OSR Homesteading Festival
Itinerary 2025

Ancient Grains – By Greg Hall

Greg Hall is the founder and owner of Khorasan Mills, a Utah-based business focused on organic and regeneratively grown ancient grains like Khorasan wheat, spelt, einkorn, and emmer. These grains are considered “ancient” because they have remained largely unchanged for thousands of years, unlike modern wheat varieties that have been heavily hybridized. Hall’s work involves educating people about the nutritional benefits of these grains, their lower and more digestible gluten content, and their use in baking, particularly sourdough. With over a decade of experience in whole-grain and sourdough baking, he partners with farmers using sustainable methods to produce flour and bread mixes. His mission ties into a broader interest in historical grain cultivation and traditional milling practices, though he operates in a contemporary setting rather than with literal ancient mills.

Beekeeping & Honey – By Brian Cleaver

Brian Cleaver is a commercial beekeeper with over 10 years of beekeeping experience in Utah, Nevada, Arizona, California, and South Dakota. He runs over 4,000 hives in his bee operation called Stoddard Honey. He loves caring for his hives and helping others perfect their own beekeeping operations.

Berries, Grapes, Lavender, & Lilacs Propagation – By Coralee & Mike Carroll

Mike obtained a Bachelor’s Degree in Industrial Design at BYU. The classes required for this degree provided him with valuable problem solving skills. Coralee obtained a Bachelor’s degree in Business Education at BYU. Coralee was a vocalist with the BYU Young Ambassadors. And, yes, we met and were married while attending the “Y”.

Neither Mike or Coralee have special certifications in horticulture/gardening. But, we do have degrees in the “gardening school of hard knocks”….38 years of hands-on experience.

Coralee’s four children and nine grandchildren know that if she is missing, she’s on the hillside gardening.

Thirty-eight years ago, when we bought our 1/2 acre on the east bench in Centerville, our hillside was scrub oak, wild almond trees and various natural grasses. It now consists of multiple terraced levels with 15 fruit trees, grape vineyards, berries, lilies, daisies and various ground cover plants. We have completed lots of gardening research online. But, we have discovered what works best for us is trial and error. Honestly, the best advice I can give you is “Just Do It”. Get basic information, then go plant and don’t be afraid of failure. Failure will happen, but successes will also.

We use cuttings propagation to grow additional grapes, berries, lavender and lilacs. We use our 10’x20’ polycarbonate greenhouse to protect our cuttings in a stable, warm, humid environment until their root systems are well established. Once the plants are thriving, we market/sell them.

Butchering & Tanning – By Keith Mitchel

An Innovator in the Meat and Leather Industries—he is a distinguished expert in the meat and leather industries, has built a remarkable career rooted in a deep passion for history, traditional practices, and sustainable living. Rising from a working-class background, Keith’s journey from a youthful enthusiast to a seasoned professional exemplifies dedication, innovation, and resilience.

CEB (Compressed Earth Block) Home Building – By Jonathan & Emily Satterthwaite

The Satterthwaites have spent three years developing the expertise to make Compressed Earth Blocks. They are now operating close to full production speeds and producing beautiful blocks for homes and outbuildings. These blocks are inexpensive and are used for several of the homes here at Riverbed Ranch.

Emergency Communications that Really Work – By David Gillmore

Learn how you can inexpensively communicate with loved ones 1, 5, 10, 40, 100 or 2,000 miles away when cell towers and the grid are down. This is emergency communications made easy. We’ll answer all your questions and you’ll get in-class hands-on experience.

Emergency Preparedness – By Larry Jones

Larry and his wife Jenny have been working on preparedness since they were married over 40 years ago. Their goal has been to have enough food and preps for them and their 5 children and now for their additional 9 grand children to survive for two years. They have food, clothing, emergency solar power, clothing, etc. to survive. They even put in a pool for their water storage along with a water purification system that could provide for their water needs for several months. But what if there is some calamity that lasted for more than two years?

Now Larry and Jenny live in the Utah OSR Land Cooperative community where they live on a self-reliant, off grid homestead. Instead of just two years of preps, they have a perpetual source of food, water and power.

