Frequently Asked Questions for Short Courses at Elk Meadow Farm
Listed below are answers to questions that relate to our weekend, week-long, and day-long courses.
What to Bring: Work clothes, a couple pair of shoes (one closed-toed), extra socks, hats, sunscreen if you use it, a water bottle, and your favorite foods/beverages. Our farm in July has nearly every kind of berry ripe and we have many greens available for picking/using during the weekend if you like but we do not have a commercial kitchen.
We recommend bringing layered clothing. No previous building experience is needed. This is a hands-on class so expect to get your hands (and feet!) dirty. You may also want to bring a notepad and writing utensil. If you plan to camp out overnight, be sure to bring the appropriate camping gear, such as a tent, sleeping bag, food, cookware, camp stoves, etc. No open fires permitted.
What to Leave Home: Dogs (we have cats and poultry that wander the property and don’t like to see them ripped apart!) Leaving your pets in your vehicle is unacceptable. We do not have kenneling facilities.
Can younger family members attend classes? Are children welcome to participate? Our short courses (day-long, weekend, and week-long) are family friendly in that family members under age 14 may attend a course with you (they also need to register) as long as you or another adult agrees to supervise and be responsible for them. If children become disruptive, they may be asked to sit out certain activities—along with a supervising parent—this is at the discretion of the instructor. There are no child care facilities at the farm.
- Teens, ages 14 to 17, may register and attend short courses without supervision, as long as they are responsible, truly interested in participating (not being required to attend), and a parent or guardian signs a medical/waiver form.
- The cost for children attending with a parent are as follows: Under 4 years old—Free; 4 to 8 years old—50% off; and 9 and older are at full price.
Do you offer any discounts? See above for children, but there are three ways to receive a discount for our short courses (day-long, weekend, and week-long courses). All payments are due at the time of registration. We take cash/check/Visa/MasterCard/Discover.
- 1. Early Registration Discount: Register at least one month prior to the start date and receive 10% off. Payment is due at the time of registration.
- 2. Family/Friend Discount: Register together with a family member or friend at the same time and receive a 10% discount; or
- 3. Multiple Class Discount: Register for more than one class at the same time and receive a 10% discount (not available at this time, but we plan on having a Rocket Mass Heater workshop around June/July of 2018).
Cancellation Policy:
- *Course fees minus $10 administration fee are refundable for cancellations made up to 4 weeks prior to course start date.
- *50% refundable up to two weeks prior to course start date.
- *No refunds for cancellations within two weeks of course start date.to
What kind of weather can I expect? The Panhandle of Idaho and Eastern Washington has summer temperatures which often range from the 50s at night to the mid-70s up to 90 degrees during the day. We do not have workshops in August when the temperatures can be above 95 degrees.
What kind of camping and accommodations are available? Participants in our short courses (day-long, weekend, and week-long classes) may camp out at Elk Meadow Farm & Nursery for the duration of the course. There are some nice sites within our 6-acre fenced area. Outside the fence (at night) is the home of free-range cattle and sheep, coyotes, deer, elk, bears, moose, cougar, porcupines, bobcats and the occasional wolf. We prefer you camp within our fence. Though most students camp during the course, you are welcome to travel home at night or stay at a hotel/motel in the area (the closest is Moscow, ID about 26 miles away). Please let us know if you plan to camp out during your course stay. Remember—no open fires.
What kind of amenities are on site? At this point we have an outdoor composting toilet and running potable water at several locations you can use for sponge bathing, but no shower facilities (something we are planning in the future though). Please only use biodegradable soap. We have reverse osmosis water available for drinking as our well water is a bit heavy on iron (but drinkable). We have partial ownership of a pond—which we know attracts children like a magnet—but it’s outside the fence for their protection.
There is wireless internet access and electrical outlets for charging phones and laptops. There is no public computer available. Cell phone reception at the farm is good for ATT cell phones but other phones may not work.
Should I bring food or is food provided? Please bring your own foods while attending classes, but do feel free to graze on whatever is ripe at our farm while you are here—just ask us and we’ll set you in the right direction. It’s not really the type of farm you can run all over on as there are plants stuffed in everywhere, so stay on the walking paths and monitor your children.
For breakfasts and dinners, depending on the time of year, we may have outdoor cooking facilities (camp stove or barbecue). We can do some potluck too. We will have hot water available on the back porch. Coffee (not decaf) and teas are available. If you want to make fresh herbal tea, we have plenty of herbs growing everywhere.
You can also travel into town (Deary, “the village”, which is three miles from our farm) for breakfast (before class) or dinner (after class). Fuzzy’s has great burgers and there is the Pie Safe Bakery and Creamery in town that serves brick oven pizza Friday and Saturday nights and White Pine Foods grocery store, There is typically not enough time to head to the village during lunch.
Is water available on site? Yes. All of the water from our sinks and spigots is potable. We also have reverse osmosis water upon request.
How do I get to Elk Meadow Farm? We can send you direction from all roads and highways once you’ve registered. We will need your email address for this though.
What airport is closest? Are there buses in the area? The closest major airport is Spokane International Airport in Spokane, WA (about 2 hrs. away), but smaller airports are in Lewiston, ID (Lewiston Nez Perce Regional Airport about 45 mins) and Moscow-Pullman (Moscow Pullman Regional Airport about 35 mins). To travel from the airport to Elk Meadow Farm you can rent a car.
Where should I park? Please park inside our fence (after closing the gate behind you) along the circle driveway or by the barn. Campers can park closer to the area they have decided to set up tents. It is possible to camp in your vehicle during your course. Please let us know if you plan to do so.
Are there private areas? Yes. Please feel free to enjoy the entire property while being respectful of personal space around the house. We are in rural/wilderness, but we do have two neighbors on our road. Please respect the private property of our neighbors by driving very slowly (like 10 mph) past their houses.
Are there quiet hours? Yes. Quiet time is from 10pm to 7am. Please be considerate of others by keeping noises and voices low after 10pm.
Are pets allowed? No! Elk Meadow Farm values the diversity of wildlife that inhabits our site—both domestic and wild. Do NOT bring your dog or other pets and leave them in your car.
Is smoking allowed? Smoking is not allowed anywhere on the Farm unless you truly must—if so, please smoke in your vehicle or in the gravel driveway where it is safe and be sure to fully extinguish butts and take them with you. We don’t have ash trays.
How do I learn more? Please feel free to contact us if you have more questions. We’re happy to help out and answer any questions you have.
Contact to Register: Denice Moffat (208) 877-1222 or drmoffat@NaturalHealthTechniques.com