Workshop: Fundamentals of Farming with Horses

The Sustainable Horticulture Lab at Purdue University together with Old Capitol Farm and Burgess Draft Logging and Lumber bring you a hands-on introductory workshop on the fundamentals of farming with horses - from handling to harnessing to hitching. 

About the instructors

Ben Burgess is a Senior Master Biological Woodsman with the Healing Harvest Forest Foundation. Ben gained experience as an instructor at Berea College where he helped lead the college’s horse powered forestry program. Ben now works and breeds Suffolk Punch horses near his home in Russel Springs, Kentucky. Whether on the farm or in the woods, Ben is a skilled teamster. His humble, down-to-earth communication style makes him a good trainer of horses and teamsters.

Cameron Howard is a Master Biological Woodsman with the Healing Harvest Forest Foundation. Along with his wife, Molly, he is the host of today’s workshop. Cameron has worked his horses in the garden, on the farm, and in the woods since 2012. Cameron has a B.S. in education and brings his skills as an educator to this event. Cameron enjoys building community, and he finds that the horses do this well.

Moriah Bilenky is a professor and researcher at Purdue University where she engages students and growers with an integrated research and teaching program focused on integrated crop-livestock systems for sustainable horticulture. Bilenky is particularly interested in how draft power fits into regenerative agriculture and is actively investigating whether draft power can improve soil health, reduce emissions, and economics. 

“Being a good teamster is about being a good leader. The teamster looks at the strengths and weaknesses that each of us bring to our team. We decide how to position those traits within the team. When the job is done effectively and comfortably, it is not by accident. Success happens as a result of good leadership.” - Cameron Howard

This event is made possible by NCSARE ONC24-141