Today we were blessed to be able to attend the Arkansas Homesteading Conference.
It is great to have moved here to the Ozarks where there are many people with a similar goal for their lifestyle. By meeting others and sharing information, we can all do a better job at what we are trying to accomplish. The other day, @mama-pepper and @allforthegood were in Harrison, AR and saw a billboard for the Arkansas Homesteading Conference, so we thought that we would take the opportunity to check it out.
PRESENTATIONS
There were several presentations throughout the day featuring such topics as Solar Energy, Wild Herbs, Gardening, DIY Solar Projects, and Dairy Cows. It gave us a lot to think about as we consider how to proceed and a lot of good information that we can apply right now. We are still not sure if we want to go completely off-grid, but it certainly is an option and it has its advantages.
VENDORS
There was also a vendor hall featuring all sorts of great things to buy. Garden plants, herbs, essential oils, Gold & Silver bullion, emergency food supplies, books, videos and other goods were for sale. We picked up a homemade candle, some more herbs, and some lunch too.
Larger items like solar panels and windmills were also available to purchase or check out. It is very interesting to consider all the things that man has done in his attempt to harvest energy from the world around us.
DEMONSTRATIONS
There were some pretty cool demonstrations too. We got to learn how to make wooden shingles and other woodworking skills. From the practical to the delicious, there was a little of everything.
Watching a solar oven make some smores was an interesting sight too. You could literally watch the chocolate melt and sun down the marshmallow.
With no fire and no electricity, the smores were made and great deliciousness was achieved.
MY HIGHLIGHT
My personal highlight of the day was meeting "Pa Mac" from The Farm Hand's Companion Show. I had not previously seen any of his work, but we had a lot in common, like a current Poison Oak rash! LOL. We enjoyed his presentation a lot too.
He also did some great demonstrations and was a wonderful man just to talk to. I got to learn a few good things from him that he did not cover in his presentation, and know a little bit more about working the land with goats and hogs, which I am already starting to do anyway.
Since he happens to be a *Homesteading YouTuber, he is already aware of one of newer steemians, @mericanhomestead. I mentioned how I finally got online thanks to steemit, and that @mericanhomestead had also joined us. Pa Mac sounded very interested, so hopefully we will see him join us soon and we can all learn from his many years of experience. Here is the trailer for his YouTube channel.
CLOSING THOUGHTS
I am pretty sure that we will be heading back for Day 2 tomorrow. We learned quite a bit and got to meet some great people, so we are excited about learning some more. Perhaps we will even meet someone to pick up some goats or guinea fowl from, as those are on our current to do list.
The path that we are on as a family is tough work, but it is rewarding and we are enjoying it. It looks like another one of our rabbits started giving birth today too, so the @little-peppers may have an update soon.
As always, I'm @papa-pepper and here's the proof:
proof-of-arkansas-homesteading-conference
Until next time…
Don’t waste your time online, invest it with steemit.com
just a thought about cows.
a herd of dairy goats is better in my opinion.
Same milk. Goat milk ain't half bad once you get used to it.
(most people have no idea what Cow Milk tastes like anyway...the stuff they get in the Grocery Store...ain't really)
Goats are little critters...a buck goat (stinks) but is unlikely to kill you dead like a Bull certainly can.
Does have twins usually, MUCH more often than a cow does...
If you lose a goat...aw..so sad...a little money.
If you lose a cow...cowtastrophe...a LOT of money.
Same thing with costs.
Goats are cheap(er) than cows to feed.
That was the route that we were thinking. Big price and size difference. Thanks for the insight and help man!
been there...done that...so you don't have too.
I lost a calf once...(several times actually)
four or five hundred dollar hit.
ouch.
Ouch indeed! Thanks!
Holy crap, that is awesome, I am so glad you got there, I am all about that Bass, hahahaha
Get it?? LOL
Honestly this is super you guys were able to get to this, nice work.
I mentioned you in a post today if you find time, you are in the title of it from earlier today.
Have a good time, keep learning, stop paying LOL
a homesteading conference would be awesome to attend!! so much knowledge to be soaked up
Indeed man, off grid dreams.
Definitely a lot of good information. We should be back to soaking tomorrow too!
Nice. I sure would like to see something like that here in Cincinnati or down in central FL. They are starting to pop up, though. Homesteading seems to be becoming pretty popular these days.
It is getting more popular these days. I think that is part of why so many people like my posts, because more people are starting to think this way. Thanks!
