Indiana Homesteading Conference
October 21-22, 2023
Rain or Shine

Tickets NOW available!

Partnering to teach Sustainable Living Skills and Encourage Community.

The Indiana Homesteading Conference has a mission to support people in obtaining a more sustainable lifestyle and to promote homesteading skills for people at all levels of interest and skill. We have seen so many people who want to reconnect to a more down-to-earth approach to living and eating, but they feel overwhelmed and don't know what to do. Our hope is to provide support that will build resiliency in families and communities and have a lasting impact.

In addition, we want to build partnerships with people and businesses who have a passion for this issue, and to encourage relationships at the local level with people who would like to reduce their dependence on big systems and learn from each other. We would like to be a support in building local educational connections, and even encourage the development of a way for people to trade goods and services with each other. Grassroots movements that encourage community are always the most beneficial.

Join us in this passion and movement that has been growing significantly over time. 

More 2023 Speakers Posted Soon. Many are returning from last year. See 2022 lineup below.

Joel Salatin, Polyface Farm, Editor of The Stockman Grass Farmer


Speaker on Both Saturday & Sunday, Writer & Trainer

Shawn & Beth Dougherty, THE ONE-COW REVOLUTION a grass-fed homestead


Speakers on Both Saturday & Sunday, Writers & Trainers

Pork Rhyne,“The Pork Evangelist,”


Speaker on Both Saturday & Sunday, Livestock Educator & Farm Marketing Coach

Hunter Smith, From NFL Football to Farmer & Musician


Speaker, Super Bowl Champion for the Indianapolis Colts

Lehman's Amish Made Goods

Sponsor

Plain Values, “A Magazine on a Mission to Find Joy in the Simple Things”

Sponsor

Rural King, Farm & Home Store

Sponsor

Mother Earth News Bookstore, The Original Guide to Living Wisely

Sponsor

Fertrell, Natural & Organic fertilizers & Feed Supplements “healing the earth and feeding the world better naturally!”

Sponsor

Weston A. Price Foundation, Wise Traditions in Food Farming, & Healing Arts

Sponsor

Homestead Education, Homestead Homeschool Curriculum & Support

Sponsor

Tree City Bee Company

Sponsor

Mt. Healthy Hatcheries

Sponsor

Overgrown Pasture, Farm-fresh, Street Cuisine

Sponsor

Premier 1 Supplies, Electric Netting, Poultry, Sheep & Goat Supplies, Clippers & Shearers

Sponsor

The Hive Butler, Bee Hive Management Tools

Sponsor

CROSSROADS Portable Buildings, Sheds, Barns, Greenhouses, Coops, Garages, Post & Frame Buildings, More

Sponsor

Freedom Focus LLC, Firearms Training

Sponsor

Cousins Compost LLC, Composting & Garden Supplies, Worms, Compost

Sponsor

Hidden Hollow Honey Co, Beekeeping Supplies, Training, Freeze Dryers, & Honey

Sponsor

Modern Homestead Podcast

Sponsor

Brinsea, The Incubation Specialists

Sponsor

Country Life Foods, Healthy Eating Made Simple

Sponsor

Denali Canning, Canners, Dehydrators, Canning Lids

Sponsor

Growing Success Farm, LLC

Sponsor

Buy Tickets Here. Please Review TICKET TYPES BEFORE GOING TO TICKET LEAP TO PURCHASE TICKETS. Click "READ MORE" below for the Link to Ticket Leap. Please Note: This is a Rain or Shine Event

Please Be Aware That Ticket Leap Charges a Fee for Each Ticket Purchased

Adult- Saturday Only, Conference Only Ticket- $27.50

ADULT- CONFERENCE TICKET - SATURDAY ONLY

Adult- Sunday Only, Conference Only Pass- $27.50

ADULT- CONFERENCE PASS - SUNDAY ONLY

Adult- Double Day Conference Ticket- $45

ADULT- CONFERENCE ONLY WEEKEND PASS (SAVE $10)

