Modern Homesteading Conference: Reflections from an Occupational Therapist

Returning to the Modern Homesteading Conference

I just got back from the Modern Homesteading Conference. This conference is only in its second year (the only one on the west side, I believe). While everything is fresh I wanted to briefly review it, as both a homesteader and as an occupational therapist (looking at the accessibility side of things). Also, as a mother of young ones (ages 2-7) I wheeled around a three seat stroller and wagon full of toys and activities without too much difficulty.

Don't want the review and just want the conference info? Here's their website https://modernhomesteading.com/. Check out last weekend in June (Friday / Saturday; June 27,28 2025) for any conflicts to being in Coeur d'Alene, Idaho, then plan your trip! I'd recommend getting your hotel / air bnb / camp spot asap. Conference VIP tickets go fast since there's a limited number (and you can hang out with the speakers) but at least the last two years I'm not aware of regularly priced tickets selling out. They've also had a 20% off promotion a month or two before the conference (and had a $50 off discount both years for attendees who sign up within a short time of the conference). Check out their website but adult tickets were $149, children $49 (ages 3-17), or families $399. Please note, I don't get any kickback for this review, I just want west side homesteaders to know about it and to be able to consider going even if they have accessibility concerns, since removing barriers to homesteading is my jam.

Pictures from top left: Jessica Sowards presenting on choosing the right livestock and garden for the space you have, Anne of All Trades presenting on creating a sustainable homestead business, roundtable of speakers (almost all of which I've watched their youtubes and/or read their books, etc.), my son and I taking a picture with Melissa K Norris at her book signing table, my son and I taking a picture with Joel Salatin at his table last year, Temple Grandin (keynote speaker) at the Arena, Salatin chicken butchering demonstration with my daughter (who has such a huge heart for animals) choosing to sit in the front, my husband (wearing his runner duck shirt I got him!) listening to a presentation from afar with the stroller (likely with a cranky child).

For us, I won family tickets to the first conference as part of a challenge I participated in, in Melissa K Norris' membership group (Pioneering Today). While at the conference I purchased discounted tickets to the next year's conference for my husband and I and two of our kids (one was free, being below three). After this the family pass will make more sense, and my fourth kid won't cost anything extra when she's three!

To get a flavor of the conference before spending money on travel and tickets (or if you can't make it), you can actually purchase the recorded previous conferences (though not necessarily the demonstrations or keynotes). I purchased last years as a thank you to my cousin for farm sitting while we were gone, for only $50 (while it was on discount). It's currently on their website for $99.

The cost is well worth what you get from the conference. To start with the downsides, the cost of staying in Coeur d'Alene is fairly steep if you have more than four people. Travel can be great but can also be a downside (it takes us 5.5 hours to drive each way from Western Washington, so my husband had to take work off both Thursday and Friday, and that's time away from the homestead). Being in person is worth it, but with so many events being online it does take a reframing at least in my mind to make the logistics actually happen. Especially since there is nothing particularly geared towards kids (and we don't have a scenario right now where we could leave our kids with someone short of an emergency). It is VERY child friendly (space to park strollers and wagons, many classes outdoors under tents where the kids can run around in grass nearby, this year a family tent with coloring books, time between sessions to find a good spot and go potty etc., and friendly speakers and attendees who don't glare at you between the time your toddler starts acting up and you escape to the back of the room / outside), but I do wish there was a kids program I could drop the kids off at even if it were just an hour in the morning and hour in the afternoon to give them something geared towards them and break up the day.

Okay, now that we got through the few inconveniences.... I hope you stick around for the many upsides.

Inspiration and Community

One of the most uplifting aspects of the summit is the sense of community. Being surrounded by other passionate homesteaders (at all different "levels") provides endless inspiration. The speakers were top-notch, sharing insights that ranged from sustainable farming practices to practices that can make homesteading life much improved. The overall atmosphere was a good one.

As someone who hates to shop, I actually really liked the vendors there as well. The vendors obviously care about their products, many are obviously high quality (many I know of from personal experience, from purchasing from them in the past or after finding them at the first conference), and made locally in small family businesses. And they were all friendly to kids.

Also, as someone whose husband has been more reluctant about some of the homesteading aspects, he has come away from both years with ideas of what he would like to do on the homestead (without me nagging!). At one of the round tables (including Joel Salatin, Anne of All Trades, Carolyn and Josh from Homesteading family, and more!) they said to come up with a motto for the year, so on the car ride home my husband came up with Poop to Table! He took a composting class and is already figuring out where we are going to set that up and turn our animal's poop into nutritious food on the table :D Farm to Table is an overused phrase now anyway, right?

Accessibility Matters

As an occupational therapist and a mom of three young children, who has attended many professional conferences as an occupational therapist and a few business events, I was particularly impressed with how doable it was to bring my kids. Navigating the event with a three-kid stroller and a wagon full of toys was surprisingly manageable. I saw multiple others with larger families, wagons for hauling whatever they needed, and various modes of transportation (such as walkers, wheelchairs, and crutches).

The conference provided golf carts from the parking lot for those that needed it and the timing allowed for you to get to where you needed to go (or check out the vendors more if you have the time). It's a fairgrounds, so has ramps where needed and accessible bathrooms. Space was left in the back without chairs to allow for wheels (and the chairs are foldable / moveable so if one person needs a chair and one brought their own you would still be able to sit together) without blocking the aisle. Visibility was fine from the back, as the rooms are not so large you can't see the speaker and there are also screens to project the presenters (and/or their presentations). As I was sitting in the back I did not notice if any seats were reserved for visual or hearing impairments but would assume that they would accommodate as needed. I have no personal information on ASL interpreter needs at the event or closed captioning availability.

The arena (which also, unfortunately, is the largest gathering space so is where the keynote was) was the worst accessibility wise, as those of us with wheels were off to the side and without seats for those that didn't bring their own (such as strollers, wheelchairs, or walkers with seats) and without shade. Being pregnant this was uncomfortable to stand, especially in the hot sun, but still worth it. The arena seats are hard seats without backs, so wouldn't have been that much more comfortable, though make it easier to see the speaker's presentation and is in the shade, so would be my preference.

Also, if for whatever reason you can't attend the whole session (screaming baby, fatigue, etc.), or have memory issues (or like most people, just can't remember everything you hear the first time), or just can't be in two places at once and really want to see more presentations, you can purchase the video recordings at a discount during the conference).

Until the next time

I'm already looking forward to the next conference and can't wait to see how it continues to grow and evolve. We may skip this coming year's as we are hosting a large family reunion and will likely need that weekend to prep, and I don't want to add too much with another baby on the way. As a "rule" though I will be budgeting the time and money to attend this conference every year I can.

If you haven't attended the Modern Homesteading Conference yet, I highly recommend it. Whether you're a seasoned homesteader or just starting out, there's something for everyone. Plus, you'll leave feeling inspired, connected, and ready to take your homesteading journey to the next level.