The WildRoots Festival

The Power of Connection: Reclaiming Our Lives Through Ancestral Foods and Skills - In a world where convenience has replaced connection, reclaiming ancestral foodways offers a powerful path back to what makes us truly human. This talk explores how hunting, foraging, and cooking entirely from scratch can help us reconnect—with the land, with our food, with each other, and with ourselves.Drawing from decades of archaeological research, immersive ethnographic fieldwork with traditional and indigenous communities around the world, and hands-on experience at the Modern Stone Age Kitchen, I’ll share insights from our deep dietary past—highlighting the pivotal shifts in ancestral diets that literally built us as humans—alongside lessons from the rich and diverse food traditions still thriving today.From nose-to-tail butchering to detoxifying plants through fermentation and other ancestral techniques, this talk offers both inspiration and practical knowledge. Whether you're a seasoned hunter, an adventurous forager, or simply seeking to deepen your connection to nature and nourishment, you’ll leave with a renewed understanding of how real food can help us rewild and reclaim our lives—one meaningful meal at a time.

Rewild Your Taste Buds: Reconnecting with the Foods That Made Us Human - Modern food has hijacked our palates and disconnected us from the nutrition our bodies truly crave. In this eye-opening talk, chef and Pluck founder James Barry explores how our taste preferences evolved, why ultra-processed foods are confusing our biology, and how ancestral foods—especially organ meats—can help us nourish deeper, feel better, and return to the wisdom of real flavor.

Redefining Farm-Raised Fish - With wild fish populations dropping to an all-time low, and demand for wild-caught seafood rising every day, it has become more important than ever to support and promote sustainable, inland-based seafood options. Fish farms have long been regarded negatively for their lack of care for environmental, animal, and human health, Smoke In Chimneys is rewriting that narrative and putting Rainbow Trout back on the table.

From Forest to Hearth: Foraging, Foodways, and the Making of Early America - Step back in time and discover how early Americans adapted to a wild and unfamiliar land using ancient foraging traditions and culinary creativity. This engaging talk explores the critical role of wild foods—nuts, berries, herbs, and game—in the survival and culture of colonial communities. We’ll delve into how Indigenous knowledge shaped settler diets, how colonists blended Old World cooking methods with New World ingredients, and how foraging bridged the gap between survival and tradition. Whether you're a history enthusiast, foodie, or foraging fan, this talk offers a flavorful journey into the roots of a nation.

Texas BBQ with a Twist, Made in Virginia! Voted "FAVORITE FOOD TRUCK" in the 2025 Daily Progress Readers' Choice Awards

Rooted in Tradition, Crafted with Ambition. A family owned winery and brewery serving finely crafted beers and beautifully blended wines in Louisa, Virginia.

Egg Brigade Black Soldier Fly Larvae - Veteran Owned - Always grown in the USA!

The Toy Barn Homestead, where we craft luxurious goat milk soaps using locally sourced oils and natural ingredients. Discover our unique, aromatic blends that nourish your skin and elevate your everyday skincare routine.

Locally owned and operated face painting business; Paint, Pixels, & Pixie Dust will bring the SPARKLE to any event!

Artisan baking business specializing in fresh sourdough bread and pastries like cookies, brownies, pastry pockets and more. We're passionate about crafting high-quality products for our community.

Earthbound Baskets by Tracy Haines features traditional baskets, handmade in Virginia.

“A scent for every adventure!” Hand-poured, thoughtfully crafted, soy candles and beeswax melts.

Sprinkle. Savor. Thrive. You’re holding the simplest, tastiest way to get organ meats into your everyday meals. Pluck blends freeze-dried, grass-fed beef liver, heart, kidney, spleen, and pancreas with organic herbs and spices to deliver bold umami flavor and powerful nutrients — no prep required. Use it as a finishing salt or while you cook. Sprinkle on eggs, meat, veggies, bone broth, or even popcorn (trust us). Flavor that fuels. Nutrition that sticks.Crafted by a chef. Rooted in ancestral nutrition. Made for modern life.