We host farm tours, nature walks, classes and events on the farm. Wool Working~Plant Walks~Mushroom Logs~Milking and Soap Making
FEBRUARY: SATURDAY GOAT CUDDLES!
Please register for this free event by sending a PM on our Facebook page or texting Jen at 434-365-4277
MARCH 30: EASTER EGG TRAIL HUNT
Our second annual adult (18+) Easter Egg Trail Hunt is happening at the farm on Saturday, March 30, 2024
Hop along two miles of our farm trails and search for eggs and prizes along the way. You could win a weekend getaway camping on the farm at one of our established campsites, products from our farm store, such as our breakfast basket which includes a dozen Animal Welfare Approved eggs, local coffee, our AWA meats, local jams and biscuit mixes, items made from our sheep wool, camping gear, local made chocolate baskets, camp cookout baskets, local soap and beauty baskets.
Gates open at 10:30 AM. Trail hunt begins at 11:00 AM and will last one hour.
Farm to Table food and drinks available for purchase
Pre-Registration is required. $25.00 per person. Register HERE
APRIL 13: FARM TO YARN WORKSHOP
Learn the step-by-step process of taking a raw sheep fleece all the way into beautiful handspun yarn.
This workshop taught by Casey Dowell of Deerly Woven will teach the step-by-step process of turning raw wool into beautiful yarn. The class is held on a 120-acre working farm. All materials are included. Please bring a bag lunch or grab a snack or sandwich from the farm store, located onsite.
Max participants is 12. This class will be held outdoors unless there is inclement weather. Starts at 10:00AM -2:00PM Pre-Registration is required. $70.00 per person. Register HERE
APRIL 20: PLANT SWAP, SPRING FLING AND FARM BARTER EVENT
Come mingle with our animals, exchange plants with new friends, take a walk on the trails or grab a bite to eat from our farm store. The plant swap will be held in our new garden area, which is fenced from our herd of free roaming goats, pigs and donkey! House, farm, native plants, seeds and homegrown welcome! We will have a small selection of plants and seeds to trade, as well as seeds from Southern Exposure Seed Exchange for sale in our farm store. Animal Welfare Approved eggs (chicken, duck and goose), lamb, pork and beef. Sausages, ground beef, soup bones, leaf fat and lard, steaks and roasts. Merino, Alpaca and Long wool varieties of raw wool by the pound and whole fleeces (Sheep shearing April 17, 2024) available for sale or trade. Guinea Keets (straight run) and Olive Egg Hens available 6-8 weeks. Barters and exchanges accepted of homemade goods, plants, seeds, and some animal products (wool, eggs, meat). No live animal exchanges allowed.
This is not a pet friendly event. Please keep those cute furry creatures at home. SPRING FLING DETAILS
MAY 19: NEEDLE FELTING WORKSHOP
Needle felting is a process of securing fibers with specially made needles to create beautiful works of art. In this class, we will go over the step-by-step process of creating your own felted/embroidered hoop while giving you the confidence to try something new. Go at your own pace, relaxing, and patient while creating something unique.
About the Instructor/Artist:
Belle Thomas is an inspirational needle felt artist whose creative journey began as a painter. What started out as an unsure hobby, quickly turned into a full blown business. She is passionate about sharing her craft with the community, and this motivation has led her to teach classes to help others discover the joy of needle felting. Belle is a self-taught artist who has developed her own unique style with dry and wet felting. She is dedicated to inspiring others to break out of their comfort zone and explore their own creativity. Learn more about her work at Hidden Acres Felting
This class will be held outdoors on our working farm which is Animal Welfare Approved for its lamb and wool. Come meet a few of the sheep, relax and enjoy learning a new hobby with friends. All class materials will be provided. $45 per person.
Class time is 9:00 AM - 11:00 AM Register HERE
JUNE 8: KOMBUCHA AND FIRECIDER CLASS (This class will be rescheduled for the future)
Fire Cider and Kombucha Class Instructed by Shawana Hawkes of Heritage Sweets
Fire Cider Description: In this class I will explain what fire cider is, give a brief overview of its history, discuss the health benefits of each ingredient, and then let guests make their own fire cider brew from a selection of ingredients. Each guest will go home with a quart sized jar filled with their own fire cider mix. Duration: 60 min Cost: $55
Kombucha Class Description: In this class I will explain what kombucha is, give a brief overview of the history of kombucha, discuss the health benefits, and then demonstrate how to make a batch while I discuss proper sanitation, describe each ingredient, and make note of common mistakes. What each student receives: a handout of class notes with a pen, a free bottle of kombucha at the end of class, and a kombucha kit, which includes everything they need to make their first batch of kombucha: a glass jar, cloth & rubber band, organic black assam tea, organic cane sugar, reusable tea bag, pH testing strips, stick-on thermometer for the jar, a kombucha pellicle, kombucha tea starter (16oz), instructions to make kombucha at home, a FAQ sheet, flavor ideas for secondary fermentation, and my contact information to use if they have questions in the future all in a reusable shopping bag. Optional: Guests can purchase additional kits for $50 when they register for class. Duration: 60 min Cost: For the class and 1 kit $85
Class starts at 10AM, Second Class begins at 11:15AM. There is a 10% discount if booking both classes.
