Welcome to Locavore U
Where experienced instructors, hands-on lessons, and a community of curious learners gather on the farm to learn traditional skills that will build confidence in your abilities to care for you and your people.
As a student of the Locavore U community, you’ll be equipped with information you can apply to everything from your small garden or 400 acres and everything in between. We’ll serve up classes that you can choose from based on your needs and goals.
WELLNESS RETREATS
New Year, New You!
A Detox Mini-Retreat for Two at Locavore Farm
December 31 – January 3
4 days, 3 nights • All-inclusive
Cleanse. Slow down. Renew.
Welcome the new year with clarity and intention during this intimate New Year Detox Retreat at Locavore Farm’s cozy cottage. Designed for two, this all-inclusive getaway offers a gentle, empowering introduction to detox and natural health—guided personally by Michele Ritchie, The Good Life Coach.
Michele simplifies what can feel overwhelming, helping you reset your wellness goals, step away from distractions, and begin 2026 grounded in healthier habits and a more intentional way of living.
What’s Included
Fully guided 4-day, 3-night retreat for two
Personalized detox introduction with Michele
Hands-on juicing + daily detox drinks
Nourishing, nutrient-dense meals prepared for you
Recipes for juices, teas, smoothies, tinctures & liver-flush protocol
Curated supplement & superfood recommendations
At-home 3-day cleanse schedule
Time for rest, journaling & quiet reflection
Nature walks, farm animals & prairie views
Fireside moments + digital detox
Why Start the New Year Here?
Away from noise, screens, and the rush of daily life, this retreat gives you space to reconnect with your body, spirit, and the pace you want for the year ahead.
📩 Inquire at: thegoodlifecoach@proton.me
Locavore U at a Glance
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Hands-on classes, workshops and conversations to get you back to the basics, and relearning traditional skills
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Register for as many classes as you wish
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Classes are available March through December
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Classes are 2-4 hours long
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Class fees and supplies vary
We look forward to guiding YOU through YOUR journey as a student of Locavore U
2025 Classes
Our 2025 schedule is actively evolving as we collaborate with new instructors and expand our learning experiences. Remaining Schedule for 2025
FEATURED:
TOPIC: Secrets for Vibrant Living
WHEN: Thursday, December 4, 2025; 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM
FEE: $45
Reactivate your self-healing ability through lifestyle choices rooted in natural health. Bring a pen and notebooks, share your stories and enjoy learning in a new way! Conversation with Natural Health Coach, Michele Ritchie of The Good Life
At Locavore U, we offer hands-on, collaborative, and social learning experiences designed to equip you with practical skills for a more sustainable and self-sufficient lifestyle. Led by experienced instructors who have embraced a simpler, more intentional way of life, our workshops cover a diverse range of topics, from herbal wellness and food preservation to beekeeping, sourdough baking, and regenerative gardening.Each session is designed to build skills, foster community, and provide hands-on experience in sustainable living. All class fees and supplies vary.
Topics Covered in Locavore U Workshops:
(Workshops are scheduled throughout the year—check back often for new dates!)
Homestead & Land Stewardship
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Construction for the Backyard Homestead
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Creating Income from Your Land
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Homestead Design
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Permaculture Design for Backyards & Farms
Gardening & Food Production
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Garden Planning – March 8 & March 15 (Register Now!)
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Grow Your Own Victory Garden
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Raised Bed Systems & Hugelkultur
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Seed-Saving & Seed Banks
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Natural Beekeeping 101 (Treatment-Free Beekeeping)
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Natural Beekeeping 102 (Colony Collapse: What Are the Bees Telling Us?)
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Raising Chickens for Eggs & Meat
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Mycology & Mushrooms
Food Preservation & Culinary Skills
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Sourdough & Grains
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Traditional Foods for Daily Menus
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Food Preservation: Dehydrating & Canning (Pressure & Water Bath)
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Fermenting Vegetables & Gut Health
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Making Bone Broth
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Pasture-to-Plate: Smoke, Roast & Grill
Wild Foods & Herbal Wellness
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Spring Detox 101
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Wildcraft & Wellness
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Wildfoods & Foraging
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Herbal First Aid
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Edible Flowers & Crystalized Flower Petals
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Winter Seed Sowing
Handcrafting & Self-Sufficiency
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Basic Hand Stitch for Garment Repair & Gift-Giving
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Handcrafting: Felting Wool
New workshops are continually being scheduled as we refine our offerings and introduce fresh topics. Check back regularly to see what’s new and join us at Locavore U! If you are interested in joining our Instructors Collective, shoot us a message.
The Permaculture Course Offering
Locavore Farm is proud to collaborate with Midwest Permaculture to offer hands-on learning experiences that bring permaculture principles to life. As participants engage with Midwest Permaculture’s online and in-person coursework, they will have the opportunity to apply their knowledge in a real-world setting at Locavore Farm's 30-acre Sumac Creek estate. Through immersive, guided experiences, students will deepen their understanding of regenerative agriculture, sustainable food systems, and land stewardship—gaining practical skills that complement their studies.
Curriculum Overview:
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Earthworks
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Water Harvesting
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Soil Building
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Plants and Guilds
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Food Production Systems
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Humane Use of Animals
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Alternatives to Alternative Energy
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Natural Building
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Aquaculture - Aquaponics
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Community Governance
For more information including a deeper dive into the curriculum that will be offered, shoot us a message so we can schedule the right hands-on experience for you.
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