A Community-Grounded Program Blending Traditional Skills with Modern Wellness and Safety Practices
BUTLER, MO — Little Roots, Big Harvest: Homesteading Together is a dynamic educational series from University of Missouri Extension that empowers individuals and families to reconnect with homesteading traditions—while prioritizing health, wellness, and safety. The program offers a unique blend of virtual sessions and hands-on summer workshops, teaching participants how to grow food, raise animals, preserve harvests, and create sustainable systems, all rooted in research-based methods.
Participants don’t just learn how to homestead—they also gain skills for living well. Sessions incorporate wellness-focused topics such as mindful cooking, stress reduction, and using natural remedies to support a healthy lifestyle. Expert instructors also emphasize safety, offering detailed guidance on tool usage, food handling, and animal care to ensure participants build both practical skills and safe habits.
So far, three engaging sessions have been completed:
Vegetable Gardening – Led by Kelly McGowan, MU Extension Horticulture Field Specialist, this session offered space-saving tips and integrated pest solutions, like using Blue Hubbard Squash as a trap crop for squash bugs.
Berry Production – Ramon Arancibia shared best practices for growing strawberries, blueberries, and blackberries.
Upcoming: Introduction to Goats and Sheep – David Brown, MU Extension Small Ruminant Specialist, will provide a beginner-friendly overview of raising sheep and goats on May 13.
Virtual Series Continues Monthly
The virtual component continues with monthly sessions designed for beginner and experienced homesteaders alike. All dates land on a Tuesday and start at 6PM. Upcoming topics include:
May 22 – Freezing Produce & Meals
June 10 – Dairy Safety & Butter Making
July 8 – Managing Plant Diseases
August 12 – Introduction to Honey Bees & Beekeeping
September 9 – Greenhouses
October 14 – Sourdough Bread & Dehydrating
November 11 – Keeping Chickens for Eggs
December 9 – Homemade Soap & Cleaning Products
Registration is available online at https://extension.missouri.edu/events/little-roots-big-harvest-homesteading-together or by calling the Bates County Extension Office at 660-679-4167. Follow MU Extension in Bates County on Facebook for updates.
Hands-On Workshops Offer Deeper Learning
“There are in-person workshops scheduled this summer for a deeper dive into not just learning about these topics, but truly leaning into the skills,” said Sara Bridgewater, MU Extension Nutrition and Health Specialist.
Workshops are scheduled across three counties, and registration is required to participate.
Vernon County Workshops | 11:30 AM – 1:30 PM
June 9: Backyard Insects
June 16: Food Preservation
June 23: Dairy Safety & Butter Making
Bates County Workshops | 10:30 AM – 12:30 PM
June 11: Egg Candling, Sourdough Bread, Freezing, and more
June 24: Hive Value-Added Products – Beeswax Salves
July 1: Food Preservation
Cass County Workshops | 11:00 AM – 1:00 PM
July 7: Food Preservation
July 14: Egg Candling, Sourdough Bread, Freezing, and more
July 21: Cleaning Products, Herbs, Goat Soap, and more
For more information, workshop registration, or general inquiries, contact the Bates County Extension Office at 660-679-4167.
About MU Extension:
University of Missouri Extension provides practical education to help people improve their lives, communities, and economies. Through programs like Little Roots, Big Harvest, MU Extension continues its commitment to connecting Missourians with the tools they need for a healthier, more sustainable future.
