This clinic is designed for folks interested in adopting a wild or TIP gentled mustang, but would like to learn a bit more about the training process first.  It is a single-day, spectator-only clinic, with potential opportunity for some individuals to volunteer to get hands-on with the horses, to demostrate certain training methods.  Slots are limited, and dates will be posted as new loads of mustangs arrive.

For more information, please see our Mustang Training Clinic page.

Due to our recent move, tours are temporarily suspended.  We apologize for the inconvenience!

Do you want to see a working, horse-powered, sustainable farm in action? Interested in using livestock to clear your forests or poultry to control bugs?  Do you need ideas for edible landscaping or gardening?  Have you wondered how draft horses are used in a farm setting today?  Perhaps you'd like to learn more about intensive management rotational grazing, or how to keep animals without turning your yard into a dusty, smelly, manure-filled lot?  You can learn all this and more during our guided farm tour!  

Prices are a set fee, so you can bring as few or as many (up to 10*) as you like at one price! 

Customizable to your interests, we will take you to each station on the farm, and describe, in detail, how we manage that aspect of the farm and why.  We can focus on the Biblical principles behind our practices for church groups, tailor it to children for school or homeschool groups, discuss the practical farming and business aspects for current or future farmers, host family reunions, or just guide you as a single family or individual seeking to learn.  Contact us to discuss your desires.

Please note:  In most cases, we recommend scheduling farm tours between late April and September, due to the seasonal nature of our farm, with the best months being late May to September.  During the colder months, we have very few animals on the farm, and it is difficult to get the full picture of how a sustainable farm is run.   

Standard Farm Tour/Field Trip .................................................................................... $50*

This tour is about 2 hours long, and is ideal for groups and families who wish to learn more and see the overall picture of a sustainable farm.  This is also a popular option for preschool and kindergarten field trips.

Custom Tour/Field Trip ................................................................................................$30/hr* 

This tour is designed for individuals who are interested in learning about particular aspects of sustainable farming.  We can offer demos in draft-horse logging, draft-power around the farm, milling lumber, small-scale hay-making using a scythe and hay stack, designing and building a walipini (pit greenhouse), the basics of dairy animals, using animals for forest and woodland management, and more!  We can focus on forest hogs, or pastured poultry, or you could even get hands on and milk a goat!  We can even arrange for a horse-drawn wagon ride during your tour!  Most tours run 2-3 hours in length, depending on your preferences.  Feel free to e-mail an inquiry regarding your desires for more information.

*Please note that standard tour price is based on a group of 10 or fewer.  Additional attendees are welcome for an additional $2/person (age 2 and over), making it a very reasonable fee for large families, groups, or school field trips.  Some tour options, especially those involving extra setup, equipment, or horse-power may require an additional fee.

Dates and times are by appointment.

We offer a variety of services to help you get started with horses!  From one-time experiences to multi-day clinics, you can improve your skills here at Red Gate Farm!  Just visit our Horse and Driving Clinics Page for details! 

If you've ever considered raising backyard laying hens, meat birds, or just a few fun pet chickens, this is the class for you. Even if you're already raising chickens, you will find all sorts of useful information and insights in this class.

Topics to be covered include:

• Different methods, pros and cons, for raising chicks
• Different breeds of chickens
• Feed options
• Pest and predator control
• Housing options
• Differentiating between birds from different years
• Identifying active layers
• Molt
• Pests and Diseases
  
• Egg Care
• Mixing Poultry species
  
• MORE!
  

After the class session, we'll take you on a first-hand tour of our chicken facilities, including our chick brooder, portable meat bird tractors, and layer coop.  We will discuss the reasons and risks involved with the way we raise our chickens, and the many services and products that derive from home-raised chickens. 

Dates:   TBD.  We are happy to offer a private clinic or we can offer similar information during a custom tour!  Just contact us for information!

Click HERE to register for one of these classes.

Have you considered adding (or maybe already did add!) a few goats to your homestead, but aren't sure where to start?  Are you interested in drinking raw goat milk, or supplying your family with goat meat? Do you have thick brush or the dreaded Illinois honeysuckle you'd like cleared, but don't have a lot of time?  If you answered "yes" to any of these, this class is for you!  Topics include:

• Breeds of goats and their practicality on the small homestead
• Miniature, standard, and large breeds
• Selecting your goats
• Breeding and kidding
• Culling to meet your goals
• Horns...or not
• Hoof trimming
• Using goats for brush clearing
• Kid goats and their requirements
• Milking dairy goats
• Management to prevent "off" or "goaty" flavors in your milk
• Using dairy goats for meat
• MORE!

