Quaker Farm Home

Contact & Visitor Info


Quaker Bee Honey

Free Range Eggs

Quaker Soaps


Chemical free Hay

Wool & Fiber

Garden Produce


Pastured Chicken

Pastured Turkey

Pastured Duck & Goose

Grass fed Lamb & Mutton

Pasture-raised Goat (chevon)


Buff Orpington
Chickens

Border Leicester & Cotswold
Sheep

Saanen & Oberhasli
Dairy Goats


AKC Collies

Quaker Pantry
Recipes & more!



Learn more about life on the farm!
Click here to read

Quaker Anne's
Children's Stories
Stories include:

How Bees Make Honey

A Chicken is Born

A Haircut for Sheep

A Baby Horse is Born

A Baby Goat is Born

Lassie Saves a Lamb








































































































































































































































And God said, This is the token of the covenant which I give between me and you, and to every living creature that is with you, for perpetual generations. I will set my bow in the clouds, and it shall be the sign of a covenant between me and the earth.
- Genesis 9: 12 - 13

Quaker Hill Farm
Harrisville, Michigan
quakerfarm.com

Simple Living Skills Workshops & Retreats

Crafts and homesteading skills are generally associated with areas that would, if all life were stripped of the superfluous and reduced to essentials, prove to be the ‘necessaries’ of human existence. So to have the knowledge of these things is to have the knowledge of life’s essentials. In short, it is to know how to live out the very essence of life— it is “real living.”
- Craft, the Art of Work
Colloquium Press

Experience for yourself the satisfaction that comes from rediscovering and learning skills of bye-gone times. Since 1986, homesteading skills and craft classes at Quaker Hill Farm have offered students unique opportunities for hands-on learning in a number of creative areas.

In this ever advancing age of technology, homestead skills and folk arts are a part of American heritage that we endeavour to preserve through classes and seminars designed to make students more self-sufficient, self-reliant and self-confident. Our classes offer participants a chance to step back in time and reclaim for themselves the lost arts of yesterday.

2008 Workshops & Events


Cooking Classes
Held at the farm's historic 1885 farmhouse, classes focus on nutrition centered traditional cooking methods and techniques for bread making, and cheese making, cooking chicken & turkey, traditional soups and more. Classes are hands-on and include sampling of finished projects. Spend an afternoon learning about the goodness of homemade foods and how you can cook for your family with an emphasis on nutrition and economy. Great-Grandma's cooking revived!

August, September & October,    Minimum group size: 6, Maximum group size: 10   Cost: $45
Topics Include:

  • Basic Cooking Skills
  • Homemade Soup
  • Baking Bread
  • Curative Foods that Heal
  • Cheese, Dairy & Produce
  • Pie Making
  • Cooking with Chicken
  • Roasting a Turkey
  • Participants sample all finished projects!

    Click here
    for more information about Quaker Hill Farm Cooking Classes



    Afternoon Tea

    Book an afternoon tea week days at Quaker Hill Farm. Speciality teas and authentic Quaker and Amish treats served.
    Minimum group size: 8     Cost: $8.00 per person.
    Please call for more information.



    Spinning for Beginners - 2008 Classes
    February 6th, February 13th, March 13, March 20

    Learn the art of Spinning! In this one day class, you will learn fiber history, and how to use different tools like hand cards to prepare fiber and spin on a real spinning wheel, as well as sample different fibers. If you have ever wondered if you would like to learn about this type of fiber craft, don't miss this fun & informative class! Supplies and Spinning wheels provided. Refreshments provided. Class certificate issued.

    Registration: $45     Materials: $10    Class size: 6

    Contact Quaker Hill Farm for registration information.


    Soap Making Short Courses - 2008
    February 20, March 26
    Soap Making Class, cutting bars of soap on a non
electric soap cutter, Quaker Farm Simple Living Homestead Workshop, Michigan
    Learn expert soap making techniques. These special 1 day classes will be taught at the farm (no overnight stay) by Casey Makela, author of Milk-Based Soaps. Learn to make a variety of herbal soaps. Supplies provided. Refreshments served. Class certificate issued.

    Registration: $65   Materials: $20    Class size: 6

    Contact Quaker Hill Farm for registration information.


    Basic Homestead Skills Workshop
    June 8 - 10, 2008 - sold out

  • Spinning for Beginners
  • Herbal Tinctures & Apothecary
  • The Home Dairy
  • Homestead Chickens
  • Basic Beekeeping
  • Cheesemaking (soft cheese)
  • Herbal Soap Making
  • Marketing Homestead Crafts
  • Christian Simplicity, How to have more with less


  • This is an exciting, information packed 3 day and 2 night workshop retreat. Rediscover traditional crafts and homesteading skills and network with others who share your ideals for the value of pioneer skills and the hard work and perseverance it takes to master them.
    Materials, lodging and meals included in registration.

    You take home several variety bars of herbal soaps, a loaf of whole grain bread, handouts and more.