But what if there is a breakdown in one of their systems? Such as, what if the solar system breaks, the well pump fails, there is a late Spring freeze that destroys the fruit tree blossom, or some other catastrophe?

Larry will share some tricks and tips to make it through emergencies, even if you thought you were prepared or not.

Fall Gardening, Seed Saving & Companions – By Cindy Richards

Join our engaging presentation designed to inspire and empower you with essential gardening skills tailored for the fall season. Learn the fundamentals of gardening that will help you thrive and love your garden.

In this presentation, you will:

• Master Fall Gardening Techniques: Discover the best practices for growing a bountiful garden in the cooler months.
• Save and Preserve Seeds: Learn the art of seed saving to ensure a sustainable and self-sufficient homestead.
• Explore Companion Planting: Understand how planting certain crops together can enhance growth, deter pests, and improve soil health.

Whether you’re a seasoned gardener or just starting, this presentation will provide you with valuable insights and practical tips to make your gardening journey enjoyable and productive.

Embark on a path to self-sufficiency and enrich your homestead with these essential gardening skills!

Food Preservation – By Jenny Jones & Kristen Taylor

Discover the Art of Food Preserving

Join us for an engaging exploration into the world of food preservation. Learn various methods to extend the shelf life of your produce and enjoy seasonal flavors year-round.

Our presentation covers:

• Water Bath Canning: Perfect for preserving high-acid foods like fruits and pickles.
• Pressure Cooker Canning: Essential for low-acid foods such as vegetables and meats.
• Dehydrating: A simple way to remove moisture and store foods compactly.
• Freeze Drying: Retain the nutritional value and flavor of foods for long-term storage.
• Salting & Smoking: Traditional techniques to enhance flavors and preserve meats.
• Fermentation: Food fermentation is the process of creating food or changing the properties of food using microbes. Many cultures ferment food to preserve them.

We will discuss the pros and cons of each method and provide basic instructions to encourage you to experiment with different forms of food preservation. Whether you’re a novice or looking to refine your skills, this session will offer valuable insights and inspiration. Dust off those old talents or learn something entirely new to keep your pantry stocked with homemade goodness.

Join us to unlock the secrets of food preservation and take your homesteading skills to the next level!

Geothermal Greenhouse, Windmills, & Worms – By Eric Cleaver

Eric is an experienced builder, dirt worker, and family man. He loves projects. Two of his favorite projects are growing in a geothermal greenhouse and raising worms to help the soil! He is a continual learner!

Growing Vegetables in a Hoophouse – by Michelle Roberts

In this class we will teach you the techniques to garden successfully in hoophouses and hightunnels. While I’m trained in traditional gardening methods, I transitioned to organic, sustainable practices 25 years ago. Now, my focus is on working in harmony with nature by promoting healthy soils teaming with microbes, earthworms, and beneficial insects. Because there is so much to know about success as a gardener, along with understanding how to grow “year round”, and the many different philosophies that abound, I have also created a guide for a more in depth understanding of gardening tips and techniques.

Growing Your Own Medicine (and What to Do With It) – By Sarah Vezzani

Transform your life by integrating herbs into your daily routine! This engaging presentation will show you how to harness the incredible benefits of herbs for nutrition, hygiene, beauty, and first aid. Discover key natural healing principles that will help you become more self-sufficient and less reliant on conventional medicine.

We will explore the fascinating patterns in nature that reveal how to cultivate health within your body, shifting the perspective from using herbs solely in times of illness to embracing their tonic properties for building and maintaining health.

Gain confidence in using basic herbal methods like teas, tinctures, capsules, poultices, and washes. Learn about the profound connection between the soil microbiome and our gut microbiome, and how herbs can play a crucial role in healing both.

Join us and empower yourself with the knowledge to lead a healthier, more holistic lifestyle!

In addition to Sarah’s presentation, she will have a booth and she will have a tour of her homestead.