This educational class involves hands-on opportunity to play with kids, milk dairy goats, test your hoof trimming skills, and witness the practicality of goats on the homestead first-hand!  You will leave this class well-prepared to add goats to your homestead or farm.  The class concludes with an opportunity to sample different items made from goat milk. 

Dates:  TBD.  We are happy to schedule a focused, private clinic or offer the same information during a custom tour, however!  Just contact us for information!

Click HERE to register for one of these clinics.

This class is a great opportunity to really learn the details about raising pork in an unconventional manner!  When most folks think of raising hogs, they often think of the overwhelming stink, flies, disease, pollution, and filth that accompanies it.  This class will show you firsthand that there is a better way; how raising hogs can actually be a very fun and enjoyable experience!  Topics of this class include:

• Breeds and types of hogs
• Sources for pigs
• Choosing a location to raise your hogs....or not!
• Housing options
• Fencing options
• Management methods 
• Reduce or eliminate flies and stink!
• Feeding options
• Using hogs for land improvement
• Knowing when to process
• More!

After the classroom session, you will get to tour the farm and see first-hand how we raise our hogs.  You will see how we have used hogs to convert portions of our woodlands into other uses.  Note that, although we do occasionally breed and farrow outdoors, and the topic is likely to be briefly discussed, this class does NOT detail the topics of breeding and farrowing.  Its focus is limited to raising feeder hogs and pork production.  Class size is limited.

Dates:  TBD.  We are happy to offer the same information in a private clinic or during a custom tour, however!  Just contact us for information!

Click HERE to register for one of these classes.

Who can refuse a pad of fresh, homemade butter?!  Maybe you'd like to find that perfect soft-cheese topping for your crackers.  What if you could stop paying the high prices for yogurt and just make your own?!  You can learn all this and more at the Dairy and Cheese Clinic.  We will work with both store bought and farm-fresh, raw milk to create a variety of delicious treats, using standard kitchen tools that you likely already have at home.  Clinic topics include:

• A brief discussion on proper, hygenic management of dairy animals
• Safe handling of milk and dairy products
• Store bought milk/cream vs. raw milk/cream
• Separating cream to make butter and other cream products
• Methods of culturing cream for flavor
• Best ways to store butter for best flavor
• How to make butter, yogurt, and soft cheese start to finish
• Tips to increase health benefits of dairy items

You will be directly involved in making the items, so you will be mentally prepared to go home and try it on your own.  This class begins with an opportunity to try at your hand at milking a live goat, and concludes with an opportunity to sample your creations of the day at a little brunch!  This is a unique clinic you don't want to miss!  Class size is very limited to 6.


Dates:    Sorry, this clinic offering is currently unavailable.

Click HERE to register for one of these clinics

Every year, on the first Saturday in May, Lincoln's New Salem State Park in Petersburg holds an antique farming day, which includes preparing the fields for spring planting using draft horses.  In 2014, we began using our team of drafts at this event.  We plan to do the same this year.  The park requests a donation for entering, but the plowing demo is FREE! Come join us for a great day of fun and history! The best time to see the horses working is from about 10-12.

Date: CANCELED due to COVID

Date and times are subject to change and event is weather-dependent.  There is no registration required for this event. Visit the Lincolns New Salem State Park Website for details.

Are you considering purchasing a farm but need some advice?  Do you want to improve the health and decrease the maintenance required of horses at your personal or boarding stable?  Do you have a farm and want to make it more sustainable or permaculture-oriented?  Do you dream of homesteading, but need ideas to help you get set up efficiently?  Are you stuck in a rut with your farming beliefs and desire assistance to get you thinking "outside the box?" 

Whatever your desire, we can help!  We have been studying and involved in permaculture and sustainable farming for over 10 years.  Sean has a degree in engineering, and Danielle has a degree in farm management.  We can come to your farm, take a look around, give you a feel for your options, and help you develop short and long term, written plans to help you get started on the right track to be successful in your dreams!  

Consulting services are arranged by appointment, and usually run between 2-8 hours, depending on details and goals.  CONTACT US today to get started!