SEPTEMBER 21: BASIC CAR CAMPING: WOMEN ONLY EVENT
Are you interested in sleeping in the outdoors but not sure where, when or what is required?
This woman only class (co-ed classes available) will teach basic camping skills:
How to choose a site, proper tent setup and basic sleeping elements to make sure you have a comfortable night's rest. Tipi Tent, Four-Person Tent and Hammock Tent options. We will discuss basic first aid kits and the principles of Leave No Trace.
Camp fire building, fire safety, including understanding burn bans in Virginia. Campfire cooking over an open flame and proper use of a camping cook stove. Proper food storage for car camping in bear country. Basic camping hygiene, keeping you and your site clean. For more details or registration
JUNE 1 - NOVEMBER 30 SNACKS AND CUDDLES
Enjoy a private session with some of our cute and cuddly creatures! We have goats, sheep, alpacas, zebu, a mini pig and donkey who love to have treats and pets. An animal treat tray with favorite snacks will be provided. $25 per Adult
Please be aware these are living animals, therefore they can jump, kick, bite, and spit. This event takes place in a field. Please wear closed toe shoes and no pets are allowed at this experience.
Children must be supervised at all times. All children under the age of 12 are free with an adult purchase.
Please message to setup a time. Mornings are typically best during the warm months.
LOCAL EVENTS and NEWS:
Madison County event and things to do. madisonva.com
Shenandoah National Park website will provide important updates and park closures. You may obtain a park pass online or at one of the entrance stations and at certain trailheads.
Tickets are required to climb Old Rag Mountain March 1 - November 30
We are always willing to help plan your trip to the park. We have local maps and hidden treasures surrounding the farm and park. There are also several Facebook groups that can be helpful with planning your trip to the area. Shenandoah National Park and surrounding area: Things to do while visiting.
THINGS TO DO:
Shenandoah National Park has many options for great hiking, biking or scenic drives. Our farm is located close to several trailheads in the park including White Oak Canyon, Old Rag Mountain, Rose River Fire Road, Nicholson Hollow Trail, Hazel River, Graves Mill and Bear Church, just to name a few.
If you're looking to access Skyline Drive we are 25 minutes from the Thornton Gap Entrance and 35 minutes from the Swift Run Gap Entrance.
Hiking in the Park:
WHITE OAK CANYON SNP the boundary trailhead is located near the farm. Here you can complete an 8-mile circuit using Cedar Run and White Oak or a short 2 mile out and back to see the lower falls. A great spot to visit early in the morning or late afternoon to beat the crowds.
OLD RAG MOUNTAIN trailhead is located a short distance from the farm. There are two ways up the mountain either doing a 9-mile circuit hike with a rock scramble via the main parking lot near Nethers or using the Berry Hollow access which is located near the lower White Oak Canyon parking area. This out and back is about 5.5 miles and does not require scrambling over rocks. Tickets are required during certain times of the year to limit crowds.
Horseback Riding:
Skyland offers horseback rides in the park May-October. This located is about 45 minutes from the farm.
Fieldstone Trails offers hour long and sunset rides at Blue Quartz and Shotwell Run Brewery, which is located less than one mile from the farm.
Graves Mountain Farm offer hour long to multi-day trips on horseback. They are located about 10 minutes from the farm.
Other things to do nearby:
Luray Caverns Visit the larges caverns in the Eastern United States. Located 40 minutes from the farm
Shenandoah River Outfitters offers canoe, kayak, tubing and rafting trip near Luray and less than an hour from the farm
Hoover Ridge Park home to the Madison County Farms Market on Saturday mornings, this park has walking trails, a sports complex, disc golf and hosts community events.
Shenandoah Mountain Guides provides local canyon and rock-climbing trips.
HISTORY SURROUNDS US
Rapidan Camp located in SNP is accessible via hiking 4 miles from Big Meadows or via a 4WD access road in the Rapidan Wildlife Management Area (a detailed map is available at the farm store). Tours are available several days a week during warm months.
James Madison Montpelier the President's historical home and grounds are available for viewing and tours. Located near Orange and approximately 40 minutes from the farm.
Just down the road in Criglersville you can visit the Mountain Museum which is operated by the Madison County Historical Society
LOCAL FOOD, DRINKS, ORCHARDS AND FARMS
The Little Country Store in Etlan and Graves Mountain Market in Syria are about 5 minutes from the farm.
Blue Quartz Winery and Shotwell Run Brewery are walking distance to our farm.
Revalation, Sharp Rock, DuCard wineries are about 10 minutes.
Graves Mountain Lodge is our closest restaurant that serves family style and buffet with pretty mountain views. Please call to make a reservation.
The town of Madison is located about 10 minutes to the south and has several food and drink options.
The small town of Sperryville has many food and drink options. It's located about 15 minutes north of the farm.
Culpeper is a large town with many big box stores but also a quaint downtown area with shops and restaurants. It is located about thirty minutes East of the farm.
Our farm store offers many products from our farm and surrounding area. We are proud to be animal welfare approved and highly support other small family farms, orchards and business in our area.
2023-2024 Buy Fresh Buy Local Northern Piedmont Guide to local farms.
