Missaukee Conservation District Presents: Renewable Roots Retreat 2026

Description

You already know the value of doing things yourself - growing your own food, tending your land, and building a life that doesn't depend on someone else's supply chain. The 3rd Annual Renewable Roots Retreat is a full day designed for people who think exactly like you do.

Join us in the heart of northern Michigan for hands-on sessions covering everything from beekeeping and wildcrafting to soil health and native plant propagation - surrounded by like-minded folks who believe that the most radical thing you can do is learn to take care of your own land.

November 5th, 2026 | 9 AM - 8 PM Timber Wolf Lake Camp | Lake City, MI

EARLY BIRD PRICING: $95/ticket - Save $20 by purchasing early. | Offer expires June 30th, 2026 - Regular Price: $115

Register now: missaukeecd.org/renewable-roots-2026

This year's retreat features over 15 expert-led sessions packed with the kind of practical, applicable knowledge that homesteaders live for. No fluff — just real skills you can take home and put to work.

Featured Session: Beekeeping 101 with Rachel Potter of Clam River Honey Whether you've been thinking about adding a hive for years or you're ready to expand what you've already started, this beginner-friendly session is your entry point. Rachel Potter covers the essentials of hive management, seasonal care, and what it actually takes to keep bees thriving on your property. Pollinators are the heartbeat of any productive homestead — and this session gives you the foundation to support them well.

More sessions you won't want to miss:

Tinctures & Salves with Native Plants - Learn to craft your own herbal remedies and skin-care preparations from Michigan's native botanicals. Practical, empowering, and immediately useful.

Infusing Honey with Herbs - Tiffany Jones of Wexford Conservation District walks through the art and science of botanical honey infusions — a perfect companion to your beekeeping practice.

Biochar Backyard Basics - Koffi Kpachavi of Grand Traverse Conservation District breaks down how to make and use biochar to dramatically improve your garden soil, reduce waste, and build long-term fertility into your land.

Tissue Culture for Native Plant Propagation - Della Fetzer of Rebel Cultures shares innovative techniques for propagating native plants — expanding what's possible for your food forest, pollinator garden, or permaculture design.

Michigan Farm Link -Ag Education & Resources -Jill Dohner presents programs and resources available to small and beginning farmers in Michigan, including tools that could benefit your homestead operation.

Forest Management Strategies - Tony Fox of Fox Forestry covers sustainable approaches to managing wooded land — invaluable if your property includes timber, wildlife habitat, or woodland foraging areas.

Forest Carbon Credit Programs -Marshall Moore of MCD explores how landowners with forested acreage can potentially generate income through carbon markets — a conversation worth having if you're stewarding significant land.

County Recycling Initiatives Field Trip - An off-campus visit to the Lake City Recycling Center for those interested in closing the loop on waste at the community level.

Michigan Vernal Pools Partnership -Julie Crick of MSU Extension covers these often-overlooked ecological gems — worth knowing about if you're managing land with seasonal wet areas.

And yes - there's live music by Seth Bernard over lunch, a silent auction, and exhibitor booths to browse. Breakfast and lunch are included with your ticket. Overnight accommodations at Timber Wolf Lake Camp are available for an additional fee, so you can make a full weekend of it if you'd like.

The Renewable Roots Retreat isn't a conference. It's a gathering of people who are serious about living closer to the land and learning from each other. If that's your people, we'd love to see you there.

Early Bird pricing ends June 30th - lock in your spot before it's gone. 👉 missaukeecd.org/renewable-roots-2026

Questions? Reach us at missaukeecd.org or call 231-839-7193.

See you at the camp,

Erin Horton Conservation Outreach Coordinator Missaukee Conservation District 231.839.7193 | missaukeecd.org

Made possible by the 2024 Missaukee Conservation District millage, up for renewal in 2030.