Learn New Skills and Build a Life You Love — The Homestead Event
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Meet the February 2026 Sponsor of The Journal newspaper
But, what is The Journal newspaper?
Diligent Homemakers in the Heritage Ways community around the world anticipate the arrival of the home-grown, community newspaper called The Journal. This publication is written by and for homemakers and homesteaders on topics such as sewing, cooking, animal husbandry, cleaning, child care, gardening, and other heritage skills. During an era when screens rule the day, rest easier while reading a publication that is printed on actual newsprint. Just the feel alone is enough to reduce the stressors of today’s fast-paced society. Enjoy the crossword puzzle or word search after getting a kick from the Trivia section. Meet with homemakers who share information about their lives across the States and from Canada and England. All readers are encouraged to submit “News from Home,” book reviews, recipes, jokes, inspirational messages, and more.
The Journal is not just a publication but a place where homemakers can meet and be reminded that the world is full of good people striving the same way as you. The publication has an underlying Christian worldview and does not accept writings or mentions on political topics.
Sit back and enjoy tips on showing hospitality, healthy living, homemaking improvements. Be sure to keep each issue as every one contains timeless and valuable resource material. Gardening tips, recipes, and advice from “Dear Granny” are sure to be as helpful next year as it is now.
The Journal is produced by an all-volunteer Staff. All subscription and ad/sponsorship revenue is used to purchase materials and postage. Read all about it and subscribe to The Journal newspaper here.
Advertisement and Sponsorship
The purposes of advertisements in this publication are to support small, local, home businesses and to off-set the production costs. In a world where fast, cheap and disposable are the norm, we promote higher quality, well-made goods, services and attitudes. Advertisements off-set rising costs of paper, ink, postage and other materials necessary to print this community newspaper.
Meet our February 2026 Sponsor
The Homestead Event™ isn’t just another festival, it’s a homecoming. A gathering of dreamers, doers, and dirt-under-their-nails builders who believe in taking life back to its roots. For two full days, the fields of East Tennessee come alive with the sound of legacy, laughter, and old-fashioned know-how. You’ll learn from seasoned homesteaders, craftsmen, and educators who live the lifestyle every day—raising food, building community, and creating resilience in a world that’s forgotten what real living feels like. This is where you find your people. Where you trade your screen for the soil and remember that freedom starts with your own two hands. Come learn, connect, and be inspired to build a life that doesn’t depend on the system. Welcome home to The Homestead Event™—where the movement lives, and you belong. (excerpt and photos used with permission from East Tennessee Homestead Alliance website)
Some of the speakers for this event are also on Staff for The Journal newspaper.
Founders
Steve and Sandy Eplett are the hard-working founders of The Homestead Event. In its third year, this event is quickly gaining momentum with folks from Tennessee and beyond. During the 2025 event, our family spoke with motivated attendees from many states and regions. Events such as this one are great opportunities to meet new people and make friends for life. What a joy to return each year to catch-up with like-minded folks!
Attend The Homestead Event in East Tennessee for inspirational messages, encouraging speakers, knowledgable teaching, and high-quality goods.
Click HERE for more information and ticket
2026 Dates and Location
- April 24th 2026 from 8:00 AM to 6:00 PM EDT
- April 25th 2026 from 8:00 AM to 6:00 PM EDT
- HARDIN VALLEY EVENT CENTER
- 2620 WILLOW POINT WAY, KNOXVILLE, TN, 37931 US
Learn new generational skills in the beautiful hills of east Tennessee.
Click HERE for the 2026 Speaker Line-up!!
Thank-you to The Homestead Event by East Tennessee Homestead Alliance for Sponsoring the February 2026 issue of The Journal newspaper
Family Favorite Recipes
Years ago my Mr. Patient and children encouraged me to write down many of their favorite recipes in one book. My first cookbook, From Katie’s Kitchen, Vol. One, includes 205 of the recipes that they requested. This book has become a fan favorite with Heritage Ways homemakers world-wide. Get your copy HERE and start cooking our many of the recipes that our family has been cooking for generations.
The Heritage Ways Diligent Homemaker’s Commitment
As Diligent Homemakers, we do the best we can with the resources we have at the time. These resources include our time, physical health and energy, money and possessions. We commit to using these God-given resources to the best of our abilities and give ourselves grace in the process.
Lazy hands make for poverty but diligent hands bring wealth.
Proverbs 10:4 of The Holy Bible, NIV
Count your blessings and know you are loved,
Mrs. Katie of Heritage Ways
