Session Descriptions

Homesteading at a Small-Scale with Big Results | Stephanie Thurow, Minnesota from Scratch  | Auditorium
Join Stephanie Thurow, author of Small-Scale Homesteading and Can It & Ferment It, and explore the many ways she embraces homesteading on her suburban homestead near Minneapolis. As a Master Food Preserver and Hennepin County Master Gardener, Stephanie will share insights into growing food, keeping chickens, maple syruping, preserving the harvest, and making the most of a small-scale homestead. Stephanie will offer practical ideas and inspiration for homesteaders at every level.

Buying Land: What to Know Before You Purchase | Troy Salzer | Room TBD

Dreaming of owning land? This session will cover key considerations before buying property, including evaluating land potential, understanding zoning and restrictions, assessing soils, water, access, and other factors that can impact your plans. Whether you hope to grow food, raise livestock, or simply enjoy rural living, you'll learn what to look for so you can make a confident, informed decision.

Livestock Health at Home: Prevention, Care, and When to Act | Amanda Handyside and Haylee Dickey| Room TBD

A practical guide to preventing common livestock health issues before they start.  Amanda and Haylee will discuss everyday management, recognizing problems early, and when simple at-home care is appropriate versus when it's time to call a veterinarian. Each participant will receive a rectal thermometer to take home.

Sourdough 101 | Jessi Vankempen | Room TBD

New to sourdough? Learn the basics of what sourdough is, why people love it, and the terminology you need to get started. We’ll cover starting, feeding, storing, reviving, and troubleshooting a starter, plus what to do with discard. You’ll also get an overview of the basic steps from feeding and stretch-and-folds to shaping, proofing, and baking. Each participant will receive a dehydrated sourdough starter to take home.

From Garden to Table: Growing Your Own Food  | Robin Trott | Room TBD

Learn how to grow your own food and build a garden that fits your space, time, and goals. This session will cover the basics of planning, planting, and maintaining a productive garden while sharing practical tips for growing fresh food at home.

Creating an Energy-Efficient and Resilient Home | Colby Abazs | Room TBD

Learn practical ways to improve your home's energy efficiency while staying comfortable through Minnesota's long winters and warm summers. This session will cover insulation, air sealing, Air Source Heat Pumps, energy-saving upgrades, solar and battery storage that work well in Minnesota's climate to help reduce utility costs and increase comfort and independence.

Chickens for Eggs: Getting Started with Laying Hens | Brenda Miller | Room TBD

Thinking about keeping chickens for fresh eggs? Learn the basics of choosing laying hens, setting up a coop, providing feed and water, and caring for your flock throughout the year. We’ll also cover what to expect from your hens as they begin laying and how to keep them healthy and productive.

Beginner Vegetable Fermentation: Sauerkraut Made Simple | Stephanie Thurow | Room TBD

In this workshop, you'll learn the basics and benefits of vegetable fermentation, the two methods used (brining and dry salting), food safety info, supplies required to get started, and discuss troubleshooting. The info session will wrap up with a sauerkraut making demonstration, to show you just how simple and quick it is to make a healthy probiotic-rich ferment. Each participant will receive a starter fermentation kit to take home.

Improving Soil for Your Garden | Troy Salzer and Tarah Young | Room TBD

Healthy soil is the foundation of a productive garden. Learn how to assess your soil and improve its structure, fertility, drainage, and organic matter using practical techniques you can put to work at home. Whether you're starting a new garden or trying to improve an existing one, you'll learn where to focus your efforts for healthier plants and better harvests.

Small Engine Maintenance Basics | Kyle Roden | Room TBD

Keep your equipment running and avoid costly repairs with routine maintenance you can do yourself. Learn the basics of caring for common small engines, including oil changes, air filters, spark plugs, fuel systems, and seasonal storage. Whether it's a lawn mower, tiller, chainsaw, or generator, you'll leave with practical skills to keep your equipment ready when you need it.

Goat and Sheep Parasite Management in Pastures  | Sabrina Florentino | Room TBD

Interested in raising livestock on pasture? Learn the fundamentals of grazing, including pasture management, fencing, water systems, and the basics of rotational grazing. Whether you're planning for a few animals or a larger operation, this session will give you a solid foundation to get started.

Making the Most of Elderberries  | Earl Hensel, Pat and Steph Hockett | Room TBD

Learn about the health benefits of elderberries and how they can be used to create homemade products. Earl, Pat, and Steph will demonstrate how to process elderberries into syrup, including safe canning methods to preserve your batch for year-round use. Participants will leave with the knowledge to make their own elderberry syrup at home.

Saving Garden Seeds | Olivia Olsen | Room TBD

Save money, preserve your favorite varieties, and become more self-sufficient by learning how to save seeds from your garden. This beginner-friendly session will cover which crops are easiest to save, how to harvest and store seeds properly, and common mistakes to avoid so you can plant with confidence next season.

Sudsy Science:  Cold Process Soap Making | Robin Trott | Room TBD

Discover how to craft natural, nourishing soaps at home with this hands‑on session. Learn the basics of saponification, safe lye handling, and ingredient selection, while exploring creative techniques for color, fragrance, and design. Leave with recipes, tips, and confidence to continue experimenting on your own.

The Family Dairy Cow or Goat | Leah Matzke | Room TBD

Learn what it takes to raise a family dairy cow or goat and create fresh dairy products at home. This session will cover the basics of animal care, milking, and turning fresh cream into homemade butter. Participants will gain practical skills for bringing fresh dairy from the barn to the table.

Pressure Canning: Preserving the Harvest | Tarah Young | Room TBD

Learn the basics of pressure canning and how it can help you safely preserve vegetables, meats, and other low-acid foods. This session will cover equipment, preparation, processing, and common mistakes to avoid. Gain the confidence to safely preserve more of your garden harvest at home.

Growing and Using Medicinal Herbs | Becky Schueller | Room TBD

Learn how to grow and use common medicinal herbs in your own garden. This session will cover herbs that are easy to grow, how to harvest and preserve them, and traditional ways they can be used at home. Gain practical tips for getting started with a simple medicinal herb garden.