You’ve thought about homesteading, you’ve perused land, you may even be well on your way to purchasing a farmhouse. On the other hand, you may live on some land already but feel a bit overwhelmed at how to start the process of homesteading and becoming more self sufficient. You have come to the right place and I am here to help.
It has only been a short time (we are in our fourth year) that we have had our own little homestead. I call it little because we live on just shy of 6 acres, not grandiose by any means but definitely large enough to raise some livestock, garden, can the bounty and feel like I am at least on the road to homesteading. Looking back though, I realize that this is a journey that I really began years and years ago when I started wanting to be more in touch with the way my grandmother and mother grew up. I wanted to learn some of the old skills, the ones we would now refer to as “self sufficiency skills” it is more of a pop culture word now but what it really means is that we can do for ourselves.
Many of the skills of our parents, grandparents, and great grandparents for that matter are becoming lost to so many generations because we feel that they are antiquated, there is a growing movement happening though. It is a bit of an enlightenment really, some of us are starting to realize that when those previous generations are gone, the skills and knowledge that they have are also lost, forever. Unless…we get busy and begin learning now.
It is all to easy to feel inadequate if you look online at homesteaders who are blogging about their great accomplishments and adventures, but just know that we all start somewhere and we all are on a journey, I know I still am and there will always be someone further along that journey than me. (I have a post here to give you a healthy perspective) We all have to start somewhere though.
Where do you start though? Here are some great tips to get you going.
1. Check out the print
There are a number of fantastic books out there where you can begin to glean information even if you haven’t purchased that land yet. The skills you can read about and learn are an education that cannot be taken from you so get busy!
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This is the first book I started with back when I still lived in the suburbs in a rural town. I had a house on a residential street that was still walking distance from the town movie theater, but I had a dream and a desire to learn. This is where it all began for me
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"The Self Sufficient Life and How to Live It teaches all the skills needed to live independently by harnessing natural forms of energy, raising crops and keeping livestock, preserving foodstuffs, making beer and wine, basketry, carpentry, weaving, and much more"
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"When is the right time to shear a sheep? Is there a market for manure? What time of day is best to collect eggs? What is the correct way to milk a goat? What does a duck eat? Can a cow and a sheep share the same pasture? Which types of rabbits are easiest to raise? The perfect book for anyone who has ever dreamed of having that little place in the country"
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"While this book can be helpful to all farmers, it targets the wannabes, the folks who actually entertain notions of living, loving and learning on a piece of land. Anyone willing to dance with such a dream should be able to assess its assets and liabilities; its fantasies and realities. "Is it really possible for me?" is the burning question this book addresses."
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"Seed to Seed is widely acknowledged as the best guide available for home gardeners to learn effective ways to produce and store seeds on a small scale. The author has grown seed crops of every vegetable featured in the book, and has thoroughly researched and tested all of the techniques she recommends for the home garden."
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"Backyard Homesteading addresses the needs of many people who want to take control of the food they eat and the products they use--even if they live in a urban or suburban house on a typical-size lot. It shows homeowners how to turn their yard into a productive and wholesome "homestead" that allows them to grow their own fruits and vegetables, and raise farm animals, including chickens and goats. "
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"Backyard Farming on an Acre (More or Less) is written by someone who has planned and run a successful small-scale farm. Angela England guides you through the essentials of planning a small farm — deciding what should be grown or raised, implementing proven, sustainable techniques, and maximizing yield and harvest."
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"Whether you live on a small suburban lot or have a many acres in the country, this inspiring collection will empower you to increase your self-sufficiently and embrace a more independent lifestyle."
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"How to choose the right breeds for your needs, build efficient chicken coops, provide necessary medical attention for your animals, and much more. Whether you’re raising broilers for meat or preparing your chickens to win a blue ribbon at the next county fair, Storey’s Guide to Raising Chickens will help you achieve your poultry-raising goals"
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2. Read About Other's Journeys (not to compare yourself but to learn)
Here are a few of the bloggers I love to read...
- The Farm Barbie
- Oakhill Homestead
- Simple Life Mom
-Not So Modern Housewife
-The Chicken Chick
- The Farm Barbie
- Oakhill Homestead
- Simple Life Mom
-Not So Modern Housewife
-The Chicken Chick
3. Start Small
This relates to ANY topic be it Gardening, Animal Husbandry, Canning, Sewing, Homeschooling, From Scratch Baking...any of them. Start where you are and start small. Master a few areas through some trial and error and you will feel even more confident about your ability to move forward and on to the next area of interest.
4. Keep a Journal
Many of us start down the homesteading path and become easily discouraged when we have a few fails (and you will). Keeping a journal of what you are doing, what is working and what is not is very helpful. Also, if you are venturing into livestock KEEP NOTES.
This is so important because in the excitement of getting those new chicks, piglets or any other animal you will forget. However, many months or even a year down the line you may want to know what all of your hard work is netting you in your pocketbook, without good records of the amount of cash you spent up front, and the amount you regularly spend on feed, there is no way to go back and get accurate facts.
This is so important because in the excitement of getting those new chicks, piglets or any other animal you will forget. However, many months or even a year down the line you may want to know what all of your hard work is netting you in your pocketbook, without good records of the amount of cash you spent up front, and the amount you regularly spend on feed, there is no way to go back and get accurate facts.
5. Connect with Mentors
None of us can do this alone. You will find (if you haven't already) that many a farmer, gardener, or homesteader will relish sharing their knowledge with a fledgling newbie. Just be respectful of their time and compensate them when possible (a homemade loaf of bread, some fresh cool new variety of veggie you grew, a dozen eggs, you get the picture).
I find that the BEST advice out there is that which comes from the crowd of folks over the age of 70 years old. The older the better actually. They have lived this life, they have years of experience that is worth its weight in gold, go out there and get some for yourself. If you aren't sure where to find someone, look for a local farmer's market and find the oldest gent or lady there. If that isn't an option, look around you, find some farms and go introduce yourself, taking along some goodies from your place for the introduction never hurt either.
None of us can do this alone. You will find (if you haven't already) that many a farmer, gardener, or homesteader will relish sharing their knowledge with a fledgling newbie. Just be respectful of their time and compensate them when possible (a homemade loaf of bread, some fresh cool new variety of veggie you grew, a dozen eggs, you get the picture).
I find that the BEST advice out there is that which comes from the crowd of folks over the age of 70 years old. The older the better actually. They have lived this life, they have years of experience that is worth its weight in gold, go out there and get some for yourself. If you aren't sure where to find someone, look for a local farmer's market and find the oldest gent or lady there. If that isn't an option, look around you, find some farms and go introduce yourself, taking along some goodies from your place for the introduction never hurt either.
Want to read more posts by other homesteaders? Check out these roundups that have tons of fantastic information!
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