Heartland Homesteading Conference 2024
Speakers & Class Descriptions
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Rotational Grazing - Geoff McPherson
Wool Processing - Jacqueline Medicine Weaver Prepping with Special Needs Kids - Melissa Renee Indoor Mushroom Cultivation and Medicinal Qualities - Erik Sanders Edible Landscaping - David Hughes Less Than Lethal- Non Weapons - Ryan Jones Homestead Safety - Cindy Smith Barth Forest Gardening - David Hughes Homestead Emergencies - Cindy Smith Barth Foraging and Herbal First Aid - Jacqueline Medicine Weaver Culinary Mushrooms in the Garden - Geoff McPherson Goat Butchering - Grinding and Using Fresh Flour - Barbra-Sue Kowalski Intro to Maple Syrup - Richard Hines Setting Up Solar - John Cotten |
Introduction to Fermentation - Devon Ballard-Hudson
Homemade Household & Cleaning Supplies - Melissa Renee Violence De-Escalation - Ryan Jones Up-cycle Crafts - Rag Rugs Pet Preparedness - Angi Shinaver Kids Classes - Cindy Smith Barth Homeschooling Around the Homestead - Melissa Renee Medicine Making/Herbalism - Jacqueline Medicine Weaver Intro to Bee Keeping - Green River Bee Keepers Rabbit and Chicken Butchering - Lauren Celentano Homestead Preparedness Panel - Josh Sutton and Team Goat Milk Soap Making - Lauren Celentano Tanning Demo - Jack Bartley |
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Geoff McPherson
Liberty, KY About Geoff: My wife and I have run a ranch based on ecological principles for the last 15 years. We raise cattle, sheep, hogs, and poultry, along with fruit and vegetable production. |
Classes:
Rotational Grazing -
In this session, you will learn the ins and outs of rotational grazing. We will cover all of the basics - Why rotationally graze? What species? How fast to move animals? What equipment do I need? - and get into some intermediate and advanced topics depending on the experience of the session participants. Culinary Mushrooms; Mushrooms for Beginners: In this session, we will cover several ways to incorporate edible mushrooms into your homestead. We will discuss several species of mushrooms you can cultivate, different methods of growing them, and how to prepare and preserve them. Additionally, we will demonstrate how to inoculate logs with mushroom spawn. |
Jacqueline Medicine Weaver
Raywick, KY About Jacqueline: Jacqueline Medicine Weaver is a passionate instructor in ancestral skills who believes in the honor of living harmoniously with the land. With a background steeped in plant medicine, wild foods, and natural textiles, Jacqueline brings a wealth of knowledge and hands-on experience to her teachings. Her workshops are not just about learning Old Ways—they are vibrant journeys into a world where nature and humanity connect. Whether she’s guiding folks in the art of herbal remedies or showcasing how to work with natural fibers, Jacqueline inspires everyone to embrace sustainability and cultivate a deeper relationship with the earth. Outside of her teaching, she finds joy in exploring the untamed wilderness, meeting new plants, and weaving stories from her experiences. Jacqueline’s love for the land shines through in everything she does, making her a beloved figure in her community and beyond. www.instagram.com/hunt_gather_mother |
Classes:
Wool Processing - Raw to Textile: Come and learn how to turn raw wool fleece into a textile...without the use of large or expensive equipment. In this hands on workshop we will take a raw fleece, pick it, card it, and then work it into either yarn or felt. You will get a chance to work a drop spindle or a spinning wheel, work a piece of felt, and give a try at needle felting. A rigid heddle loom will be there to explore if this is the right loom for you.
Foraging & Herbal First Aid: Knowing what is around you for food and medicine creates a peaceful mindset. Knowing how to forage and wild harvest those plants safely and regeneratively helps to turn foraging from a hobby into a lifeway. We will focus on plants from this bioregion that are in abundance and easily identifiable. Herbal first aid starts with good first aid and then uses herbs to make it better. From stopping bleeding, wound care, digestive first aid, and more, come and see how to assemble a strong herbal first aid kit with a discussion for a more backwoods kit. Medicine Making/Herbalism: Come and learn how to turn plants into medicine with a focus on nonalcoholic remedies. We will discuss using fresh vs dried, using plant medicine successfully, and creating a home apothecary to meet YOUR needs. |
Homesteading and homeschooling are similar. Melissa has 23 years of experience as a homeschool mom, and helps parents new to the process with how to effectively teach their children.
