PENBORN GOAT FARM

     HANDS ON 

  GOATKEEPING

  COURSES

  A MARRIAGE OF PRACTICAL EXPERIENCE 

WITH TECHNICAL KNOW HOW

TO ALLOW YOU TO KEEP GOATS WITH CONFIDENCE

AVAILABLE AS :

SPECIAL COURSES, YOU PICK THE DATE FOR YOUR OWN BUBBLE

1 TO 1   PERSONAL TUITION (YOU PICK THE DATE)

COVID 19 HAS MEANT THE CANCELLATION OF ALL OUR GROUP COURSES

IF YOU WANT TO ATTEND A COURSE WE WILL (SUBJECT TO RESTRICTIONS) ORGANISE AN INDIVIDUAL COURSE, AT GROUP RATES,  ON ANY MUTUALLY AGREEABLE DATE

COURSES ARE 'HANDS ON'

WITH LOTS OF PRACTICAL WORK WITH THE STOCK

All day courses start at 10 am and finish at 4 pm.

Workshops start 2 pm finish 5 pm

 Tea/coffee  and biscuits will be provided  

The courses at Penborn are unique in that they are not presented by someone who has just started out on a life in a smallholding,  they are presented by someone who has lived that way for most of his life, with a wealth of experience.  

He has owned and bred champion goats, run a goat rescue, kept several rare breeds of sheep, actually remembers 'organic growing' from a time before the birth of  the soil association,  made pots of jams and chutneys,  kept chickens, ducks, guinea fowl,  geese, and pigs. Trained as an accountant,  got two degrees in biological sciences, an adult education teachers certificate (x 2), is quite a good bridge player, and has written a book on goatkeeping---'Goatkeeping without the nonsense'. and a childrens book----'North Pole City Devon'  

DAIRYGOAT KEEPING

The 2 day course is designed for those who have  little or no experience of dairy goats, but who are thinking of starting a dairygoat herd, whether it be just to supply the needs of friends and familly, or more ambitious large sale production. 

The course provides an introduction to the wonderful world of dairy goats

This course deals  with the 7 breeds of dairy goat especially the Golden Guernsey , our resident Boer goat, and the pygmy goats, what breed to pick and why. 

What to look for when choosing an individual animal. how to handle your goats and how to administer medications

 We will cover the 5 freedoms of animal welfare with particular attention to the problems of heavy milking goats.

We will look at the problems in starting a dairy business, be it a small herd or a large one,

and of course we will show you how to milk a goat by hand, and machine.

We restrict the course to a maximum of 6 persons (with covid restrictions we now restrict to the members of one 'bubble')

 to ensure everyone gets the most out of the course.

Every student receives a free copy of 

'GOATKEEPING WITHOUT THE NONSENSE'

so you don't need to take notes (but you can if you wish, bearing in mind the goats love to eat paper!)

and a certificate on completion of the course

We supply tea or coffee but bring your own lunch

Wear outdoor clothing 

price £180 for persons over 16 years of age

(£40 for those under 16) 

For a great day of fun

learn about dairy, meat, pet, and fibre goats, 

meet some of the friendliest, pottiest goats,

            that are guaranteed to charm you with their antics                

    including

--------------------------------------------------------------

 IF YOU WANT TO ATTEND A  COURSE

BUT NONE OF THE DATES ARE SUITABLE

  PICK YOUR OWN DATE

£95 PER PERSON

COURSES AVAILABLE MARCH TO SEPTEMBER

EMAIL YOUR DATES TO CHECK AVAILABILITY

 2 day courses £180 per person

For  places to stay 

Recommended by past students

Forda Farm

www.fordafarm.com

and

 Leworthy Farmhouse

www.leworthy.co.uk

alternatively

 contact the Bude tourist information office 

   www.visitbude.info/