About Homesteading
The word "homesteading" brings to mind the Homestead Act of the late 1800s when settlers could claim one-quarter square mile, or 160 acres, of government land in the new American West. All the homesteaders waited with much anticipation at the starting line with their covered wagons and horse-and-buggies. When the official fired his gun, thousands of these hopeful settlers rushed to grab their new land. Today, according to an article in Mother Earth News by Heidi Hunt, homesteadng has a much wider meaning. It instead refers to a change in one's way of life that encourages greater self-sufficiency, such as growing one's own food, reducing reliance on traditional forms of energy and finding ways to improve the quality of life.
Other People Are Reading
-
Business Plan
-
Some individuals make the big jump by leaving their homes in the suburbs or cities and buying a house and land in the country. However, just as with starting a small business, it is necessary to develop a plan before making this major move. For many people, the goal is to purchase a few acres and live off the land through farming, gardening or selling homemade food products or crafts. The first step is defining priorities. It is essential to know what you plan on growing or raising before buying the land. For example, a much different location is needed for raising grass-fed livestock than growing vegetables. Then, it is necessary to truly compare different locations to know which will best meet your needs. Do you need a barn? Is the soil and growing season adequate for your product? Will your livestock have enough pastureland and water? Where will you sell your goods? How will you get there?
Starting Small
-
Other homesteaders go at a slower pace. They may dream of moving to the country one day, but realize it is better to start the transition where they are presently living. Planting, growing and harvesting food do not have to be done in rural areas. Many of these homesteaders do whatever they can to be more self-reliant, such as heating with wood and solar power, canning food and raising chickens. To do so, they must be well acquainted with the local ordinances and zoning regulations.
-
Continual Learning
-
Whether you stay in the city or suburbs or move into the country, as a homesteader you need to spend considerable time and energy learning more about your particular interests and improving the skills you already have. This means talking with others who already have the expertise, taking classes, attending conferences and researching. You may even want to do an apprenticeship, volunteer activities or an internship. There are most likely a number of new skills you will have to learn, and it is best to start with smaller and easier to manage projects and then build up over time as you become more proficient.
Generating Income
-
For many people, the homesteading dream is buying a few acres and living off the land. There are hundreds of ways to bring in an income: farming, gardening and selling homemade food products and crafts. For example, you may want to work as a carpenter and build furniture and then sell a book to others who wish to do the same. Or have cooking classes and put up a homesteader cooking website. Earning a living is not easy no matter what your line of business, and it usually takes streams of income coming in from several different sources.
Modern-Day Homesteaders
-
You can still buy many of the old homesteads for a reasonable price, if they are in rural areas or in small towns. Although some of them have been abandoned for many years, they have working septic systems and wells. Modern-day homesteaders are buying these homes, building their own homes and living as simply as possible. They have decided that all the luxuries and modern conveniences are not what they want out of life.
-