Very interesting. The Appalachian Homesteading Conference was held in Tenn. about a month ago. Second annual event. Sold out. No tickets available for the day of the conference. I think it was Crossvile, Tenn. (Youtube)
Will we see the day when nearly every state will have a Homesteading Conference?
Francis
There is a "Back to the Basics" event coming up too. We went last year, and are exciting to back! I'll keep you posted. Pa Mac was originally from Tennessee I think.
I've been pushing for my wife and I to chase the homesteader dream. The wife doesn't want to hear it. Green acres is the place to be...
Time will tell. I always dreamed of it, but now it is becoming a reality!
That sounded like a day well spent..I watched your snapping turtle post wow didn't know about the neck grab...but I'll leave that up to you papa..later steem on.
Thanks man. I've got another post coming in that series, but I went with a mammal, since some people wanted me to take a break from snakes!
As a person who feels tired inside for the urban life. I have always been pondering on homesteading.
Solar off grid power, earthship, permaculture farming, and a strong Internet connection. I don't see how life can be better.
I'm not the big house fast car type. There's beauty in getting your hands on dirt and picking your own inner from the ground.
That's why I like your post so much and why I fully support your dream of a homesteading lifestyle.
Thank you for the support and encouragement!
It is so cool to see my dreams coming true, and so blessed to be able to share it and have the support that steemians give me! BIG THANKS!
We're rooting for you!
There is so much to share in the realms of more natural living. Thanks for sharing this post @papa-pepper. I love that you're spreading the word around.
I've been mentioning steemit more and more often, and people are certainly interested. We will see what happens!
Providing a service on both ends---Steemit to potential Steemians, and homesteading to existing Steemians. Great job!!
Great stuff! I love the homesteading values and lifestyle. Wish I could be there but I'm sure that many people do.
I think a lot of people are at the point. It would be nice... but...
Thank you for checking it and for your support @anothervoice! I sincerely appreciate it!
I bet you hear all the buts all the time. But this and that or this or that. The bottom line is, But....They want. Thanks for the things you do for all of us.
Thanks for the encouragement! You are welcome!
Awesome, post brother! Hope you and the family had a good time!God bless!
We sure did, back tomorrow Lord willing!
BUMMER! I had not heard of the conference, I kept looking for folks we know... I guess we'll have to make it next year. Thanks for sharing!
Looks like an interesting and informative conference, I bet you're glad you went, learned a lot and made some helpful connections too.
My wife and I are long time homesteaders. Back in the day we grew a market garden and milked 5 goats. Besides the farmers market we had regular customers and made weekly deliveries of produce and several types of goat cheese.
On the goat vs cow debate, I'd agree with @everittdmickey the advantages going to the goats. The milks taste is determined by the food they eat. We fed first cutting alfalfa as it is the highest protein of the seasonal cuttings and produced the best and the most milk. Goats are browsers not grazers and will tackle underbrush a clear land pretty fast. They also will eat poison oak and afterwards their milk is said to help its' drinkers a certain amount of immunity to not getting the rash from being exposed.
It sounds like you had a great time! Those solar tubes look pretty neat. There are a lot of homesteading skills in Ozarks, for sure! I hope you heard some good bluegrass music, too.
@papa-pepper , great post !! , keep it up RS and UP
Thanks!
Thanks a ton for sharing your experience papa. I definitely need to visit Arkansas soon. Looking forward to your thoughts and more awesome screenshots on Day 2!
I'll have to get some sleep then... It's almost three am and the conference starts at eight... Good night!
Have a good day Papa. Enjoy yourself and take plenty of interesting photos!
Hi from Australia, getting to know my way around this site and just joined and am following you.
Goat milk is better to me than cow milk. I have a small herd of Nigerian Dwarfs. I'll probably upgrade to larger goats, lamanchas or saanens because the amount of milk is smaller for the same amount of work and infrastructure requirements and too good to save for cheese. Need a cow for butter. Can be done with a goat but you need a freezer and patience.
I'm looking to get a good milk goat right now, maybe more.
Any particular breed or just looking for one with big bags?
Not sure, just something to start with.
NDs are small and easy and good milkers for their size. I built a strong pen but they seem disinterested in challenging the fence or jumping it. They all bawl for a few days and you need at least two or they get lonely... oh and if you like venison, a dairy herd should always provide extra meat in the form of unwanted bucks
I'm so excited that you got to meet Pa Mac ! I have been following him on YouTube for awhile. His videos are funny and informative. Hope he signs on to steemit . I also have been watching @mericanhomestead on YT and was joyful that they joined us.
Good job @papa-pepper
Thank you @irawandedy!