Hazelcombe Farm Scything Workshop April 2012
Dates: Friday 13th April to Sunday 15th April 2012 (within NSW School Holidays)
Location: Hazelcombe Farm, Totnes Valley, NSW (40 km north east of Mudgee).
Course fee: $150 per adult (meals incl.). Children 6 to 12 $50, and under 6 years of age free. For those who can only come on the Saturday $90 (all meals incl).
Registration: Of necessity numbers will have to be limited so first in first served. You can book on the website here. No animals please ... we've enough here already.
Description of the Workshop
 The course will cover:
- selecting the right blade for the job
- fitting your scythe to you for best mowing results
- peening with a jig, and introduction to freehand peening with hammer and anvil
- honing with the whetstone
- mowing techniques for different kinds of grass and weed
- tips on how to avoid damaging the blade
- making hay, hay ricks and hay bales (if there is sufficient grass!)
Scything is of course the main focus. However we will have lots of other activities.
During the weekend, Donny Hobbs will be working a small section of our land with his heavy horse and horse drawn implements. You’ll be able to watch him in breaks between scything and ask him lots of questions. He also takes people on short walks into the bush to talk bush foods, survival and experiences.
We will also show you where we are up to with ecological farming, and hopefully generate discussion and ideas about what can be done by everyone to prepare for the future:
- cell grazing (time controlled grazing) specifically for small farms
- compost making (garden compost, and design and construction of composting toilets)
- woodfired and camp oven cooking with Billy "Bushdog".
- blacksmithing and green wood working
- making biofertiliser
- tool sharpening in general
- making sauerkraut and other fermented vegetables with our German pottery fermenting crockpots.
- The Dry Stone Wall Associatiopn of Australia MAY be here so, possibly, some drystone walling
- how we can rebuild our communities in the world that's coming, or as David Holmgren says, build lifeboats
- music, poetry and yarns around the campfire
- and maybe other items will be added to the mix ... horticultural ideas, heritage seed saving, dung beetles
The main thought is to have visitors chat and exchange ideas and experiences AND network for the future.
People travel from Cairns to Tasmania and all points in between to attend. A fun weekend,
Accommodation: Please bring along your own tents. There are self contained huts 13kms away at the Olde Cooyal Pub 6373 5353. Mention us if you book there.
Facilities:We have composting toilets and possibly a very rustic "bush" shower, but please understand we have become habitual water conservers due to the frequency of drought in our country, and expect the same of guests.
 Meals: Meals will be simple, but wholesome with simple breakfasts and lunches. On Saturday evening Billy Bush Dog prepares a wonderful camp oven meal and, weather permitting, there will be music and chatting around the camp fire. If you have any special dietary needs, please let us know and we will try to accommodate.
The area: Plenty of other things to do in the area ... bushwalks (this area is adjacent to the famous Munghorn Gap (lowest point in the Great Dividing Range and the place where three major Aboriginal Nations met), mountain bike riding (bring your own bikes), music (one of the neighbours has a strawbale constructed solar powered sound recording studio www.sunpowerstudios.com.au) ... more likely just relaxation and chat.
Arrival time: Any time Friday afternoon to set up camp. Dinner will be at 7 pm. If you are only coming for the Saturday, try to arrive by 9 am at the latest and if possible stay for Billy Bush Dog's cook-up.
Departure time: After lunch Sunday afternoon (approx. 2 pm), although you are welcome to stay another night if you wish (please provide your own meals for the time you are staying longer - good pub meals at the local Cooyal Pub are available for lunch and dinner).
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