So, you say you’re still on the fence about homesteading?
I get it. I really do.
Attempting to make the switch from buying all your food at the grocery store without a second thought, to someone who suddenly has an insatiable desire to garden and milk goats is quite the transition… Ya know?
And then you have the whole “convincing the family/spouse” hurdle… Sometimes it’s easy to persuade them their future lies between rows of homegrown, GMO-free corn and beans, while in other cases, it can be a bit of a struggle to help them see the “vision”.
It’s easy to come up with reasons NOT to homestead in our day and age: (“It’s inconvenient”, “People will think you’re a hippie“, “Why grow food when you can buy it at the grocery store?”) but I’m here to tell you it’s worth it anyway. You should start homesteading today. Really and truly.
If you’ve been hemming and hawing about the best time to start your new homesteading adventure, let me tell you a secret: The best time to start working towards your goals is always NOW. Even if it means taking the most minuscule of baby steps. Even if you face setbacks. Even if your goals will cause people to question your sanity. (And it WILL happen, especially when you bring home your first goat.)
So just in case you need a little extra push, allow me to present to you….
7 Reasons to Start Homesteading TODAY
1. It connects you with your food.
Our society is disturbingly unaware of how our food arrives on our table. Kids don’t have a clue their hamburger once had eyes and a nose, or that their french fries grew in the ground (in dirt? ewwwwww…).
Homesteading breaks this cycle by getting our fingernails dirty and encouraging us to return to an intimate relationship with the cycles of nature and food production. I’m convinced this is a need every human carries, and returning to it satisfies something deep inside us.
2. It tastes good.
So I lied a little up there in point #1. The whole reconnecting with nature thing is only part of the reason we raise our own food. The other reason is because it just plain tastes good.
Juicy red strawberries picked mere seconds before landing on your tastebuds, happy brown eggs with full-flavored yellow yolks, frothy fresh milk with a five-inch creamline to be turned into golden butter… How can you argue with that? Case closed.
3. Homesteading brings freedom.
We homesteaders tend to be an independent bunch, and our self-sufficient tendencies are usually the primary factors leading us down this unconventional path. Homesteading can provide freedom from a centralized food supply and even freedom from the power grid, if you choose that route.
When people start complaining about the rising prices of dairy products? I simply grin and give our milk cow an extra flake of hay and a pat on the head. When the news starts chattering about how beef prices will skyrocket? I feel secure knowing we have two steers out in the pasture, and one in the freezer.
And this increased measure of freedom from the price-hikes at the grocery store makes this wildly-independent homesteader girl’s heart happy. It’s a good reason to start homesteading today.
4. It provides security during hard times.
Whether your concern is a small emergency (such as a job loss), or a big one (you know, the whole zombie thing…), homesteading provides a reassuring measure of security in both the areas of food and skills.
Most homesteaders keep an impressive supply of food on hand because: a) When you grow your own food, you almost always have a surplus to preserve. b) Most of us have a strange addiction to mason jars and canning (we can’t help it).
While our own personal preparedness measures still need a little polishing, we always have enough food to last for many months, tucked away in our pantry, basement, cupboards, and freezer. Plus, it’s reassuring to know many of the skills we possess (such as gardening, hunting/butchering, milking, food preservation) would help carry us through in an extreme survival scenario.
5. It’s hard.
Yes. I did mean to include this one on the list. Us modern-folk have it so easy… Too easy. I’m convinced humans need an element of struggle and challenge to stay satisfied. We need something to strive for. We need to see achievement.
Ultrarunner Dean Karnazes says it best in this interview with Outside Magazine:
“Western culture has things a little backwards right now. We think that if we had every comfort available to us, we’d be happy. We equate comfort with happiness. And now we’re so comfortable we’re miserable. There’s no struggle in our lives. No sense of adventure. We get in a car, we get in an elevator, it all comes easy. What I’ve found is that I’m never more alive than when I’m pushing and I’m in pain, and I’m struggling for high achievement, and in that struggle I think there’s a magic.”
Homesteading is a struggle. It’s messy. And sweaty. And hard. And gritty. Yet the satisfaction you gain when you push through the tough stuff is incomparable.
6. It’s one of the best ways to raise kids.
My kids think everyone has a milk cow. When you run out of milk, you go down to the barn and get more. Of course. Their eyes light up whenever they shove on their tiny mud boots and wander down to the coop to check for eggs (usually getting sidetracked with various other adventures in the process).
