MURPHYSBORO – Whether you live in the third story of an apartment or on a 10-acre plot of land, homesteading skills can help bring you and your family closer to the food you eat. Illinois Extension is hosting a series of programs in 2024, with an introductory workshop on Jan. 18 in Murphysboro.
From planning and organization to prioritization and multitasking, this program will empower you to strike the perfect balance between homesteading tasks and everyday life commitments. Gain the tools and knowledge to create a harmonious and productive homestead lifestyle as you grow, raise, and preserve your own food.
Maggie Ray, local foods and small farms program coordinator, introduced the first homesteading program in 2023, and is excited to bring it back for the coming year.
“Over the past year, 16 unique programs were offered covering topics like organic gardening, soap making, canning, seed saving, and more,” said Ray. “While each program was a separate event in the series, many participants attended most of the monthly events.”
The first program is a general introduction to the homesteading series. The workshop is on Jan. 18 at 5:30 p.m. at the Jackson County Extension office at 402 Ava Rd. in Murphysboro. Register by calling 618-687-1727 or visit go.illinois.edu/Intro2Homesteading. Additional programs scheduled for early 2024 include:
- Fruit Trees 101- Feb. 1
- Small Fruits 101- Feb. 22
- Composting- March 14
The programs are part of the modern homesteading series that includes a variety of workshops led by educators and experts throughout the state. To learn more or register for upcoming programs, visit go.illinois.edu/ModernHomesteading or call 618-687-1727.
University of Illinois Extension provides equal opportunities in programs and employment. If you need a reasonable accommodation to participate in programming, contact Maggie Ray at mro@illinois.edu. Early requests are strongly encouraged to allow sufficient time to meet your access needs.
