As a successful entrepreneur, Holistic Health Coach, Self-Sufficiency Guru and Author, Lacey's work is inspired by her love of nature and all things back-to-basic. A homeschooling mom through it all, she knows how difficult it can be to manage all of the above while meeting the needs of her 4 kids. She finds her most fulfilling work to be coaching others, especially moms, in tapping into their own beautiful and unique gifts to help them grow their personal creativity and confidence, which in turn benefits the whole family. Lacey's book, I Belong Here, was written to help women uncover the pitfalls that keep them from feeling fulfilled in their lives and businesses so that they will stop feeling stuck, and start feeling satisfied and successful, in their creative endeavors + at home.

​​Dylan Wright is a native Randolph County resident with a B.S. in Chemical Engineering from NC State and currently works for the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). He is passionate about self-sufficiency, environmental stewardship, and learning practices that challenge the status quo. He and his family began learning homestead life in 2018 and they are continuing to learn through gardening, keeping bees and laying hens, and raising meat rabbits. Dylan is appreciative of the outlook that homesteading has given him and his family - as their relationship with food, and the food system, have been forever changed.

Adam Barringer is an experienced farmer and homesteader with a diverse skill set that includes land stewardship, general maintenance, and problem-solving. Known for his versatility as a jack of all trades, Adam is dedicated to maintaining and improving his property while fostering a sustainable, self-sufficient lifestyle. His work is driven by a deep commitment to family, faith in Jesus Christ, and a passion for the outdoors. Adam approaches each task with diligence and care, always seeking practical solutions and long-term results. He will be teaching a chicken processing workshop. 

There is a connection between land, food, and humans that goes beyond what we can see physically. It’s this connection that Drew has been exploring for the past 20 years. He has been formally trained in permaculture design, Regenerative Agriculture, and Holistic Management. He uses those trainings along with years of experience to coach people in how to live a more connected life as a homesteader or farmer. A life where the everyday decisions look holistically at the land, livestock, and farmer, both physically and spiritually.

A distinguished doctor in the study of naturally healing New Millennium Diseases, Dr. Schwartz also has an impressive background in Nutritional Healing, Functional Medicine, Detoxification Therapy, and Corrective Chiropractic Care.

He has devoted his life to maximizing the health and human potential of his community and dedicates his time and expertise to provide the most optimal care for his patients and to teaching health seminars throughout the country. Dr. Schwartz is joining us to teach on functional medicine.

An expert in all things sourdough, Victoria Swan will teach our sourdough workshop. A few years ago she took a deep dive into our food industry after her oldest child developed a gluten allergy -- this unraveled every thing she'd ever been taught about health and nutrition. The high price of fancy gluten free labels led her to the kitchen where she spent the next few years not only providing healthier options for her family, but falling in love with all things sourdough. We are currently living in a time where lives are being unraveled by our food industry and health issues. Victoria believes it’s up to us to educate and help one another through our own journeys. She's looking forward to having the opportunity to give back to the community at Start Somewhere.

Bill Whisman is a Master Gardener, beekeeper, and home canner, but also has vast experience and knowledge with farming and raising/processing animals and game of all types. Bill is joining us to teach a workshop on all things gardening. From seeds to soil, he will teach us how to grow our own food. Whether you want to start your first garden or take your existing garden to the next level, be sure to attend Bill's class. 

Mark Case is a Master Beekeeper.

Mark has been involved with bees most of his life. Since 2011 he has been raising bees for honey production and pollination services. He specializes in removing honeybees from homes

and other structures. Mark is only one of about 100 Master Beekeepers in North Carolina and has been published in Bee Buzz magazine and others. Mark has over 100 ribbons for his honey and other products from the hive. Mark is President of the Randolph County Beekeepers Association and is active with his wife Roberta.

I moved to North Carolina in 2007 from Ohio. My husband and I have a “Brady Bunch” family – we each have 3 children and together its an equal mix of boys and girls. He did forget to hire Alice! I have always canned my own food and cooked from scratch. We live on a 15 acre property where we raise honeybees (husband), chickens, quail, ducks, turkeys, and rabbits. We sell honey and non-gmo animal feed. I love to help people with their poultry and have been teaching classes for the last 3 years.

Shannon is a licensed massage therapist in Rowan County with a passion for holistic wellness and self-sufficiency. With over five years of experience teaching kombucha brewing, Shannon enjoys sharing the art and science behind this probiotic-rich beverage. As a guest instructor at this year’s homesteading conference, she looks forward to helping others create their own delicious, health-boosting kombucha at home.