My four year old understands the life cycle of plants, to stay away from snakes that rattle, and to brush most of the dirt off the carrots before you take a bite. Really, what else do you need to know about life? 😉
Read more: Lessons My Kids Have Learned From Homestead Life
7. Homesteading will change your life forever.
Homesteading has transformed me as a person in so many ways. I’ll never look at soil, or milk, or eggs, or meat the same way again. So many aspects of life are more clear as I’ve become more aware of the cycles of nature.
My palate has improved as I’ve learned how to grow, prepare, and enjoy food with deep flavors. My confidence has grown as I’ve done things which previously seemed unattainable.
I am completely convinced pursuing a modern homesteading lifestyle, and becoming more intentional in how we live and eat, is one of the most satisfying and empowering things a person can do.
So are you ready to dive in? Ready to make some changes? Ready to make mistakes, and learn, and try again? Are you ready to start homesteading today?
Check out my other Homesteading Articles for more inspiration:
- My Modern Homesteading Manifesto
- Questions to Ask Yourself BEFORE You Get a Homestead
- How to Set Homestead Goals
- Homesteading When You Feel Overwhelmed
Listen to the Old Fashioned On Purpose podcast episode #43 on Where to Start if You’ve Never Homesteaded Before HERE.
Here are a few of my favorite homesteading resources to get you rolling:
- The Homestead Toolbox Newsletter: My weekly collection of handpicked homestead tips (And it’s stuff you can really use, too. No fluff.)
- Learn How to Can: My easy tips for making canning in your homestead kitchen a breeze.
- Get behind-the-scenes glimpses of our homesteading life on Youtube.
- Check out my Old Fashioned On Purpose podcast for my modern musings on homesteading and self-sufficiency.
- Feeling a little fuzzy on what modern homesteading even is? This page will help clear up any confusion.
Sharon says
I hope to have a garden this year. Bought from farmers market last year. Canned that and what people gave me. Give some for gifts. Every body remembers that so I’m first in line for give always!
Linda Hoye says
Love this! If I was just starting out this is the way I would go for sure. As it is, I recently retired from a twenty-five-year corporate career to focus on living a simpler life. The satisfaction and contentment I get from growing and preserving our food, and perusing other simple pleasures, far outweighs any fulfillment I received in the boardroom.
Jill Winger says
Amen Linda!
Erin says
As I read your post my family and I are sitting around the table snacking on carrots we got out of the garden just the other day. We are slowly working toward our goals: we expand our garden yearly and we now have 20 layers and are working towards pigs. Slow but sure. It is always encouraging to read your posts as we sometimes feel we aren’t getting there fast enough and we have to stop and realize that it doesn’t all happen at once.
PS: I love the feeling of serving and sharing the gifts of our garden and I think others appreciate it as well.
Jill Winger says
So true Erin– it definitely doesn’t always happen at once! Baby steps. 🙂
Beks says
I’d love to be able to homestead one day. Right now, I just garden (in a sadly shady back yard), but I hope to make a better go of it this summer. Any recommendations for veggies that do well in shade? My backyard is surrounded by trees!
lisa says
Could you just have the trees limbed up? Should give you more sunshine. Off hand, don’t know of any vegetables that do well in a lot of shade.
Renee says
I’ve found that certain lettuce and Asian greens (pak choi) can grow reasonably well in partial shade, and one season we managed to grow some broccoli in a rather shady spot too. Spinach and Cabbage could be worth a go too?
Tangela says
Here is a pretty good list of shade tolerant vegs along with some tips for growing them. http://www.motherearthnews.com/organic-gardening/shade-tolerant-vegetables-zm0z11zsto.aspx
Jill Winger says
Great list!
Karen @ On the Banks of Salt Creek says
It has been a HUGE change from city life to farm life. I love it though. I love working side by side with my hubby. I love our animals. I love all the nature sounds. It is hard. It is a big adjustment but it is a good thing.
Joe says
We just got an acre and a half, and are starting construction in the next 2 months. A well, solar power, chickens, garden… all soon withing my reach.
