Learn More About All Of This Year's Presenters
Caitlin Walls
Mindy Lipinski
Mindy Lipinski
Caitlin Walls is the founder of Happy Humblestead. Here is what she had to say: "I had one dream after graduating college: escape the rat race. I'm still working on that dream, but I'm proud to say we come a little closer each year. I took my experiences as a kid on family farms, and started my own adventure. We began with rabbits in 20
Caitlin Walls is the founder of Happy Humblestead. Here is what she had to say: "I had one dream after graduating college: escape the rat race. I'm still working on that dream, but I'm proud to say we come a little closer each year. I took my experiences as a kid on family farms, and started my own adventure. We began with rabbits in 2019 as a way to heal myself from Alpha-Gal, and coturnix quail followed quickly after. My garden has had an extreme makeover each year, growing from a small spot in my front yard to now taking over the entire area. It's my greatest pleasure to share the knowledge I've gained along the way, to help others reach their goals and avoid the pitfalls we found.
Caitlin is sharing her experience in three presentations.
1- "Intro to Raising Rabbits"
2- "Your First Quail-ity Covey"
3 - KidZone presentation ~ Rabbits.
Mindy Lipinski
Mindy Lipinski
Mindy Lipinski
Mindy Lipinski is the owner of Revercomb Farms located in Bridgewater, VA. Her husband, Bobby, and 4 boys moved onto her great-grandparents homeplace and started their venture into all things homesteading, finally settling to focus on pastured piglets, poultry & eggs. She left her decade long career as a Merck microbiologist in April of
Mindy Lipinski is the owner of Revercomb Farms located in Bridgewater, VA. Her husband, Bobby, and 4 boys moved onto her great-grandparents homeplace and started their venture into all things homesteading, finally settling to focus on pastured piglets, poultry & eggs. She left her decade long career as a Merck microbiologist in April of 2021 to pursue the homesteader lifestyle and focus on expanding the farm.
In addition to the pigs & poultry, she runs & hosts (with the help of fellow homesteaders) on-farm workshops on a menagerie of related topics, ranging from animal husbandry & kitchen basics, to backyard processing.
Mindy will be sharing her knowledge in two presentations:
1- Pastured Pigs
2 - Raising Poultry
Dale D. Gehman
Mindy Lipinski
Dale D. Gehman
Dale D. Gehman, Grottoes, VA, a recent retiree, from Lancaster, PA, and his wife, Kendra, moved to VA after their daughter and her family bought a former dairy farm which had no driveway, no water, no sewer, no electric, no address, and no house. After almost 2 years of converting the dairy barn to a house, we moved into the former dairy
Dale D. Gehman, Grottoes, VA, a recent retiree, from Lancaster, PA, and his wife, Kendra, moved to VA after their daughter and her family bought a former dairy farm which had no driveway, no water, no sewer, no electric, no address, and no house. After almost 2 years of converting the dairy barn to a house, we moved into the former dairy barn’s in-law quarters in July of 2023.
In retirement Dale, who had a love of sheep from childhood, wanted to have a sheep or two! Kendra a fiber artist wanted wool sheep and Dale wanted hair sheep to sell for meat.
For about a year, Dale thought he might have to have 2 flocks of sheep , one for Kendra and one for Dale. But eventual Dale learned about Finnsheep which are both a wool sheep and a meat sheep(also could be a dairy sheep) and the rest is recent history!
Dale is in his third lambing season in Jan. 2024. Dale sells his lambs for meat, for starter flocks, and saves some for his own flock.
Gehman, a professional photographer and video producer, has traveled the world capturing the world in frames and sound bits. Gehman knows the universal word, photo (spelled foto in most of the world.) He has great interest in cultures, people, and nature (also sheep!)
Heather Butler
Mindy Lipinski
Dale D. Gehman
Heather Butler is an accomplished writer, podcast host, and inspirational speaker,
renowned for her captivating storytelling and insightful perspectives on personal growth
and empowerment through permaculture homesteading. With a diverse background in
permaculture, biology and chemistry, Heather brings a unique blend of expertise to her
work, inspiring audiences around the globe.
Joseph Martinez
Joseph Martinez
Joseph Martinez
Joseph’s first summer job when he was 14 years old was working in an apple orchard. 60 years later, he is still taking care of apple orchards in Rockbridge County, Virginia. He and his wife, Eva, have "Certified Naturally Grown" Orchards and a state-inspected Vinegar Brewery on their 10-acre homestead. They own Rockbridge Cider Vinegar
Joseph’s first summer job when he was 14 years old was working in an apple orchard. 60 years later, he is still taking care of apple orchards in Rockbridge County, Virginia. He and his wife, Eva, have "Certified Naturally Grown" Orchards and a state-inspected Vinegar Brewery on their 10-acre homestead. They own Rockbridge Cider Vinegar LLC, and sell hand crafted apple cider vinegar locally and throughout the state. In his presentation, Joseph will share his many years of experience with site selection for the homestead apple orchard, choosing varieties, Summer and Winter pruning, methods for wholistic orchard management, promoting the abundance of natural pollinators and insect predators, feeding the trees and orchard soils with on-farm inputs, managing orchard ground covers, and how to market value-added products from the Homestead Orchard.
Wesley Carroll
Joseph Martinez
Joseph Martinez
Wesley Carroll is the owner of Shenandoah Mushroom Co LLC. He has provided the valley with its first complete Mushroom and Mycology supply shop. Offering fresh mushrooms, grow kits, start to finish mycology supplies, guided educational forays, workshops, culinary experiences and more. From spore to Shroom and everything in between. Wesley
Wesley Carroll is the owner of Shenandoah Mushroom Co LLC. He has provided the valley with its first complete Mushroom and Mycology supply shop. Offering fresh mushrooms, grow kits, start to finish mycology supplies, guided educational forays, workshops, culinary experiences and more. From spore to Shroom and everything in between. Wesley is passionate about spreading his passion for Fungi, to provide our community with healthy gourmet and medicinal mushrooms, and share a deeper understanding of how Fungi can benefit each and every one of us.
