Salamander Springs Farm
UPCOMING EVENTS & WORKSHOPS
2026 Schedule:
DECEMBER 13, 2025: Off-grid Water Pumping Installation Workshop at Salamander Springs Farm. 10 AM - 4 PM, lunch provided.
Salamander Springs Farm has partnered with local organizations Mountain Association and Appalachia Science in the Public Interest to demonstrate a replicable model for accessing on-site water off-grid (i.e., rainwater catchment, well and spring water) which improves on the limitations of gravity-fed water systems. Part 1 of a 2-part workshop to install and demonstrate utilization of a small solar-powered DC pump, pressure tank and a water cistern. Workshop led by Josh Bills, Senior Energy Specialist at Mountain Association who has worked with renewable energy and appropriate technology systems for 3 decades, and has installed 100's of systems through Kentucky and beyond. Appalachia Science in the Public Interest will be filming the workshop to create educational materials and technical papers, to benefit more folks in the region who need on-site clean water solutions. Part 2, along with demonstrations, will take place in Spring 2026. Email Sandra for more information and registration.
JANUARY 30-31, 2026, Organic Association of Kentucky 15th Annual Conference: www.oak-ky.org/annual-conference
Kentucky State University Farm, Frankfort, KY. Susana will teach a workshop on saving locally-adapted landrace seeds for many important crop families as an important component of regenerative farming practices. Maintaining seeds with enough genetic diversity for continual adaptation is crucial for producing nutrient-dense crops that are resilient to changing climate conditions. Workshop will include harvesting, drying, processing and storing seeds at a low-tech, small-farm or garden scale, and Susana's experience in on developing and maintaining seed for staple crops of traditional milpa agriculture, which she learned from Mayan farmers in Latin America.
APRIL 4, 2026, 15th annual Appalachian Seed Swap Event: 9 AM -1 PM, Pike County Central High School, Pikeville, KY. Buy, sell & trade heirloom seeds & plants, workshops & presentations, National heirloom seed event, largest in eastern US. News coverage of past seed swap events here and here, and in UK College of Ag News.
Salamander Springs Farm will be selling seeds & plants and Susana will teach a workshop on landrace seed saving integrated with regenerative farming practices. Email pike.ext@uky.edu or call Pike County Extension office at 606-432-2534 for more information.
APRIL-NOVEMBER 2026: MONTHLY FARM TOURS at Salamander Springs Farm, usually on the second Saturday of each month.
Schedule & sign-up info on FARM TOURS page.
See WORKSHOPS page details & registration for Skills Days and Permaculture Weekend Internsive workshops:
APRIL 18, 2026 Off-grid Water Pumping Installation Workshop, Salamander Springs Farm. 9 AM - 4:30 PM, lunch provided.
Salamander Springs Farm has partnered with local organizations Mountain Association and Appalachia Science in the Public Interest to demonstrate a replicable model for accessing on-site water off-grid (i.e., rainwater catchment, well and spring water) which improves on the limitations of gravity-fed water systems. This Part 2 workshop to connect and demonstrate small solar-powered DC pump & pressure tank to a water cistern. Workshop led by Josh Bills, Senior Energy Specialist at Mountain Association who has worked with renewable energy and appropriate technology systems for 3 decades, and has installed 100's of systems through Kentucky and beyond. Appalachia Science in the Public Interest will be filming the workshop to create educational materials and technical papers, to benefit more folks in the region who need on-site clean water solutions.
Email Sandra for more information and registration.
JULY & AUGUST 2026: watch for Natural Building workshops!
Salamander Springs Farm will be making some infrastructure upgrades in 2026! We can't predict how construction will play out, but if framing is complete and ready by mid-summer, we'll begin hosting Natural Building workshops again to provide hands-on learning in building Clay Slip Straw walls and Earthen floors. Get on email list to receive details & registration info!
SEPTEMBER 11-13, 2026 PERMACULTURE IN PRACTICE WEEKEND INTENSIVE at Salamander Springs Farm
Since 2007, this inspirational weekend intensive has provided a transformative experience cherished by participants. Immerse yourself in learning the practices needed to build and live on an off-grid, regenerative permaculture farm. Hands-on learning of no-till systems, staple crops, hugulkultur, soil building, swales & water management, seed saving, off-grid systems, natural building, and more. Includes gourmet meals from the farm, camping accommodations including a solar shower, spring water, educational workshop materials to take home. This fun and memorable weekend has filled quickly in the past so register early! Details & registration
SEPTEMBER 26 or OCTOBER 10, 2026 (TBA): ANNUAL CORN HARVEST PARTY at Salamander Springs Farm:
1-5 p.m., Community potluck & bonfire following. Camping available. Sign up for newsletter to receive details.
OCTOBER 2-4, 2026 SOUTHEAST REGIONAL BIODYNAMIC CONFERENCE:
Barefoot Farmer/Long Hungry Creek Farm, Red Boiling Springs, TN: Susana will teach a workshop on regenerative agriculture practices Salamander Springs Farm which interface permaculture & biodynamic principles, as well as the traditional milpa agriculture she learned in the 1990's during 8 years working with Mayan farmers in Latin America. By integrating holistic farming and lifestyle practices with a locally-adapted diet centered upon the native staple crops of this continent, we can provide for the needs of local community over the demands of outside markets. The workshop will include key practices to regenerate biological fertility in our depleted soils, such as no tillage and continuous polycultures of food and cover crops, as well as selecting & saving our own landrace seed for resilient, locally adapted nutrient dense food.
Salamander Springs Farm also has a booth at this event with the staples cornmeal, popcorn and dry beans, dried herbs, seeds and more. southeastbiodynamics.com
OCTOBER 2026 (TBA) No-till Cover Crop Workshop, Sustainable Berea Urban Farm, Berea, KY
Susana will lead a hands-on workshop on fall cover crops for gardens and fields under 2 acres. Increase your soil health, future yields and provide soil cover and weed suppression. Learn how to select, plant, and manage fall/winter cover crops such as crimson clover, Austrian winter pea, cereal rye, hairy vetch, flax, and various brassica family species including daikon radish. Participants will be given a small bag of cover crop mix to take home. Registration: www.sustainableberea.org
NOVEMBER 6-8, 2026, HERITAGE FOOD FESTIVAL: Terrapin Hill Farm, Harrodsburg, KY
Details TBA. Registration: www.heritagefoodfest.org
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