- May 8–10, 2026 – 3rd Annual Black Homesteader Conference
Practical knowledge for growing food, stewarding land, building businesses, and strengthening community resilience.
For the third year, we are opening our land to bring together farmers, educators, entrepreneurs, and families who believe that knowledge and community are powerful tools for the future. The Black Homesteader Conference is a space to learn practical skills, exchange ideas, and connect with others committed to building stronger, more self-sufficient communities.
The Holiday Inn Express Villa Rica is offering conference guests a 15% discount. To receive the discount, mention that you are attending an event at Kayaneh’s Sunset Ranch when making your reservation.
🏨 Holiday Inn Express – Villa Rica
📍 100 Cooley Way, Villa Rica, GA 30180
📞 (770) 459-7000
Please book early, as rooms are subject to availability.
A Full Weekend Experience
The Black Homesteader Conference is more than workshops—it’s a space for the whole family to learn, connect, and enjoy.
Food vendors will be on-site throughout the weekend with a variety of meals and refreshments available for purchase.
Families are welcome. We will have:
Whether you come to learn a new skill, connect with others, or simply experience the environment, there is something here for everyone.
Why This Conference Matters
Across the country, more people are looking for ways to build resilience through practical skills. The Black Homesteader Conference brings together knowledge around food production, land stewardship, and self-sufficiency in a setting where learning happens in community.
The Experience
This conference is held on the land, not in a hotel or convention center. Participants learn in an environment that reflects the skills being taught—surrounded by open space, active demonstrations, and real conversations.
Travel & Lodging
For guests traveling from out of town, in addition to tent and RV camping provided on site, nearby accommodations are available.
Many attendees choose to stay at:
Holiday Inn Express Villa Rica
Additional hotels and lodging options are available in the Villa Rica area.
Kayaneh’s Sunset Ranch began as a personal decision rooted in something simple: ownership, stability, and the desire to build something lasting.
In 2021, we purchased our 25-acre property in Villa Rica, Georgia with the intention of learning how to grow food, raise animals, and make our land productive. We didn’t start as experts—we started as students of the land, figuring things out step by step and sharing that journey openly on social media.
As we documented what we were doing—planting, harvesting, building, and learning—something unexpected happened. People started paying attention. Then they started asking questions. Then they started showing up.
In that first year, we opened our land to hundreds of people who wanted to see, in real life, what it looked like to take control of your food, your space, and your future. What we realized in that moment was that this wasn’t just about us. There was a growing number of people who were ready to learn, but didn’t know where to start or who to learn from.
Without intending to, we were helping to spark something bigger—people began buying land, growing their own food, and thinking differently about self-sufficiency.
In 2022, we hosted our first official event, Ready Expo. We expected a modest turnout. Instead, the response was overwhelming. People came not just to observe, but to learn, connect, and take action.
That experience made one thing clear: there was a real need for spaces where practical knowledge could be shared in a way that felt accessible, relevant, and grounded in real experience.
In 2023, we made a deliberate decision to rename the event the Black Homesteader Conference.
This was not about exclusion. It was about intention.
Homesteading spaces have historically not always felt welcoming or accessible to Black people, especially when they are often held in rural environments where representation is limited. We wanted to remove that uncertainty. We wanted people to know—before they even arrived—that this was a place where they could feel comfortable, seen, and supported.
At the same time, the conference has always been open to everyone. The mission is to create a space where knowledge is shared, community is built, and people leave more equipped than they came—regardless of background.
Now in our third year, we continue to open our land with the same purpose:
To bring people together.
To share real, practical skills.
And to help individuals and families move toward greater independence, ownership, and resilience.
This isn’t theory.
This is lived experience—shared in real time, on real land, with real people.
In 2022, we hosted our first official event, Ready Expo. We expected a modest turnout. Instead, the response was overwhelming. People came not just to observe, but to learn, connect, and take action. That experience made one thing clear: there was a real need for spaces where practical knowledge could be shared in a way that felt accessible, relevant, and grounded in real experience.
In 2023, we made a deliberate decision to rename the event the Black Homesteader Conference. This was not about exclusion. It was about intention. Homesteading spaces have historically not always felt welcoming or accessible to Black people, especially when they are often held in rural environments where representation is limited. We wanted to remove that uncertainty. We wanted people to know—before they even arrived—that this was a place where they could feel comfortable, seen, and supported.
At the same time, the conference has always been open to everyone. The mission is to create a space where knowledge is shared, community is built, and people leave more equipped than they came—regardless of background.
Now in our third year, we continue to open our land with the same purpose:
To bring people together.
To share real, practical skills.
And to help individuals and families move toward greater independence, ownership, and resilience.
This isn’t theory.
This is lived experience—shared in real time, on real land, with real people.
Learn how to turn your lived experiences into powerful stories that build influence, impact, and income. This keynote explores how your journey, when properly understood and communicated, can create opportunities and legacy.
The Key to Farming for Profit This workshop explores how farmers and homesteaders can increase profitability by working together instead of competing. Participants will learn strategies for building partnerships, sharing resources, and creating collaborative systems that strengthen both individual businesses and the broader community.
The Black Homesteader Conference offers a range of workshops led by experienced practitioners in homesteading, land use, business, and community resilience.
Sessions are designed to provide practical, real-world knowledge that participants can apply immediately—whether on land, in small spaces, or in everyday life.
Learn practical, time-tested methods for preserving food so your harvest lasts year-round. This session covers canning, storing, and extending the shelf life of fruits, vegetables, and prepared meals—helping you reduce waste, save money, and build a reliable food supply.
This beginner-friendly workshop teaches you how to successfully start seeds and grow your own food from the ground up. Learn soil basics, planting techniques, watering, and how to create a thriving garden whether you have a backyard or limited space.
