Location
The Grovestead Farm
Northfield, MN
Date/Time
Date(s) - Friday, July 4, 2025 - Saturday, July 5, 2025
9:00 am - 4:00 pm
Learn to Homestead!
Want to learn more about homesteading and traditional skills? Join us for two packed days of hands-on workshops centered on the agrarian life. We’ll learn about sustainable gardening, raising livestock, butchering, medicinal herbs, soap-making and preserving the harvest by canning and fermenting.
Here is a blog post we wrote about our last year’s Summit to give you a better idea of what these two days are all about.
Details:
- Ages 15 and up
- Space is limited, reserve your spot today!
- Cost for both days: $125
- Bring a picnic lunch both days
★ Friday evening dinner is provided ★
Event Schedule
Friday, July 4
- 9:00 AM – Welcome and Introductions
- 9:15 AM – Course Overview: Food, Fiber, Shelter
- 9:45 AM – How to Find a Country Homestead
- 10:45 AM – Homegrown Healthcare: Medicinal Herbs and Tinctures
- 12:00 PM – Lunchtime
- 1:00 PM – Chicken Butchering Activity
- 3:00 PM – Weaving & Spinning
- 4:00 PM – Food For a Year: Deep Mulch Gardening
- 5:00 PM – Evening Meal & Fellowship
Saturday, July 5
- 9:00 AM – Sourdough and Breadmaking
- 10:30 AM – Family-Scale Livestock: Choosing the Right Breeds
- 11:30 AM – Rotational Grazing
- 12:30 PM – Lunchtime
- 1:30 PM – Preserving the Harvest: Canning & Fermenting
- 3:00 PM – Soapmaking
- 4:00 PM – The Loom of Life: Why We Farm
- 5:00 PM – Goodbye ’til next time…
Your Instructors
Rory Groves moved his family from the city to the country 12 years ago to begin pursuing a more durable way to live. Everything Rory has learned about homesteading has been from scratch—if he can do it, so can YOU! (and he’d love to show you how) Rory is author of Durable Trades: Family-Centered Economies That Have Stood the Test of Time.
Becca Groves is a mother of six, married to Rory. At the Grovestead she manages to keep everyone fed and in line while remembering the high calling of it all. Becca will be sharing on the productive household.
Peter Burkel is a regenerative farmer, with a focus on grass-finished lamb and beef, as well as seed stock for sheep and cattle. He will be teaching the fundamentals of rotational grazing and how to choose livestock for a family homestead.
Kevin Warkentien is a licensed Realtor, building contractor and owner of Harthaus Homes. He has a passion for helping first-time homesteaders find and evaluate properties that support a self-sufficient lifestyle. With an eye for land quality, water access, and sustainable living potential, he strives to match clients with the perfect homestead for their unique needs.
Leisha Lockrem has been married to her high school sweetheart, Scott, for 25 years and is the mother of 4 children. Leisha is also the owner of Lockrem Homestead, a blog that shares their homesteading journey, sourdough recipes, and more.
Jenny Cunningham from Brees Farm Gardens has over 25 years of horticultural experience, including 15 years as Garden Designer and Greenhouse Manager at the Minnesota State Fair. She will be presenting on how to make homemade medicinal remedies, salves, tinctures, and teas.
Lodging
- If you are coming from further away, you will need to find your own lodging nearby. If you would like to tent camp on-site we have a number of spots available here at no additional charge. We cannot accommodate RVs or power hookups. Bath and shower facilities are available. Please inquire with us.
Childcare
- Due to the potentially hazardous nature of some activities, e.g., handling knives or equipment, this event is limited to adults and children ages 15+. If you have younger children we ask that you make other arrangements for childcare (excepting nursing mothers of course!).
A Special Thank you to our Sponsor!
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