In planning how to move forward, its helpful to review where you currently are. To recap 2024 activities organized by Gray Hill School Farm, we have put together the following short presentation.

Planning meeting results January 13, 2025

Thank you for your input! A meeting was held on January 13th from 5:30 to 7:30 PM at Long Cane United Methodist Church Hall to acquire input from anyone interested for new programs that Gray Hill School Farm may implement in 2025. We also asked what timeframes were most convenient to those interested. This invitation for input is extended for you to reply online or by text or phone to 706-518-8869.

So far, the following have been the consensus:

For scheduling, all of our activities will take place within the timespan from Sunday afternoons through Wednesday mornings. For example, the sewing/canning group will meet Monday evenings from 5:30 PM to 7:30 PM at Long Cane Methodist Church hall (at 51 Long Cane Rd, LaGrange, GA).

Other activities will also be scheduled within the time frame of Sunday afternoon through Wednesday morning and obviously none will overlap.

Specific Winter activities

The main discussion was an inquiry on what activities were best suited for the current winter months.

• Sewing will continue on Monday evenings from 5:30PM to 7:30PM with the first official class starting January 20th (at Long Cane United Methodist Church Hall). If you have your own sewing machine, please bring it, but there are a few machines available to use on a first come basis. This class is project-based so that each person can sew what they want and need, whether it is home decor, toys, alterations, clothing, costuming, or period attire. The group has acquired a multitude of terrific children’s clothing patterns that are free to use as well as many pajama patterns sized for the whole family. The class is free to attend. Instruction is provided by Ms. Nora Ayers, professional seamstress.
• New – Building with wood. Other new wintertime events discussed were: “Build your own Bat House”, and “Build your own Backyard Beehive”. These will be free to attend with instruction and plans supplied. Bring your own basic tools if you have them. The first project will be on how to build a Bat House and will begin on Tuesday, January 28th from 5:30PM to 7:30PM at a new shop area we are trying. Parking will initially be at RabbitEye Farm (279 Gray Hill School Road West Point, GA). Please park at the normal berry-picking area which will be marked for anyone new to the area. The shop area is out of the weather and will be introduced at that time. Please let us know if you intend to participate by text or call to 706-518-8869. Instruction is by Doug Roberts.
• New – Garden Group Hands-On is another organized event which will meet every Tuesday morning from 9:30AM to 11:30AM. This is totally outdoors and the activity will vary each week with what is relevant. Some weeks may be pruning, others could include mulching, thinning, fencing, irrigation, preparing planting beds, etc. This is a gardening comradery and is very casual with the intent on learning while doing in a social atmosphere.

Spring Activities will be announced at a later date

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About Gray Hill School Farm

Gray Hill School Farm is a catalyst for community abundance and self-sustainability across generations. We organize classes and resources to create working and thriving infrastructure for clean healthy living. Some of these topics are permaculture techniques, gardening, organic practices, cheese-making, sewing, food preservation through canning and dehydration, rotational grazing, foraging, seed-saving, greenhouse techniques, and more. Most of our workshops are free to whoever wants to learn. Community involvement is enhanced by giving a voice to generational information that has been handed down. Skills are also taught that would otherwise be lost. In our workshops we often distribute materials, seeds, plants, and even compost for free.

Gray Hill School Farm is a 501 (c) (3) non profit charitable organization.

Thank you to these entities that have supported our efforts.

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Reflection

What a wonderful and busy year this has been for Gray Hill School Farm. From a sunny Spring through this chilly Fall, we have heard from some experts and learned some new skills. It started with our spring seed swaps, compost and plant give-a-ways, garden classes, willow chapel project, continued with summer canning classes, and sewing classes that lasted through the fall. Winding up the year, we heard from Danial Lawton, who talked and consulted on earthworks projects, and our sewing class took on a volunteer service project of sewing pajamas for our local homeless shelter called Branches of Hope. You can read more about it in this blog post HERE.

Thanks to YOU

A very heartfelt thank you for all of 2024 – to all the participants, volunteers, teachers, and supporters who donated time, talent, materials, and funding. You made everything come to life. We especially thank WoodmenLife and the Long Cane Methodist Outreach for partnering with us and letting us use their facility for our classes and lectures.

Photos

Here are a few photos from our November and December events 2024 (when we remembered to take pictures).

About Gray Hill School Farm

Gray Hill School Farm is a catalyst for community abundance and self-sustainability across generations. We organize classes and resources to create working and thriving infrastructure for clean healthy living. Some of these topics are permaculture techniques, gardening, organic practices, cheese-making, sewing, food preservation through canning and dehydration, rotational grazing, foraging, seed-saving, greenhouse techniques, and more. Most of our workshops are free to whoever wants to learn. Community involvement is enhanced by giving a voice to generational information that has been handed down. Skills are also taught that would otherwise be lost. In our workshops we often distribute materials, seeds, plants, and even compost for free.

Gray Hill School Farm is a 501 (c) (3) non profit charitable organization.