Have you ever dreamed of living a more sustainable, self-sufficient lifestyle?  Eating healthier foods that you produce yourself? Significantly lowering your expenses?  It's possible to do all of that--whether you live on a farm in the country, a cul de sac in the suburbs or an apartment in the city.  

David Fitzgerald, an experienced homesteader is going to share how it’s possible to not only create a more self-sufficient lifestyle, but also how to create a new way of life.  David has a wealth of homesteading experience.  Approximately a decade ago, after becoming increasingly concerned with the quality of food available and the direction the economy was taking, David purchased some wooded land in Goochland County and built an amazing homestead.  First, he constructed his home and barn, primarily by himself using wood harvested from his property.  David then took up beekeeping and now has well over 150 beehives which generate dozens of gallons of honey each year.  Not only does David sell his honey, he also makes beeswax products with the excess wax.  Additionally, David either hunts or raises his own meat.  He hand-built a smoke house where he cures his own ham and bacon.  Additionally, he raises free ranging, organic meat and laying chickens, not only for his own use, but also markets the meat and eggs to his loyal customers.  David has built large, organic garden beds that produce much of the produce he and his family consume.  He also grows some niche agricultural products--fingerling potatoes and garlic, which he again markets to his customer base.  In the winter months, David keeps busy with his blacksmith and broom making enterprises--both of which are skills he mastered since moving to his homestead.

David is a dynamic speaker who will undoubtedly leave you inspired.  He'll share his experiences as well as provide a list of resources to help get you started in your own homesteading journey.  David will also have an extended Q & A session for those participants who have specific questions.  This workshop will be held at The Powhatan Village Community Building Auditorium, which is in the old Powhatan High School located in the County Courthouse.  The address is:  3910 Old Buckingham Road, Powhatan, VA 23139

Directions are as follows:

Directions to the Village Community Building Auditorium (the old high school) in the Historical Village of Powhatan

From the intersection of 288 and Rte 60:

Proceed West on Hwy. 60 thru 6 traffic lights, about 11½ miles. 

Lights are at:

·        Old Hundred Road (still in Chesterfield)

·        South Creek Shopping Center (Food Lion, Village Bank, Italian restaurant, pharmacy, ABC Store, etc.)

·        Jude’s Ferry (Bank of Powhatan on right)

·        Flat Rock (with Sheetz Gas station/Convenience Store  and a  McDonald’s on the right)

·        Red Lane Road (intersection undeveloped at this time)

·        The 6^th light is at Rt. 603 Academy Road (there is an older Food Lion shopping mall on the right with Allen’s Chinese Restaurant, a Chiropractor, a pharmacy, a Subway Sandwich Shop, an ABC Store, etc.) 

Just beyond the intersection with Academy Road (about 150 yards or so) turn left onto Rt. 13 and go about 2½ miles, past the traffic circle at the County Administration Building,  past Four Seasons and County Seat Restaurants on the left, past the Courthouse Complex on the right to 2 older brick school buildings on the right.  The first, lower building is “Powhatan School” and you will see the “Human Services Building” sign out front.  The larger building is the old high school (now houses the Community Auditorium).  Come through the front doors and straight into the auditorium. 

There is limited parking in front of the Human Services Building, or there is a large lot beside the larger, old high school building.  Otherwise, it is ok to park along the streets as designated.