What Is Homesteading
What even is homesteading? Well, to put it simply, homesteading is a lifestyle where you live off your own land more than the average person. It’s as simple as that. You don’t need anything fancy to get started with a homestead or even a lot of money. You can practically get started for free.
Even if you live in an apartment and have only a windowsill, you can still be a homesteader! Even having a little basil plant in your window sill makes you a homesteader. It may be on a smaller scale, but when you grow your own food, you’re embracing the basic idea of homesteading. Self sufficiency is the name of the game.
Whether you have a small scale production for food or are producing your own food on a grand scale, the principles remain the same. Be self-sufficient by relying more on your own skills and any land you may have available (even if it’s just a pot of dirt) and you’re on your way to become an amazing homesteader.
The Homestead Act
Oh, to go back in time and take advantage of some of the advantages that used to exist! It turns out, until the late 1970s, under the Homestead Act, of 1862 you could essentially claim 160 acres of public land to use in creating your own homestead. You would care for the land and build your homestead however you saw fit. After a period of five years, the land would be yours. If you just couldn’t wait that long to call it yours, there was the option to purchase the land for a small fee per acre from the government.
My, have times changed! While some areas of the government still support small homesteads and the idea of self sufficiency, the federal support has shifted to large corporations and factory farming. Long gone are the days when the government fully supported the homesteading lifestyle and small scale food production.
I don’t know about you, but I would have loved to have 160 acres of land to be fully self sufficient and not need to rely on any grocery stores. I’m working toward that goal anyway, but 160 acres sure would make it easier!
Homestead living – 10 Reasons To Start A homestead Today
Self Sufficiency
Being able to rely on yourself and having that sense of security is a priceless feeling. It feels so much better to know you can do things for yourself than it does knowing you need other people to do things for you.
Healthy Food
Once you start your homesteading journey, you’ll learn more and more about just how unhealthy the food at the store is. Even the fruits and vegetables aren’t as healthy as you might think.
Having a modern homestead means that you get to control the health of your food and your family.
Food Reserves
Now that you’re homestead life includes healthy food, you’ll be able to preserve it for the year by learning to can, dehydrate and freeze your harvest.
Your food reserves also give you peace of mind that no matter what happens at the store (like a pandemic), you’ll always have enough to feed your family.
Reducing Your Carbon Footprint
When you rely on your own land to provide for you, you and your family reduce your carbon footprint dramatically. Despite claims that an urban homestead produces more carbon emissions than factory farming practices, homesteads produce far less. Consider that only in very recent history has the human race depended on factory farming and industrialization and only recently have carbon emissions risen to harmful levels.
Make Money
Selling excess crops, eggs or meat can help you generate income from your land. Learning crafts and other skills can help you trade with others or allow you to be hired for odd jobs for extra income.
Selling crafts or even your knowledge can earn you a great deal of money on your homestead. Modern homesteading offers an abundance of income opportunities.
Save Money
Growing your own food will save you money, especially with how much groceries cost now. Prices will continue to rise and it will become more and more essential to grow your own food at home.
The homesteading lifestyle easily lends itself well to a frugal lifestyle which is all about saving you money!
Healthy Lifestyle
A modern homesteading lifestyle is great for your health. Not only do you learn to live a simpler life, but you get outside much more, you move your body more and all these little things lead to a happier you.
Better Animal Care
I don’t think anyone would deny that most animals raised for meat are not treated well. You can do things differently and show them kindness. Even if you don’t plan to raise animals for meat, having a flock of chickens for eggs is a great way to be kind to animals while still getting the protein you need.
Learn New Skills
There’s no doubt that the homesteading life will teach you new skills. Learning food preservation is key, but you’ll also learn so many valuable skills that will be useful in everyday life. Plumbing, electricity, gardening, solar power, and different ways of modern homesteading will all be extremely useful to you every day.
Strong Sense of Community
Whether your interested in urban homesteading or apartment homesteading, city life or country life, you’ll be part of a unique and welcoming community. The homestead community is nothing short of amazing and is the most supportive community I’ve ever come across. It’s worth homesteading just to join the community!
Why Homestead?
Why NOT homestead? I can’t think of a single reason not to homestead. If time is an issue, start small. Start with one, indoor plant that will give you food like basil or rosemary. When you’re ready for more, maybe a tomato plant or two. Some fruit trees will grow well indoors and many crops will thrive on a back patio or balcony.
Whatever you decide to do and whatever food production you can handle, start there. I’ll caution you, however…you’re going to love it and you’re going to want more!
Happy homesteading!
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