High Tunnel Greenhouse – By Philip Gleason

Founder of the OSR Initiative and the Utah OSR Land Cooperative. Currently CEO of OSR Green, LLC and the Arizona OSR Land Co-op known as Coslor Cove, a second off-grid agricultural land co-op. In addition, a board member of the Academy of Self-Reliance. Currently resides on his 2-acre off-grid homestead at Riverbed Ranch.

Home Construction Methods Tour

This tour will include a presentation on ICF (Insulated Concrete Forms), Yurts, Shed-to-Home, Straw Bale, & Fold-Up homes.

Home Medical Prep – By Bobbi Astle

Bobbi has been fascinated with first aid since the age of 12. She has raised four children and managed the complicated medical care of her mother-in-law for 11 years. She has trained in person with The Patriot Nurse and online with PESI and Healthy Preparedness.

Homeschooling – By Homeschooling Moms

Come learn from our homeschooler teachers about various techniques and ideas on how they teach our children here at the Ranch.

Teachers:

• Bobbi Astle
• Tiffany Croft
• Cheryl Olson
• Ellen Pecchia

Each teacher will share their techniques on how they homeschool. Then we will open the forum for Q&A’s.

In addition to their presentations, the teachers will have a booth available for people to come by and ask questions regarding homeschooling.

How and Why to Make Your Own Yogurt – By Bobbi Astle

In this presentation, students will learn the health and cost benefits of making yogurt at home.

There will be 2 demonstrations of the complete process of making yogurt:

• One method of using store-bought milk
• The other method of using raw milk

At the end of the presentation, written instructions and samples of the yogurt will be available.

In addition to Bobbi’s presentation, she will have a booth where she is selling the tools and supplies necessary to make homemade yogurt.

How To Grow Food As If Your Life Depends On It (Because It Might!) – By David Gillmore

You’ll learn how to produce 5 to 10 times more food with less space, less time, less work, less water, less weeds and less cost. Regardless which gardening method you use once you understand and implement the six laws of plant growth you’ll grow your dream garden consistently year-after-year, in any soil, in any climate, and with no soil amendments.

ICF (Insulated Concrete Forms) Home Building – By Wayne Johns

Wayne is an experienced ICF builder. He will be sharing his insights on ICF buildings and the ICF construction process. ICF homes are built using Insulated Concrete Forms. This method uses interlocking foam forms to create walls. These forms are filled with concrete, creating highly energy-efficient, durable, and fire-resistant structures.

Intentional Community Self-Government – By Philip Gleason

Founder of the OSR Initiative and the Utah OSR Land Cooperative. Currently CEO of OSR Green, LLC and the Arizona OSR Land Co-op known as Coslor Cove, a 2nd off-grid agricultural land co-op. In addition a board member of the Academy of Self-Reliance. Currently resides on his 2 acre off-grid homestead at Riverbed Ranch.

Living on a Homestead Tour – By Tom & Kathy Barnes

We started with bare ground and have worked to develop a homestead including orchards, animals, green houses, future pastures, a home, and a barn. We will share what we have learned from our 50+ years of a homesteading lifestyle.

Living With Chickens – By Kristen Taylor

Kristen joined the Utah OSR co-op homesteading community, generally referred to as Riverbed Ranch, in March 2021. She is a long-time back yard master gardener and composting enthusiast. She began composting and raising chickens in San Jose, California. in 2000. At Riverbed Ranch, she is determined to use her chickens to help generate compost and is crazy about her “chicken tractor on steroids.” The coop is a poop machine with a fantastic end product (rich compost). She loves her hard-working chickens

Natural Health Options – By Healthcare Givers

This presentation will be a combination of 3 presentations:

• Discover Foot Zoning and Alternative Health Options
• Natural Birth
• Natural Healthcare on the Homestead

Discover Foot Zoning and Alternative Health Options – By Kati Pope

Join our enlightening presentation to explore the benefits of foot zoning and discover a range of alternative health options to enhance your well-being.

