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A family‑friendly LSU AgCenter event dedicated to hands‑on learning in homesteading, small‑scale food production, and self‑sufficient living.
Hosted by: LSU AgCenter
Location: Red River Research Station
262 Research Station Drive, Bossier City, LA 71112
October 16th and 17th, 2026
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Printable version of the 2026 Louisiana Homesteader Conference and Expo Speaker Agenda PDF.
Turning land into a lifestyle: Homesteading journey blossoms for Bossier City family
NW Region Red River Research Station | Bossier City LA | Facebook
The Advocate - Bossier City/Shreveport -Learn to raise animals, grow your food at this homesteading conference coming to Bossier
“Homesteader’s Conference brings locals, experts together to learn more about self-sufficiency.”
Louisiana Homesteader Conference – The Best of Times Radio Hour
Vendors Welcome!
Contact: Donna Haynes
318-408-0971
[email protected]
Are you ready to be aMAZEd?
Learn facts about agriculture throughout the corn maze!
All Day Maze Pass: $5
Red River Research Station
262 Research Station Drive
Bossier City, LA 71112
This two-day event is designed to provide attendees with valuable knowledge about homesteading, food production in small backyard acreages, and food preservation. Our goal is to empower participants to effectively care for their land, livestock, and natural resources.
There will be vendors with an assortment of products, food trucks, activities and a play area for kids, multiple photo opportunities sites throughout the event including pumpkin, cotton and sunflower patches, hayrides and a corn maze. Come enjoy this family fun event and don't miss out on the multiple topics that will be covered by our speakers.
Meet special guests Anna and Bruce from Swamp People on October 17 at 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. for alligator hunting and mushroom foraging demonstrations. Scroll down to learn more about our special guests.
Dates: October 16-17, 2026
Location: Red River Research Station, 262 Research Station Drive, Bossier City, LA 71112
| Time | Tent | Topic | Speaker | Affiliation |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1:00 p.m. | 1 | Basics of Backyard Chickens and Eggs | Will Strickland | LSU AgCenter, ANR Poultry |
| 2:00 p.m. | 1 | Growing Heritage Fruit Trees for Food Security | Anthony Hoff | Heart and Harvest Homestead |
| 3:00 p.m. | 1 | Blueberry: The Backyard Super Fruit | Dr. Hanna De Jesus | LSU AgCenter, Assistant Professor |
| 4:00 p.m. | 1 | Processing and Preserving Chickens | Jessica Salley | Former LSU AgCenter Nutrition Agent |
| Time | Tent | Topic | Speaker | Affiliation |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 9:00 a.m. | 1 | Planning, Planting and Harvesting Vegetables | Mark Wilson | LSU AgCenter, Horticulture |
| 9:00 a.m. | 2 | Pawpaw Tree Cultivation in Louisiana | John Hudson | Pawpaw Association |
| 9:45 a.m. | 2 | Goats on Your Homestead | Tyler Barlow | LSU AgCenter, ANR |
| 10:00 a.m. |
1 | Alligator Hunting, Mushroom Foraging and Demonstrations | Bruce Mitchell and Anna Ribbeck | Special Guests, “Swamp People” |
| 11:00 a.m. | Demonstration | Plow Day | North Louisiana Vintage Tractor Club | N/A |
| 12:00 p.m. | 2 | Pond Management | Ken Rust | Enterprise Aquaponics |
| 1:00 p.m. | 1 | Heirloom Seeds and Seed Preservation | Kerry Heafner and Marcy Wilson | LSU AgCenter, Horticulture |
| 1:00 p.m. | 2 | Nutrition for Disease Prevention | Abigail McAlister | LSU AgCenter, Nutrition Agent |
| 2:00 p.m. | 1 | Sourdough | Coutney Butts | KTBS, Nutritionist |
| 2:00 p.m. | 2 | Beginning Beekeeping | Billy Hummer | Hummer and Son |
| 3:00 p.m. | 1 | Backyard Poultry and Egg Production | Will Strickland | LSU AgCenter, ANR Poultry |
| 3:00 p.m. | 2 | Rabbits on Your Homestead | Samantha Starkey | Starkey Farmstead |
| 4:00 p.m. | 1 | Basics of Canning and Food Preservation | Erin Stockton, Ashlynn Taylor and Jessica Salley | LSU AgCenter Nutrition Agents and former LSU AgCenter employee |
"Anna and Bruce" from swamp people, October 17, 2026, 10:00AM. - Alligator Hunting, Mushroom Foraging & Demonstrations
The Louisiana Homesteader Conference is a family‑friendly, outdoor learning event hosted by the LSU AgCenter at the Red River Research Station. It brings together experienced homesteaders, beginners, and curious landowners who want to learn practical ways to grow food, raise livestock, and live more self‑sufficiently on small or backyard acreages.
The conference offers educational sessions led by experts on topics such as livestock production, vegetable gardening, food preservation, and natural resource management. Designed for hands‑on learning, the event equips attendees with real‑world skills they can take home and apply, whether they are managing a few acres or just starting their homesteading journey.
In addition to presentations, the conference features interactive attractions, vendor demonstrations, and activities for all ages. Rooted in the LSU AgCenter’s mission to innovate, educate, and improve lives, the Louisiana Homesteader Conference celebrates Louisiana agriculture while empowering individuals and families to build more resilient, sustainable lifestyles.
