Author: Jessica Barnes
Planning Unit: Harrison County CES
Major Program: Local Food System Development and Mapping
Plan of Work: Home and Farm Safety
Outcome: Initial Outcome
The problem
Over the last few years, the Harrison County Extension ANR, Horticulture, and FCS Agents have noticed an increase in individuals with an interest in homesteading. The agents are more frequently receiving phone calls and questions related to how to grow and process their own food. Due to this, the agents decided to offer a Homesteading Series in 2023. The series was very successful and there were suggestions to continue it, so the series was offered again in 2024, with new topics. As in 2023, the 2024 Homesteading Series would be offered once a month, at 6:00 p.m., at the extension office, and they began in January 2024.
The educational program response
When planning for the series the agents took into consideration the specific questions they had been asked and specific courses that had been suggested to offer. It was decided to offer:
The participants/target audience
Participants ranged from youth to elderly and included males and females.
Other partners (if applicable)
The Harrison County Extension Office agents for Ag, Hort, and FCS, and program assistant worked together through the planning stages of the homesteading series. Additional partners included a county resident established in maple syrup production. This individual served as an instructor for the January session and provided a follow up field trip to see the production in action at her local farm following the session.
Program impact or participant response
Each course would focus on beginner homesteaders. Participants would learn how to get started in each of these topic areas. A survey was provided for each topic and results were as follows:
When participants were questioned about their level of satisfaction, 100% of participants indicated they agree or strongly agree that the Homesteading Series subject matter was timely, the information was practical, the series of classes were educational, and they would recommend this program to others.
Based upon the positive comments received from participants, continuing the Homesteading Series for a second year was determined to be a positive choice. On surveys, participants suggested future classes for a future Homesteading Series. With that information, the Harrison County ANR, Horticulture, and FCS agents are likely to offer the series again and incorporate new sessions based on the suggestions from survey takers.
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