Smallholder Day
Overview
Fancy living the good life? Designed with rookie smallholders in mind, our one-day course is a brilliant introduction to the skills, equipment and knowledge required to raise classic livestock. Having farmed his whole life, our farmer Jim will be taking you through an interesting day of all things livestock.
Learn the basics in animal husbandry, put the theories into practice and get hands-on with the livestock here at River Cottage HQ. As well as the chance to explore our idyllic surroundings in the heart of the Devon countryside, you’ll be served a local, seasonal lunch and plenty of that famous River Cottage hospitality. Bring your enthusiasm and get stuck in!
Highlights
- Learn the tools and equipment needed for keeping sheep, pigs and chickens.
- Discover the housing requirements for your animals.
- Discuss different breed types and their suitability.
- Learn how to keep your animals healthy and well fed.
- Discuss the legalities of keeping animals so you can be prepared for your journey ahead.
Your day
10:00 - 17:00
MAKE YOURSELF AT HOME
You will meet your host and settle in with a seasonal smoothie as you get an overview the benefits of starting your day with a nourishing drink.
THE BASICS
Firstly, we’ll start the day with an overview of setting up a smallholding, including the tools and equipment needed for farming. There’ll be demonstrations and the opportunity to have a look at some items more closely.
ANIMALS
Your day will focus on three types of livestock; pigs, sheep and chickens. You’ll discuss different breed types and their suitability, to ensure you’re picking the right animals for you.
HOUSING
You’ll head up 'Pig Lane' and see our chickens, pigs and sheep. Jim will advise you on picking suitable locations for your livestock and show you the housing needs for each animal, to meet the high welfare standards needed for happy livestock.
LUNCH
Lunch will feature a colour array of delicious flavours made with River Cottage garden veg and local ingredients like ferments, pickles, pulses, nourishing grains, and a micro green herb oil. Alongside lunch will be a huge garden salad with a probiotic dressing and prebiotic ingredients, and to finish the meal off you’ll make an herbal tea and some tahini fudge with dried lemons.
FEED & HEALTH
Your attention will then turn to making informed choices with organic feed, to keep your animals healthy and well nourished. You’ll also learn how to handle and transport your animals with minimal stress.
LEGALITIES
Jim will discuss the process of taking an animal to slaughter and cover the legalities around keeping your own animals .
Departure
You'll have the opportunity to ask Jim any burning questions and chat with your fellow smallholders before heading home, excited to start your own smallholding!
Further Information
Directions
This course is run from River Cottage HQ on the Dorset/Devon borders. Full address details of HQ will be provided once you have booked.
Licensed Venue
We are a licensed venue. We have a wide selection of the finest organic wines available to purchase.
Accommodation
If you would like to stay at the heart of River Cottage, we offer overnight accommodation at River Cottage HQ in our beautiful 17th century farmhouse. We have three stylishly refurbished bedrooms for B&B plus the 2-bedroom Gardener’s Cottage. These get booked quickly so for more information go to rivercottage.net/stay to book. Alternatively, we have put together a list of our local accommodation which includes B&Bs, self-catering, hotels and camping.
Suitability
We would advise that this course is only really suitable for 15 years of age and upwards. Under 16s must be accompanied by a paying adult. We put these guidelines in place for the safety, comfort and enjoyment of all our guests.
Allergy Advice
Please let us know if you have any dietary requirements or allergies when booking.