Discover how to grow abundant, nutrient-rich food without soil and without needing a large yard. This workshop teaches how to set up simple, affordable hydroponic systems for apartments, patios, and small spaces. Learn about lighting, nutrients, and crop selection so you can grow food anywhere.
An introduction to beekeeping for beginners interested in honey production, pollination, and sustainable land practices. Learn how to start and maintain a hive, understand bee behavior, and support a healthy ecosystem on your land.
Learn how to grow food and raise animals even in small spaces, residential neighborhoods, or urban environments. This session focuses on creative, practical strategies to maximize limited space while still building a productive homestead.
Learn how to raise and maintain worms as both a soil-building tool and a source of income. This workshop covers feeding schedules, care techniques, and how to turn worm farming into a small-scale agribusiness—even with limited space.
This workshop introduces homesteading in a way that is accessible, culturally relevant, and empowering for individuals and families at any stage. Participants will gain a clear understanding of what homesteading is, learn practical ways to begin growing their own food, and take part in a hands-on planting experience. Attendees will leave with a simple, actionable plan to start their homesteading journey and a deeper connection to food, discipline, and self-sufficiency.
Understand how to raise, care for, and process chickens and quail for food and sustainability. Learn which breeds to choose, how many you need, and how to successfully manage them in both large and small spaces.
Learn how to design a functional and sustainable homestead using mapping techniques such as base maps, water flow, and sector planning. This session also covers fruit tree placement, energy systems, and efficient land use to support long-term self-sufficiency.
This session explores how to educate children while living a homestead lifestyle. Participants will gain insight into creating a learning environment that integrates daily life, land-based skills, and intentional teaching.
Understanding the Earth, Energy, and Natural Cycles This interactive session explores the connection between growth, energy, and the natural cycles of the earth. Participants will reflect on how life develops and responds to its environment while deepening their awareness and connection to the land. The experience is designed to encourage presence, intentional living, and a more grounded understanding of growth in both nature and everyday life.
Learn how to build a functional home using shipping containers without taking on heavy debt. This session walks through the process of designing and constructing a small, affordable home—including how a 2-bedroom, 1-bath structure can be built for under $10,000.
Learn strategies to reduce expenses, eliminate unnecessary taxes, increase income, and build long-term wealth. This session focuses on practical financial systems that help you keep more of what you earn and grow it intentionally.
Community-Based Preparedness in Action This interactive workshop focuses on the power of community in building true self-sufficiency. Through group-based scenarios, participants will learn how shared resources, teamwork, and collective decision-making strengthen resilience in off-grid and emergency situations.
Understand how life insurance can protect your family, land, and future wealth. This workshop breaks down policy types, coverage strategies, and how to use insurance as a tool for long-term financial security and legacy planning.
This session explores how land ownership creates opportunities for income, stability, and generational wealth. Learn practical ways to monetize your land while building a lasting legacy for your family and community.
This session connects health, nutrition, and funding opportunities for homesteaders and landowners. Learn about managing conditions like diabetes and PCOS through diet, while also exploring available grants to support land-based projects and agricultural initiatives.
Learn how to prepare your household for emergencies such as power outages, severe weather, and supply disruptions. This session covers essential supplies, building a 72-hour kit, and practical steps to create a family emergency plan.
An open and practical discussion on real-world preparedness. This session draws on lived experience to explore what it truly takes to be ready for emergencies and how individuals and communities can strengthen their resilience.
Learn the basics of hunting and firearm safety as tools for food sourcing and self-reliance. This session introduces responsible practices and foundational skills for those looking to incorporate hunting into their homestead.
A hands-on workshop focused on communication during emergencies and grid-down situations. Participants will learn how to use radios, practice real-world scenarios, and develop the skills needed to stay connected when traditional systems fail.
An honest conversation about the realities of homesteading beyond the highlight reel. This session explores the emotional, financial, and relational challenges of building a land-based life and how to stay grounded through it.
A youth-led session sharing real experiences of off-grid living. Learn practical skills like building fires, foraging, raising animals, and collecting water—through the lens of young homesteaders living it daily.
This hands-on workshop empowers women to confidently take on building projects around their homestead. Learn how to safely use power tools, complete basic construction tasks, and become self-reliant when it comes to maintaining and building your own structures.
A conversation led by teens about what it means to grow up learning land, responsibility, and self-sufficiency. This session gives young people a voice while inspiring other families to involve their children in the homesteading journey.
Learn how to use AI tools to streamline your business, reduce time spent on repetitive tasks, and focus on what actually grows your homestead or brand. This session makes technology practical and accessible.
This session introduces participants to the basics of foraging and how to identify and use natural food sources. Attendees will learn practical, beginner-friendly ways to start recognizing what’s already growing around them and how to incorporate it into their lifestyle.
This session connects mindset, strategy, and land ownership—showing participants how to move from short-term hustle to long-term building. Attendees will learn how to apply disciplined thinking, understand their relationship to the land, and use it to produce, sustain, and build something that lasts.
Learn how drones can be used to monitor crops, assess land, and make better decisions about your property. This workshop demonstrates how aerial data can improve productivity, identify issues early, and support long-term land management.
The Black Homesteader Conference is a weekend gathering focused on practical skills for growing food, stewarding land, building income, and increasing self-sufficiency. It is held on a working 25-acre homestead in Villa Rica, Georgia.
The conference will take place May 8–10 in Villa Rica, Georgia at Kayaneh’s Sunset Ranch.
Your ticket provides full access to the entire weekend, including all workshops, speakers, and activities.
No. The conference is open to everyone.
Tent camping and RV dry docking are available.
This is primarily an outdoor event.
Comfortable clothing, notebook, water bottle, sunscreen/hat.
Registration is available online.
All ticket sales are final.
Tickets are available until sold out.
