our talented Rayville residents.

Rayville's resident soapmaker, Shonna. Her patrons LOVE her and her many varieties of sudsy, old fashioned, super-duper soap; she does her part in keeping Rayville squeaky clean.

The incomparable Parker women of Parker's Pasture Raised Beef, Pork, Poultry and Lamb. The girls do remarkable embroidery on their tea towels and offer other hand-made items. They live about 10 miles as the crow flies from Rocky Creek.

Farmer Gary teaching a class on rabbit hutches. Our hutch is empty right now but I'm going to get some Angoras. To spin the fiber. Can't wait.

Jeff Dobbs and our grandson, H2. Jeff and Henry are both outdoorsmen; I knew they would take to one another. H2 has a You Tube channel: Get Outside With Henry. Jeff's You Tube channel is Lone Aspen Outdoors. Check them out if you love nature!

Other classes we held were Natural Pesticides and Fertilizers, Beneficial Insects, Chicken Tractors and Laundry Soap making. Inside the Cottage a display featured how to make salve--dandelions being the dominant herb right now. Be sure to check out our regular classes at www.rockycreekvalley.com