Cultivate Skills.
Harvest Peace of Mind.
“And every man shall sit under his own vine and fig tree and no one shall make him afraid.”
Micah 4:4
We seek to empower individuals with practical skills for self-sufficiency, foster a deeper connection with nature and build a supportive community.
Our Mission
Vine and Fig Tree Workshops provide hands-on practical training designed to help you cultivate the skills and the confidence to translate your dreams of self-sufficiency into reality. Watching YouTube videos is a start…but true learning happens when you get your hands dirty.
Our Approach
Our Team
Scott A. Rainey
Teacher, Storyteller, and Owner/Proprietor,
Vine and Fig Tree Workshops
Scott is a passionate teacher known for bringing curiosity, creativity, and heart into every endeavor. A natural storyteller with a frontier spirit, he often jokes that he was born 150 years too late—forever wishing he could have been a pioneer settling the unspoiled American landscape.
Over the past 35 years, Scott has cultivated a wide range of self-taught homesteading skills—from raising chickens and rabbits to gardening, building, and fishing—fueled by equal parts curiosity and a longing for the simplicity and adventure of days gone by. His deep appreciation for God’s creation and his can-do mindset have shaped both his work and his worldview.
Scott’s commitment to hands-on education and building community led him to found Vine and Fig Tree Workshops, where he serves as teacher, owner and proprietor. There, he creates spaces for people to reconnect with the land, learn practical skills, and build meaningful relationships—just the kind of community he imagines early settlers relied on…and the kind of community we need again.
Gizela Smith
Gardener, Maker, Healer, and Homesteader-at-Heart
Gizela was born and raised in the picturesque landscapes of Romania, where she grew up surrounded by old-world wisdom, resourcefulness, and hands-on skills. From crocheting and knitting to cooking and food preservation, she has always been drawn to the art of creating something meaningful with her own two hands.
Her true passion, however, has always been the garden. Digging into the soil, nurturing plants, and turning each harvest into beautiful meals and preserved goods is where her spirit thrives. She delights in the “alchemy” of canning, the quiet magic of watching seeds become sustenance, and the remarkable healing power of the plants she grows.
A firm believer in improvising, adapting, and overcoming, Gizela approaches homesteading with resilience, creativity, and a joyful sense of discovery. Her 13 years of service as a medic in the U.S. Army strengthened her determination—and her sense of humor—teaching her that good intentions are wonderful, but good knowledge is even better.
Gizela is excited to share her journey, her heritage, and her curiosity with others. She looks forward to learning, growing, and laughing alongside the community she hopes to inspire.
Jeremy Smith
Homesteader and Outdoor Adventurer
Jeremy has spent the past 25 years mastering the wild and wonderful world of sustainable living. What began as a simple attempt to get closer to nature (and maybe impress a few friends with his gardening skills) turned into a full-blown homesteading adventure.
Over the years, Jeremy has built an impressive toolkit: gardening, food preservation, mushroom foraging, hunting, fishing, and even a dash of wilderness medicine thanks to his 33 years as a Nationally Certified Paramedic. From pulling fresh veggies out of the garden like a culinary superhero to avoiding mushrooms that might lead to an unexpected ER visit, he approaches every task with equal parts skill and humor.
Jeremy loves sharing what he’s learned—encouraging others to reconnect with the land, embrace sustainability, and laugh a little along the way. Whether you’re a seasoned homesteader or just curious, Jeremy’s the guy you want guiding your journey.