Speakers

RuthAnn and her family live in Northeast Iowa. She and her husband Elvin have been married for 24 years, have 7 children, 2 sons-in-laws, and 1 grandson. Five of the children still live at home. RuthAnn and her husband have been homesteading on their 21-acre homestead since 2001. They seek to preserve the self-sufficient lifestyle of their Mennonite Heritage for the next generation by involving their children in every aspect of the homestead, from raising and harvesting the meat they consume, gardening and preserving to fill the family’s larder, processing the dairy from the family milk cow, plus the many other skills that develop the character, integrity and relationships of a family that desires to bring glory and honor to their Heavenly Father.
You-Tube: youtube@ruthannzimm.com
IG: @ruthannzimm
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Dr. Patrick Jones is a practicing veterinarian, clinical herbalist, traditional naturopath and sought-after author and lecturer. He is the founder of the HomeGrown Herbalist School of Botanical Medicine. His lecture style has been described as a cross between John Christopher and Steve Martin. When you leave his class, your brain will be full and your sides will be sore from laughing. His engaging and down-to-Earth style will leave you feeling truly excited and empowered to use these wonderful plants. Because of his veterinary credentials, Dr. Jones has had the opportunity to use herbs on all sorts of cases that would not typically be addressed by herbalists. Rattlesnake bites, gunshot wounds, serious infections and systemic illnesses of all kinds make up his daily herbal practice for man and beast. Because of the miracles he’s seen over the years, Dr. Jones has an evangelical zeal to teach others about herbal medicine. His book The HomeGrown Herbalist and his school emphasize self-reliant herbalism and being plant-based rather than product based. Dr. Jones and his wife LoriAnn are the parents of 15 (mostly adopted) children. They live in Filer, Idaho. More info at  HomeGrownHerbalist.net.
Herbal Wound Management
Autoimmune Disease

Keynote –
WORKSHOPS
Fungi Fundamentals. . . Growing Mushrooms
The Great Seed Shuffle. . . Bring Your Seeds to Swap!

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Monty is the descendant of generations of ranchers and farmers but now keeps honeybees and grows vegetables in his suburban backyard. 
He’s a student of natural beekeeping, embracing the wisdom of giants such as Dr. Leo Sharashkin, Les Crowder and Thomas Seeley.  He came into beekeeping as an outsider and saw that current conventional beekeeping practices are based more on the beekeeper’s objectives than the honeybees’ nature.  It’s his belief that returning to a more natural model of beekeeping can benefit both the bees and the keeper.  He shares information about his hives and garden as “Suburban Sodbuster” on YouTube, Facebook and Instagram and through his website, suburbansodbuster.com.

Dr. Jed Adamson is a naturopathic doctor, clinical herbalist, acupuncturist, naprapathic doctor, massage therapist, and advanced EMT. He served for many years as a first responder and EMT on ambulance crews and as Director of Emergency Medical Services for Jerome County, Idaho. Dr. Adamson is now in private practice in Twin Falls Idaho where he spends his time helping people regain their health. Dr. Adamson loves to share his extensive knowledge and has a number of natural wellness courses available at homesteadacademy.com. 

Lucianne Walker is a Clinical Herbalist, Registered Naturopath, Practicing Auricular Therapist, Instructor in The HomeGrown Herbalist School of Botanical Medicine, and the General Manager of HomeGrown Herbalist. To Luci, herbal medicine is more than a field of study—it’s a way of life. Growing up as the daughter of Dr. Patrick Jones, she was immersed in traditional healing, sparking a lifelong love and study of plants and other natural healing modalities. 
Today, she lives on a 10-acre homestead in Idaho with her husband, Davis, and their five homeschooled children. Luci balances family life with managing HomeGrown Herbalist and teaching herbal medicine, encouraging others to make herbalism a meaningful part of their lives.
8 Plants Every Homesteader Should Know and Grow! 

