Course Date The Goat Gathering course scheduled for 21st to 23rd February 2017 has been postponed due to unforeseen circumstances. Please contact us for new dates for this course by emailing courses@landbase.org.uk
Course tutors Sylvam Friend of Chagfarm Amiee Lawn of Hill Dairy Will Atkinson of Hill Farm Dairy Kerry Goolden of Fivepenny Farm Lynne Davis of Street Goat
Course detail
A skill-sharing event for people who keep dairy goats
A training course for people who are planning to keep goat
Keeping goats can be rewarding and a satisfying option for people seeking to establish a husbandry enterprise on a relatively small area of land, or pursue a part-time livestock occupation.
The market for goat milk is growing, there is a surge of interest in artisanal cheeses, and there is rising demand for goat meat.
However dairy requires a wide range of skills, and information about goatkeeping is thin on the ground; Learning by your mistakes over the years can be a slow and expensive process.
We have organised this event so that people already running a goat herd and dairy can meet up and exchange information. It also serves as a training course for people interested in starting up a small dairy, who will learn about different approaches, and hear about rewards and the pitfalls from people with experience.
Accommodation and meals are provided at the venue. For prices, please see next page. Reductions are available if you have been keeping dairy goats for more than one year.
Programme:
Day 1
Introductions
Site visit to Fivepenny Farm – Golden Guernsey
Breeds of goats – why goats rather than sheep or cows?
Reproductive cycle – fertility, billies, gestation, kidding - what to do with kids
Day 2
Powerpoint presentations: Chagfarm CSA Devon
Hygiene – in the milking parlour and in the dairy with Will Atkinson
Processing marketing and distribution
Animal health – healthy environment, veterinary, attention and foot care
Day 3
Optional cheesemaking demonstration - The science and practice of making hard and soft goats cheese
PRICES:
Attendance at the Goat Gathering Day 1 & Day 2 (including lunches) £85 Attendance at cheesemaking demonstration Day 3 (including lunch) £30 Two course evening meal £10 Bed and Breakfast (single-sex shared room) £25 per person per night Bed and breakfast (double room) £70 per person per night Bed and breakfast (single room) £35 per person per night Camping £13 per night, plus £2 for extra people Camper vans £15 per night – limited and by arrangement
*Reductions are available if you have been keeping dairy goats for more than one year.
Attendance at the event is limited. If you wish to book a place, or require further information please phone 01297 560342 or email info@monktonwyldcourt.org.uk
For further information on the course please phone 01297 561359 or (preferably) email chapter7@tlio.org.uk