The easiest and best way to learn how to use a scythe, is to attend a workshop, taught by a qualified instructor. I've been asked for years to travel to different areas of the country, to teach scythe workshops. I would love to, but the logistics of leaving my farm for that long, and the expense of traveling, has never made it very feasible. Instead, I decided to implement a scythe instructor training program, modeled somewhat on the Austrian Scythe Instructor training program. At 1SR, however, we teach my own variations on mowing, honing, and free-hand peening that I've developed over the years of of mowing on my farm, and from years of teaching workshops. My goal is to eventually have 1SR Certified Scythe Instructors within driving distance of everyone in the USA.
  I've been teaching scythe workshops since 2006. My teaching experience has given me a greater understanding of the fundamental building blocks that people need in order to develop the skill for high-performance mowing. If you are serious about becoming proficient with a scythe, these 1SR instructors will help you get there. If you want to become an instructor yourself, you can enroll in my 1SR Scythe Instructor program, and become an instructor in your area. Scythe instructor workshops are taught in conjunction with my Advanced Scythe Workshops. To facilitate travel and attendance, they are taught on the Sundays of every Memorial and Labor Day weekend each year. Most people need to take my Basic Workshop at least once, and my Advanced Workshops at least twice, plus do a lot of mowing on their own in between, before they can show mastery of the skills necessary to be a 1SR Basic Instructor. They can also work with me individually on my farm.
                                                                                                                                                           -  Botan Anderson

Blacksmith Larry Cooper has taken to the scythe like a duck to water. His 20+ years as a blacksmith, also pretty much made him an instant expert on free-hand peening. He humors me when I tell him he's cleared as an Adv. Peening Instructor. To mow with a scythe blade that Larry has peened is a beautiful thing. Whenever he co-teaches a peening workshop with me, participants get a much greater in-depth understanding of peening, from the parallax of our perspectives. I explain peening with line diagrams, Larry teaches with clay. Larry is particularly interested in oxen, and mowing fresh green feed and making hay with a scythe for them.

March 3-4, 2012, UNC- Ashville N.C. 4B: Small-Scale Grass Management Using the Austrian Scythe with 1SR Adv. Instructor Larry Cooper. Learn how to choose the right scythe and use it in conjunction with companion hand tools for management of grass on the homestead. We’ll discuss mowing technique, sharpening, grain and hay harvesting, and various uses for your scythe-cut grasses. See http://www.organicgrowersschool.org/ to register.

June 23rd. 2012, MI, 9-4pm - Small‐scale Haymaking  Cutting and manipulating hay for rapid
drying and quality retention. The morning session will begin with an equipment walk‐around and discussion
of harvesting options. It will begin with demonstrations of the use of the scythe with 1SR Adv. Scythe Instructor, Larry Cooper, and progress to the ox‐drawn cutterbar mower and use of the ground‐driven or engine‐powered forecart for mowing and conditioning with modern equipment. Hay raking will follow, beginning with a demonstration of the hand rake and progress to the animal powered side delivery rake, fluffer‐tedder, rotary rake and rotary tedder. Hay gathering and storage will be covered in the afternoon. Contact http://www.midwestoxdrovers.com/Home.html

June16th, 2013 The World of the Scythe, Class 274 at Tillers International - Join us for a one day class on the scythe, with 1SR Adv. Scythe Instructor, Larry Cooper. Demonstrations include hay mowing, cutting hillsides, ditches and under fences, hay management for the small farm, creating a keen cutting edge with a hammer and peening anvil and maintaining that edge by honing using a whetstone. We’ll mow an area and show how to manage the cut grass with a simple collection of hand tools. There will be plenty of hands-on instruction and practice.
Learn to adjust the scythe to your body and correct movement for mowing. Bring your scythe to class if you have one, have it evaluated for fit and sharpness. Scythes will be provided to try. Discussion of different scythes will also be part of the class. NOTE: Class starts earlier than usual!

Register online at http://www.tillersinternational.org/farming/classes_274_scythes.html

Andy's been slowly practicing with a scythe for 4 seasons as of 2012. Last year though, was his first epiphany with a good snath, a sharp blade, and meaningful peening as taught by the 1SR peening manual & videos. He is still in many ways a beginner, and looks forward to learning and getting better with time. It's his first year with a field of his own to practice with, and his lady and himself hope to be able to manage it and make hay without the aid of engines.

Scythe Demo: September 14th 2012, Ohio Paw Paw Festival http://ohiopawpawfest.com/

Austrian Scythe & Mowing Workshop
Sunday, October 14
8:30 to 11:30 am
at the farm of Elise McMath in Ohio
Learn to cut your field or lawn with an Austrian scythe. This workshop
is for town or country dwellers. Experienced mowers will show you
the art and enjoyment of mowing with a scythe and you can try it
yourself. With this reliable method, you'll learn how to use and care
for an alternative to smelly, polluting mowing equipment that
routinely breaks down.
Experienced mowers say there is a night and day difference between
mowing wet and dry grass so we are meeting early to take advantage
of the morning dew.
Directions: Go east on 550 through Amesville. After you pass through
the village, take the first right onto CR 38-48. Go about 1.5 miles,
bearing right, until Potter Rd is a landmark on your right. Turn left
onto a small (strong) wooden bridge onto a private farm road. Follow
signs to the workshop site.
Carpool from Acenet parking lot (94 Columbus Rd) at 8:00 am.
Sponsored by the Sierra Club's Sustainable Living Network.

Contact Andy Graybeal to register: andy.graybeal@casanueva.com

Mary Montes is a veteran of my 2 Day Haying workshop in Viroqua, plus has worked with me individually at my farm. One of her interests is mowing mulch lines on contour for water conservation, for gardening in arid areas.