Small Farm & Food Fest

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.

Family fun - Families can enjoy tractor-pulled wagon rides, kid-focused activities such as heirloom gardening, butter making, sewing, weaving and spinning

Live Animals - view draft horse demonstrations, then visit the farm animals at the Historical Farm

Living History Stations - displays of heirloom gardening, textiles, and livestock, alongside active demonstrations of rope making and more

Ask a Gardener Talks -  expert-led discussions focused on sustainable gardening essentials

Foodways Talks - Learn timeless food preservation and preparation techniques through sessions on hot water and pressure canning, dehydrating meals, cast iron maintenance, and the evolution of camp cookery.Historic Neubauer Barn Ongoing Ask a Gardener Talks

Pop-up farmers market - featuring local growers, artisans and more

Food trucks - bites from seven local food trucks will be available during the event

2026 Speaker Schedule (Daniel Arnold Barn at the Historic Farm)

• 10 to 10:30 a.m.: Unusual Varieties for the Kitchen Garden, Rick Musselman, Education Coordinator, Five Rivers MetroParks
• 11 to 11:30 a.m.: Edible Landscaping, Lauren Craig, Humble Hive Consulting
• 12 to 12:30 p.m.: Creating a Sustainable Wardrobe: Repurposing Old Clothing, Caitlin Wilson, Seeds and Scraps
• 1 to 1:30 p.m.: Harvesting Honey, Andrea Hancock, Happy Wife Acres
• 2 to 2:30 p.m.: Plants Every Homesteader Should Know and Grow, Todd Strong, Horticulturist, Five Rivers MetroParks
• 3 to 3:30 p.m.: The Basics of Pruning Fruit Trees in Your Yard, Gary Gao, Professor and Extension Specialist, Small Fruit, The Ohio State University Extension
• 4 to 4:30 p.m.: Good Soil Health, Linsey McFadden, Exec. Dir. B-W Greenway Community Land Trust

This event is free to the public and for all ages.

Photos: Small Farm & Food Fest

Links & Tags

Carriage Hill Farm & MetroPark

Small Farm & Food Fest is taking place at Carriage Hill Farm & MetroPark, which is located at 7800 E. Shull Road in Huber Heights. Carriage Hill Farm & MetroPark - Farm life in the 1880s comes alive at Carriage Hill MetroPark.

Five Rivers MetroParks.

Five Rivers MetroParks - Five Rivers MetroParks protects the region's natural heritage and provides outdoor experiences that inspire a personal connection with nature. Bike rentals are available.