Starting a Homestead in 2025: What You Need to Know

Building a Sustainable Life from the Ground Up

If you’ve been feeling the pull toward a simpler, more self-sufficient way of life, you’re not alone. The idea of homesteading—growing your own food, raising animals, and living off the land—has been gaining momentum. And 2025 is the perfect year to begin!

Here at Promised Land Ranch and Goods, we know firsthand what it’s like to start this journey. It’s exciting, a little overwhelming, and filled with lessons that can only be learned by getting your hands in the dirt. Whether you dream of having fresh eggs every morning, a pantry full of home-canned produce, or simply a quiet retreat where you can breathe deep and live intentionally, we’re here to help you every step of the way.

And guess what? This is just the beginning! We’ll be continuing this series right here on our blog, breaking things down into manageable steps, so you can feel prepared and confident in your homesteading adventure. So stay tuned—and let’s get started!

1. Finding the Right Land

Your homestead’s success starts with the right piece of land. Here are a few key factors to consider:

✔ Soil Quality – If you plan to grow crops, a soil test will help you understand what you’re working with.
✔ Water Access – A well, pond, or natural spring can make all the difference for both your garden and animals.
✔ Zoning Laws – Before falling in love with a piece of land, check the local regulations on livestock, home businesses, and building restrictions.
✔ Climate Considerations – Know your growing zone and what livestock will thrive in your area.

💡 Helpful Tool: Soil Testing Kit (Insert Amazon Affiliate link here)

2. The Tools You Can’t Live Without

I’ll be honest—homesteading is hard work, but the right tools will make it a whole lot easier. When we first started, we quickly learned that investing in quality tools upfront saved us time, money, and frustration. Here are the basics you’ll need:

🛠 Hand Tools – A good shovel, rake, and pruners will be your best friends.
🚜 Tractor or Tiller – If you’re breaking ground for a big garden, you’ll be glad you have one.
🪵 Chainsaw – Even if you don’t have a wood stove, you’ll need one for clearing land or building projects.
🌾 Seed Starters & Grow Lights – If you’re starting plants early, these are a game changer.

💡 Recommended Products:

• Gardening Hand Tools Set: GROWIT Heavy Duty Gardening Tools – 22-Piece Gardening Gifts for Women, Mom, Men – Durable, Ergonomic Garden Tool Set
• Compact Tiller for Small Farms: Earthquake 20015 Versa Front Tine Tiller Cultivator with 99cc 4-Cycle Viper Engine, 5 Year Warranty
• Heavy-Duty Chainsaw: Husqvarna 460 Rancher Gas Powered Chainsaw, 60.3-cc 3.6-HP, 2-Cycle X-Torq Engine, 24 Inch Chainsaw with Automatic Adjustable Oil Pump, For Wood Cutting, Tree Trimming and Land Clearing

3. Planning Your First Garden

Growing your own food is one of the most rewarding parts of homesteading. There is nothing like the taste of homegrown tomatoes, and you will never go back to store-bought eggs once you’ve had fresh ones from your own flock!

A few things to keep in mind:

🌱 Raised Beds vs. In-Ground Gardening – Raised beds offer better drainage and weed control, but in-ground gardening is more affordable for large spaces.
🌞 Sunlight and Placement – Most vegetables need at least 6–8 hours of direct sun per day.
🌾 What to Grow First? – Stick with hardy, easy-to-grow crops like tomatoes, cucumbers, squash, and potatoes.

💡 Homestead Must-Haves:

• Raised Garden Bed Kit: AMERLIFE U-Shaped Raised Garden Bed with Deer Proof Fence, 7.5Wx15Dx6H Outdoor Wooden Raised Garden Bed Planter with 19″ Depth Planter Box
• Canning Supplies Starter Kit: 21.5 QT Stainless Steel Canning Pot with Lid, Rack & Canning Tools Set, Canning Supplies Kit Water Bath Canner for Beginner

4. Getting Started with Livestock

I always tell people, start small with animals and grow from there. Chickens are a great first choice because they’re easy to care for, provide fresh eggs daily, and help control pests. But if you’re thinking bigger, here’s a quick rundown of starter-friendly livestock:

🐔 Chickens – Low maintenance, great for eggs and meat.
🐇 Rabbits – Perfect for small spaces and an easy protein source.
🐐 Goats – They’ll clear brush and provide milk (just make sure you have good fencing!).
🐖 Pigs – Great for meat, but they require sturdy fencing and lots of food.

💡 Top Picks for New Homesteaders:

• Chicken Coop Kit: Deluxe Large Wood Chicken Coop Backyard Hen House 6-10 Chickens with 6 Nesting Box
• Automatic Watering System for Livestock: Automatic Watering System for Livestock

5. Learning Homesteading Skills

This is where the real fun begins—learning the skills that make homesteading possible and fulfilling. You don’t need to know everything on Day 1, but here are a few skills to start working on:

🛠 Basic Carpentry – So you can build fencing, shelters, and repair things yourself.
🔥 Firewood Preparation – Even if you don’t heat with wood, knowing how to cut and store firewood is valuable.
🧺 Food Preservation – Canning, dehydrating, and freezing will keep your pantry stocked year-round.
💧 Water Collection & Filtration – If you have livestock or rely on well water, this is a must.

And don’t worry—you don’t have to do it alone. We’ll be covering these skills in-depth in upcoming posts, so be sure to follow along here on our blog at PLRandGoods.com!

We Want to Hear from You!

Do you have a specific homesteading topic you’d love for us to cover? Maybe you’re wondering about the best fencing for goats, or how to start a small greenhouse?

Drop a comment below! We read every comment and truly appreciate our community of like-minded homesteaders who take the time to interact with us. Together, we can learn, grow, and prosper as we build a life of self-sufficiency and faith.

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