A Week of Practical Homesteading

What is Homesteading?

A relatively recent global phenomenon which reflects a deep craving within a growing number of people to reconnect and take back control over their lives, the food they eat and their health. This resurgence within modern society to become more self-reliant and independent is forcing people to ask this question and explore how they can introduce some practical changes into their everyday lives. 

This one week immersive course will cover homesteading as a way of living and working regeneratively. The course, anchored in sustainable food production and consumption, will introduce you to core homesteading activities such as food growing (vegetables, fruit and herbs), rearing poultry for eggs and meat, rearing pigs, beekeeping, preserving and fermentation, bread making, micro-dairying… We will also look at the business of homesteading and how participants can apply homesteading activities to new business ventures or diversifying current business activity. We offer four homesteading weeks annually, each tailored to embrace the season it is in, so no matter what time of year you come, you will walk away with a unique set of skills.

What You’ll Learn:

• The Homesteading Mindset
• The Benefits of Homesteading to People, Planet and Pocket
• Growing food - Planning and Design, Soil health, fruit, vegetable and herb growing
• Preserving and Fermentation
• Learning How to Make Homemade Butter, Yogurt and Milk Kefir in our Micro Dairy
• Making Bread, Soda bread, Yeast bread, Natural 48 hr Fermented Sourdough…
• Homesteading as a Business, adding Value to Homegrown Produce, Trading at Farmers Markets and More

Course Elements:

• Indoor and Outdoor Classroom Learning
• Tours of the organic farm, gardens and greenhouses
• Practical sessions on soil, compost, seed sowing, seed saving in season, growing food and rearing animals and so much more
• Practical cooking sessions

Good to Know:

• As we’ll spend time walking and learning around the farm, please bring suitable clothing and footwear - to allow for changeable weather!
• Refreshments and lunch included
• The course is held at Ballymaloe Cookery School & Organic Farm and Gardens in Shanagarry, Co. Cork P25 R274- a biodiverse working organic farm and greenhouses. 
• Tea, coffee & Ballymaloe natural sourdough, homemade Jersey butter and seasonal jams will be served from 9am on the first day of the course so please arrive early to sign in, meet other students and get ready for a busy week of hands on learning

Eligible participants living in Ireland can avail of a generous cost reduction on this course through our course partners National Organic Training Skillnet. TBC. Please contact for further details.