AT SOUTHFORK HOMESTEAD In Paris, Illinois

Homesteading Since 2016

The Homestead Freedom Festival is a two-day event filled with distinguished speakers and demonstrations in Paris, Illinois.
Join us and become part of a growing movement to acquire the essential skills of animal husbandry, seed-saving food preservation, honeybee management, and so many other essential homesteading skills. Whether you are just beginning to think about becoming more sustainable or are already actively living it now, this is event is for you!

Tickets

General Admission (Adults)

Homestead Adventure (Kids)

VIP Access (Coming Soon!)

Special RV Parking

All ticket sales are final and nonrefundable.
The festival will be held rain or shine.

2025 speakers

(2026 Speakers TBD)

The finalized speakers, performers, demonstrators, and vendors are still subject to change.

Joel Salatin

Farmer

Dr. Temple Grandin

Professor of Animal Science

Michael Wilson

Homesteader

Jim & Joelle Kurczodyna

Homesteaders

From Scratch Farmstead

YouTube Channel⁠

Cora Bowe

Homesteader

A Pinch of Patience

YouTube Channel

Jill Ragan

Homesteader

Whispering Willow Farm

YouTube Channel

Darryl Patton

Southern Herbalist

Amazon Store

Rachel Hester

Homesteader

Whoopsy Daisy Farm

Zac Baur

Homesteader

An American Homestead

YouTube Channel

David Dhom

Beekeeper

Mary Liz Wright

Cooking Show HOst

What's Cooking with Mary Liz Wright

YouTube Playlist

Malerie Knop

Founder

Barefoot Microgreens

Marke & Peter Krieger

Owners

Krieger's Wholesale Berry Plants

Bridgman, Michigan

David Stelzer

Founder, Farmer & CEO

Azure Standard

2025 Schedule

Demonstrations Throughout Friday & Saturday

Blacksmith, Live Honeybees, Weaving on a Loom, and many more!

Day 1: Friday, June 20th

	Southfork Homestead Tent	Azure Tent	Krieger Wholesale Area
7:30 am	Gates Open
9:00 am	OPENING SESSION
9:00 am	Jill Ragan Whispering Willow Farm Garden Inspiration	Clyde MaJerus Clyde Garden Planner Fall Garden Timing	Mark & Peter Krieger Krieger's Nursery Starting a U-Pick Farm
10:30 am	Zach Bauer An American Homestead An Organic Homestead	Mary Liz Wright University of Illinois Extension Office Cottage Food Laws	Rachel Hester Whoopsy Daisy Farm Intro to Dairy Sheep
12:00 pm	Lunch/Food Vendors
1:00 pm	Cora Bowe A Pinch of Patience Stop Trying to Do Everything	Randy Grahm Curtis Orchard Everything Apple Trees	Jim & Joelee From Scratch Homestead Soap Making
2:00 pm	Darryl Patton Herbalist Health & Herbs	Dayton Bournique Modern Survival Instructor Preparedness & Tactical Awareness	Zach Bauer An American Homestead Fermentation
3:00 pm	David Dhom Beekeeper Everything Honeybees	Malerie Knop Barefoot Microgreens Growing Microgreens for Profit	Joel Salatin Polyface Farms Book Signing
4:00 pm	Mark & Peter Krieger Krieger's Nursery Growing Berries on the Homestead	Pappa Hank Natural Grammce Mobile Chicken Tractor
5:00 pm
5:30 pm	MUSIC
5:30 pm	Simon Wood & (Miss Edgar County Queen) Aubrey Lawson Folk Pop Music Artists
6:30 pm	Coal Creek Bluegrass String Band
7:30 pm	Dakota Danielle Country Music Artist
8:30 pm	MAIN ACT
8:30 pm	Genavieve Linkowski Christian Singer & American Idol Contestant

Day 2: Saturday, June 21st

	Southfork Homestead Tent	Azure Tent	Krieger Wholesale Area
7:30 am	Gates Open
9:00 am	OPENING SESSION
9:00 am	Joel Salatin Polyface Farms Caring for Creation	Darryl Patton Herbalist Wild Herbs	Rachel Berry IL Hemp Association Hemp: Why, When & How
10:00 am	Joel Salatin Polyface Farms Caring for Creation	Keene & Cindy Keene Garlic How to Grow Garlic Successfully	Jill Ragan Whispering Willow Farms Sourdough
11:00 am	Dr. Temple Grandin Animal Behaviouralist Homestead Livestock	Clyde MaJerus Clyde Garden Planner Helpful Gardening Ideas	Darryl Patton Herbalist Herbal Walk on the Homestead (meet at the pavilion)
12:00 pm	Lunch/Food Vendors
1:00 pm	Jim & Jollee From Scratch Homestead The 5 Acre Homestead	Malorie Knop Barefoot Microgreens Growing Microgreens for Profit	Cora Bowe A Pinch of Patience Salt Curing Meat
2:00 pm	David Stelzer Azure Founder & CEO Farm Soil & Health	Dr. Temple Grandin Animal Behavioralist Autism Q&A	Mary Liz Wright University of Illinois Extension Office Canning Your Harvest
3:00 pm	Rachel Hester Whoopsy Daisy Farm Intro to Dairy Sheep		Joel Salatin Polyface Farms Chicken Processing
4:00 pm	Book Signing and Speaker Meet & Greet (located at the Speakers' Tent)		Joel Salatin Polyface Farms Chicken Processing

2025 Sponsors

Other Details

Activities

View All

T-SHIRTS

$20 + S&H

Available soon!

Be a VENDOR

Set up your booth at our unique event!

FOOD

The Outlaw Grill and other food trucks will be available on site!

Be a Sponsor

Sponsors will get advertising and recognition during the festival.

VOLUNTEER

$75 Fee

Volunteers serve an 8-hour shift and gain admission to the 2-day festival to enjoy when they are not on their shift.

Volunteers must be at least 18 years old and capable of serving a full 8-hour shift outdoors. Dress accordingly for possible extreme weather, such as cold rain, or intense sunshine. Volunteers will be assigned to a shift on Thursday, Friday, or Saturday at our discretion. Childcare not provided.