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Cast Iron Cooking

Don’t miss the chance to hear from Dr. Burgmeier, a highly skilled and passionate veterinarian whose journey from southeast Iowa to national recognition is truly inspiring. A graduate of ISU’s College of Veterinary Medicine, Dr. Burgmeier brings a wealth of experience in traditional, preventative, and alternative veterinary care, treating a variety of species at her independently owned practice in rural Iowa.
Dr. Burgmeier is also a certified veterinary chiropractor, blending modern science with alternative techniques to deliver exceptional care.
Her dedication extends to community involvement, from educating students and 4-H groups to presenting at national conferences and writing for industry publications.
If you’re interested in animal health, alternative veterinary methods, or simply want to learn from a professional deeply rooted in Iowa values, Dr. Burgmeier’s session is for you. Her wealth of knowledge and engaging presentation style make this a must-attend talk for homesteaders, animal lovers, and curious minds alike!
Let’s Ruminate on it. . . Sheep and goat maintenance & how to’s! 

WORKSHOP
Cracking the Code. . . On your hatching knowledge.

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Raising Quail as a Meat Source

Mom, Midwife & Shepherd
I am a Certified Professional Midwife, I have a BA in Speech and Hearing Science, with a history minor, from the University of Iowa. 
I have 4 children, the first was born in hospital with and obstetrician, as a result of my first lukewarm birth experience, the following three were born at home with midwives. It became a life changing moment.  Experiencing birth at home empowered me as a woman and started me on the path to becoming a midwife.
My life outside of midwifery includes a working sheep farm, gardening, spinning wool, knitting, all forms of homesteading, and long distance running.
Learning to knit in my 20’s led to spinning in my 30’s and shepherding on my own hobby farm with 20 Shetland sheep (a few are Shetland/BFL crosses) in my 40’s.  Having the farm has fostered a slower lifestyle, one that forces us to really pay attention to the seasons and the earth. 
You can find me on Instagram under Midwife Dawn, Birthmoon Midwifery and Maleficus Fiber Farm.
Sheep, Wool & Creating! Oh my!
Midwifery in Iowa

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A slave is one who waits for someone to come and free him.” — Ezra Pound.
My homesteading journey started with marrying my wife, a Blue Ridge Mountain goat of a woman and me being too stubborn to let her go. Four daughters and two built from scratch homesteads later I have come to the conclusion I would not change it for the world.
My area of expertise is primarily solar power, which I have written an article for in Backwoods Home Magazine. I have also taught solar at my off-grid home for 5 years, helping other people to also become energy independent. My real passion however rests in the Idea of the new homesteading legacy movement of the middle class whereby people become producers and independent, and in doing so, become a new and thriving branch thriving branch in their own family tree, where hope and possibilities are grown to change our family and country. We currently live in the loess hills of Mondamin Iowa, where we are working on building our geothermal, solar powered “Green House in the snow” project on our 16 acres of land.

Hi, I’m Lori from Davis County. My husband David and I share our lives with our five kids, nine grandkids, about 30 chickens, one turkey, and a dog on our little slice of paradise—four acres filled with vegetable gardens, fruit trees, and herbs. Some herbs are planted in the ground, and some we grow right in our greenhouse.
With such a big family, David and I taught ourselves a variety of ways to preserve our harvest and save money along the way. We’ve learned so much over the years about sustainable living, food preservation, and stretching resources, and I’m passionate about sharing those lessons with others. Whether you’re new to gardening or a seasoned homesteader, I’d love to connect and inspire you with ideas and tips that make a difference!
Join me for a session that’s practical, hands-on, and perfect for anyone looking to make the most out of what they grow. Let’s talk about how you can live more sustainably, save money, and enjoy the rewards of a homegrown lifestyle!
Canning Panel

Since learning to work on equipment from his Grandpa at an early age, Kevin has been using/buying/fixing/breaking older equipment for over 30 years. Kevin started a custom hay baling business before he was 18 years of age using old equipment, and continues to run older equipment on his homestead to feed round bales, bale hay, spread manure and everything else. He has had a successful career working in Information Technology for a Fortune 100 company for over 20 years and has leveraged some of that knowledge to setup an advanced home network including a security surveillance system. He and his wife and two boys have cattle, dairy goats, sheep and chickens on a small 3 acre homestead in SE Iowa. Checkout out our homestead’s YouTube channel [Blessed & Belted Homestead] for some of the antics Kevin is up to.
Your Farm & Security Cameras

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Blacksmithing

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Homestead Tax Benefits

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Vermiculture

With over 25 years of hands-on gardening experience in the Ozarks of Southern Missouri, Clyde Majerus has cultivated a wealth of knowledge that benefits both seasoned growers and beginners alike. As a Master Gardener, he is passionate about sharing practical, time-tested advice to help gardeners maximize their success.

