FARMING WITH DRAFT ANIMALS — May 22nd - 25th, 2025 — Tillers International, Scotts, MI
This four-day class is a unique opportunity to use oxen, horses, and donkeys to do real farm work. We immerse you in a wide variety of fieldwork: tillage, planting, hay harvesting, and cultivating—depending on the farm’s current needs and your personal interests! Part of each day is spent learning skills and the rest in field practice. Instructors help refine field work and draft animal handling. Assignments depend on skill, but we entrust you with real farm work. Activities flex with the weather.
Total Price: $610. Instructor: Rick Eshuis. https://tillersinternational.org/events/farming-with-draft-animals-2/

2025 Maine Working Steer Weekend — May 30th - June 2nd 2025 — Farmington Fair — 292 High Street, Farmington, ME
Join Franklin County 4H and the FC 4H Working Steer Club for our annual working steer weekend! We will have clinics, a mock show, fundraisers, a barn dance, and lots of fun! Camping available - all 4H working steer members welcome!
https://www.facebook.com/events/1285474762534922

DRAFT ANIMAL: OXEN BASICS 2 — June 7th - 8th, 2025 — Sanborn Mills Farm, Loudon, NH
Are you considering an oxen team for your farm but wondering where to start? Join us for a two-day workshop to learn the things you need know about bringing a pair home, finding the right equipment for them, and learning how to work them. Our experienced instructors will train you in a safe and productive environment. Students will learn the basics of selecting a team or single ox, halter training, basic commands, and proper yoking and fitting. The instructors will demonstrate the navigation of a team with equipment while explaining proper body language, position, and voice commands. Students will have the opportunity to practice navigating their team on multiple pieces of equipment. When students feel comfortable, they will drive teams throughout Sanborn Mills Farm under the supervision of our experienced teamsters. Much of the training will be based upon the day-to-day work at Sanborn Mills Farm. Students are encouraged to bring a team to the farm and should contact Ray Ramsey at least three weeks prior to the workshop start date to discuss this possibility. Out-of-state cattle must have a state health certificate from a veterinarian. No “intact” bulls over the age of 8 months are permitted on the farm.

Skills and Techniques:
— Basics of selecting a team or single ox
— Halter training, basic commands, and proper yoking and fitting
— Navigation of a team with equipment
— Learn proper body language, position, and voice commands
— Practice navigating a team on multiple pieces of equipment

TAUGHT BY: Ray Ramsey and Tyler Allen. Workshop Fee: $280.00. https://sanbornmills.org/product/draft-animal-oxen-basics-2-2/

OXEN BASICS, PLUS YOKEMAKING — June 15th - 19th, 2025 — Tillers International, Scotts, MI
This comprehensive five-day class creates skills in driving, training, and yoking in a sequence of hands-on experiences. Enjoy well-trained oxen responding to your voice commands. Learn to select, team, and care for oxen. Use low-stress training to teach calves. Drive teams hitched to various loads and practice field tasks. Make this the outstanding experience of your year! Most days, activities can last beyond 5:30 p.m. Students will also learn how to make a yoke using hand tools. added charge for yokes with a larger than 6” bow width) Email tillers@tillersinternational.org ahead of the class with your preferred bow width.
Instructor: Rob Collins. https://tillersinternational.org/events/oxen-basics-plus-yokemaking/

MIDWEST OX DROVERS ASSOCIATION GATHERING — June 19th-22nd, 2025 — Scotts, MI
Free and open to everyone. Bring your Team. Formed by students from Oxen Basics Class at Tillers International a quarter century ago, the Midwest Ox Drovers Association holds an annual Gathering at Tillers in Scotts, MI and provides resources and support to folks with an interest in working cattle. https://www.midwestoxdrovers.com/?fbclid=IwY2xjawIS0RBleHRuA2FlbQIxMAABHWw2_c6FJO0Bf1bkjLwlhBdYdIuVX-L2VRB9_6MNyUSDsuPEY_0ZY6vgGg_aem_721eiSVbbEuFHwfcYXOo7Q

HORSE PROGRESS DAYS — July 4th-5th, 2025 — Clare, Michigan
https://horseprogressdays.com

SMALL SCALE HAY MAKING — July 25th - 27th, 2025 - Tillers International, Scotts, MI
This unique three-day class will cover the process of making loose hay using a variety of traditional methods- from the scythe to the sickle bar mower, from hand rakes to animal-powered lifts. Students in the class will work with their own hands, with draft animals, and with a variety of tools as we put up loose hay and construct a hand rake to take back home and use. This class is ideal for homesteaders and small farmers with a few animals or living history professionals wanting to build their skills.
Total Price: $595 https://tillersinternational.org/events/small-scale-hay-making/

OXEN BASICS — August 1st - 4th, 2025 — Tillers International, Scotts, MI
This four-day class creates skills in driving, training, and yoking in a sequence of hands-on experiences. Enjoy well-trained oxen responding to your voice commands. Learn to select, team, and care for oxen. Use low-stress training to teach calves. Drive teams hitched to various loads and practice field tasks. Make this the outstanding experience of your year! Most days, activities can last beyond 5:30. Instructor: Rob Collins. Total Price: $500 https://tillersinternational.org/events/oxen-basics/

