We are fortunate to have Peter Yencken offer a workshop at our farm from time to time! It’s an unconventional format and so this page exists to give you an idea of what this workshop is like, including the setting and camping arrangements.

Peter teaches workshops all over the country but is based in nearby Charlottesville. Originally from Australia, he has been teaching craft skills such as those in this workshop, as well as wilderness awareness skills, for decades.

We, Janet & Dan (owners of Broadfork Farm, where we live and farm vegetables full time) have the space around our home and farm to host this event. We help organize the people interested in participating in this workshop and serve as hosts for site logistics during the weekend, but we are not part of the instruction, nor are we financially involved.

When you sign up for this workshop, you need to communicate what project you will work on. Peter then prepares by bringing the materials needed for each person’s project.

Peter arrives Friday evening and sets up his materials prep area. Participants are invited to arrive as early as Friday evening around 5:00 if they are told by Peter that their chosen project is elaborate enough to require starting Friday evening.

We invite participants to camp here for the weekend for the village-like feel of a group of people sharing space all day and night, and also to remove the resource use and disruption of commuting.

Camping at our farm is like camping at your friends farm that has a portable toilet and a sink in the barn for hand washing. We are not a campground, nor are we a large farm. Participants are invited to pitch their tent in designated areas surrounding the spaces where folks will be working on their projects. (We orient everyone upon arrival to the very few rules we have in place to prevent our vegetable crops from getting damaged.)

Below is pictured a participant with her bow in process, and a tent in the background as a an example of where someone chose to set up for the weekend.

During the weekend, participants craft away! People generally learn one or two steps at a time from Peter and return to him when ready for a new step in the process. Peter alternates between all the different participants and their various projects, guiding each person on how to sand or carve or stitch.

Peter does not stand in front of everyone at one time and present information. Rather, participants cycle through moments of time with Peter for individual instruction and moments of working alone, yet as part of the greater group.

WHAT TO BRING:
– Bring everything you need for camping and any of your individual needs for the weekend.
– Bring food for all of your meals, and a cooler in which to store it, plus eating ware (plate, bowl, utensils).
– A generous potluck contribution for Saturday evening’s group meal. (Details will be worked out by emailing all participants a few days prior to the workshop.)
– Warm layers of clothing and/or sun hat depending on the weather.
– Musical instruments, folding camp chair, etc., as you prefer.

WHAT WE PROVIDE:
– Space to set up tents.
– Portable toilet plus hand washing sink.
– Delicious drinking water from our well.
– Canopy tents to shelter as needed from sun or rain.
– Fire pit for group fire circles.

We hope you join us for a weekend of crafting and village living!

Any questions? Email us at info@broadforkfarm.net