On Farm Classes
Who’s ready for some homestead/farm classes?? Winter is a great time to be getting ready for the new season.Take a look at our schedule for early 2024—we’ve added some Friday dates for those who don’t have Saturdays available!!
January 26–Cheesemaking $150
January 27–Cheesemaking $150
February 8–Lamb Butchering $250
February 9– Lamb Butchering $250
February 10–Walnut Syrup Making $75
February 23– Cheesemaking $150
February 24–Cheesemaking $150
March 8–Beef Butchering $300
March 9–Beef Butchering $300
March 22–Cheesemaking $150
March 23–Cheesemaking $150
April 6–Hog Butchering $250
April 27–Cheesemaking $150
Message or text to reserve your spot—870.504.2684
I’m super excited about this season and can’t wait to see you all!! Classes are held on farm in Everton, Arkansas.*Kids may attend free!**Lunch is provided!***Each class includes free follow up support!!
We started teaching farm classes early in 2020–officially. Before then it was a “hey can you help me butcher this?”, or a “can I see the cheese cave room?”. Always a rushed informal thing. Then Alan said (again!!) “you should teach Cheesemaking “, I threw it right back at him and said he should teach Cheesemaking! We all know I’m too chicken to stand in front of people I don’t know and say something. So, that’s what we did. I wrote ads and he answered the phone and talked to people. Since then I don’t know how many classes we’ve taught to folks from all across the country. It’s (almost) one of my favorite things to do! Because you just can’t really feel or smell on YouTube. You can’t ask questions on which rib to cut or send a text in the middle of your project. I love seeing people learn how to best utilize their extra milk and enjoy the meat they’ve raised! If we’re lucky, we get to see our students more than once, because they can come back for free to any class they’ve attended! Sometimes people just need the real hands on experience to gain the confidence to develop their skills. Our Facebook page has the most up to date schedule. Otherwise feel free to text or call! 870-504-2684
Cheesemaking Info
We decided to stop doing Beginner and Advanced and go back to the All-In-One. It can be as basic or advanced as the students are ready for.
We’ll make Gouda, start to finish. Folks always say if they could just make Mozzarella, Cheddar, and Parmesan they’d be happy…me too. But honestly it’s pointless in pursuing 3 completely different cheeses when all we want is a melty cheese for pizza (young Gouda), and slicing cheese for sandwiches (Just Plain Gouda), and a hard piquant grating cheese (Aged/Old Gouda). Going through the stages of making a hard cheese covers most of the soft/beginner cheeses.
In each class we start with milk. Fresh, and warm from milking. In season we have three different pans of milk—sheep, goat, and cow. This way you can experience both their similarities and their differences as they all progress to a finished cheese.
You’ll be able to learn how to build your own cheese press! All students receive a pound of aged cheese—their choice of variety. Lunch is charcuterie style featuring many of our cheeses and some cured meats.
Children under 18 may attend at no charge.
Butchering Info
This will be a hands on, start to finish type class where our master butcher will teach you everything you need to know to properly process beef, lamb, or pork. Minimal/no waste technique.
Alan has successfully taught many people to home butcher and loves his craft with a passion!
This class will begin with a chilled carcass and walk through the entire process for making retail cuts.
Neptune’s Marketplace and Dairy Services
Here’s What We Provide
Hog Butchering Class
The Hog Butchering class is my favorite! Alan has been butchering hogs for home use for over 20 years and it’s been refined to a work of art! The 1 Day Hog Butchering Class focuses on processing a hog into retail cuts and making bacon. We start with a chilled hog carcass. The kill usually takes place the evening before and you’re welcome to come to that also if you want.
Beef Butchering Class
This will be a hands on, start to finish type class where our master butcher will teach you everything you need to know to properly process and cut a beef. Minimal/no waste technique.
Alan has successfully taught many people to home butcher and loves his craft with a passion!
This class will begin with a whole beef carcass. Students should have basic knife skills and be semi familiar with skinning/field dressing. If you’re brand new to home butchering, I’d suggest our lamb or hog butchering class to start with.
Cost is $300/student. This includes class meals and a lifetime membership to our one day Beef Butchering Class.
Syrup Making Class
New for 2024!!More of a winter hike through the forest than an indoor class. I love the whole syrup making process! Join us to tap trees, collect sap, evaporate, and taste syrup!