What You’ll Learn:

• Foot Zoning Basics: Understand the principles and techniques of foot zoning, a holistic approach to health that focuses on balancing the body’s systems through targeted foot massage.
• Health Benefits: Learn how foot zoning can promote overall health, reduce stress, and improve energy flow.
• Alternative Health Practices: Explore various natural and holistic health options to support your physical and emotional well-being.

Presentation Highlights:

• Hands-On Demonstration: Experience a live demonstration of foot zoning techniques.
• Holistic Health Tips: Gain practical insights into incorporating alternative health practices into your daily life.
• Interactive Q&A: Engage with the presenter to get your questions answered and deepen your understanding.

This presentation is perfect for anyone interested in holistic health approaches and looking to expand their knowledge of natural healing methods. Come and discover new ways to achieve balance and wellness in your life!

Natural Healthcare on the Homestead – By Clint Astle

Join our comprehensive presentation to ensure your safety and well-being while living an active homestead lifestyle. Learn how to prevent common injuries, manage acute injuries, and recover quickly and safely.

What You’ll Learn:

• Common injuries that can occur with an active homestead lifestyle.
• Limiting these injuries from occurring.
• If injured, how to recover quickly and safely.
• Acute injuries –the first steps to take.

Presentation Highlights:

• Identify common injuries that may occur on the homestead.
• Identify general safety measures to prevent injury.
• Identify basic exercise that will help prevent injury.
• Identify initial steps to take with an acute injury.
• Identify basic principles for a quick, safe recovery from injuries.

Natural Birth – By Richelle Jolley

Richelle has been practicing the art of midwifery as a Certified Professional Midwife, assisting childbirth in the home, for 24 years. She received her calling to midwifery in 1996 when she had a dream that she was assisting one of her sisters to give birth. Since that time, she has assisted over 800 women in bringing their babies into this world, almost all of them giving birth in their homes! Her focus and fulfillment lie in her desire for God to be glorified through her work and through the role she plays as mentor, guide, and teacher. She directs parents to place faith and trust in God and to believe in their ability to receive inspired guidance as stewards over their pregnancies, babies, and births.

Powering the Resilient Homestead – By Robert Beal

Robert Beal, a homesteader with a professional background in designing mechanical solutions to satisfy industrial needs.

Since making the move to the innovative Riverbed Ranch community in 2021, Robert has been immersed in designing a resilient, modern off-grid homestead, employing a systems approach to ensure redundancy and efficiency. In his talk, “Powering the Resilient Off-Grid Homestead,” Robert will delve into his designs for solar power as the primary energy source, and his strategies for integrating it with complementary systems such as wind generators, solar well pumps, diverse heating options (electric radiant, propane, heat pumps, masonry heaters), and even forward-thinking concepts like sand batteries for his year-round greenhouse.

Prepping For Zion- Utah Co-op Shows the Way – By Jesse Fisher

What if building a better world wasn’t just a dream—but something we could start doing right now?
Drawing from Utah’s co-op history, prophetic insight, and real-life examples, this talk explores how voluntary cooperation—not competition—is the practical and spiritual foundation of a Zion society — the type of society a loving God might want for us to enjoy. Whether you’re LDS or not, if you care about resilient communities, local living, and shared prosperity, this is for you.

Jesse is a 7th-generation Texan who married an Arizonan! He’s a long-term gardener and business owner and now a homesteader and staff writer for the Academy of Self-Reliance. He’s the author of the ebook, “Your Matrix Exit Plan” and “Champions For Zion: Remarkable Teachings on Building Zion by Early LDS Leaders”. He enjoys gardening, launching private schools and now off-grid, self-reliance communities. Happily married father of 5 and “Grandpa” to 5 more.

Regenerative Agriculture – Dr. Shanon Brooks

Shanon is the Director of the Center for American Legacy Studies. He is the author of AMERICAN: Killing the American Dream and A Thomas Jefferson Education for Teens.

For over 30 years, Brooks helped to found and run two alternative education colleges with an emphasis on the Five American Ideals. He has extensive experience in farming both in livestock and vegetable crops. He was responsible for a 40-acre chicken farm at the age of 14, and worked on a dairy for several years. He farmed his entire childhood and into young adulthood until he began his two year religious service followed by his military service in the United States Submarine Fleet.