She has two children with complex needs and also helps parents navigate homesteading and preparedness with exceptional circumstances. Melissa plans to keep building the following of Handwritten Hills’ and collaborating with others to fulfill the purpose of helping others who are interested in the sustaining living lifestyle, homeschooling, and holistic wellness. www.facebook.com/share/KaQPMnSVJHbP6Nrg/?mibextid=LQQJ4d www.tiktok.com/@handwrittenhills1?_t=8q3aoP1wR0J&_r=1 |
Classes:
Homeschooling Around the Homestead: Handwritten Hills will be teaching three classes at the conference. Melissa will be sharing the ins and outs and legalities of homeschooling. How to homeschool without turning your home into a school. She will take time to show different paths and options available as well as teaching how to handle any special needs.
Homesteading/Prepping with Special Needs Kids: This class will be focusing on preparedness with special needs. Having children with neurodivergence as well as a child with extreme diet needs, she will share ideas to prepare and handle various situations. Will take questions and hold a forum so others can learn what steps to take now in their preparedness to be ready for anything they encounter. Homemade Household & Cleaning Supplies: This class will teach how to use and make holistic cleaning products. In the toxic world of cleaning supplies and the rise in cost of cleaning products you can learn how to make products at home. Using very few ingredients and techniques that have been proven to properly disinfect. She will teach how to make both a multi- purpose cleaner and laundry detergent. |
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Erik Sanders
Friend of Fungi Knifley, KY At friend of fungi, we are a small family-owned and operated farm that has been providing fresh, high-quality mushrooms and mushroom products to local communities for 5 years. We do double extractions with a Soxhlet extractor to ensure the highest quality extracts. Our passion for farming and dedication to sustainable practices has allowed us to grow and expand while maintaining our commitment to quality. Thank you for supporting our small business. |
Learn more about the incredible mushroom products from Friend of Fungi:
Website: mushroombagger.com Facebook: Friends o' Fungi Instagram: friendofungi |
Class:
A session on indoor mushroom cultivation and working with grow bags, and an overview of the medicinal qualities of several popular mushrooms like turkey tail, oyster, chaga, lion's mane, cordyceps and reishi mushrooms. Erik's Kentucky Proud coffee blends, extracts, and dried mushrooms will be available for purchase at the vendor market.
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David Hughes
Bethpage, KY About David: I have been gardening since I was 12. I have always been drawn to a self-supporting, self-reliant lifestyle. My career life has ranged from Cabinetmaker to Market gardener to Nurseryman. www.rockbridgetrees.com www.facebook.com/rockbridgetrees |
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Classes:
Edible Landscaping: We will talk about Edible Landscaping. Integrating food bearing plants into the home and farm landscape.
Forest Gardening: We will talk about Forest Farming. Improving existing woodlands. Choosing goals and exploring possibilities |
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Ryan Jones
Whitehouse, Ohio About Ryan: I am a full time training officer for a large state agency. Prior to my current position I worked in prisons for over a decade and was forced to learn a great deal about violence and other topics that are a mystery to those who have never had to walk those paths. I have used this knowledge and experience to help others with topics such as violence, self defense and de-escalation and have established a small business offering these lessons to the general public. I have presented at other such homesteader and survivalist events on violence dynamics and less lethal weapons, as I find both to be valuable information. One topic that most homesteaders and people into personal preparation never seem to take into consideration is less lethal weapons. I offer a course that will speak to the options available for those who have never considered them before and also where such devices fit in with the mindset of the preparedness community (of which I absolutely consider myself a part of). I also can offer a course on violence dynamics and realistic de-escalation that speaks to the number one human phobia, interpersonal violence. Most people either avoid such topics out of fear to develop unrealistic ideas of how violence actually works. I will attempt to de-mystify this complex topics based on years of research and study backed by personal experience. Check out Ryan's Website: https://www.rdmfjones.com/ |
Classes
Less Than Lethal- Non Weapons: One topic that most homesteaders and people into personal preparation never seem to take into consideration is less lethal weapons. I offer a course that will speak to the options available for those who have never considered them before and also where such devices fit in with the mindset of the preparedness community (of which I absolutely consider myself a part of).
