Join us for the 2025 Back To The Land Conference, a must-attend event dedicated to the thriving spirit of sustainable living. Set to inspire and educate, our conference welcomes all, from seasoned homesteaders to those just starting their journey towards self-sufficiency. This one-day gathering offers a suite of hands-on workshops covering essential practices such as organic farming, food preservation, and renewable energy solutions. Our lineup of expert speakers brings a wealth of knowledge and passion to the experience.
Schedule:
9:00 am - 10:15 am
First Things: Cows
Shawn and Beth Dougherty of The Independent Farmstead share their decades of expertise in grass-based cow management. Learn how to raise dairy and beef cows sustainably using intensive grazing, producing your own food and feed with minimal inputs. Discover practical techniques to transform marginal land into fertile pastures, ensuring resilience and abundance for your homestead.
Shawn and Beth Dougherty
9:00 am - 10:15 am
How to Kill a Pig
Join Brandon Sheard of Farmstead Meatsmith for an engaging session on pig husbandry and traditional butchery. Learn essential skills for raising pigs sustainably, from feeding strategies to humane harvesting techniques using antique methods. Discover how to maximize meat yield and preserve quality, empowering homesteaders to master pork production with confidence and respect for the craft. Perfect for beginners and seasoned farmers alike!
Brandon Sheard
9:00 am - 10:15 am
Finding Land
Mathew Winters of Cottage Pastures guides homesteaders in finding the perfect land for sustainable living. Learn key factors like soil quality, water access, and location suitability, drawing from his experience in Southeastern Indiana. Discover practical steps to secure and develop land, empowering you to build a thriving, regenerative homestead with confidence.
Mathew Winters
9:00 am - 10:15 am
Theology of the Homestead
Sarah Kroger of The Purpose Project inspires homesteaders with her “Faith on Land” session, blending spiritual wisdom with practical living. As a mother of seven and podcast host, she shares how aligning with faith fosters resilience and purpose in land stewardship. Learn to cultivate a meaningful connection between your homestead and spiritual journey.
Sarah Kroger
9:00 am - 10:15 pm
Bees
10:15 am - 10:30 am
Break
(no speaker)
10:30 am - 11:15 am
Feeding the Farm From the Farm
Learn how to sustainably produce all farm feed using intensive grazing and crop rotations, minimizing off-farm inputs. Gain practical insights into creating a self-sufficient homestead ecosystem, ensuring thriving livestock and fertile land.
Shawn and Beth Dougherty
10:30 am - 11:15 am
How to Dehair a Pig
Join Brandon Sheard of Farmstead Meatsmith for an in-depth “Pig” session, diving deeper into sustainable pig rearing and traditional butchery. Explore advanced feeding techniques, humane slaughter methods using antique tools, and meat preservation strategies. Gain hands-on insights to optimize pork production, equipping homesteaders with skills for a thriving, respectful farmstead.
Brandon Sheard
9:00 am - 10:15 am
Fermenting
10:15 am - 10:30 am
Break
(no speaker)
1:30 pm - 2:45 pm
Meet The Speaker
Shawn and Beth Dougherty
11:30 am - 12:45 pm
How to Gut a Pig
Brandon Sheard of Farmstead Meatsmith offers a heartfelt “Faith on Land” session, merging traditional butchery with spiritual stewardship. Discover how faith shapes sustainable farming practices, fostering a profound bond with the land through ethical animal care. Gain insights to enrich your homestead with purpose, honoring both craft and creation.
Brandon Sheard
11:30 am - 12:45 pm
Sourdough Workshop
Sarah shares her passion for sourdough baking, a homestead staple. Learn the art of crafting nutrient-rich sourdough bread using natural fermentation, from starter creation to baking techniques. Discover how this time-honored skill enhances self-sufficiency, offering homesteaders a delicious, sustainable way to nourish their families with wholesome bread.
Sarah Kroger
12:45 pm - 1:30 pm
Lunch
(no speaker)
1:30 pm - 2:45 pm
Faith on the Land
Shawn and Beth Dougherty of The Independent Farmstead present “Faith on Land,” merging spiritual principles with sustainable farming. Learn how faith guides their grass-based practices, fostering resilience and abundance on their Ohio farmstead. Discover ways to cultivate a homestead that honors both land and belief, rooted in self-sufficiency.
Shawn and Beth Dougherty
1:30 pm - 2:45 pm
How to Cut up a Pig
Brandon Sheard of Farmstead Meatsmith leads a practical session on curing meat, sharing time-honored techniques from his 15 years of traditional butchery experience. Learn how to preserve pork, beef, and more using natural methods, ensuring long-lasting, flavorful results. Discover the art of curing to enhance your homestead’s self-sufficiency and culinary traditions.
Brandon Sheard
10:30 am - 11:15 am
Bees
2:45 pm - 3:00 pm
Break
(no speaker)
3:00 pm - 4:15 pm
Watering the farm
Shawn and Beth Dougherty of The Independent Farmstead share their insights on “Watering the farm” to ensure a thriving homestead. Learn sustainable water management techniques, from rainwater harvesting to efficient irrigation, tailored for grass-based systems. Discover practical methods to support livestock and crops, fostering resilience and self-sufficiency on your land.
Shawn and Beth Dougherty
3:00 pm - 4:15 pm
How to Cure a Pig like a Catholic
Brandon Sheard
10:30 am - 11:15 am
Microgreens
11:30 am - 12:45 pm
Rabbits
11:30 am - 12:45 pm
Health
1:30 pm - 2:45 pm
Raising Goats
Sarah Kroger
1:30 pm - 2:45 pm
Rabbit Butcher
1:30 pm - 2:45 pm
Seed Saving
10:30 am - 11:15 am
Regenerative Farming
Mathew Winters
10:30 am - 11:15 am
Table
Sarah Kroger
1:30 pm - 2:45 pm
Seed Saving
3:00 pm - 4:15 pm
Butcher Chicken
Mathew Winters
3:00 pm - 4:15 pm
Sourdough Workshop
Sarah Kroger
3:00 pm - 4:15 pm
Composting
3:00 pm - 4:15 pm
Health
4:15 pm - 4:30 pm
Break
4:30 pm - 5:00 pm
Speaker Panel - Q & A for All
Brandon Sheard
Mathew Winters
Sarah Kroger
Shawn and Beth Dougherty