DAY 1: FARM DAY EXPERIENCE

📍 Mars Hill Farm
📅 Saturday, September 20, 2025
🕘 9:00 AM – 1:00 PM
📍 1604 Mars Rd, Ferris, TX 75125

✨ Welcome to the Farm! Your Day at a Glance ✨

Get ready for an incredible day packed with practical insights and inspiring experiences! Our main speaker sessions are held in our open-air shed, complete with large fans and refreshing misting systems to keep you comfortable.

To make the most of your visit and help beat the Dallas 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!

8:45 AM: 🌾 Gates Open & Early Bird Refreshments Arrive, grab a cool drink, find your spot in the shaded shed, and get ready for an exciting day of learning!

9:00 AM – 9:25 AM: 🗣️ Opening Remarks & Welcome Your Host: Ishayar (Pronounced: Eye-sha-yar) A warm welcome to the farm and a quick look at the amazing lineup!

🎤 Main Stage (Open-Air Shed): Speaker Sessions

(Dive deep into valuable insights from our expert homesteaders!)

• 9:25 AM – 9:55 AM: Ishayar (Rich) – "Dream vs. Reality: Navigating Your Homesteading Journey"

  • An honest look at the realities, challenges, and immense rewards of building a self-sufficient life.

• 10:05 AM – 10:35 AM: Mr. Jordan – "From Pasture to Profit: Mastering Cattle & Herd Management"

  • Learn essential strategies for raising healthy livestock and integrating them into your regenerative farm.

• 10:45 AM – 11:15 AM: Essie (The Blues Lady) – "Harvest Harmony: Essential Techniques for Long-Term Food Preservation"

  • Unlock the secrets to extending your bounty through canning, drying, fermenting, and more!

• 11:25 AM – 11:55 AM: Robin – "Hands-On Horizons: Raising Engaged Kids on the Homestead"

  • Discover inspiring ways to involve children in farm life and make learning fun through hands-on experiences.

• 12:05 PM – 12:35 PM: Family Talk – "The Homestead Economy: Practical Ways to Save Big & Live Sustainably"

  • Learn smart strategies to cut costs, boost your budget, and build financial resilience through homesteading.

🚜 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.

• 9:55 AM: Tour 1 Departs! (Capacity: 70 people)

• 10:40 AM: Tour 2 Departs! (Capacity: 70 people)

• 11:25 AM: Tour 3 Departs! (Capacity: 70 people)

• 12:10 PM: Tour 4 Departs! (Capacity: 70 people)

🎯 Important Choice: To enjoy all our offerings, please note that some speaker sessions and farm tours run at the same time. We encourage you to plan your day to prioritize your must-see talks or your exciting 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

• 🎪 Kids Bounce House & Activity Tent

• 🛍️ Vendor Marketplace (Seeds, food, handmade goods, books, tools)

12:00 PM – 1:00 PM
🍽️ Lunch Break & Community Networking
Grab something fresh and local from our food vendors, then relax at the pavilion and mingle.