Arkansas Homesteading Conference

04/13/2026

CENTRAL ARKANSAS HOMESTEADING CONFERENCE THIS FRIDAY AND SATURDAY AT CONWAY - We're proud to be part of the Central Arkansas Homestead Conference that will be held this Friday and Saturday, April 17-18, at the Conway Expo Center in Conway. Tickets are just $30 for both days! This will be a rare opportunity here in Arkansas to meet and hear keynote speaker Joel Salatin of Polyface Farm in Virginia, an advocate for regenerative. Joel has been featured on documentaries, national podcasts and television programs for years, and is an advocate of the homesteading movement. In addition, several of the regular speakers from the Arkansas Homesteading Conference will be making presentations as well as many new ones. Several homesteading-related vendors will be on hand as well. You can buy tickets in advance by visiting their website at https://www.centralarhomesteading.com/

04/09/2026

04/08/2026

"HYBRID" AIR PRUNING RAISED GARDEN BEDS - You've heard about the benefits generating more vigorous root growth in plants by using air-pruning containers. There is also a raised bed garden system that incorporates the same approach in 2-foot deep beds built with cattle panels and hardware cloth that we picked up from the I AM ORGANIC GARDENING YouTube channel. The first time we tried it, it worked great! Then former Cleveland County Cooperative Extension agent Les Walz took it to another level when he incorporated "hugelkultur" and lasagna gardening practices in filling the bed with growing medium. We will be going over the steps to build a hybrid air-pruning garden bed at the Pioneer Crafts Festival (FREE ADMISSION) this Saturday, April 11, at the Pioneer Village in Rison (200 Yaney Drive, Rison, AR) and at the Central Arkansas Homesteading Conference next Saturday, April 18, at the Conway Expo Center.

04/07/2026

DIY HIGH TUNNEL - One great way to extend your growing season is to use a high tunnel. This shot was made during the construction of the DIY high tunnel at the Pioneer Village in Rison. The plan uses common items you can find at your local big box home improvement center, mostly PVC pipe and 2x4 lumber. It measures 18 feet wide and 30 feet long, perfect for the small homestead. You will have an opportunity to see how it was built during one of the six homesteading sessions this Saturday at the Pioneer Crafts Festival at the Pioneer Village in Rison. The festival will include a variety of vendors offering handmade items as well as some demonstrations and exhibits on backyard beekeeping, blacksmithing, gardening and more. For more information on this FREE event, visit https://www.facebook.com/pioneervillagerison

04/06/2026

WHICH CHICKEN BREEDS ARE BEST FOR EGGS, MEAT? - Frankie Harper will answer that question during one of the homesteading sessions that will be offered during the FREE Pioneer Crafts Festival this Saturday at the Pioneer Village in Rison, Ark. Frankie has years of experience in growing show poultry for competition as well as being a show organizer and poultry judge for some of the biggest events in the state like the Arkansas State Fair. His session will cover which breeds are best for egg production, meat production or both. He will also discuss the biosecurity measures that owners can take to protect their chickens from the Avian Flu. Frankie's session is scheduled for noon Saturday.

04/03/2026

FREE HOMESTEADING SESSIONS NEXT WEEK AT PIONEER CRAFTS FESTIVAL IN RISON - While will be participating in the Central Arkansas Homesteading Conference on April 17-18 at the Conway Expo Center in Conway, we are hosting a FREE homesteading conference next Saturday, April 11, as part of the Pioneer Crafts Festival being held at the Pioneer Village, 200 Yaney Drive in Rison. There will be sessions on herbs, soap making, hide tanning, backyard poultry, air-pruning raised beds and building a DIY hoop house and rain barrels. There will also be demonstrations on blacksmithing, backyard beekeeping, candle making and more. This is a FREE event with several vendors on hand selling hand-made items. Gates open at 9 a.m. Get the directions to the Pioneer Village here: https://maps.app.goo.gl/wx57ym6UxhdfxX4p8

02/05/2026

CENTRAL ARKANSAS HOMESTEAD CONFERENCE RELEASES SCHEDULE - Since we're helping out with the Central Arkansas Conference this year, we wanted to pass this along to everyone. You'll see some of our Arkansas Homesteading Conference presenters as part of the line-up. It's lining up to be a great conference!

01/23/2026

JOEL SALATIN TO HEADLINE CENTRAL ARKANSAS HOMESTEAD CONFERENCE - This year we are assisting the folks putting together the Central Arkansas Homestead Conference to be held April 17-18 at the Conway Expo Center. Nationally-recognized regenerative agriculture expert Joel Salatin of Polyface Farms in Virginia will headline the event and there will be a lot of the Arkansas Homesteading Conference speakers making presentations as well.

😎Updated brochure! 🥳

Should have the speaker schedule ready at the end of the month!!

Exciting things are happening for the Central Arkansas Homestead Conference!

01/15/2026

HOMESTEADING CONFERENCE SEASON IS UPON US! - Want to share this post concerning the Southwest Arkansas Homesteading Conference being put together by the Extension Offices from Howard and Pike County.

I am so excited to announce that Pike County is working with Howard County to host the inaugural Southwest Arkansas Homesteading Conference! Register for the conference using this link https://uada.formstack.com/forms/southwest_homesteading or the QR Code. Cost is $25 per adult, and there is an option to add on a lunch option for youth at $10 each! Register by February 10 to guarantee your lunch choice!