Violence De-Escalation: I also offer a course on violence dynamics and realistic de-escalation that speaks to the number one human phobia, interpersonal violence. Most people either avoid such topics out of fear to develop unrealistic ideas of how violence actually works. I will attempt to de-mystify this complex topics based on years of research and study backed by personal experience. |
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Cindy Smith Barth
Nevada, OH About Cindy: I was raised on a small family farm in rural Ohio. We raised pork and beef as well as corn, soybeans and wheat. Growing up I was involved in 4-H and took a variety of projects both livestock and Department 1. Today, I live in the urban but rural setting in Ohio with my husband and two sons. I work full time as a 911 dispatcher. I also maintain an Advanced EMT license. We currently have chickens and rabbits on our urban homestead. Along with the animals, we can, garden as much as we can and try to live as self-sufficient as possible
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Classes
Homestead Safety - Safety on the Homestead is an important aspect of homesteading that is truly important but sometimes overlooked. In this session, we will discuss grain bin/grain cart safety, chain saw safety, chemical safety and much more!
Homestead Emergencies - Homestead emergencies can happen so fast and often times when we are least expecting them. In this session you will learn how to respond to emergencies and what you can do to prevent them. Some topics that will be covered are grain bin/hopper entrapment, accidental poisonings, animal bites and more! Homestead Kids - This session will be geared for the young homesteaders. We will learn about basic animal safety and husbandry, build mini greenhouses to take home and if time allows, we will do a take home craft! |
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Class: Grinding and Using Fresh Flour
Lots of people are interested in grinding their own flour in small batches for home use. This is a healthier option, and wheat berries can be stored much more easily and safely than prepared flour in the long term. But, there are several differences between conventional flour and home-ground flour that people should be aware of. In Barbra Sue's class, she will discuss how to use home-ground flour. She will also explain the nutritional facts and discuss how to source and store wheat berries.
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Follow Barbra-Sue's Homesteading journey and learn along @
Youtube:@KowalskiMountain
Website: kowalskimountain.com
Facebook: @Kowalski.Mountain
Youtube:@KowalskiMountain
Website: kowalskimountain.com
Facebook: @Kowalski.Mountain
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Richard Hines
Author, Bee Keeper, and Maple Syrup Guru Check out Richard’s Book Kentucky’s Green River |
Class: Maple Syrup 101
Richard will take folks through identifying sugar maples that are good candidates for tapping. He will discuss the ins and outs of tapping and collecting sap, including temperature requirements for when to tap, how to tap, and other intricacies of this wonderful wildcrafting process. Bring your notepad.
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John Cotten
Danville, KY General Manager at Wilderness Trace Solar in Danville and a graduate of Morehead State University with a Bachelor of Science in Engineering. John has been with Wilderness Trace Solar since i's inception in 2015. He participates in industry specific meetings in Frankfort, Kentucky representing not just the solar installers but also speaks on behalf of residential and commercial solar customers. |
Class: Setting Up Solar
John will show participants the ins and outs of setting uop an off-grid, or partial off grid system.
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Devon Ballard-Hudson
Borden, IN |
Class: Intro to Fermentation: Kefir, Kraut, & Kombucha, Oh My!
Let's journey into the wonderful world of fermentation, a method that has safely preserved and enhanced the flavor and nutrition of food for thousands of years. In this introductory class, I'll be covering different kinds of fermentation including lacto-fermentation, think sauerkraut and pickles, and fermentation with cultures such as making milk kefir or kombucha. Participants will be provided a cheat sheet of tips to simplify and demystify the process, while having the opportunity to observe hands-on demonstrations.
