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Homeschool Butchery (EFA eligible)

Event Timing: October 1, 2026 at 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM CDT Event Address: Our farm near Hartman, AR. Address sent via email. Contact me at 479-799-2355 or haley@evansbluff.com if you have any questions!

This class is a real, hands-on butchery experience for homeschool students. We'll work through every step from dispatch to packaged cuts using a small animal (sheep or goat...confirmed closer to the class date). The focus is heavily educational, with proper anatomy and physiology, scientific terminology, basic animal husbandry, food history, and the role preservation has played in human society.

What students do and don't do: Students will NOT handle sharp instruments. All cutting work is done by me. But hands-on examination is welcome and encouraged...this is how you actually learn anatomy. Students leave with a real, working understanding of where their food comes from and what it takes to get it to the freezer.

The day flows like this:

We start outside with dispatch, skinning, and gutting. Then we move inside for the full carcass breakdown into primal cuts and retail cuts. Throughout the day, there is an open forum for questions. Nothing is off limits, no question is too small.

What we'll cover:

-Basic animal husbandry (what goes into raising the animal we're working with) -Dispatch, skinning, and gutting (outside) -Carcass breakdown into primal and retail cuts (inside) -Anatomy and physiology with proper scientific terminology -Meat handling, food safety, and proper storage -A bit of food history and the role of preservation in human civilization -Anything else students want to learn

What students take home: a printed handout from class, a followup email summarizing what we covered, and a real understanding of the process from pasture to plate.

Realistic preview for parents (please read):

This is real butchery. The animal will be killed, blood will be drawn, the carcass will be processed in front of students. If you prefer your student to miss the dispatch, please let me know below in the "Anything else you'd like me to know?" field and I will work around your preference. Anatomical work includes procedures parents may not have anticipated...managing the digestive tract during gutting including waste, addressing animal-specific reproductive anatomy, etc. We will use proper scientific terms throughout. The style stays tactful and professional, but the work itself is not sanitized. If your student is squeamish or this is their first exposure to processing, please give them a heads-up so the day is not a surprise. Real questions are welcome from both you and your student before the day if it helps you prep. I am availabe to call, text, or email anytime.

Price: $135 per student. A parent or guardian must attend and remain present for the duration of the class.

For families with younger kids:

The whole family is welcome! I have a safe, fenced yard with outside toys for siblings, and a toddler play area set up in the next room inside. My oldest is 9 and is great about helping keep an eye on the littles. The house is open to families throughout the day...sinks, restrooms, and water all available, just let me know what you need.

Quick note for parents of very young kids: some scenes (especially during dispatch outside at the start) and scientific terminology used throughout may not be ideal for the smallest among us. The indoor play area is a great spot for them during those moments. Plan ahead and you'll be set.

What to bring:

-Lawn chairs (we'll be outside for the first part of the day) -Water bottles -A packed lunch or substantial snack for your student (class runs through lunchtime) -Clothes you don't mind soiling

I will have water and light refreshments available. Plan on packing lunch anyway.

VERY IMPORTANT: EFA FUNDS CAN ONLY BE USED FOR STUDENTS IN THE 5TH GRADE OR ABOVE AT THIS TIME due to how I am set up as a vendor. If you have a child younger than that and would like to sign them up, please obtain preapproval from EFA staff (https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdVfJmztt3u5LcN86X1eHW18u79YjNy_J0dYGWsy0bi48JF6Q/viewform) before you enroll and keep me in the loop on correspondence so I can work with you if needed. This class is probably not appropriate for anyone under the age of 8 unless they've been conditioned to butchery already.

Classes qualify as co-curricular under Arkansas EFA, so no hit to your extracurricular budget.

Refund Policy: A full refund will be issued for cancellations made 14 or more days before the scheduled class date. Cancellations made fewer than 14 days before the class date are not eligible for a refund. Each workshop requires specialty materials to be ordered and significant preparation time in advance; the 14-day notice requirement reflects these obligations. Cancellations must be submitted in writing. If Evans Bluff Farm cancels a session for any reason, enrolled students will receive a full refund or the option to reschedule at no additional cost.

***Registering more than one student? Please complete this form once per student so I can properly invoice and track each spot. Thanks for understanding!***

Parent/Guardian Name

Parent/Guardian Email

Phone Number

Student Name

Student Grade Level

Please let me know how many will be attending including additional parents and siblings so I can plan refreshments and ensure plenty of space for everyone.

Any allergies or dietary restrictions to be aware of? (refreshments will be gluten free)

How are you paying?

How are you paying?
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Anything else you'd like me to know?