Whether urban or rural, homesteaders now have a festival of their own.

The 2nd biannual homesteader festival is a product of two families. One pair, Adrienne and Trevor Percy live at Nourished Roots farm in Fraserwood, and Kris Antonius and Mike Berg are city dwellers. Together, they pooled their skills and passions to bring homesteading know-how to a wider audience.

“We have a little urban orchard and are growing our own food,” Antonius explains, “and then Adrienne and Trevor are out in the country and they have animals. A lot of the topics are applicable to both settings.”

Throughout the day, workshops will be offered on topics ranging from herbal medicines, skincare, fermentation, beekeeping, raising hens, solar electricity, natural cleaning and more. Prepare to be outside, taking in the workshops or some of the all-day demos, like cooking with cast iron. “Expect to be inspired, and to come ready to dream and plan and really connect with others who are on a similar path,” Antonius says.

To wrap up the day, the festival is hosting a Land and Lake dinner, featuring a spit-roast pig and pickerel from Gimli, as well local cheese, grains and produce. Antonius encourages city folk to connect on their facebook page to arrange carpooling (to reduce emissions and because parking at the farm is limited.)

Part of the series: The 7th Annual Summer Festival Guide

Published in Volume 69, Number 27 of The Uniter (June 3, 2015)