Renewable Roots Retreat
Please join us for our Renewable Roots Retreat 2026 hosted by the Missaukee Conservation District!
About The annual retreat
This event will take place at Timber Wolf Lake Camp from November 5 to November 6, 2026
Join us as we celebrate outstanding conservation efforts with special awards and build meaningful connections with like-minded environmental stewards from across Michigan.
If you want to stay overnight at the camp, you can book either shared or single room accommodations.
Where: Timber Wolf Lake Camp- 4909 N Morey Rd, Lake City, MI 49651
When: Thursday, November 5th from 9am-6:30 pm, with an option for overnight stay.
Includes a breakfast and lunch on Thursday as well as a light breakfast on Friday, November 6th
Interested in attending? Sign up directly with MCD here.
Early Bird pricing ends June 30th - lock in your spot before it's gone. 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.