Farmstead Chronicles
How to Start a Homestead from Scratch – A Personal Journey
Apr
How to Start a Homestead from Scratch – A Personal Journey
If you’ve ever felt the pull to live more simply, grow your own food, and embrace a life of self-sufficiency, then welcome to the world of homesteading. I know firsthand how overwhelming it can feel when you’re just starting out. When we first started, we had big dreams but little direction. But here’s the good news—you don’t have to have all the answers right away. You just have to start.
Let me walk you through the steps I wish I had known when we began our homesteading journey.
1. Define Your Homesteading Goals
Homesteading looks different for everyone. Are you wanting to raise chickens for eggs? Grow a huge garden to feed your family? Maybe you’re interested in selling farm-fresh goods at a local market? Whatever your goals, write them down and start small.
For us, it started with a simple garden and a few chickens. Over time, we expanded into more livestock, food preservation, and learning the skills that made us more self-reliant. Your homestead will grow as you do.
2. Find the Right Land (or Use What You Have!)
If you already have some land, work with what you’ve got. Even a small backyard can become a thriving homestead with the right mindset. But if you’re looking for land, consider these key factors:
- Water Source – Do you have a well, a pond, or access to city water?
- Soil Quality – Is it good for gardening? You can always improve poor soil, but it takes work.
- Zoning & Restrictions – Some areas have rules about livestock or outbuildings. Check before you buy!
- Location – How far are you from stores, feed supply, or emergency services?
We started on a small piece of land and learned that even a little space can go a long way when used wisely.
3. Start with the Basics – Food & Water
The backbone of any homestead is food and water. Whether you’re growing vegetables, raising animals, or both, securing these basics is key.
- Gardening – Start with easy crops like tomatoes, zucchini, and potatoes. These grow well in many climates and will boost your confidence.
- Raising Livestock – Chickens are a great beginner choice. They provide eggs, help with pest control, and require minimal space.
- Water Collection – Set up rain barrels or look into drilling a well if you don’t already have one.
We started with just a few raised garden beds, and before we knew it, we were preserving enough food to last us through the winter.
4. Learn Essential Skills
Homesteading isn’t just about having land; it’s about learning how to make the most of it. Some key skills that have helped us along the way include:
- Canning & Preserving – Don’t let all that fresh food go to waste!
- Basic Carpentry – Fencing, coops, and sheds don’t build themselves.
- Animal Care – Healthy animals mean more productivity.
- Composting & Soil Health – Good soil makes gardening so much easier.
One of my biggest lessons was learning how to preserve our harvest. The first time I canned tomatoes, I felt like a pioneer—staring at those jars lined up on the counter gave me such a sense of pride.
5. Build Slowly & Avoid Burnout
It’s easy to get caught up in all the things you want to do, but homesteading is a marathon, not a sprint. Start small, master a few things, then expand.
Trust me—I’ve been guilty of trying to do too much too fast. We expanded too quickly one year, adding more animals than we could realistically care for, and it nearly broke us. Slow and steady truly wins this race.
6. Community & Resources Are Everything
Find like-minded people. Whether it’s an online group, local farmers, or old-timers in your community, learning from others is one of the best ways to grow your homesteading knowledge.
Homesteading has been the most rewarding adventure of my life. It’s a lifestyle filled with hard work, but also deep satisfaction. There’s nothing quite like walking out to your own garden, gathering fresh eggs, or knowing that you’re feeding your family with the fruits of your labor.
If you’ve been dreaming about starting your own homestead, start today—even if it’s just a small step like planting herbs on your windowsill or researching backyard chickens. You don’t have to have it all figured out. You just have to begin.
What’s your biggest homesteading dream? Drop a comment below—I’d love to hear it!
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