Rebecca Smith says
We have an opportunity to purchase a 1 1/2 year old jersey due to calve in Feb/March. We are thinking of using temp electric fence as we would like to be able to move her around. Do you or any of your readers have experience with tape vs wire and what are the benefits and concerns about using this type of fence. We are looking at a battery operated engergizer. Thanks
Cathy says
Electric tape has worked extremely well for us. The tape is more visible, especially to young calves who like to run. After a few bites from the fence they learn to stop short and not run into it. We use a battery powered charger with a gauge to let you know when it’s time to switch the battery.
Jill Winger says
We are currently using tape with a solar powered charger for part of our pasture– works great!
Beth says
Love this I want to live the hard life!
Malia @ Small Town Girl says
Couldn’t agree more!! I can’t wait to move into the realm of chickens, goats, and maybe someday cattle! I grow tons of veggies in the summer and love it! Back breaking work, but so worth it! Happy New Year 🙂
Charlotte says
Our garden has been growing to the point that it almost takes up 75% of our backyard. My experience in canning is growing, plus i have been trying some of the recipes you have posted. Thank you Jill. I love this homesteading style of life and plan to increase what we are doing as we go on. We live in a small town in Iowa and I am trying to convince the hubby to let me have a few chickens. Thank you for all the advice you provide. Here’s to happy homesteading.
Amber Autumn says
This is very inspirational! I especially like #5, and I feel like that need to strive and see the products of hard work is one of my reasons for homesteading, although I hadn’t really thought about it until now. Thank you for writing such a blog! My fiance and I are total beginners and I’ve found a lot of helpful things here.
Jill Winger says
You are very welcome Amber!
amanda says
Just butchered 6 chickens today with my daughter and son-in-law. AWESOME experience. Won’t glamorize it though. Milking a cow, butchering hogs as well chickens is dirty nasty work, but VERY rewarding! Not to mention tending a garden.
It is awesome though!
Amanda
Matthew 6:33
Jill Winger says
Yup– I agree– definitely not glamorous–but absolutely worth it!
harold says
have sawmill built house have cattle do couple gardens and can goods building achicken coop 10 by 12 with 1 acre run for the girls with spring water and shade im blessed
Jill Winger says
Sounds heavenly Harold!
Renee says
I love this post! We’re still a long way off from growing enough food to live on, but we’re slowly working towards it! I love that my kids can just pick fruit from the garden to eat! Such an inspirational blog you have! 🙂
Jill Winger says
Thanks Renee!
Deb says
Love this blog. We currently have 18 laying hens and we enjoy gardening and canning , dehydrating and freezing our produce. We raise meat birds every other year and always have a freezer full of meat we have raised. We are near retirement age and can’t wait for freedom to increase our knowledge and self sufficiency.
Melonie says
I have been talking to my sister in law about having the kids coming over and learning about how to farm and grow things, she has agreed that this would help them grow more aware about where their food comes from as well as learning more about responsibility. But here is my question what would be the best things for them to do? there are four of them and the oldest one has just turned 13 the oldest girl is 10 youngest girl is 9 and youngest boy is 4. I know they will be hatching eggs and taking care of the chicks but would it be a good idea to split up the animals garden (a garden that i use to grow treats/food for the animals) and let them take care of their own little section? Or any other ideas i can use? Oh and i dont have to worry about access to my house from theirs, just a 5 min walk through the woods and they are here.
Angel says
The kids are definitely old enough to garden! Since they are not familiar with it, the best way will be to work side-by-side with them at first. It is easier for kids to see what needs done, not just be told what to do.
Melonie says
I’ll definitely do that though the 2 youngest have always helped me and my dad in our gardens so I won’t have to help them as much but the older ones have low confidence when it comes to plants and animals so I’m hoping it may increase that as well.
Jill Winger says
I think any project outside would be great for them! Kids LOVE gardens, whether it be working on a big garden together, or tending to their own plots. 🙂
Sandra says
Very well said, Jill! I love that you go to the heart of homesteading and encourage it for even the currently landless. We have a half acre with a yearning for more. I want to add that age should not keep people from starting their homesteading. my grandfather was a small farmer and bought a new farm at age 46, clearing, deconstructing a log house and rebuilding it into a barn and corn crib, building a house, hand-digging a well, fencing, plowing with a mule!, and then all the everyday things on a farm, too. No a.c., up at 4 a.m. every day. Not that we have to do things this way, but just don’t let the number you call your age stop you from going for whatever level of homesteading calls to you!
Jill Winger says
Amen, amen, amen Sandra!
