The Project in France
 

   Our second season of courses in France has been very successful and those from cooler climes have enjoyed both the swimming pool and wonderful meals outdoors under the stars.     As usual the work and study sessions are a great opportunity to put the world to rights and learn new skills.   

Courses in France 2012

We are planning to continue a third season of residential courses next year and, as usual the topics covered will include many of the activities described in The New Complete Book of Self Sufficiency.     Venues for courses in 2012 will depend on the success of work on the Bodrezal Mill.    Quite possibly students may have a choice between Bordeaux and Brittany - this should be clear early in the new year.

Students pleased with their sausages!

All courses  include both practical and “class room” sessions.   We will cover:-
Basics        

Making bread
Making sausages
Brewing beer and wine
Making Baskets
Making jams and jellies
       
Planning your smallholding/garden

Creating a clean seedbed from weeds and grass

Laying paths, blocks and cement

Building composting areas, making compost and use of compost in the garden

Pig and chicken husbandry

Management and improvement of soil

Scything, Haymaking and Grassland management

Tree planting and management for fruit, nuts and firewood

Growing soft fruits, pruning and manuring

Control of weeds and pests

Cutting and storing firewood, including the chainsaw, its use and maintenance

Harvesting and storing food from the garden, drying, picking, and freezing

Hedging

Use of the rotavator for controlling weeds and improving soil structure

Use of the greenhouse and transplanting

Tools for the garden

Knots and ropework