Homesteading Skills Courses

Would you like to learn homesteading skills, make the most of seasonal produce and increase your self sufficiency – whatever size space you have? Hosted here at the Half Acre Homestead, the Homesteading Skills workshops is a combination of step-by-step demonstrations and hands-on practical activities, sharing many of the skills for self sufficiency that I’ve learned over decades of living “the good life”.   The day is from 11 to 4pm, and costs £95 per session and includes all ingredients. Beverages are provided, please bring a packed lunch and any snacks you wish to eat. Please read the Terms and Conditions before booking. Dates for 2026 : 24th May, 28th June, 6th September, 4th October Whether you live in a rural small holding or an urban apartment, this homesteading course is for you. Hosted in the heart of my productive organic garden, you’ll learn the skills for having your own healthy food, and homemade body care and home care supplies, year round. The workshop will change each session according to the season but will include: * working with the seasons * best equipment for increasing self sufficiency and how to make your own (where applicable) * basic tools and tool care * introduction to preserving skills – including water bath canning and dehydrating (including what jars and other equipment to use) * veg storage year round – what needs to be stored and how; what can be left in the ground * using as much of the plant as possible * making condiments – salts, vinegars, oils, sugars * apothecary – salves and healing oils * unusual crops that work well in our climate to increase resilience * managing gluts * successional sowing & growing, for food year round * food storage when you don’t have much space * home brewing including country wines year round All of the skills are plant based and (almost!) everything can be grown here in the UK. Small group tuition – max of 6 people. Contact me if you’d like to arrange a personalised Homesteading Skills course for yourself and some friends – either here at the Half Acre Homestead or at an alternative location. All of the courses are designed to compliment the one day Grow Year Round Courses. The Homesteading Skills day course includes an introduction to preserving skills such as canning, dehydrating, pickling and fermenting. This is a huge topic and too much to cover in a self sufficiency skills day – there’d be no time for anything else! Dates for Preserving Skills day courses which focus in more detail on these skills will be on the website in a few weeks.