A DIY Convention

By Natalie Downey

or many of us, the past several years have instilled a desire to learn how to be more self-sufficient. Whether it’s the current cost of products or simply the desire for simpler, more natural ingredients, a growing trend towards doing-it-yourself has led to a community of people sharing ideas, skills, and experience.

The Great Create is a DIY festival where you can explore the world of self-sustainability and learn how you can make your home a homestead, armed with knowledge to empower you to rely less on major corporations and more on your own skills and neighbors.

In some ways, it feels like a desire to return to simpler times, and for many people, that’s exactly what it is. Knowledge which has been lost to the convenience of store-bought solutions has meant a sense of dependence,

which many people are increasingly interested in replacing with the know-how of self-sufficiency.

A community built around freedom, autonomy, and self-sustainability evolves with intention and time. The Great Create - a DIY Freedom Festivalprovides the perfect opportunity to learn from experts on homesteading and DIY crafts, meet like-minded individuals, shop for handmade items, eat, sing, and dance, and discover how to enjoy more freedom in your everyday life.

The Great Create was started as an outreach project to connect people who share an interest in a DIY lifestyle. DIY can apply to many areas of life, including food and wellness, technology and business, and family and community. The concept of DIY is built around a desire for freedom from dependence on outside entities, which inspires people to become more self-sufficient.

This year’s gathering will take place at Omaha Brewing Company in Omaha, GA, with more than 24

speakers lined up to teach classes and workshops. Themes will center around philosophy, health and wellness, family and community, and technology, business, and finance. Workshops will take place throughout the weekend, with speakers presenting on topics such as raising chickens, foraging, homeschooling, open fire cooking, community gardens, yoga, and a plethora of lifestyle arts that promote a self-sufficient way of living.

The keynote speaker will be Will Harris from White Oak Pastures, who is nationally recognized as one of the first and most conscientious proponents of regenerative ranching. Will’s presentation will center around ideas for breaking out of the corporate structure and practices toward a new path which will benefit the environment and welfare of the animals.

Other noteworthy speakers include James Dutton, lawyer and privacy advocate, who will educate guests on privacy rights and how to protect them. Edgar Mills will lead a presentation on safety and situational awareness, and Linux Technology will present about open source software and breaking free from big tech.

Two fundraising dinners will take place during the Great Create - a BBQ dinner and a fireside dinner, both optional for attendees. Guests are also welcome to bring their own food to enjoy a picnic dinner at the event, or grab a meal from the food truck vendors.

In addition to presentations, workshops, and classes, The Great Create will include a vendor market with locally made products and goods for sale. From herbbased wellness products to hand-crafted foods and decor, attendees will enjoy shopping local and supporting small business owners. Anyone who purchases a ticket to the Great Create is welcome to be a vendor at the event.

The schedule includes lots of opportunities to have fun and engage with others, with entertainment scheduled throughout the weekend. Bluegrass and folk musicians will be bringing the tunes, with comedians, DJs, and a drum circle on Saturday evening to wrap up the fun.

You won’t want to miss the film festival at The Great Create, with curated films relevant to the topic of freedom. Two films will be shown - “The Smart Documentary,” and “God Bless Bitcoin.”

Kids ages 16 and under are free to attend the Great Create, where they’ll find plenty of arts and crafts and entertainment to enjoy alongside the adults.

The Great Create will take place at Omaha Brewing Company in Omaha. GA on September 27-28. For more information and tickets, visit thegreatcreate.org.