Welcome to the East TN Homestead Alliance (ETHA)
There's something stirring in the South East. A quiet return to what matters. To soil under your fingernails, food grown with your own hands, and neighbors who show up when it counts. That's what we are. That's what we're building — together.
ETHA is more than an organization. We are a movement born from longing — the longing to slow down, to live with purpose, to raise our children with roots deep enough to weather any storm. We are beginners who dared to start, dreamers who planted their first seed, and families who chose a different way forward. We are your people.
Cultivating Community. Nurturing Sustainability. Equipping the Next Generation.
Across the South East, something beautiful is happening. Kitchens are coming alive again. Yards are becoming gardens. Families are finding their footing on land they tend with love and intention. And none of us are doing it alone.
ETHA exists for the beginner who doesn't know where to start, the hopeful farmer who needs a hand, and the heart that believes community is our greatest resource. We share knowledge, open our gates, and walk alongside one another — because the journey toward a simpler, more intentional life is always better when it's shared.
This is more than homesteading. This is legacy. This is freedom. This is home.
Welcome to the family.
We're glad you're here.
Steve and Sandy Eplett
Founders
START WHERE YOU ARE
;THE MODERN HOMESTEADING EVENT FOR TODAY'S FAMILIES
JOIN US APRIL 23-24, 2027
DEEP WELL FARM, LENOIR CITY, TN
learn. grow. thrive. together
Wonder if you can homestead? Anyone can! We meet you right where you are with practical skills and real life resilience.
For the beginner, builder and life-long learner
4 TRACTS
ENDLESS POSSIBILITIES
There’s a moment when you realize you’re ready for more, but you don’t have to figure it out alone. Our four tracks are built to meet you right where you are, helping you turn uncertainty into confidence and the life you’ve been dreaming about into something you can actually build with your own hands.
2027 SPEAKERS
Meet The
Joel Salatin - Polyface Farm
more to come....
Our speaker lineup brings together some of the most respected voices in homesteading, sustainable agriculture, natural health, and off-grid living. Whether you want to raise better beef, understand your soil, grow a medicinal herb garden, or finally learn to preserve your harvest — there's a session built for you.
Mark your calendars for the highlight of the East Tennessee homesteading year – THE HOMESTEAD EVENT ™, held every April as Spring is just getting underway. This vibrant two-day celebration brings together homesteaders, farmers, artisans, curiosity seekers and sustainability enthusiasts from across the region for a weekend of learning, sharing, and community building. Set against the backdrop of the stunning Smoky Mountains, the festival grounds come alive with hands-on workshops, engaging talks, lively demonstrations, and a bustling marketplace showcasing the best of local produce and crafts.
Connect with East Tennessee Homesteaders and Enthusiasts
the annual event
Are you ready to transform your life, one episode at a time? Welcome to "Wild Crafted Life with Steve and Sandy," the podcast that's equal parts practical homesteading advice, personal growth strategies, and unfiltered storytelling from two people who've lived it all.
This WildCrafted Life
the podcast
