The First Annual Tri-State Homesteading Conference, a partnership of The Cooperative Extension Services of the University of Kentucky, The Ohio State University, and Purdue University, was a resounding success. The event brought together 80 homesteaders from across the region and 11 specialists, agents, and experienced farmers as instructors. This groundbreaking conference was the first Extension-led homesteading event of its scale, offering 18 educational sessions on a variety of topics, including pasture management, sustainable gardening, livestock care, and food preservation.

Impact Highlights:

?? Knowledge & Skill Growth:

• 100% of attendees reported gaining new skills or knowledge that they could apply to their homesteads.
• Over 50 participants identified specific practices they plan to implement, including mushroom cultivation, maple syrup tapping, soil health improvements, and sustainable gardening techniques.
• Attendees found Maximizing Sustainable Garden Productivity, Pasture Management, Mushroom Cultivation, and Soil Health to be among the most valuable sessions.

?? Strengthening the Homesteading Community:

• 100% of respondents expressed satisfaction with the content and quality of the sessions.
• 50 attendees had the opportunity to network and build connections with fellow homesteaders and experts, strengthening the homesteading support network across state lines.

?? Engaging New Audiences in Extension Services:

• 40% of attendees were first-time Extension program participants, demonstrating the event’s success in reaching new audiences.
• 60% expressed interest in continuing their relationship with their local Extension office, ensuring continued learning and resource access.

?? Shaping the Future of the Conference:

• A strong demand for hands-on workshops was expressed, with topics such as canning, butchering, composting, and poultry processing being highly requested.
• 100% of survey respondents expressed interest in attending a future event, with 50% supporting a two-day format to include farm tours and workshops.

A Model for Future Extension-Led Homesteading Education

The success of this multi-state initiative—involving The Cooperative Extension Services of the University of Kentucky, The Ohio State University, and Purdue University—showcases the growing need for homesteading education through Extension programming. The overwhelming enthusiasm, high engagement, and strong knowledge gains prove that this conference has set a gold standard for homesteading education in the region.

As we look forward to expanding and improving next year’s event, we celebrate this first step in building a thriving, well-connected homesteading community that fosters sustainable food production, self-sufficiency, and resilience.