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The Program Director and Board of Directors are excited to announce our plan to make major renovations to the farm starting in 2023 through an upcoming Capital Campaign we are calling: Growing on the Farm. Homeplace on Green River was established as a non-profit in 2001. It has grown each year in the 21 years that it has operated. We have added programs, events, activities, and projects one at a time through the dedication of a wonderful board of directors. Until 2020, the farm was managed solely by the board. In the two years since being joined by a program Director, Homeplace has worked to strengthen our branding, our administrative side of things, and the focus of our ambition. We believe we are well poised to take steps toward the next big adventure. As stewards of this incredible place, we are tasked with the preservation of the grounds and the wonderful historic buildings on our site. To ensure they survive through this century and are enjoyed by the community, some much needed renovations must take place. Beginning in 2023, we will be launching a multiyear capital campaign to fund a massive, multifaceted renovation and improvement project. This project will have many aspects but essentially three main phases. Phase One: Raising the Barn
Having such a beautiful and functional facility at Homeplace for rentals and events will allow us to be more financially self-sufficient and enable other more mission-centric programs and activities on the farm. Also, we believe that a beautiful facility will be something the community will enjoy for years to come when we utilize it for our festivals, vendor events, and educational programs. Phase Two: Going to Market We want to make our feedlot, with is a 6000 square foot space on an incline more useable by pouring seven 40 by 24 foot concrete terraces and improving the bottom end to showcase our pond. We will call it The Market Pavillion. This space will be more handicapped accessible and just more functional. We will use it for large vendor events, produce/farmers market style spaces as well as a performance/presentation space. Phase Three: Bring it Home The historic Tate House was built in 1802 and has been partially renovated. To make the full house a useable space will require a large investment, but one that we believe is worth while. We would love for the house to eventually see it’s 300th year and we have an opportunity to help ensure that it can. We plan to renovate the rest of the home and add a few modern amenities to make it a rental space. We will rent it to visitors and Event Renters, as well as hold history-focused events and possibly even use it for artist residencies and to host visiting educators. This will preserve the home while making it a source of financial support for Homeplace. Over the next few years, we will be working on grants, holding fundraising events, and reaching out to donors big and small across our region. A successful Capital Campaign will enable us to grow the farm and protect Homeplace on Green River for generations to come. This project will benefit our region as well as it will enable us to hold events that draw visitors from a wider area, boosting tourism and local businesses. Help Get Us Started!
You can plant a seed at the farm today by making a financial contribution, or by committing to lending a hand later in the campaign. Click the link to learn more: #HomeplaceForTheHolidays
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 In October, we had a series of events intended for the children and families of our area. Each Sunday, we had our corn maze open, and some additional activities were provided by a variety of student groups who partnered with us to add value to the events. Harmon Furniture sponsored the events and covered the costs of all materials! On Saturday, October 22nd, we had a Homeplace Halloween, a pumpkin carving and craft event. Unfortunately, the turnout for all the events was a little low, so next year we will reduce what we offer, but we are glad we tried something new and made some great friends along the way. We would like to say special thanks to the Campbellsville University Cheer and Dance teams, the Education Club, and the Lindsey Wilson College Bonner Scholars!
 The Goats on the farm are thriving! A second “flush” was completed last week and we are expecting babies from the first round to be born in early December! For those who don’t know, a “flush” is where an impregnated goat is anesthetized and the uterus is physically flushed of fertilized eggs. Those eggs are collected and implanted into “recipient” female goats. As many as 30 fertilized eggs can be collected in one flush allowing one purebred doe to produce a vast quantity of offspring. We are in partnership with local Boer Goat breeders Chris and Marie Anderson who keep their recipient herd here at Homeplace. We just love the life these goats bring to the farm, pun intended! So stop by for a cool weather hike and check out some adorable baby goats in just a few weeks!
If you are interested in learning more about how a flush works, click the "read more" link for more information and images. Please be advised, images depict a medical procedure and may be too graphic for some viewers.
Homeplace on Green River was honored to be a part of these couples' special day and we wish them all every happiness in their lives together! We are taking bookings now for 2023 and 2024! Congratulations to the Happy Couples!
We realized that not only is Homeplace the perfect facility for a homesteading conference, but that these are the very values our local culture is built upon. So when we had the opportunity to partner with the wonderful Homestead Preparedness Network, we felt like it was a match made in Heaven. Thus, the Heartland Homesteading Conference was born!  This three-day family-friendly conference was from September 16th to the 18th. Attendants could come for one, two, or all three of the days and had the option of camping right on the grounds so they could mingle and build new friendships. We had guest speakers from 7 different states. They did demonstrations and spoke on all these incredible topics:
 Homeplace on Green River is Proud to have found a new Partner with The Homestead Preparedness Network, now called the Mutual Assistance Group Network, to organize and host Central Kentucky's Homesteading Conference. Homeplace and the M.A.G. Network share a mission to create programming and content which promotes responsible land management and stewardship, best environmentally conscious practices, self-reliance, and foster fellowship and the sharing of knowledge and resources amongst like-minded people interested in the lifestyle of homesteading. Our event was attended by over 200 people and we believe this is just the beginning. We know that the homesteading community, especially amongst the younger generation, is strong and getting stronger. While the movement has been gathering speed for several years, the pandemic most assuredly added fuel to the fire and we feel there has never been a better time to get involved in a big way with homesteading education. The next conference has already been set for September 29th-October 1st of 2023. We can’t wait! Enjoy this slide show of images from the conference! The 14th annual Fall Heritage was September 10th this year. The weather just barely held off for us and it was a lovely day. The threat of rain slightly diminished attendance, but the turnout was steady and everyone had a great time. We were blessed to have the folks from the Liberty Nature Center back after a 3-year Covid-related absence. They brought their raptors which made the experience quite a hoot! The kids from the Taylor County 4-H Livestock Club were absolute rockstars. In addition to bringing their adorable animals to delight the public, they brought kids games, and informational displays, and helped with the horse rides. Thank you 4H! We are so proud to have these amazing young people on the farm. Of course we had our craft and food vendors, and great live music. Folks also enjoyed the kiddie barrel train, hay and wagon rides. All in all it was a great day! Enjoy this slide show of the events of the day!The Heartland Homesteading Conference
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