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Jireh Hills Family Homestead welcomes young children to a four-week farm school that teaches animal care, food growing, and responsibility through hands-on experience. Join this outdoor program near Alvinston for a memorable and practical introduction to farm life.
Jireh Hills Family Homestead welcomes young children to a four-week farm school that teaches animal care, food growing, and responsibility through hands-on experience. Join this outdoor program near Alvinston for a memorable and practical introduction to farm life.
Book with Jireh Hills Family Homestead
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Operated by Jireh Hills Family Homestead · Alvinston, Ontario
Located in the rural outskirts of Alvinston, Ontario, Jireh Hills Family Homestead offers a unique hands-on experience that bridges childhood learning with the rhythms of farm life. Their Little Farmers - Farm School Fall Session invites children under five to spend four consecutive Wednesdays immersed in the day-to-day care and cultivation of a working family homestead. This program stands apart by blending practical skills in animal husbandry, food growing, and responsibility with the social and sensory benefits of outdoor engagement.
At Jireh Hills, children engage directly with a variety of farm animals — from milking goats and jersey cows to kunekune pigs and alpacas — developing early empathy and respect for living creatures. The program’s educational framework, created by a seasoned homeschooling mother and educator, Cheryl Charlton, offers a rich curriculum that expands beyond simple caretaking: kids learn to collect eggs, groom ponies, understand fiber processing, and even participate in cheese-making. Each session runs rain or shine, encouraging resilience and connection to changing seasons.
The Homestead’s location near Alvinston lies within a landscape characterized by open pastures and emerging woodlands, making it a perfect natural classroom. The region’s agricultural heritage deepens the authenticity of the experience, while the family-led teaching environment fosters intimate, small-group learning, limited to just eight children per day.
For families seeking a grounded, active program where young children step out of screens and into fresh air and tangible farm rhythms, Jireh Hills Family Homestead’s Little Farmers falls sessions provide unmatched value. Parents, grandparents, and guardians are welcome to participate, creating multigenerational bonds around nature and stewardship. This program is a standout destination for anyone wanting to plant the seeds of responsibility and curiosity in their little ones within a supportive hands-on setting.
easy.
2 hours.
Suitable for young children and accompanying adults with basic mobility; mostly low-impact activities.
The program is designed for children under five years old.
Yes, one adult per child is included, and the program encourages adult involvement.
Yes, activities continue regardless of weather, so come prepared for outdoor conditions.
Yes, each session is limited to 8 children with up to 4 drop-in spots available.
Participants will meet milking goats, alpacas, Jersey cows, kunekune pigs, chickens, ponies, and rabbits.
Registration is available for individual 4-week sessions or for all 8 weeks; drop-in days are also possible.
Alvinston maintains a strong agricultural tradition dating back to the 19th century, which informs the farming practices at Jireh Hills.
Jireh Hills emphasizes sustainable farming methods, aiming to educate families on environmental stewardship and responsible land use.
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.
Book with Jireh Hills Family Homestead