When you think about homesteading, what comes to mind? Do think of moving to a farm with lots of land? Or even moving to another state perhaps? This is what most people think of when they think of homesteading.
What is the history of homesteading?
While traditional homesteading as seen in the past is less common. There is a resurgence of interest in modern homesteading and self-sufficiency practices. Many people embrace aspects of homesteading, such as small-scale farming, organic gardening, renewable energy, and sustainable living, as a way to reconnect with the land, promote self-reliance, and live more consciously.
Over time, the homesteading movement experienced changes and decline. Factors such as the exhaustion of available land, technological advancements, industrialization, and urbanization led to a decline in the number of homesteaders. By the early 20th century, most of the available land had been claimed.
What does Homesteading mean?
Homesteading often involves living a self-sufficient lifestyle, where individuals or families strive to produce their own food, generate their own energy, and meet their basic needs through various means such as gardening, farming, raising livestock, and implementing sustainable practices. A big part of homesteading is being able to provide things yourself.
So for us, we started homesteading in our small rental house in the suburbs. We had a garden every year and soon that just wasn’t enough. We wanted land and not to hear our neighbors arguing. Having land helps whether that’s an acre or 25 acres, to get started. Homesteading typically involves a strong connection to the land and a desire to live closer to nature. It often includes activities like land cultivation, permaculture, and a focus on sustainability.
How to start your Homestead lifestyle
when getting started homesteading, it doesn’t have to be about the land, the farm or the animals. Homesteading starts with learning skills, such as preserving your own food, building things being able to be self-sufficient. Start small if you still live in the suburbs that’s fine. Start with a small garden and then as you pick more fruit and vegetables learn how to preserve and canned those vegetables so when you do finally get that dream home stead of yours you have those skills to back that up and all the bountiful vegetables that will grow with your future Homestead. Learning how to bake bread is a lost skill that not many know how to do.
A Homesteader mindset
Being homesteader means that your views don’t necessarily mesh with other peoples views. Being self-sufficient really changes your mind of how you look at things and how you look at the world. I can definitely say going to tractor supply and looking at chicks with a girlfriend seemed a little bit more exciting than going to the mall these days, don’t get me wrong. I still love shopping at target but I still love looking at cute, furry babies.
Raising our own meat wasn’t a new way of being self-sufficient for us. my husband and boys go hunting and this helps provide us with a year’s worth of meat every year. That in itself can really help give you some peace of mind. Especially when the grocery store prices keep rising.
Gardening and understanding your land is another big part of homesteading. Knowing your land means, is one area too wet so that not good for a chicken coop. maybe if we added more dirt and raise it up that may be good for raised garden beds instead.
It’s important to keep in mind that homesteading can be practiced in various degrees and styles, with different individuals and families adapting it to their specific circumstances and goals.
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