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.
February 12-13, Grow Appalachia All Hands Conference, Berea College, Berea, KY
On Friday February 13 Susana will present on resilient strategies for food production in difficult climatic conditions, and participate in a panel discussion Q&A session. See growappalachia.berea.edu
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 USA. Learn more 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 & registration info on FARM TOURS page.
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. This workshop has filled.
SEE WORKSHOPS PAGE for details & registration for Skills Days and Permaculture Weekend Internsive workshops:
SEPTEMBER 11-13, 2026 PERMACULTURE IN PRACTICE WEEKEND INTENSIVE at Salamander Springs Farm
Immerse yourself in regenerative practices on a 26-year-old off-grid permaculture farm! An inspirational and transformative experience of community building cherished by participants since 2008. Learn hands-on skills in regenerative vegetable and staple crop production of nutrient dense food without tillage, natural building with local materials. Use diverse cover crops, build healthy soil, select seed, design contour swales, rice paddies & ponds. Utilize gravity to manage water and solar energy for off-grid living.
This fun and memorable weekend includes camping in a beautiful setting with a solar shower and compost toilet, campfires, gourmet meals and mineral-rich spring water! Educational hand-outs sent before workshop.
Details & registration on WORKSHOPS page. 3 openings left (Aug 11). Early registration discount ends Saturday, August 15.
SEPTEMBER 26, 2026: ANNUAL CORN HARVEST PARTY at Salamander Springs Farm:
1-5 p.m., Community potluck, apple pressing, filming project! Special music & bonfire following. Camping available.
Details in FALL NEWSLETTER (Sign up for quarterly newsletter at bottom of this page).
October 2-4, 2026, SOUTHEAST BIODYNAMIC CONFERENCE, Red Boiling Springs, TN
Susana will detail regenerative farming practices at Salamander Springs which interface biodynamics, permaculture and Latin America milpa agriculture. Salamander Springs Farm also has a booth at this event with cornmeal, popcorn and dry beans, dried herbs, salve, seeds and more.
REGISTER: southeastbiodynamics.com/2026-conference/
November 7-9, 2026, HERITAGE FOOD FESTIVAL, TERRAPIN HILL, Harrodsburg, KY
Susana will introduce the holistic practices of regenerative farming and traditional milpa agriculture centered on a locally-adapted diet of nutrient-dense staple crops, which she learned during 8 years working with Mayan farmers in Latin America in the 1990's. Workshop will include the selection & saving of landrace seed and small scale processing of dry beans & corn staples. She will assist with nixtamalization of corn for tortillas and tamales during the festival.
REGISTER: www.heritagefoodfest.org
December 4-6, 2026, TENNESSEE LOCAL FOOD SUMMIT, NASHVILLE, TN
Susana will teach landrace seed selection in a regenerative agriculture system for local adaption, productivity, resilience, nutrient-density and flavor, including staple crops of the indigenous milpa polyculture systems at Salamander Springs Farm.
CONFERENCE REGISTRATION: www.tnlocalfood.org/conference-home
January 29-30, 2027, OGRANIC ASSOCIATION OF KENTUCKY 16th ANNUAL CONFERENCE, Cave City, KY
Susana will teach a workshop on selecting & saving locally-adapted seed for productivity, resilience, nutrient-density and flavor. She will cover pollination, seed production, harvest and processing of several important crop families of vegetables, flowers and staple crops.
CONFERENCE REGISTRATION: www.oak-ky.org/annual-conference
Sign up below for email updates (3-4 times/year).
CONTACT Sandra to schedule Susana for workshops, speaking engagements or consultations on your project, homestead or farm.
