AUBURN UNIVERSITY, Ala. — Auburn University Rural Studio and the Alabama Cooperative Extension System will host a free Homestead Day Sept. 12 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., in Newbern, Alabama, offering practical demonstrations, expert advice and hands-on activities focused on food, farming, water, land and home.

Designed for small landowners, farmers, families and anyone interested in practical rural living, the event will bring experts and community organizations together at five locations along Alabama Highway 61. Participants will learn about gardening and soil, sustainable agriculture, food preservation, cottage food law, pond and water management, fishing and aquaculture, heirs’ property and conservation.

“Rural Studio and the College of Architecture, Design and Construction are excited to partner with Alabama Extension’s Aquatics Resources Team to bring the first ever Homestead Day to Hale County,” said Emily McGlohn, associate professor in the School of Architecture, Planning and Landscape Architecture. “We’ve assembled a great group of experts for a day of exploring all aspects of land ownership in Alabama.”

At Rural Studio Farm, visitors can tour the farm and learn about small-scale agriculture, soil management, organic growing and strategies for producing crops throughout the year. Extension experts will also be available to answer questions about fall crops, pest management, soil science and home food preservation.

Additional activities include demonstrations on growing fish in ponds, recreational pond management and fish processing; workshops on heirs’ property and Black Belt conservation; and exhibits highlighting rural wastewater systems and Black Belt birding.

Children can participate in hands-on science and soil activities through Geo Explorer Auburn and Soil Stories.

While the event is free, food and drinks will be available for purchase. Online registration and more information on activity locations in Newbern can be found at ruralstudio.org/2026-homestead-day.

“This day has something for everyone with a piece of land, whether large or small,” Extension Aquatic Resources Agent Corey Courtwright said. “If you want to learn to grow more of your own food, preserve your home-produced food, manage a pond for fish and food or bring your kids for them to learn about science in hands-on ways, all of this and more will be featured.”

“There is so much within Extension that overlaps with Rural Studio’s goal to learn about rural living, and we want to share that knowledge with our neighbors,” McGlohn said.