The Southern Adirondack Homesteading Festival: A Celebration of Self-Reliance and Sustainability

Are you curious about how to raise and grow your own food, how to preserve your harvest? Do you want to know how to embrace a lifestyle of self-reliance and sustainable living? If so, then mark your calendars for the Southern Adirondack Homesteading Festival on April 26 – 28, 2024!

The Southern Adirondack Homesteading Festival is a celebration of all things homesteading, with a focus on education, community and sustainability. This festival will feature a wide range of workshops, demonstrations and vendors, all dedicated to helping you learn more about this agriculturally-centered lifestyle. So come to the Washington County Fairgrounds in the outskirts of beautiful Greenwich, NY from April 26 – 28!

As the agricultural heart of New York’s Capital Region, Washington County is the natural place to learn all about ag. If you’ve ever wanted to learn how to make your own cheese, raise chickens for eggs and meat, grow a subsistence garden or preserve food through canning, you’re in the right place.

So read on to learn more about all the Southern Adirondack Homesteading Festival has to offer. Then, come and join the fun!

Homesteading is a lifestyle emphasizing self-sufficiency and sustainability that’s been popular for many generations. Through hard work and careful planning, families are able to meet their needs while minimizing their impact on the environment and surrounding community.

In the modern age, many homesteaders grow their own food, raise their own animals and generate their own energy. This self-reliant lifestyle often includes practices such as subsistence agriculture, zero-waste living, home preservation of food, sources of renewable energy and hand-crafting items such as clothing and tools.

As you can see, homesteading can be a challenging but very rewarding lifestyle! At this festival, you’ll learn from those who have elevated homesteads from a science to an art. 

The Southern Adirondack Homesteading Festival is a great opportunity to learn about sustainable living while connecting with other like-minded people! From gardening to raising chickens, you’ll gain insight into the best practices for a variety of homesteading endeavors.

And, this festival is a great opportunity to meet other people who are also passionate about sustainability and self-reliance! So come share ideas, learn from one another and build a community of like-minded people.

Admission

There are several admission options the Homesteading Festival. A Weekend Pass for one adult is only $75, and gets you admission to everything, including hands-on activities and Saturday night’s special chicken dinner. A Single-Day Pass for either Saturday or Sunday is $45 for one adult.

Want to score a deal? Get the Family 4-Pack Weekend Pass for only $225. Just so you know, children ages 14 and up require a ticket. Children under 14 do not need an entrance ticket unless they’re also coming to the chicken dinner. The Youth Chicken Dinner Ticket is $15. Get your tickets today!

Want to stay on the grounds? Camping Spots are available on a per-night basis, and include power and water hookups and a dump station. Or, you can explore Washington County’s many other great lodging options.

Directions

The Southern Adirondack Homesteading Festival will be held at the Washington County Fairgrounds on April 26, 27, and 28, 2024. The Fairgrounds are located at 392 Old Schuylerville Rd, Greenwich, NY, 12834, United States of America.

Vendors

Of course, there will also be a variety of vendors at the Southern Adirondack Homesteading Festival. From handmade crafts to homesteading supplies, attendees will be able to purchase many high-quality goods from local businesses. All while meeting long-time homesteaders, happy to help you get started with your own.

Additionally, this celebration of sustainability is hosting a range of classes and workshops. Read on to learn more!

Each day brings something new at the Adirondack Homesteading Festival.

While the Festival runs Friday through Sunday, there’s many great events happening all weekend long. And with multiple tracks, workshops and classes to choose from, you can make your own adventure! Here are a few highlights from each day:

Friday

Start off strong with Self-Guided Farm Tours – 8 a.m. – 4 p.m. – Visit designated local farms to familiarize yourself with some of Washington County’s ongoing homesteading operations and see some of the Festival’s lessons in practice.

Foraging Walk – 4 – 5 p.m. – Join Rich Giordano for a short excursion to learn to identify delicious wild plants to include in your meals!

Food Truck Friday – 4 – 8 p.m. – All are welcome to enjoy the food trucks and vendors during this time, including the general public.

Saturday

Key Note Speaker: Jill Winger – 9 – 9:45 a.m. –  You won’t want to miss the first official seminar of the Homesteading Festival: “Why Choose an Old-Fashioned On Purpose/Homestead Lifestyle” from Jill Winger of The Prairie Homestead.

Classes such as Building Your Homestead from the Ground Up, How to Tell Your Story and Make Money Doing It, Goat Husbandry and Small Herd Management and more.

Workshops including Farming Shiitake Mushrooms, Poultry Processing, Canning Demos and Foraging Walks.

Jill Winger Book Signing – 11:45 a.m. – 1 p.m. – During the lunch break, Jill Winger will be signing copies of her books, including her latest release “Old-Fashioned On Purpose: cultivating a slower, more joyful life.”

Q&A With All Speakers from the Day – 4 – 5 p.m. – Cap the day off with this special discussion with the day’s presenters, followed by snacks and craft beverages in the Sheep Barn.

And, don’t miss the Chicken BBQ dinner celebration where attendees can meet, mingle and swap stories and ideas!

Sunday

On the final day, visitors can enjoy classes like Overwintering Animals in the Northeast, How to Sell at a Farmers Market, Understanding Cottage Food Laws, Organic Pest Control, Fiber Sheep, Small Scale Beef and much, much more.

And, you’ll enjoy workshops including the Hive Inspection Workshop and Beekeeping Q&A, Advanced Soap Making and Sourdough/Sour Kraut, among others.

Last but not least, the event ends with another Q&A With All Speakers from the Day from 3 – 4 p.m. This is the perfect time to ask your remaining questions to a panel of knowledgeable guest speakers.

Sound like a dream come true? Get your tickets today!

Want More Washington County, NY?

Washington County, NY is a beautiful & welcoming destination for all interests & activity levels! Beyond the many businesses showcased during the Homesteading Festival, this area is also home to a range of historical sites, unique experiences and unforgettable adventures.

If you’re looking for even more great ag-focused events, come back and visit for the Washington County Fair in August or the Adirondack Wool & Arts Festival in September!

Or, get an authentic agricultural experience at one of our area’s unique farm stays. And while you’re here, check out one of our many  interesting local events.

No matter what you choose, you’ll have a great time visiting Washington County’s beautiful countryside!