Tillers International - Spring/Summer Ox Power courses

[Guest guest]

Tillers International, a Peace-Corps training, historical and hobbiest

ox-training school in Kalamazoo, Michigan, has published its curriculum

for Spring and Summer 1999. There are a couple dozen courses. Here are

a few. I've also listed the website address, where you can find among

other things a drawing of the ox-powered sorghum crusher they use to

make sorghum syrup for sweetening.

 

Communities gearing up for self sufficiency may want to raise funds to

put together a scholarship to send one or two young men. Tillers also

has a scholarship program that could supplement costs. (Typically,

those who have the energy to participate in this type of activity never

have the funds to do so.)

 

your servant,

 

Hare Krsna dasi

**************************************************

 

Harvesting Grain and Hay NEW!

 

Both the making of hay and the cutting and threshing of

grain are important to many small

farms. Animal powered hay making is used at Tillers to

help manage intensive rotational

pastures. There is great potential and new strategies

and implements for making hay

productive on a small farm with animal power. In both

haying and grain harvest you will

work with historical and adapted techniques. Grain

harvest starts with a restored reaper,

flails, and a fanning mill to threshers and combines.

We'll finish the class by hand grinding

wheat flour and having a wholesome bread bake off!

 

#173 Fee:$ 220

July 20-24, Mon - Fri, 8:30am - 6:00pm

Enrollment: 4 - 12 persons - ages 14+

by Roosenberg, Abbey

 

 

These hands-on classes are a chance to put your dreams of working with

animal power to

the touch stone of reality! A number of teams of oxen or

draft horses are waiting for you to

try. We find working draft animals enjoyable and

productive. But we want you to test that

out for yourself whether for rural development,

historical reenactment, or small farm power.

Tillers' animal power classes initiate you into another

world of empowerment. Come enjoy

the thrills!

 

 

 

Ox Driving

 

These classes are an introduction to working oxen. Learn

to drive teams using voice

commands. Seasoned oxen and drivers build your skills

and confidence through sequential

activities beginning with the easiest driving teams and

moving up to a variety of field tasks

such as plowing. The class concentrates on driving

skills, but also introduces yoking, training,

hitching, and options to voice control systems. (Check

about bringing your animals.) The

June session adds the Ox Drovers' Gathering and the

presence of Drew Conroy and other

guest instructors.

 

#221a Fee:$ 90

Enrollment: 6 - 20 people - ages 10+

April 4-5, Sat - Sun, 8:30am - 5:00pm

by Roosenberg, Waldo, Collisi

 

 

#221b Fee:$ 120

Enrollment: 2 - 20 persons (ages 10+)

June 19-20, Fri - Sat, 8:30am - 5:30pm

by Roosenberg, Conroy

 

 

#221c Fee:$ 90

Enrollment: 2 - 20 persons - ages 10+

August 22-23, Sat - Sun, 8:30am - 5:00pm

by Roosenberg, Waldo, Webb

 

 

#221d Fee:$ 90

Enrollment: 6 - 20 persons - ages 10+

November 7-8, Sat - Sun, 8:30am - 5:00pm

by Roosenberg

 

 

Ox Drovers' Gathering

 

Get together with many of the over 100 ox drivers who

have formed the new Midwest Ox

Drovers' Association to trade tricks. Join or watch the

parade of teams. Challenge others to

an obstacle course. Offer inspiration for the students

in the Ox Driving and Oxen Basics

workshops.

 

#200 Fee:$ 0

Enrollment: Open - ages 00+

June 20-21, Sat 1:00pm - Sun 5:00pm

by VanOrd, Johnson, Collisi

 

 

Tillers International

5239 South 24th Street, Kalamazoo,

MI 49002

Call Dick Roosenberg at 616/344-3233 or

1-800/498-2700.

Send email to TillersInt (AT) aol (DOT) com URL -

http://www.wmich.edu/tillers/