By Pam Windsor
Singer/songwriter Rory Feek has a passion for living off the land and building a more sustainable life. He and his late wife, Joey, began by raising chickens and growing their own vegetables, and in recent years, he's expanded efforts on a broader scale with more of his family. To share some of that knowledge with others, Feek hosted the first Homestead Festival on his Columbia farm three years ago.
It came on the heels of the COVID pandemic where food shortages and limited access to things readily available in the past sparked renewed interest in people wanting to learn more about providing for themselves.
"That first year, one of our guest speakers, Joel Salatin, gave a talk about the homestead tsunami," Feek recalls. "He'd seen the equivalent of a tsunami of interest in people and the impact it had made on them wanting to buy land and rethink their whole way of living. And we've seen that interest continue to grow."
Feek's festival is now an annual event. This year, Joel Salatin returns as one of the many world-class speakers and teachers who will educate festivalgoers on a wide range of topics related to sustainable living. Other high-profile guests include author Michael Pollan and TV reality star Marty Raney of Homestead Rescue, who'll share his experience living off-grid in Alaska. There will be numerous demonstrations and more than 100 vendors on-site. It's a one-stop opportunity for people to learn about starting their own farm, raising chickens, gardening, beekeeping, cheesemaking, goat milking & soap making, herbal medicine, caring for animals, homeschooling, and so much more. Feek says the festival welcomes both experienced homesteaders and those interested in getting started in whatever way they can.
"We know everybody's at a different place in what they're interested in, what they might want to learn, or even what they're able to do. Some people only have a balcony or a windowsill, while others have land. We just want to meet people where they are."
While sustainable living is the focus, there are other attractions, including music. Bands will play throughout the two-day event, and in the evenings, there will be special performances by country artists John Anderson, the Bellamy Brothers, and others. Feek, a GRAMMY-winning singer/songwriter in his own right, will also participate in a songwriting event Saturday night. His older daughter, Heidi, and her husband will also perform over the weekend.
Many might come for the music or to see one of the well-known guest speakers, and perhapsdiscover something else along the way.
"We want to make the festival fun even for people who might not be interested in homesteading," Feek says. "They may want to come hear music by some of their favorite artists. And if they come for the music, they might discover they'd love to learn to raise baby chicks or grow a garden. Or they might not be thinking of growing their own food, but maybe they've read Michael Pollans' books and want to see him. Or they're a fan of Marty Raney and want to hear him speak, and doing that might spark something."
Feek and his wife, Joey, hosted music festivals on the farm before she passed away from cancer (in 2016). While this is a festival of a different sort, it's nice to have people coming to hear music again. Fans of Rory and Joey who've followed Rory through social media have enjoyed watching their daughter grow into a beautiful little girl. Feek says Indiana, who isnow 10 years old, is also looking forward to this year's festival.
"She told me a couple of days ago that since her big sister is singing and Papa's going to sing, she wants to get up and sing a song with me. So, we'll see if she does that. But she's doing great. She's a wonderful little girl."
The Homestead Festival is set for June 7th and 8th. To learn more or buy passes, visit https://www.hardisonmill.com/thehomesteadfestival.
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