What Happens When You Cross a State Fair and a DIY Video?

With more city dwellers and suburbanites rolling up their sleeves to raise chickens, make their own cheese or even brew their own moonshine, a new breed of food festivals is taking place across the country this summer and autumn. These gatherings are often a cross between a local food celebration and a group lesson in sustainability—places where people can learn to keep bees, make fresh mozzarella or build a backyard chicken coop. Here are seven empowering fairs taking place through September, along with a sampling of what you might learn (and the treats you might bring home).