✨ day 1: farm day experience ✨

📍 Mars Hills Farm
📅 Saturday, September 26th, 2026
🕘 9:00 AM – 1:00 PM
📍 1604 Mars Rd, Ferris, TX 75125

Spend the morning outdoors exploring life on the land with farm tours, a vendor marketplace, and live speakers. Learn real skills in a real farm setting while connecting with families, educators, and growers.

Get ready for an incredible day packed with practical insights and inspiring experiences!

To make the most of your visit and help beat the Texas heat, some speaker talks and guided farm tours will happen at the same time. This means you get to choose your own adventure! 🧭 Pick the sessions and tours that excite you most.

☀️ Staying Cool & Comfortable: Essential Tips!

• 💧 Stay Hydrated: We'll have complimentary water stations available throughout the event area. Drink up!

• 👕 Dress Smart: Opt for lightweight, light-colored clothing. A wide-brimmed hat and comfy, closed-toe shoes are highly recommended.

• ☀️ Sun Protection: Don't forget your sunscreen and apply it often!

• 🌳 Seek Shade: Take advantage of the cooling fans in the shed and other designated shaded zones.

• 👂 Listen to Your Body: It's a full day! Take breaks in cooler areas if you need to recharge.

⏰ Morning: Learn & Explore!

9:00 AM – 9:25 AM: 🗣️ Opening Remarks & Welcome Your Host: A warm welcome to the farm and a quick look at the amazing lineup!

🎤 Main Stage : Speaker Sessions

• 9:25 AM – 9:55 AM: Generational Acres – "Foundations for the Future: Manufactured Homes & Affordable Infrastructure"

  • Exploring practical, cost-effective housing solutions to get you established and sheltered on your raw land quickly and efficiently.

• 10:05 AM – 10:35 AM: Vanessa Battle – "Scaling Up: Proven Strategies for Small-Scale Farm Success"

  • Essential techniques for managing day-to-day farm operations, maximizing productivity, and growing your agricultural footprint right where you've set up camp.

• 10:45 AM – 11:15 AM: Steve Anderson – "Wildlife & Ecosystem Stewardship: Coexisting with Nature"

  • Practical insights on land conservation, managing wildlife, and maintaining a balanced, sustainable farm ecosystem surrounding your homestead.

• 11:25 AM – 11:55 AM: Rapah – "Communications Off-Grid: HAM Radio Knowledge & Emergency Readiness"

  • Essential communication strategies and setup techniques to keep your family connected, informed, and safe in any remote scenario.

• 12:05 PM – 12:35 PM: Open Forum & Panel – "Building the Rural Blueprint"

  • A collaborative session bringing together our Day 1 experts to answer attendee questions on launching and sustaining a homestead.

🚜 Guided Farm Tours (Outdoor Adventure!)

(Tours depart from the [Designated Tour Meeting Point] - Each tour is approx. 45 minutes)

Ready to see our regenerative farm in action? Join a guided tour! You'll get to explore sustainable practices, thriving ecosystems, and real-world examples of homesteading principles up close. (Capacity: 70 people)

• 9:55 AM: Tour 1

• 10:40 AM: Tour 2

• 11:25 AM: Tour 3

• 12:10 PM: Tour 4

🎯 Important Choice: Some speaker sessions and farm tours run concurrently. We encourage you to review the schedule in advance to prioritize your must-see talks or your farm adventure!

12:35 PM – 1:00 PM: 🎉 Event Conclusion Join us for a final wrap-up of an inspiring day!

🎈 Ongoing Activities (All Day)

• 🐐 Petting Zoo

• 🛍️ Vendor Marketplace & Food

• Farm Tours