Adult- Saturday Combo Ticket- $54.50

ADULT- CONFERENCE PASS SATURDAY + HOG ROAST/BAND

Adult- Whole Hog Combo Ticket- $72

Adult- All Weekend Conference Pass with Hog Roast and Hootenanny on Sat Evening (SAVE $10)

Youth- Saturday Only, Conference Only- $10

YOUTH (13-17) CONFERENCE PASS SATURDAY ONLY

Youth- Sunday Only, Conference Only- $10

YOUTH (13-17) CONFERENCE PASS SUNDAY ONLY

Youth- Double Day Combo- $17

Youth (13-17) CONFERENCE WEEKEND PASS (SAVE $3)

Youth- Saturday Combo Ticket- $30

YOUTH (13-17) CONFERENCE PASS SATURDAY + HOG ROAST

Youth- 3 Pigs Weekend + Combo Pass- $37

YOUTH (13-17)- CONFERENCE WEEKEND PASS + HOG ROAST/BAND (SAVE $3)

Child- Little Pig Saturday Only, Conference Only Pass- Free

CHILD (12 AND UNDER) CONFERENCE PASS SATURDAY ONLY

Child- Little Pig Sunday Conference Only- Free

Child (12 and Under) Conference Pass Sunday Only- Free

General Admission for children 12 and under. This ticket is free of charge for Sunday of the conference.

Child- Little Pigs Duo Weekend Pass Conference Only- Free

CHILD (12 AND UNDER) CONFERENCE WEEKEND PASS

Child- Saturday Combo Conference + Hog Roast Combo Pass- $14

CHILD (5-12) SATURDAY NIGHT - HOG ROAST/BAND

Child- 3 Little Pigs Weekend Triple Combo- Conference + Hog Roast- $14

CHILD (12 AND UNDER) CONFERENCE WEEKEND PASS

Young CHILD- Piglet's Weekend Out Combo ticket- Free

Young CHILD (0-4)- Weekend Conference + HOG ROAST/BAND

Jr. Homesteaders Classes, Saturday Only- $20

KIDS 5-12 JR. HOMESTEADERS CLASSES SATURDAY ONLY

Jr. Homesteaders Classes, Sunday Only- $20

KIDS 5-12 JR. HOMESTEADERS CLASSES SUNDAY ONLY

ADULT PRESALE- Adult CONFERENCE T-SHIRT, Heather Gray- $17 (save $3)

By purchasing this ticket you will be purchasing an Indiana Homesteading Conference 2023 Conference T-Shirt at a discounted rate that will be available at check in of the event.

ADULT PRESALE- Adult CONFERENCE T-SHIRT, Army Green- $17 (save $3)

By purchasing this ticket you will be purchasing an Indiana Homesteading Conference 2023 Conference T-Shirt at a discounted rate that will be available at check in of the event.

ADULT PRESALE- Adult CONFERENCE T-SHIRT, Black- $17 (save $3)

By purchasing this ticket you will be purchasing an Indiana Homesteading Conference 2023 Conference T-Shirt at a discounted rate that will be available at check in of the event.

ADULT 2XL & 3XL PRESALE- Adult CONFERENCE T-SHIRTS, Gray- $19 (save $3)

By purchasing this ticket you will be purchasing an Indiana Homesteading Conference 2023 Conference 2X-3XL T-Shirt at a discounted rate that will be available at check in of the event.

ADULT 2XL & 3XL PRESALE- Adult CONFERENCE T-SHIRTS, Army Green- $19 (save $3)

By purchasing this ticket you will be purchasing an Indiana Homesteading Conference 2023 Conference 2X-3XL T-Shirt at a discounted rate that will be available at check in of the event.

ADULT 2XL & 3XL PRESALE- Adult CONFERENCE T-SHIRTS, Black- $19 (save $3)

By purchasing this ticket you will be purchasing an Indiana Homesteading Conference 2023 Conference 2X-3XL T-Shirt at a discounted rate that will be available at check in of the event.

