Homestead Festival 2025

Farm Manager, Caleb Howerton aids in preparing one of our Idaho Pasture Pigs for our Butchery and meat curing sessions.

The team took a moment to appreciate the sunrise as we prepared to open doors for the inaugural PlantRight Homestead Festival

What a great action shot to really capture the work of these amazing blacksmiths.

Curtis Millsap and Hank Reid members of our guest speaker panel answer some insightful questions from Colonial Gardens own Grace Ames

The Hemme Brothers joined us to speak about cheese making on the Courtyard Stage

Beautiful book display at the White Harvest Seed booth!

Our younger attendees taking a break on our jump pillow for some fun.

Kendall Kuxhouse speaks on Elderberry propagation at the Speakers Tent

Rachael West speaks about Culinary Alchemy on the Courtyard Stage

Andy and Doug of Hand Hewn Farms prepare a pig for our butchery and meat preservation sessions.

Rachael West Wild Infused Sugars and Salts

Attendeds join Rachael west in a VIP workshop to learn about Wild Teas and infused sugars and salts.

Cocktails and Conversation Panel Discussion

Colonial Gardens Grace Ames asks our guest speakers some tough questions for our Cocktails and Conversations Panel

Vendors come in all shapes and sizes and the Messner Bee Trolly was a huge hit!

In the Colonial Gardens Courtyard, Doug and Andy from Hand Hewn Farms skillfully demonstrated a whole hog breakdown session.

Thank you to White Harvest Seed for joining us for the inaugural year of the PlantRight Homestead Festival!

It takes a lot of muscle to move a few hundred pounds pork.

Attendees were presented with a wide variety of vendors from Lye Soap, to Blacksmithing, to Heirloom seeds and more!

Also known as Professor PlantRight, Rick Spurgeon held a session at the Speakers Tent discussing Permiculture Trees: Fruit, Nuts and other Useful Ideas

Vendor and Sponsor Bucchiets of Blue Springs

We could not do this without our amazing sponsors! Thank you Bucchiets of Blue Springs!

The Hand Hewn Farms team gets prepared to process a pig for our butchery and meat preservation sessions.

Join Us For Homestead Festival 2025

Get ready for another knowledge-packed weekend filled with the passionately practical people, just like you.

As the Kansas City area's premier celebration of self-reliance and sustainable living, Colonial Gardens' Homestead Festival attracts like-minded homesteaders from across the Midwest and Great Plains

Whether you're a committed survivalist or simply looking to learn practical skills for a more eco-conscious lifestyle, this two-day festival is packed with workshops, demonstrations, and community connection.

Join us for hands-on learning experiences that cover everything from organic gardening and backyard animal care to food preservation and handmade craftsmanship. You’ll leave with new skills, inspiration, and a deeper connection with the world around you.

Bo Brown

Bo Brown is founder and director of First Earth Wilderness School and author of the Falcon Guides books Foraging the Ozarks and Foraging Central Grasslands. He has worked all over the U.S. and Belize as a songbird biologist since 1985, and has led courses on foraging, stone-age wilderness survival, and nature education throughout the Midwest for over three decades. He also presents weekly foraging walks and primitive skills demonstrations at Johnny Morris’ Dogwood Canyon Nature Park near Blue Eye, Missouri.

Rachel West

Rachael West, founder of Eating The Ozarks and author of "Wild Foraged," an introduction to foraging cookbook, showcasing her expertise in connecting people with the bounty of nature. With roots at Springfield Community Gardens, where she connected farmers to USDA programs, and helped develop value added products. Rachael now leads a Foraging certification, children's nature school programs, and unique wild dinners. Featured at the Smithsonian in 2023, she also offers property owners foraging tours, identifying wild edibles and providing QR-coded recipes.

