What ages can attend?

Children of all ages are welcome; children under 5 must be accompanied by an adult.

Is this a drop-off program?

Yes—supervision is provided, but parents may stay if they prefer; one parent is included in the base price.

The program fee is $75 per student; optional after-hours care is available for an additional fee.

Are animals safe for first-time handlers?

Yes—staff demonstrate safe handling and supervise all interactions; calm behavior and following instructions are required.

Is there a restroom on site?

Yes, there is a washroom available at the homestead.

What should my child bring?

Bring closed-toe shoes, weather-appropriate clothing, a packed lunch, water bottle, and extra socks.

Jireh Hills PD Day Farm School — Goat Milking, Horse Training & Alpaca Visits near Alvinston | Farm | Horse

On a bright morning at Jireh Hills Family Homestead, just outside Alvinston, Ontario, a small convoy of families files down the lane to a working farm and forest school where animals and kids share the day’s curriculum. This PD Day program (Friday, April 24, 2026) is a four-hour, hands-on immersion that reads like a living classroom: dairy goats being hand-milked, a horse training demonstration with Winchester, kunekune pigs being fed and led to pasture, alpacas showing off their fiber, and exploratory walks through nearby woodland trails. The homestead’s layout—pasture, paddocks, barnyard and mixed woodlot—frames every activity in real, seasonal farm work.

What makes Jireh Hills special is the teaching pedigree behind it. The program is designed by Cheryl, a qualified secondary school teacher and long-time homeschooling homesteader, who runs the schedule with her family and older daughters. That experience shows in the gentle, structured pace: animal handling basics taught with safety and respect, opportunities for teamwork when moving pigs or feeding animals, and an accessible horse-groundwork demo that translates equine behavior into kid-friendly lessons.

The day is limited to 12 students to keep supervision tight and interactions meaningful. Activities emphasize practical skills—milking technique, safe animal approach, and basic horse communication—plus softer outcomes like confidence and cooperative problem-solving. There’s a washroom on site, and families are asked to bring weather-appropriate clothing, a packed lunch, and extra socks. Children under five must be accompanied by an adult; drop-off is supported for older kids.

Natural features are simple and clear: fenced paddocks, grassy pastures, a barnyard, and a tract of woodland trail that’s ideal for short nature walks and learning about seasonal plants and habitat. The alpacas provide a tactile lesson in fiber and fleece care; the kunekune pigs offer a memorable lesson in animal behavior and pasture maintenance. The homestead doubles as a local outdoor education hub, connecting urban families and curious kids with how food and animal care work on a small-scale farm.

Practical details: the program runs 10:00–14:00, cost is $75 per student, and optional after-hours care is offered. Safety rules are emphasized: closed-toe shoes, calm behavior around animals, and adult supervision for young children. Jireh Hills Family Homestead offers an accessible, off-screen learning day that’s equal parts messy, instructive, and joyful—an ideal pick for families seeking an authentic farm experience near Alvinston.

About Jireh Hills Family Homestead

Jireh Hills Family Homestead is a family-run farmstay and education homestead located in Alvinston, Ontario. It offers a mix of overnight stays, hands-on workshops, and animal encounters designed for families, groups, homeschoolers, and learners of all ages. Accommodation options include two nature lodges — “The Slumbering Alpaca,” a newly constructed lodge with modern comforts, and “The Sleepy Goat” — plus a 32' glamping RV called the “House on Wheels” available mid‑April through late October. Overnight guests can also choose farm camping with BYO RV or off‑grid sites.

Onsite experiences focus on practical skills and farm connection: hands‑on cheesemaking classes teach fresh feta, cheddar, and kefir and include traditional goat milking; a goat’s‑milk soap workshop offers “farm to tub” crafting; and goat‑keeping classes introduce basic animal husbandry. Animal encounters include goat snuggles, alpaca meet‑and‑greets, pony rides for children, equine encounters for adults, and the family favorite “Whiskers, Hooves & Paws” farm immersion tour.

Educational programming includes the Little Farmers fall session (four weekly classes) and the “Kindred Co‑op” homeschool farm school experience. Several programs are customizable for special needs and support local children’s programs. Jireh Hills emphasizes hands‑on learning, small‑group experiences, and authenticity—combining comfortable lodging, practical workshops, and supervised animal interaction in a rural Ontario setting. The homestead provides safe, guided interactions with animals, clear pre-booking information, and optional add-ons like goat milk soap making and adult equine grooming sessions. Visitors often combine an overnight stay with daytime classes to maximize learning and family bonding on the property. Bookings are available seasonally online.