Event Information
Boston Mountains Homesteading Workshop
A fundraising event for the Chester Farmers’ Market on March 7, 2026
Visit
https://chesterarfm.com/search to print off your registration fees.
Workshop Schedule
8:15-8:45 Registration and Announcements
9:00-10:00 Session 1
10:00-10:15 Break
10:15-11:15 Session 2
11:15-1:00 Lunch & Shopping Time
1:00-2:00 Session 3
2:00-2:15 Break
2:15-3:15 Session 4
3:15-4:00 Shopping Time
Pricing
Adult Registration (Ages 16+)
☐ Adult Class — $10 (Pre-register by Feb 20) / $15 (Late)
☐ Adult Lunch — $10
☐ Full Workshop + Lunch — $50 (Pre-register) / $70 (Late)
Additional instructor fees (if applicable) are included in the online price.
Child Registration (Ages 5–15)
☐ Child Class or Kids Corner (per session) — $5 (Pre-register Feb 20) / $7 (Late)
☐ Child Lunch — $5
☐ Full Workshop + Lunch — $25 (Pre-register) / $33 (Late)
Children attending class with an adult do not pay instructor fees when sharing supplies.
Young Children (Ages 0–5)
☐ Kids Corner with adult — Free
Event Information
Pre-register by Feb 20th for discounted rates.
Classes with 1 & 2 at the end of the title are two sessions long. Please sign up for both sessions to properly learn the skill.
Lunch is hearty soup and salad bar for adults and sack lunch for children. You are welcome to bring your own lunch if you prefer and are not required to purchase lunch. If you do plan to eat with us please try to purchase lunch with your tickets so we can plan accordingly.
Many instructors will be selling additional supplies related to their class or their handmade items. There is no ATM in Chester at this time. Please have cash on hand for extra purchases from instructors' tables.
There are many unique local accommodations if you want to turn the weekend into a fun get away. Airbnb.com and beardandladyinn.com are great sites to start your search.
If weather permits participants often picnic in the nearby park. Bring a chair or blanket.
Additional Kids Corner Information
Adults supervising their children in Kids Corner do not need to pay any fee. If you plan for your child to attend an adult class with you and they are not able to stay focused or quiet you are welcome to take them to the Kids Corner at any point during the session.
Volunteers will lead activities for children and adults to do together in Kids Corner.
An adult needs to be with your children at all times. Volunteers will not be responsible for supervising your child this year.
Contact Staci Beauford with questions at
Ym1ob21lc3RlYWRlcnMgfCBnbWFpbCAhIGNvbQ== or 479-831-7014.
(an X indicates the class is being offered during that class session)
Class
Session 1
Session 2
Session 3
Session 4
Adult Only Classes
Canning 1 & 2 + $10
1
2
1
2
Blacksmithing 1 & 2
1
2
Fly Tying 1 & 2
1
2
Home Herbal Remedies 1&2
1
2
Soap Making + $5
x
x
Fermentation + $20
x
x
Crochet
x
x
All Ages Classes
Mushroom Logs + $10
x
x
Goat Cheese Making + $5
x
x
Long Term Food Storage
x
x
Fresh Milled Four
x
Chicken Butchering
x
Foraging For The Home Apothecary
x
x
Raising Goats
x
Nutriplant Basics
x
x
Learn Your ROI
x
x
No Till Gardening
x
Children’s Classes
Hiking Stick
x
Square Foot Gardening
x
Nature Crafts
x
Fishing in the Natural State
x
Adult Only Classes (Ages 16 and Up)
Canning 1 & 2 - Yes you can… can! This complete canning class covers both waterbath and pressure canning. No need to be a rebel canner once we learn the simple science behind these methods to safely store food away for your family. This class is two sessions long. You must take both class sessions together. $10 Additional fee to cover expenses. Limited class size of 10. Register early! Get in the kitchen with Mary Loftis, Master Canner.
Blacksmithing 1 & 2 - This lifelong homesteader will cover all you need to know to establish a blacksmithing shop on your own and start making your own tools. You will also learn how to sharpen your tools. This class is two sessions long. You must take both class sessions together. Then watch the sparks fly as JD Edwards does a live demonstration of some of his favorite homestead basics.
