Pre-FLT Opportunities
Friday, May 3, 2024
Our Pre-FLT classes are designed for those folks who would like a more in depth learning, hands on experience to some of the classes we teach here at Turtle Island…especially those who are traveling a good distance for our one day FLT event. These classes also offer you the opportunity to spend a little more time at our facility.
Fireside Chat with Josh Draper
Regenerative Farmer/Homesteader....
AKA “The Stoney Ridge Farmer”
“Regenerative Farming and Holistic Gardening”
Come enjoy a unique opportunity, a chance to have an intimate, up close and personal conversation with Josh Draper, popular You Tube personality, as he discusses the health of Mother Earth and the importance of our soils.
Josh Draper aka Stoney Ridge Farmer is a first generation regenerative farmer and homesteader from right here in North Carolina. Josh grew up on a small farm in southwest Virginia as a young man, learning life skills taught to him through 3 generations of "Old Timey Appalachain" experience. After high school Josh joined the US Air Force and served about 5 years as an electrician, working along side various other trades such as carpenters, plumbers and metal workers. After the Air Force Josh attended Nursing School and earned a Science degree. Science and soil had always been a passion for the Stoney Ridge Farmer and at the age of 32 Josh was piloting a small urban farm in Greensboro North Carolina, serving his local area with fresh honey, eggs and garden veggies.
At 36 years of age Josh decided to take the leap to start a first generation farm, so he moved out of the city and back to the country. Josh had saved up to purchase his land and began the first generation farming adventure with 60 acres over overgrown brushy abandoned tobacco fields. While embarking on this journey Josh started documenting his life on Youtube and thus the "Stoney Ridge Farmer" was created. Now he's 8 years into the building of his first generation regenerative farm and continues to build, teach and grow the enterprise.
In Josh’s words: "As a Registered Nurse, I could see how bad our food system was harming our nation's health....so I set out to do something about it. Now I raise real food, pure food and wholesome food that heals the land and our wonderful planet. We don't need chemicals and preservatives to live our best life....we need to get back to family, community and good real food".
1:00 pm - 2:00 pm
upon registration you will be sent additional information
liability form must be signed & send to carolyn@turtleislandpreserve.com
time is allotted for questions & answers
$110 per person
The Spirit of Traditional Medicine Making
Join Stephanie Hein from Wise Earth Way for a morning dedicated to immersing yourself in the world of plant medicines and acquiring the skill to create your own traditional non-alcoholic herbal extracts. Stephanie, the owner of Wise Earth Way, is fervent about fostering a
nurturing environment for individuals to establish a profound connection with plants as kin. Situated in the Appalachian mountains, her regenerative no-till
medicinal herb farm serves as a backdrop for teaching the principles of earth connection and traditional medicine-making, rooted in the belief that Mother Earth is the ultimate healer. Infusing her teachings with her Celtic diaspora, Stephanie inspires others to recollect their inherent ties to the land they call home.
During this two-hour class, participants will delve into the knowledge of various medicinal herbs, exploring both their energetic and physical healing properties. Each attendee will have the chance to create their own herbal extraction to take home.
You can learn more about Stephanie and her artisan herbal business by following her on Instagram @WiseEarthWay or www.WiseEarthWay.com
Class Details:
Class is from 11:00 am until 1:00 pm
This class is suited best for mature teens to elders wanting to explore the Spirit of Traditional Medicine Making
Bring a refillable water bottle
Cost is $130 per person
Registration form must be signed and emailed to Carolyn@turtleislandpreserve.com
Plant Walk with Caleb Arnold
This is a slow walk and we will stop frequently to observe our surroundings. We’ll learn about native uses, Appalachian folklore, and how plants can still help us in our modern world. Leave with valuable knowledge on what it takes to survive in Southern Appalachia and a new perspective of the plants around you. Come discover the natural world!
Caleb has a passion for the mountains and the flora contained within. I've spent the past decade studying the historical uses for plants in this region by the Cherokee and early Appalachian settlers, as well as walking my own path in the discovery of all things necessary for life and how they can come from the land around us. Certified in WFA (Wilderness First Aid) and United Plant Savers member. Owner of a small farm in the mountains of north Georgia, simply known as Ever Wilder, where he and his family tend to the land, grow medicinal herbs and host adult and children's skills classes of all sorts.
This class is family oriented and appropriate for all ages.
2:00 pm until 4:00 pm
wear comfortable walking shoes
a day pack is advisable and a water bottle
upon registration you will be sent additional information
liability form must signed and email to
carolyn@turtleislandpreserve.com
$95 per person kids 4 & under free
Craft a Turkey Wing Whisk Broom
Join Emileigh of Rhythm & Ritual for an afternoon of broomcraft and connection.
More than a handcrafts class, Emileigh creates a calm, meditative and connective space for participants to settle in and create with intention. Everyone will have an opportunity to make their own large turkey wing whisk broom and if time allows, a smaller version as well.
Class will start with a short meditation and optional sharing, a discussion of the materials used, a
demonstration, and then recap and assistance while students craft their brooms.
This workshop is best suited for adults and children over the age of 12, though exceptions for younger students that have a solid attention span and experience with handcrafts can be made!
Also please note that tying brooms can be a good upper body workout and moderate hand strength is recommended.
Meet the Instructor:
Emileigh Zola has a passion for curating spaces of depth, connection, and inspiration.
She has been involved in the Earthskills community for the past 15+ years and has worked for organizations such as Wild Abundance, Firefly Gathering, Organic Growers School, and Red Moon Herbs. She currently facilitates and curates the content for the Women's Rewilding Retreat through Wild Abundance.
Emileigh runs her own handcrafts business, Rhythm & Ritual, and teaches others to craft brooms with mindfulness and intention. She loves helping students to move through fears around handwork and creates safe spaces for folks to learn and express themselves creatively. In addition to this, Emileigh is a life coach and works with women who are ready to move their life forward and actualize their dreams.
When Emileigh is not teaching, she enjoys spending time with her daughters and partner, hiking, strength training, plunging in cold wild waters, circling with women, and travelling.
Class Details:
Class is from 1:00 pm until 4:00 pm
Suitable for kids over 12 if they are able to stay on task
Bring a refillable water bottle
Cost is $110 per person
Registration form must be signed and emailed to Carolyn@turtleislandpreserve.com