Group Visits & Field Trips
Located a few miles north of Harrisonburg, VA in Rockingham County
Experience the wonder of fiber animals, the magic of plant dyes and explore the world of fiber arts during a Fiber Farm Visit.
We are happy to schedule visits for community groups, small schools groups, birthday parties, etc..
Below is a description of the Fiber Farm Visits with optional add on activities.
We are also open to designing a series of classes for school or community groups interested in a more extensive experience with fiber crafts, sheep & plant dyeing.
Fiber Farm Visit
- Meet the merino flock of sheep on the farm
- Dye garden tour: seasonal: late spring to late fall, during off season we will show and tell the different natural dye material during the dye studio tour section
- Fiber Processing & Natural Dye studio tour
- Topics Covered: Fiber farming throughout the seasons, the fleece to closet process, dye plants, commercial clothing industry, fibers and dyes, the Farm to Closet/Fibershed movement and Regenerative farming practices to promote animal health and improve field quality and environmental health
We can customize the structure and topics based on the group’s needs and interests.
Please be aware the farm tour does involve walking outside in the fields on uneven ground with some manure where the sheep are grazing. Pending weather, mud may occur! We will mow paths when the grass is growing. Please come prepared for this adventure outdoors. Tours last about an hour.
The Studio at Simple Hill Farm is an accessible one level building that includes an accessible bathroom. If needed, group visits can take place just in this space with lots of show and tell about fiber farming, the animals, fiber processing, dye plants and natural dyeing.
Rates
Group visits are a minimum of 8 people with a maximum of 30 people. Parking space is limited so carpooling is strongly encouraged. Charge for private groups is $8 per person. School groups (thru high school) and youth organizations are $5 per person.
Embellish Your Visit!
Fiber Felting
Bundle Dyeing
Stitch Resist with Indigo Dyeing
Coloring with Flowers
Fresh Leaf Indigo Dyeing
Want to enhance your experience at the fiber farm?
We offer the following add-on activities with your fiber farm visit.
Already visited the farm or just want to jump to the activity? The below crafting activities are also available for scheduled workshops for private groups of 8+ people.
- Fiber Felting: This activity is a messy but clean one involving warm water, soap and fiber! You will learn to wet felt wool while creating a sheep key chain. Maximum of 16 participants. Duration: almost 1 hour Cost $20/participant*
- Bundle Dyeing: Explore the variety of colors plants create while bundle dyeing a
cotton napkin or bandana. Maximum of 10 participants. Duration: 1 hour 30 minutes. Cost $30/participant* - Stitch Resist with Indigo Dyeing: Experience the magic of indigo during this project. Stitch on a small cotton cloth to create a design once dyed in an indigo vat. Maximum of 10 participants. Duration: around 2 hours with downtown time when dyeing (bring a portable craft along). Cost: $35/participant
- Coloring with Flowers: During dye garden season (late spring, summer, early fall) pick fresh dye plants and create color by rubbing on watercolor paper. Shapes can
be created using stencils. Maximum 24 participants. Duration: 30 minutes. Cost $10/participant* - Fresh Leaf Indigo Dyeing: (early summer to early fall) Get your hands blue or wear gloves but still enjoy the fun of fresh leaf indigo dyeing turning green leaves
into blue dye while dyeing a half yard of silk ribbon. Maximum 24 participants. Duration: 30 minutes. Cost $10 participant* - Natural Dyeing Demonstration: Demo of three natural dyes with an overview of the process and materials used. Duration: 30 minutes. Cost $68
- Shearing & Skirting Demonstrations: (limited to 2 per season-Feb/March) Watch a blade shearing and fleece skirting demonstration. Duration: about 1 hour. Cost: $96
*The per participant charge is only for those making the craft project. If teachers, parents and chaperones are helping, there is no charge for them.
Contact us at info@simplehillfarm.com with inquiries & questions.
Schedule Your Visit Today!
Customer Reviews
"Yesterday, our first and second graders went on a spectacular field trip to Simple Hill Farm near Harrisonburg. This science-focused trip was so much fun, and we all were wishing we could have stayed longer! The kids got to learn about everything from the chemical process of dyeing wool to pasture rotation when raising livestock. We even learned about the importance of mordants (dye fixatives) that are used to make the chemical bonds between the yarn and the natural dyes stronger, which helps the beautiful colors last longer. The kids asked so many insightful questions, and you could see their curious minds at work the entire time. We even got to meet some of the sheep and their sweet lambs. As you can see in the leaping sheep picture, they were very excited to meet us too!--Free Union Country School, Spring 2024 Facebook post
"Before Spring Break, the FIRST GRADERS read and studied "Charlie Needs a Cloak" by Tomie DePaola. Since the book focused on the journey of wool "from sheep to closet," the class traveled to Simple Hill Farm to see the process first-hand. While at the farm, students had a chance to visit and feed the sheep, watch the shearing process, prep the wool for dyeing and spinning, and dye the wool using natural ingredients. THANK YOU, Heidi for an amazing learning experience at your farm!"--Redeemer Classical School, Spring 2024 field trip Facebook post
"We had a wonderful time with our homeschool group, Wild and Free Families in Augusta County, at Simple Hill Farm with Heidi. We especially enjoyed interacting with the sheep as well as feeding them! It was interesting to see the yarn and the different things that you can use to dye the yarn. Great learning experience!"--Emily Z., Spring 2024 field trip
"A lovely farm! Heidi gave our homeschool group an informative, interactive tour. Feeding the sheep/ hearing about the fiber process was interesting and fun. A very gracious host with littles as well! 5/5!"--Wild and Free Families in Augusta County, Spring 2024 field trip