DRAFT HORSE BASICS — August 21st - 22nd, 2025 — Tillers International, Scotts, MI
In this two-day class, experienced teamsters share draft horse handling, hitching, and driving skills. Participants begin by building confidence with the gentle giants in the barn, brushing and harnessing. Handling skills are then honed honed with simple ground driving of a single horse progressing to plowing and other field work with a team. Breeds, hoof care, and health will be covered. Experience the pleasures of working with Suffolk draft horses on Tillers’ beautiful farm, and start building the skills you’ll need to work with draft horses on your own.
Instructor: Rick Eshuis. Total Price: $410 https://tillersinternational.org/events/draft-horse-basics-2/

PFERDE STARK — August 23rd & 24th, 2025 — Dörentrup, Germany
Die PferdeStark ist ein Mega-Event, bei dem über zwei Tagen ganztägig gleich mehrere Bühnen bespielt werden: Auf den Feldern und im Wald finden praktische Vorführungen von modernen Arbeitsgeräten, Demonstration verschiedener Anspannungstechniken und aktueller Arbeitsverfahren statt, im Holzrückeparcours die Europa-Meisterschaften im ein- und zweispännigen Holzrücken; auf dem Acker laden die Europa-Meisterschaften  im Gespannpfügen sowie Workshops zum Zuschauen und Mitmachen ein und im großen Schauring faszinieren Fahrwettbewerbe, Zugleistung und ein internationales, hochkarätiges Showprogramm. Erstmals wird es einen zweiten Schauring geben, in dem Reitvorführungen und -wettbewerbe stattfinden. Angeboten werden rund um das Schloss Wendlinghausen zudem zahlreiche Mitmachaktionen für Kinder, Jugendliche und Erwachsene. Besucher aller Generationen können sich auf ein interessantes und unterhaltsames Rahmenprogramm freuen. Thematisch passende Aussteller, verschiedene Gourmetstände und zwei Restaurants laden zu einer langen Verweildauer auf dem Eventgelände ein.
https://www.pferdestark.net

COMMON GROUND COUNTRY FAIR — September 19th-21st, 2025 — Unity, Maine
The Maine Organic Farmers and Gardeners Association’s (MOFGA) annual celebration of rural living features 1000-plus exhibitors and speakers, and emphasizes vibrant communities, sustainable living and local economies, while highlighting organic agriculture. The weekend includes draft animal demonstrations all weekend. https://www.mofga.org/the-fair/

2025 DRAFT ANIMAL POWER FIELD DAYS — October 3rd, 4th & 5th, 2025 — Sanborn Mills Farm, Loudon, NH
We are excited to be returning to Sanborn Mills Farm in 2025 for a third time for the Draft Animal Power Field Days! Save the dates and make sure to check back here, in your email and on social media for updates and more info. Our volunteer organizers are working hard to get you more info as soon as they can! https://www.draftanimalpower.org/dapfd-2025

OXEN DRIVING — Tillers International, Scotts, MI — October 11th - 12th, 2025
Oxen can be an alternative to tractors and are an excellent resource on small farms or in woodlots. In this two-day class, you will learn driving techniques, terminology, and the basics of cattle behavior & psychology. Practicing with our oxen teams with input from expert instructors will build your skills & confidence while working on a variety of field tasks on Tillers’ farm. The class concentrates on driving skills, but also introduces yoking, training, and hitching techniques.
Total Price: $445 https://tillersinternational.org/events/oxen-driving-2/

DRAFT ANIMAL: LOGGING WITH OXEN — October 18th - 19th, 2025 — Sanborn Mills Farm, Loudon, NH
In this workshop, instructors Ray Ramsey and Tyler Allen will demonstrate each piece of equipment focusing on driver and animal safety and efficiency. Much of the training will be based upon the day-to-day work at Sanborn Mills Farm, in which oxen singles and teams haul fire wood and saw logs from deep in the woods along trails to the main road. The function of the logging forecart, scoot, and go-devil will be explained before heading out to the woods with the animals. Proper use of a peavey for rolling logs, and the correct way to hook logs with choker chains – both to a cart and by twitching (ground skidding) – will be covered. The workshop will move at a pace agreeable for all students. Instructors will take time to work safely and explain each function in detail. Students are encouraged to bring a team to the farm and should contact Ray Ramsey at least three weeks prior to the workshop start date to discuss this possibility. Out-of-state cattle must have a state health certificate from a veterinarian. No “intact” bulls over the age of 8 months are permitted on the farm.

TAUGHT BY: Ray Ramsey and Tyler Allen. Workshop Fee: $280.00. https://sanbornmills.org/product/draft-animal-logging-with-oxen/

MAKE A TRADITIONAL TWISTED WHIP FOR DRIVING OXEN — November 22, 2025 — Sanborn Mills Farm — Loudon, NH
This workshop will allow students to make a traditional twisted whip from start to finish. This includes creating whip blanks from a raw piece of timber, forming and shaping the stick along with steaming and twisting it. We will cover how to finish the whip with a keeper which allows for the attachment of a lash once it is complete.

Skills and Techniques:
— Forming and shaping raw lumber into a usable end-product
— Use of hand tools both for roughing out and detail finishing the project
— Learning how to steam and twist the whips
— Reading signs from the material to determine when it’s ready to be completed

 Workshop Fee: $140.00. Materials Fee: $25 paid directly to the instructor. TAUGHT BY: Justin Riendeau https://sanbornmills.org/product/make-a-traditional-twisted-whip-for-driving-oxen/

19th WORLD PERCHERON CONGRESS — July 6, 2026 — Minnesota State Fairgrounds, St. Paul, MN
https://www.worldpercheroncongress.us/