Homestead Heritage | Waco

Homestead Heritage is a traditional agrarian community located just north of Waco, Texas. It is a faith-based, craft-centered, and agriculturally self-sufficient group that emphasizes simplicity, sustainability, community, and manual craftsmanship. It is open to the public and functions as both a working community and a visitor destination.

Core Philosophy and Origins

Homestead Heritage was established in the 1970s by a group of Christian families seeking a return to a more biblically grounded, rural lifestyle. They formally settled in Waco in the early 1990s. The community’s way of life draws inspiration from Anabaptist traditions, the early Christian church, and the American homesteading movement.

At the heart of their values are:

Living close to the land

Preserving traditional handcraft skills

Raising and educating families in a purposeful, faith-led manner

Remaining largely self-reliant and outside the influence of modern materialism

Though not Amish or Mennonite, the community shares many cultural and aesthetic similarities with those groups, such as modest dress, cooperative work ethic, and non-participation in consumerist culture.

Daily Life and Organization

Homestead Heritage is not a commune; families own their homes and land but share in the broader spiritual and practical life of the community. Members work in various cooperative ventures including:

Organic and sustainable farming

Artisanal trades and craftsmanship

Education through in-house apprenticeship and skills programs

Operation of the public-facing Homestead Craft Village

The community is intergenerational, with elders serving as mentors and young people involved in education through trade-based learning rather than conventional schooling.

Homestead Craft Village

The Homestead Craft Village is the public arm of the community and serves as both a demonstration site and visitor attraction. It is open year-round, Monday through Saturday from 10 AM to 5 PM. This village is not a reenactment or museum-it’s a living, working center for artisans and tradespeople.

Key features include:

Artisan Workshops

Heritage Forge: Blacksmithing demonstrations, tools and ironworks for sale.

Homestead Pottery: Hand-thrown pottery pieces crafted on-site, including custom dishware.

Fine Woodworking Shop: Furniture making with hardwoods; known for quality joinery and heirloom-style pieces.

Fiber Crafts Cottage: Natural dyeing, spinning, weaving, and knitting using wool from the community’s own sheep.

Gristmill and Bakery: A fully operational water-powered gristmill for grinding wheat, corn, and other grains, producing flour and baking fresh bread on-site.

Cheese-Making House: Artisanal cheeses produced from goats and cows raised by the community.

Visitors can observe the crafting process, ask questions, purchase products, and sign up for hands-on classes.

Ploughshare Institute for Sustainable Culture

This is the educational branch of Homestead Heritage, offering in-depth training in:

Traditional crafts (blacksmithing, woodworking, pottery, etc.)

Organic gardening and sustainable farming

Bread baking, fermentation, and cheese making

Sewing, basket weaving, and natural home building

Courses range from short public workshops to intensive apprenticeships, drawing students from across the country and abroad.

Agriculture and Food Production

Homestead Heritage operates a large-scale sustainable farm using traditional methods:

Crop rotation and composting instead of synthetic fertilizers

Draft horses instead of tractors in some areas

Beekeeping and natural pest control

Open pasture livestock: goats, sheep, cows, chickens

Grain cultivation and milling (used in their bakery and restaurant)

The farm is also a laboratory for regenerative agriculture, integrating permaculture principles and aquaponics.

Café Homestead

The community operates a highly regarded farm-to-table restaurant called Café Homestead, which serves:

Grass-fed beef from their own pastures

Handmade cheese, butter, and bread

Fresh seasonal vegetables from the garden

Whole grain pancakes, eggs, and house-made preserves

No processed foods or artificial ingredients

The café is a popular stop for both tourists and locals, offering a wholesome and flavorful menu.

Annual Events

Homestead Heritage hosts major public events that draw thousands of visitors each year:

Homestead Fair (Thanksgiving Weekend)

A three-day festival featuring:

Live craft and farming demonstrations

Horse-drawn hayrides

Music performances by community members

Agricultural exhibitions and children's activities

Food stalls serving traditional dishes like wood-fired pizza, cornmeal pancakes, and organic tamales

Sorghum Festival

Celebrated during late summer or early fall, this festival centers around the traditional pressing and cooking of sweet sorghum into syrup using a horse-powered mill.

These events are free to attend and designed to educate as well as entertain.

Community Life and Beliefs

Members of Homestead Heritage live by shared Christian convictions focused on:

Humility and simplicity

Integrity and quality in work

Stewardship of the earth

Education of children within the community’s values

Avoidance of mass media, pop culture, and commercial distractions

While they are private about internal governance and theology, they are not a cult or isolationist group. They welcome visitors and engage openly through their public offerings.

Visiting Details

Location:
608 Dry Creek Road, Waco, TX 76705 (about 15 minutes from downtown Waco)

Hours:

Craft Village: Monday to Saturday, 10 AM – 5 PM

Café Homestead: Open Monday to Saturday (lunch and dinner)

Entry:

Free to visit the village, but paid workshops, food, and crafts are available for purchase.

Homestead Heritage offers a rare and authentic look at traditional rural living and craftsmanship still practiced in a modern context. Whether you're interested in learning a skill, enjoying clean and wholesome food, or simply observing a countercultural way of life, it provides a unique and enriching experience.