TJ Walsh
Joseph Martinez
Margaret Crick
Innovative Safety Solutions was founded with the mission to provide high quality safety and health training services to as many people as possible.
With years of both hands-on experience and time spent in the classroom, Innovative Safety is able to deliver a training product that is second to none.
All training courses offered are in st
Innovative Safety Solutions was founded with the mission to provide high quality safety and health training services to as many people as possible.
With years of both hands-on experience and time spent in the classroom, Innovative Safety is able to deliver a training product that is second to none.
All training courses offered are in strict compliance with the standards set by the sponsoring organization. TJ, the owner and instructor, is an OSHA Authorized Outreach Trainer as well as a certified instructor and instructor trainer by both The American Red Cross and The Health and Safety Institute. Additionally, he holds trainer status with ServSafe and is a Certified Safety Trainer and Certified Safety Management Practitioner. TJ is also certified as a Pet CPR and First Aid Instructor by ProPetHero, a division of the nationally recognized ProHero Training Brand.
Other than training, TJ is passionate about safety and health and OSHA compliance. He also offers affordable consultation services in Workplace Safety and Workers Compensation Management.
Margaret Crick
Joseph Martinez
Margaret Crick
Margaret Crick, the owner of Open Door Homestead, has a passion for helping and encouraging others to start with where they are. After being raised on a farm and getting an education in Dairy Science, she left the family farm and took a career in the agricultural sales industry. During that time, she did what she could to provide for her
Margaret Crick, the owner of Open Door Homestead, has a passion for helping and encouraging others to start with where they are. After being raised on a farm and getting an education in Dairy Science, she left the family farm and took a career in the agricultural sales industry. During that time, she did what she could to provide for her family on small acreage. While keeping backyard chickens, pigs, and a large
garden she began her family, started homeschooling, and worked from home. In 2022 they purchased an additional 20 acres of animal ground and expanded their operation.
Open Door Homestead LLC now raises and sells hogs farrow to finish for custom processing and
USDA meat sales, Galloway beef for custom processing, day old chicks and pullets, fresh eggs, rabbits, dairy cows, and honeybees. We have a passion in animal husbandry and doing the very best for our animals to provide quality products for our customers. We believe that when an animal has a strong
healthy immune system then they are able to handle the stress of going to new homes much easier. We also love to share our passion of homesteading with others through workshops and mentorships.
John Snipes
Master Gardeners
Master Gardeners
John Snipes is the owner of Snipes Solur. He has lived in Augusta County since moving from Harrisonburg over 10 years ago.
John loves that his solar business gives him the freedom and flexibility to live his best life with his amazing wife and 4 children, all while helping his community homeowners and businesses gain their freedom from rising electric costs.
Master Gardeners
Master Gardeners
Master Gardeners
Extension Master Gardeners are individuals who undergo intensive training in the science and art of gardening, including plant care, soil health, pest management and sustainable gardening practices. Once trained, they volunteer their time and expertise as community educators in gardening and horticulture.
The CSV Master Gardeners will be s
Extension Master Gardeners are individuals who undergo intensive training in the science and art of gardening, including plant care, soil health, pest management and sustainable gardening practices. Once trained, they volunteer their time and expertise as community educators in gardening and horticulture.
The CSV Master Gardeners will be speaking on:
- Preparing Your Vegetable Garden
- Teas From the Garden
- Beneficial Insects
- Rain Gardens
- Vermiculture; Composting Indoors
Chris Shaw
Master Gardeners
Bob Holbert
Chris Shaw of Blue Ridge Beez started with bees ten years ago as a way to reduce allergy symptoms and it evolved into a hobby. Chris has attended Bee School in Southern NH and many conferences including: Randy Oliver, Ross Conrad and Jamie Ellis.
In 2020 Chris and his wife, Erica, moved to the Shenandoah Valley of Virginia to pursue the
Chris Shaw of Blue Ridge Beez started with bees ten years ago as a way to reduce allergy symptoms and it evolved into a hobby. Chris has attended Bee School in Southern NH and many conferences including: Randy Oliver, Ross Conrad and Jamie Ellis.
In 2020 Chris and his wife, Erica, moved to the Shenandoah Valley of Virginia to pursue their bee adventures and more bee fly time. They enjoy providing the local area with raw honey, bees and advanced wooden ware. Currently, they have 57 bee hives, 20 of which are nucleus colonies and 8 are brood factories.
Bob Holbert
Master Gardeners
Bob Holbert
Bob Holbert has been a Mediator with NCAMP since program’s inception in 2007, he’s also a lifelong resident of Polk County , NC. He’s married to his wife Linda and together they have two sons and five grandchildren.
He received A Bachelor of Science degree in Social Sciences Appalachian State University. He has spent 30 years working close
Bob Holbert has been a Mediator with NCAMP since program’s inception in 2007, he’s also a lifelong resident of Polk County , NC. He’s married to his wife Linda and together they have two sons and five grandchildren.
He received A Bachelor of Science degree in Social Sciences Appalachian State University. He has spent 30 years working closely with USDA’s (United States Department Of Agriculture) Farm Service Agency.
Mr. Holbert was formerly employed with Polk County Clerk of Court. Mr. Holbert also has work with North Carolina Dispute Resolution Commission (Or NCDRC) Certified Superior Court Mediator since 2007.