Small Farm & Food Fest
Join us for a whole day dedicated to eating healthy, small farms, hobby farming and homesteading skills.
Event details
* this page may be updated if event is repeated in the future *
MetroParks' free Small Farm & Food Fest celebrates healthy eating, sustainable living
Join MetroParks on the farm for a celebration of healthy eating and sustainable living with dozens of hands-on activities, a pop-up farmers market, demonstrations, speakers and more.
Festivalgoers will experience modern-day and historical farming techniques, along with gardening, food preparation, cooking, homesteading and home sustainability activities. The event will be hosted at the Carriage Hill MetroPark visitor center and historical farm.
“As food prices rise, sustainable living skills like growing, preparing and storing your own food are more relevant than ever. These practices are not only better for the environment — they can be affordable too,” said Rick Musselman, MetroParks education coordinator.
Demonstrations, workshops and activities are ongoing from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. as a part of the 1880s country fair at the historical farm and include:
- Food and gardening: Heirloom vegetable display, exotic fruit stand and canned goods display
- Life on the farm: Blacksmithing and woodworking
- Family fun: Children’s games, steam engine with complimentary steamed corn and wagon rides
- Live animals: Draft horse demonstrations and heritage breeds of livestock
- Textiles: Rope making and textile display
Additionally, visitors are welcome to visit the pop-up farmers market offering a variety of goods, from produce and native plants to handcrafted soaps and beyond. Community organizations and small businesses will also be on site, sharing their expertise on the region’s food system, composting, gardening, outdoor education and more.
Local speakers will explore a variety of topics beginning at 10 a.m. Speakers will be in the Daniel Arnold Barn and display barn on the historical farm. Topics covered are:
- Amending the Soil: Leeoria Willis, Ohio State University, Montgomery Co.
- Packing a Healthy, Yet Cost-Saving Lunch for Your Kids: Erin Talzzia, Dayton Children’s Hospital
- Basics of Butter Making: Annie Foos, Saint Anne’s Cheese Co.
- Growing your own Microgreens: Kelly Babcock, GC Grotto
- Dehydrating at Home: Deborah Spencer, Five Rivers MetroParks
- Growing and Preserving Root Crops: Bryna Chandler, Drunken Duck Farm & Rescue
- Vegetables that Keep Growing After You Harvest Them: Betty Hoevel, Five Rivers MetroParks
Food from a variety of local food trucks, including Pa’s Pork, I Heart Ice Cream, Kona Shaved Ice, El Buen Taco, The Wrappin’ & Rollin’ Cafe and Fifty5 Rivers Cold Brew will be on site.
This event is free to the public and for all ages.
Photos: Small Farm & Food Fest
Links & Tags
Carriage Hill Farm & MetroPark
Five Rivers MetroParks.
