In this episode of the Joyfully Prepared Podcast, Wendi shares her takeaways from teaching and attending the East Tennessee Homestead Alliance Festival. From lockpicking and yogurt-making to goat milk soap and regenerative skincare, she recounts the variety of skills, vendors, and people that made the event so inspiring. Wendi also highlights her own classes on food preservation and building a waste-free pantry, offering listeners practical ideas they can apply at home. Whether you’re just getting started with self-reliance or deep into the homestead lifestyle, this episode will spark ideas, connect you to community, and remind you that preparedness can be joyful.
In this episode, you’ll hear about:
–The highlights of the East Tennessee Homestead Alliance Festival
–Skills demonstrated: soap making, yogurt making, candle making, lockpicking, tomahawk throwing, animal processing, and more
–Family-run businesses selling soap, skincare, honey, teas, and handmade products
–Why these events are valuable for inspiration, community, and learning new skills
–Wendi’s classes on food preservation (including dry pack canning) and building a waste-free pantry through meal planning
–Encouragement to start small and use resources like the Joyfully Prepared Library to keep growing your skills
–Links to vendors and sponsors mentioned, including Azure Standard, goat milk products, and Garden Grown Beauty
Resources & Links Mentioned:
Garden Grown Beauty (regenerative skincare)
Appalachian Wiggle Butts – Goats Milk Lotions and Soaps