Fly Tying 1 & 2 - Get hooked on learning the art of fly tying as we make tiny fishing masterpieces that actually catch fish. Then take your skills to the next level with an advanced second session with Courtny Bogan. You must take both class sessions together. Limit 10 per class!
Home Herbal Remedies 1 & 2 - Make use of all those herbs and medicinal plants as you learn to process them into products for your medicine cabinet. You will cover infusing oils, salve making and then making human and dog insect repellants with Cara Kious, Certified Master Herbalist of Apothe’Cara Botanicals You must take both class sessions together..
Soap Making - Learn to safely and easily make your own soap at home with Peggy Stephens. $5 Additional fee to cover expenses.
Fermentation - Come taste and create some microbial kitchen magic with Miss Mae of Fern Mountain Homestead and Outlaw Forge Works. The class is limited to 10 participants over the age of 21 with a class fee of $20. We will discuss the basics of lacto and yeast fermentation. Sample and take home some homemade wine, cheese, crackers, and vegetable ferments.
Crochet - Unwind and get creative in our hands-on crochet class, where you’ll learn basic stitches. Whether you’re picking up a hook for the first time or looking to master complex textures, this course provides personalized guidance to turn yarn into beautiful, handmade treasures.
All Ages Classes (Ages 5 and Up)
Mushroom Logs - Have fun with fungi in this class as you make your own mushroom log and set yourself up for a delicious harvest of Shiitakes right at home. Additional cost $10. Drew Beauford
Goat Cheese Making - Turn your goat milk into a special treat as Sophie Barr shares her years of experience making goat cheese. Then get hands on and learn the quick process of making farmer’s cheese to take home. Additional Cost $5
Long Term Food Storage and Freeze Drying - Learn all the ways to prepare your harvest for long term storage with Jay Gill.
Fresh Milled Flour - Learn how to make your own flour at home for increased self sustainability. Understand the benefits and nutrition of using fresh milled flour, plus tips, techniques and recipes. Sample fresh milled bread and other whole grain treats with Wendy Holland.
Chicken Butchering - Is it time for your chickens to become that perfect Sunday dinner? This hands-on class will walk you through the process of butchering your own chickens from start to finish. Put some meat on the table with Expert of Sunday dinners, Pastor Jeff Holland.
Foraging for the Home Apothecary - Explore the medicine cabinet right under your bare feet. Forage for every season as you learn what to look for, how to harvest it and how to process it with Eden of The Garden of Eden 1999.
Nutriplant Basics - Experience a Nutriplant product demonstration and learn how our concentrated products can increase yields with lower costs making the best use of your property. These products provide nutrients, water retention, and environmental protection to crops, seeds, and roots. Adam Bostwick, Independent Consultant
Learn Your ROI (Rest. Organization. Inspiration. ) - Explore the art of prioritization and organization and the importance of rest and well-being in staying inspired and completing your tasks. The aim is to equip you with essential skills to prevent burnout and maintain a sustainable pace while cultivating your space with Jolana Bostwick, M.S.C.D., Certified Wellness Coach & Master Gardener.
No-Till Gardening - If you are starting a garden this year or tired of fighting and failing in your current garden then help is here. From life as a child on a large no-till farm to implementing those practices in her own heirloom garden, Staci Beauford will share her love of soil and challenge you to experiment in the graden.
Raising Goats - Dreaming of adding goats to your homestead? Learn to properly care for your goats to see them truly thrive with Courtney Bogan. Then meet one of her own goats and enjoy all the cuteness!
Kid’s Corner Activities (Ages 0-15 with an adult)
Hiking Stick - Make your own hiking stick with a compass to take on your next adventure.
Square Foot Gardening - Learn all about the Square Foot Gardening Method as you plan your own 4 ft by 4ft garden to start at home.
Nature Crafts - Let your back yard be your new favorite place to create. From the useful to the artistic, learn new skills to make whatever you can dream up.
Fishing in the Natural State -Learn fishing skills and paint your own lure with a certified Arkansas Game and Fish Instructor. Then grab a provided pole with tackle and walk down to Clear Creek to cast a line.
Also check out other Workshops in Chester, Trips & Adventurous Activities in Chester, Kids events & activities in Chester.