One of Clyde’s greatest contributions to the gardening world is his Vegetable Gardening Slide Chart, a must-have tool that simplifies planting schedules, seasonal timing, and essential gardening techniques. With over half a million charts sold nationwide, his innovative guide has become an indispensable resource for gardeners looking to optimize their harvests.

Whether you’re a beginner just starting out or an experienced grower looking for a quick and reliable reference, Clyde’s expertise and creative gardening solutions offer valuable insights to help your vegetable garden thrive.
Gardening

Are you fascinated by the art and science of growing trees? Join us for a session with a true tree enthusiast who has been nurturing and experimenting with plants since the late 1970s! From his early days growing fruit trees on a small acreage in northern Indiana to his current passion for bonsai and grafting, he brings decades of hands-on experience with trees of all shapes and sizes.
In this session, you’ll discover the secrets behind the Japanese art of bonsai and the unique methods of grafting used to create stunning miniature trees. He’ll share his personal journey and techniques, including his current projects with fruit trees and his grafting experiments with pear varieties.
Whether you’re new to tree cultivation or a seasoned plant lover, this session will be a blend of practical tips, inspiring insights, and live examples of grafted trees. Don’t miss this chance to learn how to transform trees into living works of art and experiment with your own garden in new and exciting ways!
Look for him in the Vendor Hall
Grafting fruit Trees

WORKSHOP
Sow What?! . . . Seed Starting

David Mixdorf grew up in a homesteading household on a 1 ½-acre property on the edge of Waterloo, Iowa. His family was known for their expansive garden, fruit trees, berry plants, and a small livestock operation, including chickens and rabbits. At any given time, the family raised up to 400 rabbits, many of which were bred for meat, medical research, or show stock. Over the years, David has raised 10 different rabbit breeds and is passionate about preserving heritage breeds of livestock as well as heirloom vegetable and fruit varieties. He has taught over 100 classes on gardening, livestock care, and homesteading.
David also served on the national board of the American Chinchilla Rabbit Breeders Association, further contributing to the preservation of rare rabbit breeds. He spent the last 20 years working as both a school and public librarian, during which he curated some of the state’s largest collections on homesteading and gardening. His personal collection boasts over 300 books and continues to grow.
This year, David will present two topics at the conference, sharing his wealth of knowledge and experience with attendees.
Raising Chickens for Eggs & Meat

Born into a legacy of farming as a 5th-generation conventional farmer, Brian’s path seemed set—until he began questioning the future of agriculture. While studying conventional agronomy and corn breeding in college, he embraced the industry’s standard practices. But by the 1990s, after marrying Karen and starting a family, he grew increasingly concerned about the rise of GMOs and chemical-intensive farming, especially with young children growing up on the farm.

Determined to cultivate a healthier, more sustainable future, Brian and Karen began transitioning their farm to organic methods, integrating their children into daily farm life and embracing homeschooling along the way. Their commitment to regenerative agriculture has not only transformed their land but also inspired the next generation—today, all three of their adult children have returned from college to join the family farm, working alongside their father to grow food the way nature intended.

Now, farming organically north of Dwight, Illinois, Brian is passionate about sharing his journey, proving that change is possible, and inspiring others to rethink the way we grow our food.

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Becky is a dedicated gardener, passionate beekeeper, and enthusiastic foodie with a deep commitment to health and wellness. After a fulfilling 40-year career as a registered nurse, she and her husband retired and returned to their roots in southeast Iowa.
A lifelong advocate for wholesome living, Becky has always prioritized nutritious, home-cooked meals. Known among her colleagues for bringing in unique, homemade lunches, she sparked curiosity with her creative food choices. Now, in retirement, she is fortunate to cultivate her own food on the very same three acres where her grandmother once tended to her garden.
Embracing sustainable, no-till gardening practices, Becky focuses on growing fresh produce while preserving her harvest through methods like fermentation, canning, dehydration, and freezing. Her journey blends a deep appreciation for nature with a lifelong passion for nourishing both body and soul.
Fermentation

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