"On Farm" Homesteading Conference, Saturday, AuG. 30, 2025
Discover the art of sustainable living and immerse yourself in a day filled with hands-on workshops and in-depth farm tours led by experts in their fields. Whether you’re a seasoned homesteader or a curious enthusiast, this event promises to be a unique and rewarding experience!
Farmer Reuben says, “Our goal is to bring together experts in the field to share their wisdom, passion, and practical expertise. Each workshop will present in-depth content, quality food, and take-home projects of value.”
Workshop Highlights Include:
- Sourdough Bread Baking
- Preserving the Harvest through Fermentation
- Foraging Herbs Walk with Herbalists
- Preparing for Childbirth Emergencies
- Organic Gardening
Farm Tour Sessions
- Native Plant Tour & Sustainable Landscape Planning
- Farm without (or with) Land Farm Tour with Farmer Reuben
Our Program
The day begins with a Traditional Catholic Mass at 8:00 am for those who want to experience the beauty of Gregorian chant in the rustic barn setting, followed by a delicious farm breakfast at 9:00 am.
Throughout the day, you have the opportunity to explore a variety of workshops and farm tours, each designed to provide a valuable take-home projects and expert knowledge to implement in your own real food desires and your sustainable homesteading journey.
Lunch
️Enjoy a hearty farm fresh salad bar lunch with the option of experiencing of Brick Oven Pizza. You’ll connect with fellow attendees and presenters, share experiences, and savor the flavors of locally sourced food.
Organizers
Reuben DeMaster of Willow Haven Farm, with his 27 years of teaching skills and 15 years of organic farming experience, hosts the event.
Tessa DeMaster, real food mom of nine, brings the wisdom of 27 years of feeding her family to your table every week of the year by nurturing their farm members. Organizing and speaking at this event is a highlight of her year.
Don’t miss this incredible opportunity to learn from local experts and gain invaluable insights into real food skills, sustainable living and homesteading practices. Secure your spot now, as registration is limited!
Registration Options
- Early Bird Full Day +2 meals: 97.34 (incl. fees)
- Full Day Option +2meals: 113.89 (incl. fees)
- Half-Day Options : 49.87 (incl. fees)
- Lunch Add On: $23.18 (incl fees)
- Kids ticket (includes breakfast): 7.18 (incl. fees)
- We can’t wait to see you at Willow Haven Farm on August 30, 2025
Our Speakers
Ready to turn your “someday” skills into everyday confidence? The On the Farm Homesteading Conference brings together soil-savvy farmers, birth and wellness pros, functional-fitness coaches, and real-food mentors who actually live what they teach. Whether you dream of slicing into your first sourdough loaf, stocking a healing tincture cabinet, or transforming your backyard into a mini food forest, this line-up delivers hands-on know-how, time-tested wisdom, and the community cheer squad every busy, health-focused mom (and the people who love her cooking!) needs to thrive—no matter what the world throws our way.
Homesteading Conference 2025 — Workshop Session Line-Up
Josh Parr, La Farm at Lafayette College — Vegetables to Grow to Cut Down on Your Grocery Bill
Laurice Dunning, CNM, Midwives & Associates — Emergency Birth Basics: Fast-Action Steps, Home Herbal Remedies & Post-Partum Recovery Plans
Brandon Cooper (Cooper Mountain Farm) — Designing Productive Permaculture Zones & Small-Space Food Forests: Reading Your Land, the 7 Layers, Companion Planting & Practical Implementation. Get connected with Brandon and his services at Coopermountaincontracting.com
Felicia Pasquale FNTP BCHN & Amy Lakits NTP BS (Healthy Life Transformations) — The De-Evolution of Food: Going Back to the Basics
Nikki & Devon – 1cor6:19 Fitness, LLC — Farm-Fit: Functional Strength Training for a Sustainable Life
Vince — Hands-On Sourdough Bread-Making — From Starter to Slice
Farmer Reuben DeMaster — Behind-the-Scenes Farm Tour of Willow Haven Farm
Tessa Miles DeMaster (“Real Food Mom”) — Fermenting Fundamentals: Gut-Healing Veggies & Beyond
Sarah Fenton– Storm’s End Homestead —Crafting Potent Herbal Remedies at Home (confirmed)
Sue Ann Webb — Market Box Mastery: Meal-Planning Year-Round with Seasonal Skills
Sue Tansits, Edge of the Woods Native Plant Nursery — Bring Life to Your Landscape with Native Plants
Workshop Schedule Saturday, AuG. 30, 2025
Morning Workshops (10:15 AM – 12:15 PM)
- Food From the Land: Interactive Farm Tour with Farmer Reuben
- Hands-On Sourdough Bread Making: Take It Home & Make It Again
- Planning Permaculture Features: Boost Your Property’s Food Production
- The De-Evolution of Food & Going Back to the Basics
- Bring Life to Your Landscape with Native Plants
Afternoon Workshops (1:30 PM – 3:30 PM)
- Feeding the Land: Composting with Erik & Reuben (tentative)
- Fermenting Fundamentals: Gut-Healing Veggies & Beyond
- Spreadsheet Gardening: Crop Planning for the Busy Family
- Mastering the Seasons: Local Food Meal Prep with SueAnn & Rich
- When Baby Won’t Wait: Safe Deliveries, Healing Herbs & Post-Birth Recovery
- Crafting Potent Herbal Remedies at Home with Storm’s End Homestead
Ticket holders will receive a workshop-selection form by e-mail. Early-Bird prices end Sunday, Aug 3—secure your seat now!