Kelley says
This is good information. I didn’t know homesteading/farming is a “thing”, where I’m from it’s just a normal part of life 🙂
Jill Winger says
Yes– it’s a normal part of life in my region, too. However, there are lots and lots of folks who aren’t as fortunate to live in rurally-minded areas, so homesteading really appeals to them. 🙂
diane @smartmoneysimplelife says
Beautiful! Wholeheartedly agree with every point.
And… laughed out loud at the zombie comment.
Thank you!
Kim says
I am encouraged and inspired to focus harder this year towards the goal of moving towards self sufficiency. I am a single woman and after my divorce I felt like I lost my dream. But I have hope now that I can do it. With the Lord as my strength and helper I believe it is possible. I am studying your ebook and making plans and defining goals. I already own 1 acre with access to 1/6 acre garden. I am motivated to get it going. Thank you Jill for sharing your homestead journey
Jill Winger says
You CAN do it Kim!! It’s absolutely do-able!
CINDY says
I would so love to homestead but I think that ship has sailed for me as I am almost 60 and alone, but I like to dream and read about it!
farmerkhaiti says
60, what a beautiful age! you can always do parts of the homesteading lifestyle like canning seasonal bounties from the farmers market, or go out to visit local farms and volunteer to help just to get your hands dirty! Blessings!
Cindy says
Thank you! I do urban homesteading as much as possible! Cndy
Deb says
I am 60 and I love caring for chickens and planting a garden. You would be surprised how quickly those aches and pains of aging disappear after a hard days work outdoors. So dont be afraid to start at 60!
Karen says
I saw Cindy’s comment. I just turned 61, pulled the plug at work and moved to a small farming community, 3.5 hrs away from the city where I lived. Moving here in Sept didn’t give me time to get stocked up, and today we have a snowfall warning. But, I am going to work hard this spring and summer to bring my vision home. This website really helped in making me realize this is what I really wanted to do. Its never to late.
Mandi says
I absolutely LOVE this post. # 5 is such a wonderful point about how we live in GENERAL her in the US. Definitely gave me some food for thought. We just moved back in October and have been doing some major house remodeling (planning to add a full 2nd story to our currently 1-br house) this summer. I had hoped to have a chicken coop built, but I think it will be TOO much for me to get done by spring … so I’m contenting myself with planning a spectacular garden this summer instead! (And hoping after our 2nd floor is built, I can re-purpose any extra building materials into a coop for next year!!)
Jill Winger says
Smart to keep things manageable, Mandi! I catch myself trying to be a bit too ambitious with my to-do list sometimes too!
Angi says
Oh, I totally agree! These are definitely some of the top reasons why we homestead!!
Kim says
My husband and I love to garden and preserve our food but our adult children aren’t that interested until……
This last spring I planted an herb garden right out the kitchen door and my adult son loved cooking with the fresh herbs- especially the basil and cilantro. He loves making his own fresh salsa. I had fresh basil May through November. I guess the key was to grow things that interest them and that they enjoy eating. He can’t wait to plant his own herb garden this Spring.
I love teaching our 2 year old grandson about how things grow and how you have to be patient and not pick the pumpkins before they are ready. He loved eating apples right off the tree in our orchard. We live in an instant society and having to wait for your produce to ripen is a test in patience.
Jill Winger says
Love this so much Kim!
Linda says
Never too old…once you realize the enjoyment of having you own food source you never want to turn back. You waken with purpose and you sleep soundly with contentment at the end of a too short day. My husband and I are retired and still enjoying life. We joke about never needing to join a gym (now that us even called a WORKout….we can enjoy our natural exercise routine while providing our meals. We also would rather enjoy taking careof our ggoats who provide us with milk and meat and earn their keep by having babies which can be sold to buy hay and feed. They are fun abd have great personalities also.
Jill Winger says
I agree Linda– never too old!
Barb says
Thanks for all of your hard work on this site! Your amazing! Love the stories and that you still have a sense of humor! I wanted to ask you if you make your dogs food?!! I have herding dogs, and thought since we try to watch what goes in our food, maybe we should do the same for our critters. I’m not interested in the raw diet, but thought maybe I could get your input. After all of the scares with what goes into dog food, I would feel better knowing what I put in their food! Thanks!
Jill Winger says
Thanks so much Barb! We don’t make our own food yet, but it’s something I’m very interested in. I agree— commercial dog food has some nasty stuff in it…
Bob says
I’ve been working my way to the homesteading lifestyle and I am as ready as I will ever be.