YOUTH PRESALE- Youth CONFERENCE T-SHIRT, Heather Gray- $12 (save $3)

By purchasing this ticket you will be purchasing an Indiana Homesteading Conference 2023 Conference Youth T-Shirt at a discounted rate that will be available at check in of the event.

YOUTH PRESALE- Youth CONFERENCE T-SHIRT, Army Green- $12 (save $3)

By purchasing this ticket you will be purchasing an Indiana Homesteading Conference 2023 Conference Youth T-Shirt at a discounted rate that will be available at check in of the event.

YOUTH PRESALE- Youth CONFERENCE T-SHIRT, Black- $12 (save $3)

By purchasing this ticket you will be purchasing an Indiana Homesteading Conference 2023 Conference Youth T-Shirt at a discounted rate that will be available at check in of the event.

Please arrive early to accommodate for checking everyone in, getting your conference bags, finding your way, etc. Check-in starts at 7:30 AM each day. Cars will be checked in at the Grounds Entry Gate 1, and there will be parking attendants to help direct everyone. There are 4 gates, but it should be evident which gate you need, due to parking, security, and check-in staff being present.

TICKETS MUST BE PURCHASED IN ADVANCE. PLEASE SEE THE TICKETS PAGE ON THIS WEBSITE. 2023 Conference will be located at the Marion County Fairgrounds just outside the I 465 loop east of Indianapolis. PLEASE SEE READ MORE SECTION BELOW FOR MORE INSTRUCTIONS AND INFO.

  • Date: 10/21/2023 09:00 AM - 10/22/2023 06:00 PM
  • Location: Marion County Fairgrounds, 7300 E Troy Ave, Indianapolis, IN 46239 (Map)

Read More
Hog Roast & hootenanny image
HOG ROAST & HOOTENANNY
Saturday October 21st, just following the last session of the conference.

Join us for a casual, family-style hog roast with all the fixins!
  • -Hot appetizer course passed before dinner 
  • -Whole Roasted Hog (A portion prepared for Hog Cubanos/ pork sandwiches)
  • -Assorted sides (6 hot options and 6 cold options) from Mac & Cheese to cowboy beans
  • -Freshly baked cornbread and biscuits
  • - Dessert selection: (Pies, pastry, & ice cream)
Beverage service:
(Coffee, cider, tea, water)

Overgrown Pasture is run by a trained chef preparing high quality cuisine. You will smell this roasting hog all day at the conference on Saturday, so be prepared to be hungry for this hog roast!

THERE WILL BE AT LEAST 20 TRAINING SESSIONS EACH DAY TO CHOOSE FROM, AS WELL AS INTENSIVE WORKSHOPS, DEOMONSTRATIONS, KIDS CLASSES, AND MORE.

Food Preservation and Canning

Long-term Food Storage, Dehydrating, Vacuum Sealing

Urban & Container Gardening

Raising Rabbits for Food & Butchering

Starting a Garden & Planning for Next Spring

Comparison of Several Gardening Methods Including Regenerative

Raising Chickens/Poultry for Eggs, Meat, & Proper Care of Poultry

Perennial Food Crops- Fruit and Nut Plants/ Care & Production/ Plant Propagation

Goats for Beginners with Real Goats

Bee Keeping & Honey Production

Garden Pests & Diseases, Identification & Treatment, Chemical Free Approaches

Wild Edibles & Medicinals

Seed Saving, How to Avoid Cross Pollination, Seed Maturity, Storage. Seed Longevity

Regional Connection Meetings

Starting Your Own Garden Plants, Seed Saving, & Greenhouse Growing- Not Confirmed

Solar Setup Approach.. Not Confirmed

Emergency Backup- Water, Communication, & Heat- Not Confirmed

Greenhouse growing

Self Defense Planning

Vermicomposting 101. How to grow your own worms for worm castings

Keeping a family milk cow

How to Fund Your Homestead By Starting a CSA

Raising mini cattle/ Dexters

Raising pigs

  • Marion County Fairgrounds 7300 E Troy Ave, Indianapolis, IN 46239, USA

VENDOR TABLES CONTACT: IHCvendors@gmail.com Location for the 2023 Conference will be Marion County Fairgrounds that's just East of 465 E.


