A word with 1,000 different definitions…
Depending on who you ask.
But, when it comes down to it there is only one formal definition.
Wikipedia defines homesteading as:
a lifestyle of self-sufficiency. It is characterized by subsistence agriculture, home preservation of foodstuffs, and it may or may not also involve the small scale production of textiles, clothing, and craftwork for household use or sale.”
But what REALLY is homesteading? What does it look like?
Again, the answer really depends on who you ask. To me, homesteading is becoming self-sufficient and it can be done wherever you live. A common misconception about homesteading is that you have to have tons of land in order to do it. You don’t.
People often ask me why and how I got started in homesteading. I was actually interviewed by Jess at the 104 homestead answering those questions. You can read about it HERE.
Why and How We Started Homesteading
We started homesteading after my mom died in 2012 from cancer- at the age of 50. My dad asked my mom’s Oncologist why he thinks cancer is so prevalent these days. His response was to take a look at our food system and the ingredients in our food (read more about our journey HERE).
I was completely baffled at his response.
Baffled.
What could possibly be in our food supply that causes cancer? The short answer- A LOT. After researching and educating myself, Mountain Man and I decided that we needed to rehaul our lives- if not for us at least for our kiddos.
And so we started our homesteading lives.
The first thing we did was buy chickens. They say chickens are “the gateway” livestock. Well, that statement is the absolute TRUTH. Chickens turned into more chickens– then a huge hoop house– then ducks- then meat chickens {twice a year)- and now the latest…goats.
Each and every animal that lives on our farm serves a purpose.
We make 99% of our food from scratch. We can, freeze, dehydrate, and preserve. We ferment food and drinks. We fish and hunt. We grow and raise our own food here on the farm.
It’s a homesteading life. And a good one.
What is Homesteading to Other Homesteaders?
I asked five homesteading bloggers what homesteading meant to them.
Jenna from The Flip Flop Barnyard: “For our family homesteading means doing what we can where we are, raising as much of our own food as we can, and being as self-sustaining as possible. It is about utilizing the space and resources available to us. It is also all about providing our family with opportunities to grow and learn that they wouldn’t have in another type of lifestyle.”
Andrea from Little Big Harvest: “The word ‘homestead’ can sometimes bring up a mental image of sprawling acres and log cabins. Idyllic, certainly–but actually, homesteads come in all shapes and sizes. Any piece of earth, even if it’s a little urban lot, can be tended and nurtured to grow food, awareness, and more independence.”
Tracy from Our Simple Life: “The smell of fresh mowed hay, the sound of a rooster crowing, the sight of alpacas grazing, and the feel of freshly turned soil in my hands is what makes my heart beat with a homesteading passion. I still have to pinch myself when I look out my window to see all we have accomplished in just five short years. It wasn’t always easy and the daily tasks outweigh the time on the clock, but I go to bed dog tired with a smile on my face!”
Nicole from Little Blog on the Homestead: “Our homestead looks pretty much like every other house you would see on the block (other than our raised garden beds full of veggies in our front yard) we live in a typical suburban neighborhood, both work typical suburban jobs and other than our enormously spoiled furbaby we don’t have any animals. Homesteading to us is more about a frame of mind. A desire to live as naturally as possible, to learn all that we can to be self-sufficient and working towards that goal. We garden, can as much as possible, cook almost all of our meals from scratch and are saving up to buy property. But until then we’ll continue to homestead right where we are now.”
Amy from Tenth Acre Farm: “Homesteading is the act of creating a productive home, which can be done no matter the size of the home or the property. While modern culture encourages us to be consumers, we reduce our consumption by growing some of our food (mostly in the front yard!), cooking all of our food from scratch, forming relationships with local farmers and fellow gardeners, and flexing our home economics muscles. All of this on 0.10-acre in suburbia! Breaking free of debt is the best thing we did to jumpstart our homesteading lifestyle.”
Homesteading Blogs:
I have compiled a list of some of my favorite rural and suburban/urban blogs for you to check out. See- homesteading can be done anywhere!
Links to Rural Homestead Blogs:
Links to Suburban/Urban Homestead Blogs:
Happy Homesteading Wherever You Are!
Shared On: Simple Life Sunday
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I have no desire to ever own a barnyard animal but I think my mindset is switching more and more towards making everything from scratch and if I can ever cure my black thumb I’d love to grow my own herbs and veggies too! You might make an urban homesteader out of me yet!
~Meaghan
I said that about farm animals a while back too… ;).
We’ve lived almost a year now in a 27′ RV on rented land… we raised a large garden this summer, preserving as much as we could, and have paid off all our debt. We cook 90% of our food from scratch, and help the neighbor down the road with his greenhouse, aquaponics garden, and ducks. Now we’re in the market to buy land. Around here, if you don’t want 160+ acres you’re pretty much out of luck, so we might be in this RV a while!
I think living in a RV would be an awesome experience. It’s so awesome that all of your debt is paid off. That is a great thing to do!
I just loved reading what homesteading meant to everyone! What an array of different homesteads…but all with the same passion. Thanks for a great post Jen!
Thanks for letting me interview you!
Jen
For a long time I was confused with how we live. I wasn’t a farmer but I have a milk cow, chickens, garden, etc. I decided we must be homesteaders as I don’t really want to make a living off of our land (not that earning money would be a bad thing) but enjoy a self sufficient life style in as many different areas of our life as possible. Thanks for the post.
You sound like a homesteader to me!!
Jen
Thanks for this post. The homesteading lifestyle definitely struck a cord with me when I first started reading about it. Being self sustainable to any degree fuels my passion, and inspired my husband and I enough to move outside the city to a 40 acre property (we weren’t looking for that much land, but couldn’t pass it up). We are loving every minute of it. I can’t wait to get my first chicks in the spring, and get my garden growing. http://www.lifewithdaisy.ca
Erin,
We are about to move to a 45 acre property- we couldn’t pass it up either.
P.S. It all starts with baby chicks… 😉
Jen
Thanks for sharing @ Wednesday’s Wisdom. Ever since I started blogging about 4 months ago I’ve come across the word ‘homesteading’ quite a few times and never new what it was exactly. Well now I know. Just didn’t realize what I am working towards is called ‘homesteading’. 🙂
I love this. So glad to have found your blog.
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