An Immersive day of farm experiences
Main Schedule
- 7:30 – 8:00 AM – Early Check-In
- 8:00 – 8:45 AM – Traditional Catholic Mass
- 9:00 – 9:30 AM – Breakfast & Check-In
- 9:30 – 9:50 AM – Welcome & Orientation
- 9:50 – 10:00 AM – Farm-Fit Warm-Up
- 10:15 AM – 12:15 PM – Morning Workshop Sessions
- 12:15 – 1:15 PM – Lunch Break & Networking
- 1:30 – 3:30 PM – Afternoon Deep-Dive Sessions
- 3:45 – 4:30 PM – Fit Farmer Talk & Q&A
- 4:30 – 5:00 PM – Networking, Donations & Clean-Up
How do I select My Workshops? Click Here
pair these workshops for a themed day
Workshop Tracks
Follow a single themed path all day or mix & match morning and afternoon sessions—your ticket lets you choose.
A Little Bit of Soil to Care For
- AM: Food From the Land – Interactive Farm Tour with Farmer Reuben
- PM: Feeding the Land – Composting with Erik & Reuben
Hands-On Food Skills
- AM: Hands-On Sourdough Bread Making: Take It Home & Make It Again
- PM: Fermenting Fundamentals: Gut-Healing Veggies & Beyond
Growing Your Own Food
- AM: Planning Permaculture Features: Boost Your Property’s Food Production
- PM: Spreadsheet Gardening: Crop Planning for the Busy Family
The Why & How of Real Food for Families
- AM: The De-Evolution of Food & Going Back to the Basics
- PM 1:30: Mastering the Seasons: Local Food Meal Prep with SueAnn & Rich
- PM 2:30: When Baby Won’t Wait: Safe Deliveries, Healing Herbs & Post-Birth Recovery
Native Plants & Herbs
- AM: Bring Life to Your Landscape with Native Plants
- PM: Crafting Potent Herbal Remedies at Home
Bonus Presenter
Farm-Fit: Functional Strength Training for a Sustainable Life (Nikki & Devon)How do I Selct My Workshops?
First you must buy your conference tickets. Then you'll be sent a form to select your workshops. If the workshop you want is sold out you and you need to adjust your ticket purchase, email Tessa farmer@willowhavenfarmpa.com
Is this a Family Friendly event?
Yes! We welcome families and children. Kids 12 and under attend with a ticketed adult—just reserve a $5 child ticket so we can plan seating. Children 2 and under are free. All child tickets include the farm-fresh breakfast buffet.
Are Meals Included?
A light farm-fresh breakfast buffet is included with your ticket. Lunch tickets are available for purchase. Our Farm Store will be open with drinks, snacks, and sourdough pastries throughout the day.
We aim to offer real, clean food with simple ingredients. While we can’t guarantee allergy-free options, we’ll label items and offer gluten-free and dairy-light choices when possible.
May I Meet Presenters and Purchase from vendor tables?
Absolutely! Our farm store and vendor marketplace features locally made food, herbal products, books, ferments, and more. Bring cash or cards to support these amazing creators.
Conference Raffle
Enter on-site for a chance to take home valuable plants that will keep feeding your family for years.
Details
- Tickets: $5 each (sold at the conference; not included with admission)
- Prizes: Valuable plants — including fruit trees
- Drawing: Afternoon networking session (~4:30 PM)
Sponsor
Brandon Cooper — Backyard Pantry LLC