He holds a Bachelor’s degree in business administration, a Master’s degree in education, and a Ph.D. in constitutional law.

Small Engine Maintenance and Repair – By Jonathan Olson

Jonathon has lived off-grid, full-time for 3 years come June. He has learned a great deal about producing power for our needs and wants. His background is in construction and electronics. Jonathan will show the basics of maintaining and repairing small engines.

Soap Making – By Ellen Pecchia

Ellen’s founding principle is that all things are possible through Christ. She has a variety of experiences serving others: 4-H, Rotary Club, AmeriCorps VISTA, ESL certification, Life Leadership, Emmett Valley Friendship Coalition, community gardens, food pantries, and soup kitchens. She has been speaking and teaching with these organizations and people (from ages 0 to adult) for 35 years.

The New Economy – By Dr. Shanon Brooks

Shanon is the Director of the Center for American Legacy Studies. He is the author of AMERICAN: Killing the American Dream and A Thomas Jefferson Education for Teens.

For over 30 years, Brooks helped to found and run two alternative education colleges with an emphasis on the Five American Ideals. He has extensive experience in farming both in livestock and vegetable crops. He was responsible for a 40-acre chicken farm at the age of 14, and worked on a dairy for several years. He farmed his entire childhood and into young adulthood until he began his two year religious service followed by his military service in the United States Submarine Fleet.

He holds a Bachelor’s degree in business administration, a Master’s degree in education, and a Ph.D. in constitutional law.

The 20 most important herbs in my herb garden & why – By Sue Gillmore

Having learned the 3 secrets and a system that simplifies the process of choosing the best herb(s) or herbal remedy for you holistically, I will show you how I used that system to come up with the 20 most important herbs I want to have in my herb garden if I had to live off grid or independent of the current health care system. With this system, you will be able to choose the most vital herbs to have in your herb garden to take care of your family’s health and wellness needs.

3 Secrets to Choosing the Best Herbal Remedies – By Sue Gillmore

Part 1:

When I started learning about the medicinal plants that grow in my neck of the woods and put together my herbal reference manuals, it didn’t take long for me to see that medicinal plants have multiple overlapping health benefits. This complicated the practice of herbalism for me. My Master Herbalist coursework had trained me to think in terms of one herb for one symptom, much in the same way that modern allopathic medicine approaches illness. Not all herbs are appropriate for all people. Many herbs are gentle and food-like, while some are quite potent. Most are generally regarded as safe, but some herbs may not agree with specific individuals. Learning these 3 secrets will help you not only choose the best herb or herbal remedy for what ails you, but for you as a whole person: mentally, emotionally, spiritually AND physically.

Part 2:

Virtually every Traditional, Folk or Holistic system of Herbalism focuses on the use of the local plants that can be found in their neck of the woods to support health and wellness. These systems also share some common generalizations about the qualitative nature of people and plants. These generalizations are collectively referred to as plant energetics and tissue states. Now that you are familiar with the 3 secrets to choosing the best herbal remedy, I’ll share a system that simplifies the process of correlating plant energetics with tissue states in the body so you can choose the best herb(s) for what ails you as well as what will work best for you holistically.

5 lost American ideals: the art of building resilient communities – By Dr. Shanon Brooks

Shanon is the Director of the Center for American Legacy Studies. He is the author of AMERICAN: Killing the American Dream and A Thomas Jefferson Education for Teens.

For over 30 years, Brooks helped to found and run two alternative education colleges with an emphasis on the Five American Ideals. He has extensive experience in farming both in livestock and vegetable crops. He was responsible for a 40-acre chicken farm at the age of 14, and worked on a dairy for several years. He farmed his entire childhood and into young adulthood until he began his two year religious service followed by his military service in the United States Submarine Fleet.

He holds a Bachelor’s degree in business administration, a Master’s degree in education, and a Ph.D. in constitutional law.

Yurts – By Spencer Farris

Coming Soon