A new national observance with roots in Mount Pleasant is aiming to revive traditional skills and strengthen communities across the country.
National Homesteaders Day has been officially established through National Day Calendar and will be observed annually on August 15. The initiative was founded by Mount Pleasant resident Dani Murphy, owner of Preppin Mama, and is centered around what organizers call the “Lost Skills Revival.”
The movement encourages individuals and families to reclaim one practical heritage skill each year, ranging from gardening and food preservation to sewing, woodworking, baking, bartering, and community-building.
Murphy says many of the skills that were once common knowledge just a few generations ago are rapidly disappearing, but remain valuable for building confidence, self-reliance, and stronger communities.
National Homesteaders Day is built around three core principles: Gather, Equip, and Sustain. Organizers have also identified seven heritage skill categories they hope participants will explore: Grow, Make, Mend, Preserve, Build, Gather, and Community.
The observance is intended to be more than a single-day celebration. Organizers say the goal is to encourage year-round learning, storytelling, and connections between families and communities interested in preserving practical skills and traditions.
Supporters can learn more about the Seven Heritage Skills, take a pledge to reclaim a lost skill, share their progress, and access educational resources through the movement’s website.
Founding sponsors of National Homesteaders Day include Midwest Old Threshers and Homesteaders of Iowa.
More information is available at nationalhomesteadersday.com.