Peinhardt Homesteaders celebrate Christmas, reflect on first year

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Mountain Melodies dulcimer band provided live homespun entertainment. / W.C. Mann

CULLMAN – On Saturday, the Peinhardt Homesteaders celebrated Christmas at Peinhardt Farm.  Homemade Christmas treats abounded, along with handmade gifts and games.  Live traditional southern Appalachian style entertainment was provided by Mountain Melodies dulcimer band.

During the celebration, Homesteaders director Shannon McBride took time to reflect back on 2017, the group’s first full year.  The Homesteaders were formed just before Peinhardt Farm Day in October 2016.  During the course of the year, the group held classes on:

  • Gardening, including a seed swap for attendees
  • Syrup Tapping
  • Homestead Medical Care
  • Woodworking
  • Frugal Living Tips
  • Farm Dogs
  • Simple Sewing and Repair
  • Rabbits
  • Knot tying
  • Homestead Preparedness
  • Leatherworking

“We are extremely pleased with the turnout we’ve had this year,” said McBride.  “We’ve been really excited about it.  We’re wondering which direction to concentrate on for next year.  We’re looking for people to send us their ideas about what they’d like to do, whether introductions to subjects or more in-depth events. 

“Peinhardt has expanded to have a basket group, tatting group, fiber group and blacksmith group, along with this homestead group.  They would like to get leatherworking, and maybe a mule group if there’s enough interest.  We’re looking for our members to tell us more about what they’d like to do next year.”

The Homesteaders will kick off 2018 in January with a repeat of their very popular class on maple syrup tapping. 

McBride explained, “One of our new members’ dad is from Kentucky.  He does this for a living up there, and he’s going to come down and give us a real pro’s take on that.  There’s one maple tree here; that’s as many as you need!  And we’ll have some practice stumps and drills, so people can practice the tapping on an actual piece of wood.”

Other 2018 events in planning include:

  • Fall Seed Swap/Gardening in August,
  • Homestead preparedness in September (National Preparedness Month)
  • Livestock Guardian Dogs, date to be determined
  • Volunteering for Peinhardt Farm Public and School Days in October

Events under consideration include falconry and an in-depth leathercraft workshop.

More than 250 people follow the Homesteaders’ Facebook page.  Individual classes are usually small enough to allow for plenty of Q&A and hands-on activities, but almost 200 people have attended at least one of the group’s monthly programs in 2017, with a fair number of “regulars.”

For more information about Peinhardt Homesteaders, visit www.facebook.com/groups/1131297910295001.

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