People Homestead for Many Reasons
The Best Place to Start a Homestead
While there are different types of homesteads, there are also different reasons for homesteading. The challenge of survivalism may draw you to this lifestyle, or the desire to seek an alternative to our current times. This unconventional and inconvenient way of living is gaining traction because people recognize the ease of life today may leave us disconnected from what matters most.
Underground construction compliments farms and kitchen gardens compliment earth-sheltered homestead housing and farming projects. Many homestead farmers strive to live off their land as much as possible with minimal costs. A “farmstead” is another word used to describe farm production and may include selling goods to others in the community. Homesteading is not defined by where, but how. The lifestyle choices that are made are far more important than where you decide to homestead. In fact, the best place to start may be right where you are!Even if you are in a temporary living situation, or renting a piece of property, there are many things you can do to practice and develop homesteading skills. If you're looking to move and choosing a new location, it’s important to evaluate the strengths, limitations, and possibilities of your potential property. Consider size, restrictions, and layout. Be sure to take sun, wind, seasonal climate, water access, and soil health into account if you plan to grow food, or establish renewable energy systems. Spend time observing the land patterns, and visualizing how you could build a coexisting habitat.
The Best Place to Start a Homestead
What is your reason for considering homesteading?
Adopting more sustainable living methods can be done anywhere. Urban homesteading may take place on a quarter acre or even in a small apartment.
Let your creativity and green thumb guide the possibilities. Here are some homesteading practices even city dwellers can take on:
Container gardens
Community gardens
Balcony greenhouse
Food preservation
Windowsill herb cultivation
Small flock of chickens
Compost system
DIY cleaners and self-care potions
Scratch cooking from farmers market
Homemade kombucha and beverages
Sewing, knitting, weaving, quilting, etc.
Small project carpentry and building
Utilizing alternative energy.
Starting a homestead
Starting a homestead begins with a positive attitude — a desire for lifelong learning, and the fulfillment felt from being hands on. Before your list of things to do grows too long, consider what you can do to simplify your existing life. With that in mind, here are a few tips to get you going and thinking about the best path for your own homesteading adventure. The steps you take to start homesteading will depend largely on your goals and priorities. Make a list of possibilities and then prioritize those possibilities with your personal reasons for homesteading in mind.
Be realistic about the capacity and limitations of:
The property
Your budget
Your skills
Your time
The climate
The resources you have access to
Read, study, and learn from those who are homesteading under similar conditions, and don’t be afraid to ask questions. Homesteading is a gradual process, requiring life-long learning, practice and patience. It’s a challenge that (if committed to) should be embraced with an open mind. Read, study, and learn from those who are homesteading under similar conditions, and don’t be afraid to ask questions. There’s nothing like hands-on learning and being willing to make plenty of mistakes to help you acquire the knowledge and skills to thrive.
Contact our team when you're ready for homesteading planning support. First consultation is free.
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