Homesteading Definition
The official definition is “life as a settler on a homestead” as in “the granting of homesteads to settlers”. Since that’s not super helpful unless you know what a homestead is, it’s probably a good idea to get a “lay of the land” before diving into homesteading. Yes, there’s a pun somewhere in there for your enjoyment.
What is a homestead?
A homestead is a place where someone lives and is typically used to refer to a house and the surrounding land and outbuildings. Seems pretty logical. The term is often used to describe a rural or suburban dwelling that is self-sufficient, with the family living off the land and growing their own food. Homesteads can range in size from a small cottage with a garden to a large farm with crops, livestock, and other agricultural assets.
The History of Homesteading
Even though sustainable practices of self-sufficiency have been around since the dawn of time because of the nature of our development in every culture, the history of homesteading specifically dates back to the mid-19th century in the United States when it was encouraged to settle and develop Western territories.
The Homestead Act of 1862
The Homestead Act of 1862 played a large role in the “birth” of what is now known as homesteading. In the United States, the Homestead Act of 1862 was a federal law that offered 160 acres of public land in the Western United States to any person who would live on and cultivate the land for five years. The goal of the Homestead Act was not only to encourage settlement and development of the Western territories, but also to provide land ownership opportunities for individuals who might not have had access to land otherwise. The Homestead Act was repealed by the Federal Land and Policy and Management Act of 1976, but it sure would be nice if it was still available today!
Pioneer Homesteading
When you hear the word “pioneer” you probably think of Little House on the Prairie, covered wagons, and Oregon Trails. And you wouldn’t be wrong, but interestingly enough pioneers were the first “homesteaders”. They were the people who moved west and obtained land under the Homestead Act of 1862.
Pioneer homesteading was a challenging and often grueling way of life, requiring homesteaders to live off the land, grow their own food, raise livestock, and produce goods and services for their own use and for trade with others. The homesteaders faced many challenges, including harsh weather conditions, isolation, and the need to build their own homes and infrastructure from scratch. They didn’t have the network and resources that most people can lean into today.
Despite the challenges, many homesteaders were able to build successful and sustainable lives for themselves and their families, and to establish thriving communities in the Western territories. Not only did they develop the Western United States through their bravery and resilience, but their legacy continues to inspire modern homesteaders, who seek to build a similar self-sufficient and sustainable lifestyle, while also incorporating modern techniques and technologies.
Modern Homesteading
Homesteading continued to be a popular way of life throughout the 19th and 20th centuries, particularly in rural and agricultural areas. Homesteaders typically lived off the land, raising crops and livestock for food and income, and producing other goods and services for their own use and for trade with others.
In recent years, there has been a resurgence of interest in homesteading, as people seek to live a more sustainable and self-sufficient lifestyle, and to connect more closely with the land and nature. This modern homesteading movement emphasizes organic and natural farming practices, alternative energy sources, and a focus on reducing waste and minimizing the use of non-renewable resources.
What is homesteading?
All that to say, what is homesteading? Homesteading is the lifestyle that emphasizes self-sufficiency and independence. Homesteading can be done in a rural or suburban setting. Homesteaders typically grow their own food, raise livestock, and produce other goods and services for their own consumption and use. This is not done on a commercial scale though barter and trade can still be utilized in the exchange of resources (even if there is a currency like the USD hanging out in the middle of the exchange). The goal of homesteading is often to live in a sustainable and self-sufficient way, with as little dependence on outside resources as possible.
Not only can homesteading activities can include what you typically think of like gardening and keeping livestock, but preserving food and making household goods such as soap, clothing, and furniture are also important activities. Homesteaders may also seek to minimize their use of non-renewable resources, such as fossil fuels and electricity, by relying on alternative energy sources like solar or wind power.
The homesteading movement has seen a resurgence in recent years, especially following the pandemic, as more people seek to rely less on corporations. Homesteading can offer a rewarding and fulfilling lifestyle, but it also requires a significant investment of time, energy, and resources.
Who Can Be a Homesteader?
You! You can be a homesteader! Anyone can become a homesteader, regardless of their background or prior experience. You don’t need acres of land at your disposal. We did it on less than half an acre in the suburbs! However, becoming a successful homesteader does requires a shift in mindset. You have to be willing to invest a lot of time, effort, energy, and resources in to learning new skills and adapting to a different type of lifestyle.
Homesteaders need to have strong values and a passion for self-sufficiency, a willingness to live close to the land and nature, and a desire to live a more sustainable lifestyle. You will also need to be able to grow your own food, raise livestock, and produce other goods and services for your own consumption and use. Additionally, a healthy, fit lifestyle, mental strength, and the ability to handle challenges that come with homesteading, such as dealing with inclement weather, pest control, and managing a variety of household and farm tasks is necessary.
While homesteading can be an extremely rewarding and fulfilling lifestyle, it is not for everyone. Homesteading requires significant commitment and a willingness to embrace a more self-sufficient way of living. If you are interested in becoming a homesteader, it would be helpful to start by researching the lifestyle, talking to experienced homesteaders, and gradually learning new skills and taking on new responsibilities.
Why Should You Start Homesteading?
We decided to homestead following the pandemic for quite a few different reasons. I think most people make this life transition for similar reasons.
- Self-sufficiency: Homesteading offers the opportunity to be self-sufficient, by growing your own food, raising livestock, and producing other goods and services for your own consumption and use, you are in control of the supply, production, and quality. This is an incredibly rewarding and empowering experience, as you take control of your food supply, reduce your dependence on outside resources, and live a more sustainable lifestyle.
- Closer connection to nature: Homesteading provides an opportunity to live closer to the land and nature, and to experience the natural world in a more intimate and meaningful way. This can be a refreshing change from the fast-paced, urban lifestyle that many people experience. It also allows us to more closely connect to God on a spiritual nature.
- Healthier lifestyle: Homesteading can offer a healthier lifestyle, as it encourages physical activity, a diet rich in fresh, organic produce, and a reduced dependence on processed and convenience foods. During my last pregnancy,
- Cost savings: Homesteading can also offer significant cost savings, as you reduce your dependence on expensive, store-bought foods and goods, and learn to live more frugally. Given, it can actually cost more to make this life transition, but the long term effects and the higher quality of living makes the expense worthwhile and eventually balance.
- Community building: Homesteading can also be a way to connect with other like-minded people, and to build a community based on shared values and interests.
- Higher quality: When you are cultivating what you’re putting in and on your body, you have full control of the quality and ingredients. You don’t have the temptation of processed foods, the oversight of pesticides, or even the additional expense of organic produce. No guesswork needed with scary chemical labels or the fear of longterm, unknown pharmaceutical effects.
- Integrity of values: I have values of living a more minimalistic lifestyle that’s environmentally friendly. I want to be intentional about the companies I give my money to and the values they support. I want to live more simply and more intentionally to be able to connect with God on a spiritual level that is not overshadowed by the ways of the world. And I want to challenge the current systems that society has in place because they might be benefiting the organizations more than the individuals. All of these values require a lifestyle that matches the integrity of my intentions. Homesteading naturally requires me to not just have these values, but intentionally adopt them into my lifestyle.
- Historical Record: Homesteading practices are vital for living and are the ultimate foundation of survival. If we don’t learn these skills and teach them, they will eventually be lost, controlled, and manipulated by corporations. Not only are these skills a form of art and important to humanity’s survival, but ultimately it retains our power as people and individuals.
These are just a few of the many reasons why someone might choose to start homesteading. Ultimately, the decision to homestead should be based on your motivations and goals, and the level of commitment you are willing to make to this lifestyle.
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