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**Door prize drawing will be held last session of the event. You must be present during drawing to win. **

Sol Cook All Season Solar Cooker

Valued at $100

The Sol Cook All Season Solar Cooker folds up & transports. All necessary hardware is provided. Thank you Jim! Website link above.

Homestead Blessing Basket from Mutton Alley Farmhouse & Embracing Our Life Homestead

Valued at $60

Thanks Mutton Alley Farmhouse for this beautiful Gift Basket!!

Read More  

FoodSaver FM5200 Series 2-in-1 Vacuum Sealing System

Valued at $200

Thanks Muncie Walmart for this amazing Food Saver Vacuum Sealer!!

For Jars Canning Jar Lids and Rings

Valued at $96

Thanks For Jars! ForJars Canning Lids are made of high-quality metal, which prevents bending. Stainless steel material is added to the composition, which prevents rust.

Gardening Tools from Lowes, Muncie

Valued at $141

Thank you Muncie Lowes!! Nice set of Gardening Tools from Lowes in Muncie.

Fiskars Bypass Lopper from Lowes, Anderson

Valued at $59

Thanks Lowes Anderson!! Fiskars Ultrasharp 7.5-in Steel Bypass Lopper with 2 Inch capacity from Lowes, Anderson

Chicken Waterer & Heater from Rural King Muncie

Valued at $85

Thank you Rural King Muncie! Website link and phone above.

Cabela's 5 Tray Dehydrator from Cabela's Noblesville

Valued at $100

Thanks Cabela's Noblesville!!

Hive Butler Hive Tote and Vented Lid

Valued at $100

Thanks Hive Butler! Hive Tote and Vented Lid- food-grade, BPA-free, heavy-duty, made in the USA. Holds up to 10 Langstroth frames

Shovel set & Post Hole Digger, Lowes, Muncie

Valued at $128

Thanks Muncie Lowes!! Nice set of shovels and Post Hole Digger from Lowes in Muncie

LEHMAN'S DAZEY BUTTER CHURN

Valued at $40

Thanks Lehman"s for the Butter Churn and Gift Card! Long revered as the best butter churn design available, Lehman's has brought the Dazey churn back after a long hiatus. Glass Dazey butter churns are the original, since 1904.

Indiana Berry $50 Gift Certificates X2

Valued at $100

Thanks Indiana Berry for providing 2 $50 gift Cards!

Fiskars Bypass Hand Pruner from Lowes Anderson

Valued at $30

Thanks Lowes Anderson!! Fiskars UltraSharp Steel Bypass Hand Pruner

Auguson Farms, Lunch & Dinner Variety Pail

Valued at $100

Thank you Auguson Farms for this emergency food supply bucket!!

Gift Basket from Practical Preppers

Valued at $500

Thanks Practical Preppers for sponsoring and for this amazing gift basket worth over $500!!

Automatic Chicken Waterer from Farmer Brad LLC

Valued at $60

Thanks Farmer Brad LLC for this cool automatic chicken waterer!!

2L Fermentation Crock with Lids and Weights from Roots & Harvest

Valued at $46

Thanks Roots & Harvest- Online Homestead Supplies Company!!

LEHMAN'S CAST IRON LODGE SKILLET

Valued at $19

Thanks Lehman's for this Lodge special edition cast iron skillet!

RUN-CHICKEN Automatic Chicken Door

Valued at $170- $210

Thanks RUN-CHICKEN for this amazing auto chicken door!!

Berne Workwear

Valued at $45 to $90

Thanks Berne Workwear for a variety of workwear items for door prizes!!

Lehman's Amish Made Goods Gift Cards

Valued at $75

Thanks Lehman's Amish Made Goods!!

Lehman's RAYO ROYAL LANTERN & Gift Card

Valued at $20

Thanks Lehman's for this beautiful lantern!

Triple Blade Cabbage Cutter from Roots & Harvest

Valued at $50

Thanks Roots & Harvest- Online Homestead Supplies Company!!

