It is a popular misnomer that you must buy a farm in order to homestead. The truth is you can begin homesteading anywhere you live; then bring those skills and experiences with you when you purchase the land you will finally call - home(stead).

 

By definition, homesteading is a lifestyle of self-dependency and self-sufficiency. However, land is ultimately required to achieve the best results in this particular lifestyle.

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Let's start with the typical urbanite. This individual, more than likely, lives in an apartment, condo or a home with a small parcel of land; perhaps 1/4 acre. Learning how to grow food is priority number one!

 

Start growing food where you are; especially microgreens, herbs and mini fruit trees. Opting to grow various vegetables, tubers and flowers are encouraged; if space allows.

 

Learn about the following, now:

1. growing seasons and weather patterns;

2. planting seeds, seedlings or plant parts and observing various growing patterns;

3. soil compositions of alkalinity and acidity;

4. indigenous edibles within one's immediate ecosystem; and

5. potting, watering, humidity levels, pruning, composting and harvesting.

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If there are some failures, do not be dismayed. Learn and keep growing! Determine which plants you have an affinity for. Learn other life skills at this time including pickling, canning, sewing, water harvesting, animal husbandry (such as rabbits or quail) and solar energy production.

 

Whatever skills are learned in this phase will place you ahead of the learning curve; compared to someone who may have recently purchased a whole lot of land and not yet know how to grow anything.

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PROPERTY ACQUISITION

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For a single family, 2-5 acres is ample space to provide everything you need. Starting small is smart; but, first decide where you want to live. This decision weighs heavily on employment. For someone to live alone while homesteading, may prove difficult at best. There's much work to do and it may not allow time spent away at a full-time or part-time job. A family endeavor is best. Many hands make light work! Working from home may be the best way to supplement income.

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A semi-rural environment may be best for someone who's only acclimated to an urban life. This person may not want to live more than 30-45 minutes away from a hospital, post office or grocery store. For children, determine which school they will attend or if the school district allows homeschooling.

 

When searching for property, make sure the county or township allows homesteading with gardens, animal husbandry, composting and water sourcing. Determine if the soil of the prospective property is sandy or rocky as this will limit the crops you may want to grow. Check the history of the property at the nearest city hall for flood records or if the land had ever been used for manufacturing or burials of any type.

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Lastly, consider the following:

1. Do you have easy access to water? Is there already a well on the land? How much rainfall is there per year, on average? Is it prone to drought?

2. Will you be able to make friends and network with neighbors? Are their political and religious viewpoints vastly different from yours?

3. Does oil fracking occur nearby? Are you next to any public hunting grounds?

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BUDGETING

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It is imperative not to use all of your savings just to buy land and property. Reserved finances may have to be used for renovations, improvements and equipment. As a precautionary rule of thumb, consider that improvements will take 50% more than planned and take twice as long to do.

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We suggest multiple streams of income produced from the homestead, itself. Selling extra produce, eggs, baby bunnies, goat milk and crafts such as soaps, candles and handknit scarves are good ways to offset monthly expenses and annual property taxes, but do not spread your surplus too thin!