By Scout Nelson
The University of Minnesota Extension will host the Modern Homesteading Conference on November 21, 2026, at Park Rapids High School. The event is designed for people interested in becoming more self-reliant, regardless of their experience level, available time, or property size.
The conference will provide practical, hands-on education on food production, food preservation, livestock care, home maintenance, and resource management. Organizers aim to equip attendees with skills that can be applied in everyday life.
A keynote presentation will be delivered by Stephanie Thurow, founder of Minnesota from Scratch and author of Small-Scale Homesteading. She is known for sharing practical advice on gardening, backyard chickens, and preserving homegrown food in suburban settings.
Attendees will also have the opportunity to meet Katie Krejci, also known as The Homesteading RD. She will share insights on growing food, preserving harvests, raising chickens, and building a more self-sufficient lifestyle.
The conference will feature a variety of educational breakout sessions covering topics such as seed saving, vegetable fermentation, small-engine maintenance, livestock health, egg-laying hens, sourdough baking, dairy animals, soil improvement, pressure canning, medicinal herbs, and energy-efficient homes.
Designed for both beginners and experienced homesteaders, the sessions focus on practical skills that can be incorporated into daily life. Attendance is limited to 160 participants, and registration closes on November 13, 2026, or when capacity is reached.
For additional information and registration, interested participants can visit Here.
Photo Credit: university-of-minnesota
Categories: Minnesota, Education, General