FARM Professional Interest Group (PIG) Plowing Bootcamp at Island Farm in Manteo, NC
Registration NOW OPEN
March 14-15, 2026
Wanted: Historical farmers desiring to plow! Announcing an opportunity to learn and hone skills pivotal to the story of farming – draft animal tillage. This FARM Plowing Bootcamp will be offered at Island Farm in Manteo, NC on Saturday, March 14 and Sunday, March 15, 2026.
Given the limited power historically available to farmers, the use of walking plows allowed increases in crop yields that were otherwise impossible. Today, the walking plow remains the strongest icon of food production, communicating sustenance to museum visitors. The ability to present accurate historical farming processes directly relates to our guest’s growing interest in small-scale and local farming, as well as food security. In fact, the ground tilled in this workshop will be used in Island Farm’s community food assistance program.
Plowing during an ALHFAM conference Plowing Match. Photo courtesy of Susie Gilmore.
What you need to know:
The intensive nature of this workshop requires a limited enrollment of 10 people.
This bootcamp workshop will allow participants two days of hands-on experience working draft animals to the plow.
The goal of this accelerated training experience and tight instructor-to-participant ratio ensures the participant leaves with substantive skills, along with the ability to facilitate continued program development at their home site.
Immediate sign-up is recommended.
This experience is open to all ALHFAM members interested in learning the intricacies of tillage with horses, mules, and oxen.
Bootcamps are an ALL IN approach to learning, sharing, and discovering the skills of the past.
This bootcamp workshop is sponsored by Island Farm, in partnership with the Association for Living History, Farm, and Agricultural Museums (ALHFAM), Skills Training and Preservation Committee (STP) and the FARM Professional Interest Group (PIG).
The cost for this workshop is $198, which covers all instruction and most meals. Affordable lodging is available nearby at each participant’s own expense.
Lodging:
Island Guest House & Motel
706 US-6
Manteo, NC 27954
252-473-2434
*We recommend booking lodging as early as possible; mention you are in town for the plowing workshop at Island Farm.
For more information, contact Ladd Bayliss at 252-473-5440 or email ladd@obcinc.org