Specialty Lodge Cast Iron Skillets from Atlas Foundry in Marion, IN x2

Valued at $25 each

Thank you Atlas Foundry! These cast irons skillets are one of a kind!

Gardeners Dream Seed Collection Basket

Valued at $75

Thanks Baker Creek Seeds!!

Please consider partnering with us at the Indiana Homesteading Conference. Our attendees have a desire to develop  infrastructure in order to reconnect to growing food and developing sustainable living skills.

Contact Rhonda Fowler at indianahomesteadingconference@gmail.com for more information.

Rhonda Fowler- Breakout- Food Preservation Methods & Long-term Food Storage

Speaker & Developer

Kris Heeter (aka Dr. Kris Klueg)- Breakouts- Pest and Disease Management: From the Ground Up & Rainwater Harvesting: Small and Large Scale Considerations

Speaker, Biologist at Indiana University

Ashley Burton, Goats For Beginners : G.O.A.T. on the Homestead

Speaker, Mulberry Branch Farm, Organizer

Randy Kemerly, Planning and Starting a Garden & Comparison of Gardening Methods with a Focus on Regenerative Farming

Speaker, Owner-Operator at Hidden Acres Fruit Farm

Karen Lynn Burr, Intro to Wild Edibles & Medicinals, Intro to Infused Vinegars & Making Fire Cider

Speaker, Wild Edible & Medicinal Specialilst

Dana Burton, Building Our Homesteads From Scratch

Speaker, Growing Dreams Homestead

Lessie Jo Frazier, Rabbits on the Homestead: Ideal Fertilizer and High Quality Protein

Speaker, Celtic Glen Heritage Livestock LLC

Jenny Lambert, Seed Saving for Self-Sufficiency

Speaker, Master Gardener

Bradley Wood, What you need to start to raise chickens for EGGs or Meat

Speaker, Farmer Brad LLC Hatchery & Poultry Supply

Tracy Pielemeier, Beekeeping - A Great Livestock for All Sizes of Homesteads

Speaker, The Hive Butler

Chris Gonso, Feeding Your Family From The Land

Speaker, Homesteader/Orchardist

Stacy A. Clupper, Extending the Growing Season for Maximum Produce Production

Speaker, Agriculture Program-Assistant Professor/Program Chair Ivy Tech Community College-Marion Campus (Grant County)

Lynsey Johnston, Food Production in Urban & Suburban Spaces

Speaker, Owner, Peaceful & Practical Edible Gardens

Michael Hicks, How to Fund Your Homestead By Starting a CSA (Community Supported Agriculture)

Speaker, Farm Manager, Farm School Director, Massage Therapist, Founder/Owner Living Roots Farm and Organic Farm School

Brandon Bilbrey, Dual-Purpose Small Heritage Cattle On A Homestead

Speaker, Bilbrey Farms

DeMario Vitalis, An introduction into shipping container farming

Speaker, Owner/ Founder, New Age Provisions Farms

Leilonie, AKA Skipper- Breakout- Canning 101

Speaker, Content Creator, homemaker, Canner of 17 years

Mark Townsend, Breakouts- Developing a Personal and Home-Protection Plan & Composting with Worms

Speaker, Trainer, Business Owner

Steven and Ethel Baker, Introduction to Pasture Raised Pigs

Speaker, IrishMudd LLC

David Primm, Rabbit Workshop

Dylan & Meagan Wolterman, You can do a lot with a little space

Speakers, Wolterman Homestead

Nathan Brandt, Don’t spill the milk

Speaker, Brandt Blossom Farm

Steve Zaffarano- Microgreens, Sustainable Urban Farming for Tomorrow

Speaker

Peg Murphy, Beekeeping Panel Discussion

Speaker, Bee Keeper and Trainer

David J. Zbieszkowski, LPG, Beekeeping Panel Discussion

Speaker, Beekeeper

Holly Oden, Beekeeping Panel Discussion

Speaker, Beekeeping Panel Discussion, First-year beekeeper and homesteader

Aaron Townsend, Bee Keeping Panel Discussion