Events

This class is a series of 12 programs that meets once each month all year long, though you may join at any time. You will learn to use simple, but beautiful embroidery techniques to stitch quilt blocks of some of the iconic plants, animals, and birds of the Missouri Ozarks- such as black bears, a cardinal, and butterfly milkweed. At each class you will learn about one of the plants/ animals and it history, habitat preferences, and its importance to the Missouri Ozarks. Classes will be held on either the first or second Tuesday of each month at 6:00 pm at the Ozark Regional Office Building in West Plains. At 551 Joe Jones Blvd West Plains MO, 65775. The thread colors needed that month. Block templates and information cards will be provided at the class.

Deer from Hide to Rawhide: First steps toward buckskin leather

Our ancestors utilized deer hides for making clothing, containers, musical instruments, shelter and more. Learn how to flesh, scrape, stretch, and dry your deer hide to make rawhide. At this 3 hr. hands-on workshop, you will bring and work with a deer hide you harvested. We will have demonstration hides in various stages for you to learn from also.

Wear old clothes and bring a rubber apron, if you have one. A heavy trash bag can be used in place of an apron. If you have a fleshing knife, bring it along. We will have fleshing knives and beams available for use during the program. You will take home plans to build a simple fleshing beam and frame. You will need to purchase a fleshing knife and other simple materials to complete and stretch your hide at home.

After harvest, skin your deer and remove any excess flesh (meat) from the hide. Place hide in a leakproof bag and freeze. Instructions for soaking and preparing your hide for the class will be emailed to prior to the class. Hides must have a valid Conservation ID Number or Telecheck Confirmation Number accompanying them.

Participants 16 and under must be accompanied by an adult.

Landowners that own property within Howell, Oregon, Ozark, Douglas Texas and Wright Counties will be given highest registration priority.

The online "Official Missouri Prescribed Burn Course" must be completed before attending this event. You can register for the online portion here: https://www.hunter-ed.com/prescribedburn/

The online course has a $25 charge to a third-party host (not MDC) and can be completed in approximately 2 – 4 hours. Please bring your certificate of completion and mileage sheet to the Demonstration Field Day.

We will be conducting a prescribed burn so please dress accordingly with leather boots, leather gloves, cotton pants, cotton long sleeve shirt, and safety glasses. Participants will learn about burn equipment, burn line installation, safe weather parameters, ignition operations, and other techniques to safely conduct a prescribed burn.

If inclement weather, training will be moved indoors to the Ozark Regional Office (551 Joe Jones Blvd., West Plains, MO 65775)

Our ancestors utilized many parts of deer they harvested. Many products such as candles, skin moisturizing heel balms, soaps, fire starters, etc. can be made from deer fat (tallow). Come learn how to convert deer fat into soap, candles, and fire starter!

At this 2-hr. hands-on workshop, you will bring and work with frozen deer fat from deer you or your classmates have harvested this season. We will have fat available to demonstrate techniques and you will take home a sample of soap, a candle, and a fire starter. A handout with recipes and directions for making soap, candles, and fire starters will be provided.

Wear old clothes and bring a rubber apron, if you have one. A heavy trash bag can be used in place of an apron. Bring along the fat from your harvested deer to add to the melting pot in class. After harvesting and skinning your deer, remove the hard, waxy fat from the back of the deer and around the kidneys and freeze. We will not be using the soft fat from around the meat and bones for this class.

Join us as we make beautiful holiday wreaths using local Missouri conifer boughs. Dried native plants and berries will add interesting accents. All materials will be provided.

Join us as we make beautiful holiday wreaths using local Missouri conifer boughs. Dried native plants and berries will add interesting accents. All materials will be provided.

Join us as we make beautiful holiday wreaths using local Missouri conifer boughs. Dried native plants and berries will add interesting accents. All materials will be provided.

Learn embroidery techniques while also exploring "Trees of Missouri" by stitching quilt blocks based on that theme.

What is deer season without deer jerky? Learn the basics of preparing different types of Venison Jerky. This information will also be useful to make any type of jerky with any type of meat.