Kayla combines a deep appreciation for the natural world with years of hands-on experience in wildlife management, agriculture, and traditional skills. She earned her Bachelor's degree in Wildlife and Fisheries Biology from Clemson University and has spent much of her career working directly with animals, ecosystems, and land stewardship.

Following graduation, Kayla worked for two years as a professional beaver and coyote trapper, gaining firsthand experience in wildlife management and damage control. She also spent two years working on a dairy farm, where she developed a practical understanding of agriculture, livestock care, and sustainable land practices.

Drawing from both her education and field experience, Kayla teaches a variety of engaging classes focused on wildlife, forestry, and homesteading skills. Her offerings include forestry and tree identification, understanding the role of fire in healthy ecosystems, local wildlife identification, track and scat identification, trapping fundamentals, and discussions on the importance of wildlife management. She also teaches practical farm and homestead topics such as gardening and building soldier fly larva traps for feeding chickens.

In addition to her outdoor education classes, Kayla enjoys sharing traditional handcrafting skills through crochet workshops. Whether teaching children, families, homeschool groups, or adults, she strives to create hands-on learning experiences that inspire curiosity, encourage stewardship of the natural world, and help preserve valuable traditional knowledge for future generations.

VALLEY RIVER SOAP

Kerrie Harmon has been making soap since 1998, when she stumbled across a recipe for "old-fashioned soap" and decided to give it a try. More than 25 years later, that curiosity has grown into a lifelong passion for the art and science of soapmaking.Her preferred method is cold process soapmaking.

By profession, Kerrie is a nurse, but she has always enjoyed creative pursuits. In addition to soapmaking, she loves baking, crafting, and exploring new ways to create handmade items. She especially enjoys sharing her knowledge with others and helping beginners discover how rewarding it can be to make their own soap.

Kerrie is excited to share her experience, tips, and enthusiasm for soapmaking and hopes participants leave the class feeling inspired and confident to continue the craft at home.

Bio - Coming soon