My family thinks I’ve lost my mind(sometimes I’m not too sure myself) but I am ready to take the plunge, the biggest issue is that my property is 2500 miles away from the kids and grandkids, but hey, they could have a great place to visit.
I have lots of virgin land, entire southern border is a river that has an abundance of fish. Lots of wildlife. I have a well, sauna I just built, comfy cabin I added on a bedroom to last November and a MAJOR amount of enthusiasm to get moving on having the freedom and working harder physically than I have had to in years. My garden this past summer was ok but I still have a huge amount to learn.
Any websites, recipes or any other information or advice would be appreciated from any or all of you!!
Bob
These posts let me know I’m not alone in wanting to live a difficult but very self rewarding lifestyle so thank you all for sharing so many similar interests!!
my blog says
Thanks very useful. Will certainly share site with my good friends
click here says
Many thanks really beneficial. Will share website with my friends
Dianne Hadorn says
Love your blog! I am still dreaming of a complete homestead. We do have a good size garden and raise all our vegetables. I do can and preserve all of it. Also, do about 3 bushels of apples per season that I buy at the local orchard. I’m still dreaming of the barn, goats, chickens and milk cow. Someday…
Jodie says
Less waste is a big motivator for me!!
Jodie says
Less wastage is a big motivator for me
Samantha says
My husband and I are what you would classify as “the crazy new homesteaders” we both work 50+ hours a week at jobs we cant stand and don’t get enough time with our beautiful children. So we placed our house on the market to sell and are planning to move 500 miles away from everything we know and start over…
I am ready to be a mom, a wife, a chicken wrangler, a gardener… I am ready to plant roots that will grow so much more then plants.. I am ready to plant roots so my soul can grow.
Melly A. K. says
I found your blog and was instantly intrigued. I have been home for a year now taking care of my disabled dad and two kids. Our budget is extremely tight and I have been looking for more ways to cut costs.
Starting tomorrow I am making a trip to town to get everything I need to start my own little garden. Since we rent our house I can’t do much to change the property. The back yard is the only spot that gets enough sun but the soil is hard red clay. So 5 gallon buckets and plastic kiddie pools here I come :))!
Reading your blog has been a real inspiration! Thank you for taking the time to put all of this information out there!!
Homestead.org says
Thanks for sharing your blog. Nowadays start homesteading business is an easy task, If you have the money or not. If you follow some basic tips you can grow your business.The Homestead.org is an online blog site that provides you high quality of blogs and article to increase your knowledge to start your homesteading business.
Connie says
I love your blog! My husband and I are looking into buying a small farm 14 acres. We are both in our mid 50’s and thinking of how much longer we would be able to do that. I know the hard work that goes into it. I grew up with both my grandparents being farmers and loved to visit the farm and play with the animals. I love gardening. As a matter of fact, I have converted a small part of my back yard into a garden and I yield quite a bit every year. We love animals but we also like to travel and if we have animals, we won’t be able to go anywhere. Also, moving to a really small city, with no friends is kinda scary. Not that I have many here, but I believe is the security that I can go outside my house and be able to talk to someone. I would love to have that little farm but the fear doesn’t let me move forward. How about if I don’t like it, or get tired of it, or not be able to handle it? Is it really sane to do that now in this age? Leave all my comforts and shopping for a place half hour to an hour away from the nearest decent restaurant or grocery store for it? Suggestions?
Brenda says
Question: Last year I gave away some eggs to a family. Later the Mama said they saw the bullseye in every egg and she used that as a teaching tool for her little girl. I had NO roosters. I started looking closer at the eggs and they did all have a small circle on them. Why? I’ve never noticed it before. Do all eggs have a circle even without being fertilized?
Judi Castille says
Couldn’t agree more. This year we committed to homesteading and along with the usual ambitions of growing our own food and having chickens we also wanted to get out of the capitalism of the UK. The last 5 years there have been awful with rising costs and uncaring brands running our country. We want freedom from contracts and welfare for us and our animals. I think my friends think we are a little crazy but as they see what we achieve they agree we made the right decision. It would benefit many of my friends financially too but like us to be a homesteader and cut costs, you have to leave the UK. But worth it. We are now looking for more land and to extend our barn. It will be an exciting year ahead.
Maggie says
Obsessed with everything homesteading! I’m currently begging for a milk cow from my husband. ? love your blog!