Dr. Raymond Cloyd

Professor and Extension Specialist in Horticultural Entomology/Plant Protection, Department of Entomology, Kansas State University (Manhattan, KS). Raymond has an extension (70%) and research (30%) appointment in the Department of Entomology at Kansas State University (Manhattan, KS). Raymond received his MS and PhD from the Department of Entomology at Purdue University (West Lafayette, IN), and was employed as a professor at the University of Illinois (Urbana, IL) in the Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Sciences for six years prior to his employment at Kansas State University. His research and extension program involves plant protection/pest management in greenhouses, nurseries, landscapes, turfgrass, conservatories, interiorscapes, Christmas trees, vegetables, fruits, cannabis, hemp, and pollinators. Raymond is the extension specialist in horticultural entomology for the state of Kansas with a major clientele that includes homeowners, master gardeners, and professional and commercial operators. Raymond has published over 90 scientific refereed publications, over 900 trade journals, and over 60 extension publications on topics related to pest management/plant protection. In addition, he has authored or co-authored numerous books (Greenhouse Pest Management, Pests and Diseases of Herbaceous Perennials, IPM for Gardeners, Plant Protection: Managing Greenhouse Insect and Mite Pests, Compendium of Rose Diseases and Pests, and Compendium of Bedding Plant Diseases and Pests), book chapters, manuals, PICT or picture-pocket guides, and extension-related publications. Raymond is a frequent speaker at state, national, and international conferences and seminars; and has received numerous awards and honors during his over 20 year academic career. Raymond’s professional specialty areas include: plant protection, biological control, plant-insect interactions, insect ecology, pesticides, integrating pesticides with biological control agents, and sanitation.

Early Bird Tickets On Sale - October 1st, 2024!

Don't miss out on joining us for the 2nd Annual PlantRight Homestead Festival!

Early Bird Ticket Pricing

Early Bird: $25. Early Bird pricing valid until October 31st, 2025.
Regular Admission Tickets: $35.

Our Tickets are valid for both days of the festival

VIP Events

Cocktails & Conversations: $15. Friday, April 4th at 6 p.m. Keynote speaker panel discussion.

What Awaits You

Workshops & Demos: Participate in sessions on topics like organic farming, traditional crafts, animal husbandry, and sustainable practices.
Guest Speakers: Listen to inspiring talks from experts in sustainability and homesteading.
Interactive Exhibits: Engage with live demonstrations that bring homesteading to life.
Artisan Vendors: Browse and shop from local vendors offering handcrafted goods, homesteading tools, and sustainable products.

Thank you all for joining us at the...

2024

PlantRight Homestead Festival

We couldn't have been happier with the positive response and support we got from the first year of the PlantRight Homestead Festival. We are even more excited to what next year may have in store and can't wait to see you all again next year!

Mark your calendars for April 4th & 5th 2025

Ticket Pre-Sales will start on Oct 1st, 2024 - Early bird pricing will be in effect until Oct 31st 2024. - Be on the lookout for more information to be posted to this site soon!

A Glimpse of PlantRight Homestead Festival Magic

We extend our deepest gratitude to all who joined us for the 2024 PlantRight Homestead Festival! Your presence made our two-day adventure into the world of self-sufficiency and sustainable living truly memorable.

At the festival, we celebrated the vibrant spirit of homesteading, bringing together individuals, families, and communities with a shared passion for traditional crafts, gardening, animal husbandry, and various DIY practices. From cultivating organic produce to raising backyard animals, preserving food, and crafting handmade goods, the festival offered a rich tapestry of workshops, interactive exhibits, and activities.

Rooted in a desire to live in harmony with nature, the festival fostered a deep connection to the land and inspired participants to embrace more self-reliant and environmentally conscious lifestyles.

Your participation enriched our gathering and contributed to the spirit of community and learning that defines the PlantRight Homestead Festival. We are truly grateful for your support and enthusiasm.

As we reflect on this year's festival, we look forward to the spring of '25 when we will reconvene at Colonial Gardens in Blue Springs, Missouri, for another empowering experience that transcends the boundaries of conventional living.

Homestead Fest Sponsor Banner (Instagram Post)-1

Homestead Fest Sponsor Banner (Instagram Post) (1)-3

Exclusive Access: Bareroot Trees & Supplies

Join us at the Homestead Festival, a unique celebration of nature and community. Our festival is an exclusive event with limited tickets available, so act fast to secure your spot.

In addition to the festival, you can also pre-order our beautiful Bareroot Trees and pick them up at the event. These trees are a perfect addition to your homestead, symbolizing life, growth, and a connection to the earth.

Don't miss out on this opportunity to join the festival and bring a piece of nature to your own space.

PURCHASE NOW