First Annual
The First Annual Real Life Homesteaders Conference
Two days of real, hands-on homesteading in the heart of Ohio's Amish country.
The Gathering
Two days of real, hands-on homesteading
Join us for the very first Real Life Homesteaders Conference — two full days of practical workshops, live demonstrations, trusted experts, and a vendor marketplace, all on the rolling countryside near Mansfield, Ohio. Whether you're starting your first garden or expanding a working homestead, you'll leave with skills you can use, friendships that last, and a renewed love for the life. Bring the whole family.
Workshops & talks
Practical sessions across gardening, livestock, the kitchen, and off-grid living.
Live demos
Watch real skills in action — from the milk pail to the canning jar.
Vendor marketplace
Meet trusted makers, hatcheries, and homestead suppliers in person.
Registration
Choose your pass
One ticket covers both days of sessions, demos, and the vendor marketplace. Kids under 6 are free.
Homestead Pass
$69
Single general-admission pass for both days.
- Both days of all general sessions
- Live demonstrations
- Vendor marketplace access
Homestead Pass — Couple
$129
Two general-admission passes, both days.
- Admission for two
- All general sessions & demos
- Vendor marketplace access
Family Pass
$159
Two adults plus up to three kids.
- 2 adults + up to 3 children
- Youth-track activities
- Kids under 6 always free
VIP Pass
$179
The full experience, front and center.
- Everything in the Homestead Pass
- Reserved front-row seating
- Speaker meet-and-greet lunch
- Early entry each morning
- Swag bag + recordings access
Kidsteader Add-On
$15
Hands-on kids' workshop track (per child).
- Guided kids' workshops
- Take-home projects
- Ages 6–12
Conference Recordings
$49
Can't make it? Watch the sessions after the event.
- Recorded general sessions
- Watch anytime
- Lifetime access
Speakers
Learn from trusted, real-life experts
Real homesteaders, farmers, and makers — not social-media personalities.
Ruth Ann Zimmerman
Herbalist & Author
Herbal Medicine · From-Scratch Kitchen
Dr. Jocelin Whitaker, ND
Naturopathic Doctor
Natural Health · Family Wellness
Joel Kurtz
Regenerative Farmer
Pasture & Grazing · Soil Health
James Mast
Dairy & Livestock
Home Dairy · Livestock
Monroe Stutzman
Produce Grower
Market Gardening · Vegetables
Aaron Hershberger
Homestead Builder
Off-Grid · Infrastructure
Nick Hoummard
Poultry & Eggs
Backyard Poultry · Incubation
Jeremy Clift
Beekeeper
Beekeeping · Honey
Maurissa Gruneisen
Food Preservation
Canning · Fermentation
Elisha Slabaugh
Homestead Kitchen
Sourdough · From-Scratch Cooking
Schedule
What the weekend looks like
Day 1Thursday, September 17
- 1:00 PM
Doors Open & Welcome
Main Stage · Main Barn
- 2:00 PM
Building Living Soil
with Joel Kurtz
Garden · Field Tent
- 3:30 PM
Home Dairy 101: From Cow to Cheese
with James Mast
Livestock · Barn B
- 5:00 PM
Water-Bath & Pressure Canning
with Maurissa Gruneisen
Kitchen · Kitchen Hall
- 6:30 PM
Backyard Poultry from Egg to Table
with Nick Hoummard
Livestock · Barn B
- 8:00 PM
Herbal Medicine for the Family
with Ruth Ann Zimmerman
Wellness · Main Barn
Day 2Friday, September 18
- 1:30 PM
Morning Devotional & Coffee
Main Stage · Main Barn
- 2:30 PM
Sourdough from Scratch
with Elisha Slabaugh
Kitchen · Kitchen Hall
- 4:00 PM
Off-Grid on a Budget
with Aaron Hershberger
Off-Grid · Field Tent
- 5:30 PM
Beekeeping for Beginners
with Jeremy Clift
Garden · Orchard
- 7:00 PM
Raising Healthy Kids on the Land
with Dr. Jocelin Whitaker, ND
Wellness · Main Barn
- 8:15 PM
Closing Panel: Living the Homestead Life
Main Stage · Main Barn
Getting Here
Location & lodging
We gather in the rolling countryside of Perrysville, Ohio — just outside Mansfield, in the heart of Amish country.
- Perrysville Conference Grounds
Perrysville, near Mansfield
Perrysville, Ohio - Cabins, camping, and nearby lodging options fill up fast in September — book early. Reach out and we'll point you to the best spots nearby.