Earthwise Farm and Forest

Raw Dairy Processing Class

Beyond Milk -Raw Dairy Processing Class

Butter, Yogurt, and Soft Cheeses

NEXT CLASS: is Sunday, September 19th, 2010

from 1:00 - 4:30 PM

Earthwise Farm & Forest, Bethel Vermont

Learn how to make delicious soft cheeses, yogurt and butter in your own kitchen! Get acquainted with using butter molds and adding herbs, or other flavors to your final product. With simple instruction and good quality raw milk, it an easy and exciting activity adding delicious artisinal treats for any occasion. This class will also provide information about how and where to purchase local, raw milk. Attendees will get hands-on experience including an opportunity to taste-test and bring some delicious cheese and butter home.

Lisa and her husband Carl Russell own and operate Earthwise Farm and Forest where they raise grass-fed livestock for meat, eggs and dairy in compliance with the organic standards. They use draft animals for logging and field work, live off the grid using wind and solar power, and sell raw milk from their farm.

Class Fee: $35

Pre-registration Required: Contact Lisa McCrory at 802-234-5524 or email: Lmccrory@hughes.net if you are interested in attending. Space is limited to 15 participants per class.

Directions: [from Randolph] Take Rt 12 South about 3 miles and take a right onto Gilead Brook Road. Travel 2.5 miles and take a right onto Macintosh Hill Rd, go up Macintosh Hill about 2/10 of a mile and our driveway is on the left (green mailbox, #341). Drive past the red farm house another 800 feet up the driveway to our house. [from Bethel] Take Rt 12 North about 3 miles and take a left onto Gliead Brook Road. (follow directions above after that)

Ecological Forestry and Animal-Powered Timber Harvesting Workshops

Forest Management Workshop

Animal-Powered Timber Harvesting Workshop

Stay tuned for 2010 workshop dates

Earthwise Farm & Forest is a 150 ac.  diversified enterprise in Bethel VT. The forestland has been under management by the Russell family since the 1940’s. For over twenty years Carl has done all the harvesting using horses and oxen. Carl has also operated Russell Forestry Services since 1986, specializing in ecological forestry and low-impact timber harvest with draft animals. Periodically we offer a series of workshops designed to educate participants with skills and techniques for working draft animals in the woods.  These day-long sessions will provide a small group of individuals with hands-on experience and intensive exposure to the fundamentals of the work of logging with animals. Although we use horses and steers during each class, the emphasis will not be on teamster training. Participants should come prepared to work outdoors all day, in most weather conditions. Sturdy work boots, gloves and chainsaw safety equipment, including hard hat with eye and ear protection, and chainsaw resistant chaps.  Please bring your own lunch, snacks, hot drinks, and water. Pre-registration Required: Please contact Carl Russell at 802-234-5524 or email: earthwise@hughes.net if you are interested in attending a future class. We will add you to our email list and contact you when our 2010 dates are set. Enrollment will be limited to the first 10 people per workshop. Game of Logging; Levels 1 & 2 Basic chainsaw safety and tree felling. We host this two day course taught by educators from Northeast Woodland Training, Inc.. Completion of G.O.L. 1&2 (either from this offering, or another) is required prior to using chainsaws in any Earthwise Farm & Forest timber harvesting workshops. $130 per person/day. I-Planning the Harvest; Defining the harvest area, determining the need for improvement, creating a cutting plan, marking trees, evaluating product.  Determining access, locating skid trails and landings. Planning for felling, product handling, including discussion of equipment requirements / limitations, and evaluating the landscape for logging with animals.  $50/person. II- Starting the Harvest; Clearing skid trails and landing area, felling and bucking trees for harvest with animals. Using directional felling to facilitate maneuverability, and cutting product to meet market specifications. Demonstration and discussion of access limitations, and equipment choices. $50/person. Enrollment deadline 6/1/07 III-Working Animals in the Woods; Basic care and management, shoeing, and harnessing for working in the woods. Hitching and working safety for one horse, two horses, and steers. Setting realistic expectations, and understanding strategies for moving working loads in timber harvest. Demonstration and discussion of equipment use. $50/person. IV-Logging With Animals; Based on desire and schedule of participants from I, II, & III, a day (or two) of putting it all together. Felling, bucking, skidding, single horse, team, steers, sled, cart, etc.. $50/person/day.