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About Devon:
I am a fermented foodie and overzealous homesteader on a mission to promote homesteading as a lifestyle that fosters a deeper connection to nature. Being a first-generation female farmer and homesteader, I understand the journey of learning about this lifestyle from scratch, which uniquely positions me to educate others. By empowering individuals with homesteading skills (no matter where they live), I aim to facilitate personal healing and the healing of our planet. In my free time you will find me hanging out with my husband and our 34 children (3 human children, 19 chickens (and counting), 4 ducks, 2 goats, 2 donkeys, 2 cats, and 2 dogs)!
Instagram: @devonballardhudson
TikTok: @thehudsonhomestead
Facebook: The Hudson Homestead
I am a fermented foodie and overzealous homesteader on a mission to promote homesteading as a lifestyle that fosters a deeper connection to nature. Being a first-generation female farmer and homesteader, I understand the journey of learning about this lifestyle from scratch, which uniquely positions me to educate others. By empowering individuals with homesteading skills (no matter where they live), I aim to facilitate personal healing and the healing of our planet. In my free time you will find me hanging out with my husband and our 34 children (3 human children, 19 chickens (and counting), 4 ducks, 2 goats, 2 donkeys, 2 cats, and 2 dogs)!
Instagram: @devonballardhudson
TikTok: @thehudsonhomestead
Facebook: The Hudson Homestead
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Angi Shinaver
Whitehouse, Ohio I am a small town urban homesteader. I have raised 4 children and 1 grandchild along with hundreds of pets over the years. I have been presented with just about every injury or illness a child or an animal could have. Between personal experiences and working as a vet assistant for 15 years, I am able to utilize that knowledge in emergency situations to treat my family and pets. I'm a backyard herbalist and utilize a natural approach to health care. I look forward to sharing the knowledge and techniques I have obtained over the course of my life with others. Contact: [email protected] |
Class: Pet Preparedness and Care When the Vet's Not There
will empower students with the tools and skills to help their pets when a vet visit is not possible or delayed due to a shtf event. It is stressed that this information does not replace veterinary care and students are urged to seek professional services as soon as possible but in the event such care is not available, it can provide the life saving skills needed for the pet.
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Lauren Celentano
Till the Rooster Crows Ranch Bradfordsville, KY I run my homestead, 'Til the Rooster Crows Ranch on 42 acres in Marion county. Originally from Long Island, I moved to upstate NY completing a BS in English and a masters degree in liberal studies concentrated in literacy. Rather than teach in schools I switched to agritourism and teach homesteading classes. I lived in Indiana for four years and finally settled in Kentucky about eight years ago. I've been homesteading on my own for about four years now, though I started 'Til the Rooster Crows Ranch back in NY. Now I run my farm as well as work off farm full time. I manage a herd of goats mainly focused on dairy, chickens, turkeys, ducks, rabbits, horses, dogs, cats, quail, and a few reptiles. I do a few small business like teaching classes, giving & driving bourbon tours, traveling with my animals for parties with Mobile Menagerie, selling farm products and add on products like the goat's milk shampoo & body bars. Click Here to Learn more about Lauren's Farm Contact: [email protected] |
Classes:
Rabbit and Chicken Processing: Lauren will walk folks through the process of slaughtering and processing chickens and rabbits.
Making Cold Process Goats Milk Soap: Lauren wil walk attendees through the process of making homemade goats mil soap with a “cold process”. |
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Jack Bartley
Homeplace Board Member Professional Cave Diver and Tour Leader HorseCave, Ky About Jack:
A Primitive skills enthusiast and caver; Jack has always had an interest in outdoor skills but really dived into it about three years ago when he took his first deer and wanted to use more of it. So he learned to tan the hide and it became the first primitive skill e took up. Since then he’s tanned other critters and picked up other primitive skills like flintknapping, friction fire, and cordage. |
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Class: Tanning
Over the weekend, centered in three separate sessions, Jack will walk participants through the process of tanning a hide using primitive tools. Learn how to utilize more of an animal’s resources with this deep dive into tanning!
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