How to Start Your Own Homestead

How to Start Your Homestead Whether you have 10 acres or a 4x4 patio - homesteading is more attainable than you might think. Homesteading is simply relying on your home and what you produce and make to live on. Starting your homestead can be a fulfilling and rewarding journey. It allows you to connect with nature, grow your food, and live sustainably. If you're ready to embark on this adventure, here are some tips to help you get started. 1. Make a decision: The first step in starting your homestead is deciding what you want to do, and if you have the space to do it. While there are plenty of things you can do with as little space as an apartment balcony, having 50 chickens is not one of them. If you just want to grow fruits and vegetables or just make bread and butter - then you likely already have what you need (believe it or not). Once you bring animals into the picture, you'll likely need at least a large patio area for small birds like quail, or a backyard for larger birds like chickens. 2. Save and Recycle: Unless you already have all the supplies you need to garden or cook from scratch, there will be some costs involved with starting up your operation. Whether big or small, using what you have around you will help you significantly cut costs, and hey, you're helping out the planet, too! Anything from glass jars, milk jugs, egg cartons, and cardboard can be used in a variety of ways. Kinda like, "If you build it, they will come", if you save it, it will get used. Plus, this fosters a more sustainable way of living, than just buying everything you need new. 3. Start Small: Starting a homestead can be overwhelming, especially if you're new to gardening and animal care. It's important to start small and gradually expand as you gain experience and confidence. Focus on a few crops and a couple of animals in the beginning, and then gradually add more over time. Make sure you've mastered that task before moving on to another. 4. Learn About Sustainable Farming Practices: Homesteading is all about sustainable living. Educate yourself about organic gardening, permaculture, and other sustainable farming practices. Use natural fertilizers and pest control methods to minimize the use of chemicals. Compost your kitchen scraps and animal waste to enrich the soil. 5. Raise Animals for Food and Companionship: One of the joys of homesteading is raising animals. Chickens are a great starting point, as they provide eggs and can help control pests in your garden. Pigs are also a popular choice for meat production, though our piggies are friends, not food. Some other beginner-friendly ideas could be quail for eggs and meat (which are great for city/urban areas), and rabbits for meat and plant fertilizers. Whatever you choose, make sure to provide them with a comfortable and safe living environment. 6. Preserve Your Harvest: Homesteading is not just about growing food, but also about preserving it for the future. Learn how to can, freeze, and dehydrate your fruits and vegetables to enjoy them throughout the year. Invest in a good quality pressure canner and stock up on canning jars and other preservation supplies. (This is where the "save everything" comes into play) 7. Embrace the Homesteading Community: Homesteading can be a solitary journey, but it's important to connect with like-minded individuals. Join local homesteading groups, co-ops, and farmer's markets. Even if you aren't producing enough to sell, it is still great to meet other people who can help and inspire you on your journey. Supporting your local community by supplementing their products with what you aren't producing yourself is also a great aspect of the homesteading community. Starting your homestead is a wonderful way to live a more sustainable and self-sufficient life. It may require hard work and dedication, but the rewards are well worth it. So, roll up your sleeves, put on your gardening gloves (or don't), and embark on this exciting journey of homesteading. Your future self will thank you for it.

Louis and Benelli sunbathing in the pasture.