Homesteading and Community with Dawn and Troy

I talk with Troy and Dawn to about the Homesteading-ish Conference. They explain that “ish” stands for In Search of Help, and the event is designed for people who want to understand where their food comes from and how to be more self-reliant. The conference lasts two days and brings together more than 30 presenters covering everything from finding land to growing a garden, raising chickens, goats, or quail, to beekeeping and food preservation. Dawn says the second year felt stronger than the first, with a crowd that came ready to learn and share as a community.

Troy shares how the event started through a partnership between his farm and the Capital Conservation District. They saw a chance to condense a wide range of knowledge into one setting. He explains that modern homesteading is not about free land from the old Homestead Act but about personal responsibility for food. The pandemic brought new urgency, showing that systems can pause and people need to prepare. Dawn adds that many want clean, sustainable food and to give back to the land.

Looking ahead, Troy says they hope to keep the event intimate so attendees can network directly with presenters, comparing it to speed dating for homesteaders. Dawn hopes to see returning participants continue to learn, try new practices at home, and come back to share progress. Both agree that the demand is still strong and that building these relationships will help sustain the community for years to come.

For me, it is clear that what Troy and Dawn have built is more than a conference. It is a gathering place where people from all walks of life can trade ideas, learn new skills, and take steps toward independence. I see it as a reflection of how much value people place on community, knowledge, and the simple act of being connected to the land.