Homegrown Dreams
Helping renters and owners alike to incorporate sustainable home-growing practices in urban or rural settings
Homegrown Dreams: Beginning Steps Toward Land-based Living
Are you dreaming of living more closely with the land, planning a homestead, or beginning a land-based business? This live online course focuses on how to forge the essential connection between sustainable land stewardship and a values-driven livelihood built on that land. We help you create a plan that aligns your goals with the land's resources and develop concrete next steps toward making that plan a reality. We will delve into:
Options for land ownership and alternative forms of land access
Land assessment and beginning planning using a holistic approach–what to look for and how to plan from the resources you actually have
Prioritizing your needs and goals, so you don’t burn out and have joy in your life every day
Creating a step-by-step, focused plan for growth and progress
Lessons from others who have started successful farms or homesteads
Whether your interest is in full-time or part-time, individual or group, rural or urban homesteading, this is for you!
What will the course include?
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We will discuss the different ways farmers and homesteaders have traditionally accessed land, along with some alternative pathways to consider, including tips on successful governance if you are a group or co-op living on land you have already acquired.
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Introduction to Land Potential: Understanding the key features of a parcel that you need to consider before buying or leasing land in Southern Appalachia.
Land Observation & Assessment: Top things to assess on the land, working with your design, and imagining the possibilities
Zones & Layout: How to efficiently organize land use for modern homesteading or mixed-use purposes.
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Clarifying personal values: ground yourself in core values for your land-based living dream, which will help guide and center you throughout the process
Start to craft a holistic context to center your values.
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Strategic planning: crafting a step-by-step action plan based on your land assessments and personal/group goals and priorities
Monitoring and adaptation: setting up systems to track progress and adapt plans based on land performance and market feedback.
Community-building and networking: tapping into local communities for support, knowledge sharing, and collaboration.
What will the course NOT include?
We will not be discussing specific skills or techniques related to land-based living, such as milking goats, home fermentation or preservation, or growing specific crops. To learn more about these skills, we recommend attending the OGS Spring Conference each year!
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2026 Homegrown Dreams
Course Dates: Thursday evenings in May (May 7, 14, 21, 28)
Time: 7-8:30 pm
Location: Online
Cost: $100 for the whole course, including session recordings and handouts. (You can replay and revisit the session content whenever you like!)
Meet the Instructors