    Women's Contemplative/Silent Retreats
    "Be still and know that I am God."
    -Psalms 46:10
    June 1 & 2, 2008 - full
    June 15 & 16, 2008 - full
    A retreat for women who seek to listen and respond to the Lord in an environment of fellowship, solitude, silence and waiting worship at a beautiful location in Huron National Forest. This is an opportunity to immerse ones self in simple living by turning away from busy activity and becoming aware of God in rest, reading, nature walks, writing, prayerful reflecting, listening, and spirit filled fellowship. This is a time of quiet reflection and spiritual rejuvenation in a peaceful rustic setting close to nature for women who feel a desire for personal growth in the Lord.

    Are you a Christian wife or mother who has heard the call for deeper conversion in your life but is unsure what to make of it? Are you experiencing a life change and searching for clarification? Are you overwhelmed by the complexities of life at home or in the work place? This retreat will engage your spirit as you become still and reflect on the ways God’s Holy Spirit is actively present and working in your life.

    At silent/contemplative retreats, participants are encouraged to embrace the quiet and seek their own levels of inner and outer silence through contemplation and should bring focused items that enhance communion with God (Bible, journal, sketch pad, other...). Lightly scheduled activities include spiritual direction, support circles, prayer meetings and plenty of down time to "Slow down and listen for God".

    There are no TV's or cable access. Radios, cell phones, pagers, lap tops, palm pilots, DVD players, CD players, or any other electronic devices should be left at home as they are not allowed during the retreat. In the event of an emergency, you can be contacted through the retreat office.

    Retreat led by Quaker Anne and Christian Special guest speakers TBA.

    Lodging and meals included in registration. Please e-mail request for registration form.

    Limit - 20 registrants




    Mother/Daughter Retreat
    "I praise thee, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: marvellous are thy works;
    and that my soul knoweth right well." (Psalm 139:14)
    .

    June 22 & 23, 2008 - full
    By special arrangement with Michigan School of Traditional Midwifery, this workshop is especially arranged for mothers and daughters. This program allows a unique opportunity to ask questions and better learn about feminine life cycles and body changes including menstruation, pregnancy and menopause. Taught from a Christian perspective by Certified Midwives and holistic health care professionals with the use of state of the art teaching models, videos and more. This is a perfect opportunity for women to ask questions and gain a better understanding about how our bodies work.

    Registration limited to women only, daughters under the age of 18 must be accompanied by their mother. Limit 20. Lodging & meals included in registration.


    General Registration Information
    Unless otherwise noted, there is a limit of 12 students per workshop. Registration and attendance is limited to adults over 18 years of age. There are no child care facilities.

    We intentionally limit the enrollment of our workshops to encourage discussions and provide as much personal attention as possible. Since we expect workshops to fill quickly, we recommend you preregister well in advance.

    Please note, these are intentional Christian gatherings of wide, interdenominational & ecumenical fellowship. We certainly warmly welcome persons from any faith group to participate but our focus is simple living through bible-based Christian perspectives.

    Unplugged
    We offer you the blessings of - no TV, no Internet access, no CD's, DVD's or MP3's; no computers, radios, stereo's, I pod's or other distracting electronic devices.

    No personal electronic devices are allowed (including cell phones). In the event of an emergency, you can be contacted through the retreat office.

    Lodging & Meals
    Lodging is Shaker-style, that is not co-ed. Gender specific, primitive shared cabins only.

    Non-vegetarian meals are provided in the cost of registration. Meals consist of non-processed, simply prepared wholesome foods and include mainly Amish & Quaker style dishes. If you have special dietary needs, you will have to bring your own meals. Discount not available.

    Costs
    Homestead Skills and Back to Basics Workshops
    2 day workshops (one night stay over) - $175.00
    3 day workshops (2 night stay over) - $225.00

    Women's Silent/Contemplative Retreats
    2 days, 1 night $100.00

    Mother/Daughter Retreats
    2 days, 1 night $100.00

    Smoking & Alcoholic Beverages
    Not Allowed. Thank you for honoring our community policy of no smoking or consumption of alcoholic beverages.

    Cancellation
    We work hard to ensure the scheduled dates for each workshop, however, circumstances might occur that necessitate our cancelling or moving the date of a class. If we are unable to reschedule a workshop to fit your schedule, we will be happy send you a full refund.

    Should circumstances develop that prevent you from attending, we will refund your fee (minus $30.00 processing fee) if we are notified of the cancellation 30 days prior to the class date. If we are notified after that date, we will refund your money only if we are able to fill your place in the class.

    Comments from Past Workshop/Retreat Participants

    Thank you so much for such a wonderful experience!

    This was a unique adventure and I am so glad to have taken part in it!!

    Absolutely remarkable - the food was excellent and the atmosphere was spiritually nourishing. Highly recommended.

    I learned more than I thought was possible in such a short time - thank you, thank you, thank you for such a amazing opportunity.

    Such a rich spiritual experience.




    We hope you enjoy our Internet site and welcome you to visit our Quaker Farm Shoppe where we look forward to serving you!
    Closed 1st Days (Sundays).


    "The Lord bless thee and keep thee...."
    - Numbers 6:24