What will I learn at the Master of the Land course:

During your Master of the Land Course we will be presenting the following and you will be engaging in these events hands on:

How to make cold-press soap (you will take home 1 batch of soap about 15 bars)
How to make laundry detergent (you will take home a quart of soap)
Animal husbandry
soil management
cooking on a wood cook stove
heating with a wood cook stove
splitting wood
having an ice house
aspects of gardening
incorporating children of all ages into farming and choring
pumping water from the ground
farm "construction"
the basics of making farm cheese (we will try to eat this on the menu while you are here)
pressure canning
water bath canning
making bread and baking in a wood fired cook stove
composting
how to purchase an "off-grid" type farm and what to look for
farming with horses:
**harnessing, shoeing, what is a sound horse, driving horses, etc.
treadle sewing ( a basic overview)
the emotional aspects of living off-grid and off the land
**marriage wise, family wise, incorporating homeschooling, and more
sources of power to live off grid
**gasoline engines, briefly about windmills, flex shafts, oil lamps, pressure lamps (NOTE we will not discuss solar energy or wind power)
mending fences
maintaining plumbing in frigid temps, cold water in hot temps
cleaning the barn(s) properly
grazing rotations
farm improvement times of year
farm sustaining times of year
lighting an off-grid home
off-grid babies
brief shop machinery
using an outhouse literally
farm up keep
keeping good records/book work
water supply to a home
water supply for a farm
driving horses for farm and transportation
minor machinery repairs
caring for an off-grid beef herd
constructing a lane
bartering/trading (a big part of our farm)
raising chickens
raising goats
raising pigs
depending on the LORD to provide all of your needs according to His riches!
power ratios (belts, pulleys etc.)
defining and using farm machinery (horse drawn)
fuel types
refrigeration
off grid garbage care
slaughtering a chicken and eating for supper
understanding limits for workloads, temperatures, hours of day, etc.
off-grid laundry with a wringer washer and drying on the line
starting a CSA
organic gardening
You will be OUTSIDE most of the time but in for some of the home skills in the farm kitchen
off-grid farm housekeeping tips
frugal tips along the way
MORE things not listed

You possibly may be included in these following events hands on as well if you sign up for the May-September (hint, hint you have a better chance) course weeks as these are seasonal and weather, animal permitting:
the hands on aspects of gardening, planting, sowing, reaping, WEEDING
running a small produce stand
milking goats and/or cows
hoof care of horses and goats
slaughtering a hog and eating for supper some of it
calving
baling hay with horses
growing alfalfa, spelt, etc.
planting field corn
cutting and harvesting ice with horses (January/February)
planting from seed
pruning of orchards
harvesting
maintaining a large variety of produce
ice days (January/February)
sale/purchase of animals
different aspects of animal husbandry (shots and/or worming practices)
and much more because with farming there is a lot of surprises and no absolutes!

You can learn much more about Maple Valley Farms from our website.

a brief protocol and itinerary*** NEW PRICING***

The Maple Valley Master of the Land Course begins with your arrival at our farm on any afternoon (we are closed on Sundays and all of March) from 5 pm on. You will be served a light supper after your travel as we welcome you into your cozy surroundings of the Maple Valley Cottage. We will go over your itinerary for your stay and our and your expectations of the course.

Your hands on part of the course begins the next morning at 7:30 am in the barn for farm chores and then to the farm house over a hearty breakfast. You will engage in your course from this point on until dinner at the farmhouse is served at NOON. You will then have a break after dinner until 2 pm when we will engage in your farm learning until around 7 pm until supper is served at your cottage for you and your farm course partner. The course is 2 1/2 days long. You arrive on an afternoon, have the next 2 days of the course and you will be free to leave the last evening after 7 pm when the course is finished. You can also reserve the cottage to stay that evening if you please.

All of your food, lodging and learning experience is provided on a double occupancy rate total for two people of $800.00 U.S. dollars for your 2 1/2 day stay. Your single occupancy rate is $550.00 U.S. dollars.
We can email you a much more in depth itinerary upon your request.

Angela@maplevalleyfarms.net.

If you have any questions, please ask! ~Matt and Angela http://www.maplevalleyfarms.net/

616-566-8481

What should I bring and wear to the Master of the Land school?

As the weather in Michigan varies, so does life on a farm. We suggest getting a weather report for the 49322 area to pack accordingly for your stay. WE WILL NOT ALLOW OPEN TOED SHOES OF ANY KIND in any season on the farm!

Bring a barn coat, even in the summer months, as nights can be cool. Do not bring scarves or any loose clothing that could be caught on something at the farm. Barn boots additionally (we use these) are highly recommended for dirty barn chores (lots of manure here).

Please respect our modesty. No tank tops or bare midriffs of any kind allowed. We suggest wearing an old button up dress shirt and old khaki type pants (to get dirty) or skirts (jeans are much to stiff to work in). Shorts are not recommended on the farm. Hair should be pulled back tightly.

We have a off-grid supply store that will provide some non-incidentials if needed during your stay.

What does the Master of the Land school provide during my stay?

For your single and double occupancy rate Maple Valley Farms provides the following for 2 guests:

All of your food:
all the water you can drink!

All food (seasonably) is always taken from the farm first to eat and then to fill in we will use our pantry larder of canned goods from the previous harvest or purchase local groceries if necessary. During the summer months, May-September, is the best time to eat everything off the farm!

Your lodging:
The Maple Valley cottage will provide a queen sized bed for you with clean and laundry line dried bedding and towels and plenty of warm blankets!
A place to bathe in your cottage (remember you are learning to live off-grid so you will be heating your water appropriately by wood in your cottage as well for baths, etc.) But no worries, we have real toilet paper for you, no Sears Roebuck catalogs or eco-friendly leaves!
Books and games to use at night (but you will probably be exhausted from your farm day)
oil lamps that stay in the cottage for lighting. Couches, table and chairs to relax at and more. It is basically a fully-furnished cottage and only you and your guest will be staying there so you have complete privacy, etc. If you have any questions please ask us.

Your course:

See here as previously explained


Please feel free to ask any questions that you do not feel addressed on this site about the Master of the Land Course. There are no stupid questions, trust us! ~Matt and Angela

What the Master of the Land school cannot provide, accompany or allow:

We cannot accompany pets of any kind. We cannot meet any specific dietary requirements or guidelines with your food so please be prepared on your end with this. We do not allow smoking of any kind on the Maple Valley Farm property. Due to the nature of this business we cannot accompany any medical needs of any sort. No visitors are allowed or extra guests at the Maple Cottage during any time of your Master of the Land school whatsoever. No children are allowed during your stay. No drinking of any alcoholic beverage of any kind is allowed during your stay or on the property of Maple Valley Farm at any time. No drugs or weapons of any kind are allowed on the property of Maple Valley Farm at any time. We are closed in March and every Sunday through out the year. Please see the disclaimer below and if you have any questions about any of these requirements please ask us. We are here to help you! Matt and Angela