Category: Homesteading / Gardening

Although many people associate homesteading with independence or even isolation, the truth is that homesteaders play an active role in their community. In fact, they’re often more connected to their neighbors than people living in the city are. With the skills to grow your own crops, raise animals and build things from scratch, you can…

Many people fear the idea of living off the grid because they think they won’t have access to the basic necessities of life. Some might even believe living a life of relative isolation in a rural community could deteriorate their health. After all, without hospitals, medicines, and therapy at arm’s reach, how could they possibly…

If you own a homestead, you’re likely suffering the same sticker shock that ranchers and pet owners are experiencing right now. When did food — both for animals and humans — get so pricey? If it seems like you’re paying more than ever at the grocery store or feed mill, you aren’t imagining it. Fortunately,…

Rolling hills, deep ravines, stunning blue lakes and starry skies — how do you put a price on your land? Whether you’re considering selling your acreage or just want to know how much it’s worth, the easiest strategy is usually to hire a real estate appraiser. An appraiser will visit your property and look for…

If you’ve recently purchased or are looking to purchase a homestead, you might have visions of leading a simple, pioneering life. While there’s certainly nothing wrong with using manual tools, you’ll have your work cut out for you if you have a large property. Removing brush and tilling fields for planting goes much faster if…

Revisiting the rural lifestyles of your ancestors is becoming simultaneously trendy and necessary. Increasing climate-related pressure on the planet requires humans to interact with the Earth differently than technology has conditioned them to. Many are flocking to homesteads on green acres instead of white-fence suburbia, wanting to live a self-sufficient lifestyle separate from societal pressures…

Sometimes I wonder if I’m crazy. Most of my friends and family don’t do what I do. They keep spending money on “fun” stuff, like vacations, new cars and phones. My more affluent friends even continue to invest in the stock market and things like that. It’s as if either I’m “the only one” who…

A winter storm is more than an inconvenience when you’re living on a homestead. During a winter power outage, you still have a farm that needs running, equipment that requires fuel, and animals and a household to keep warm. Fuel storage is essential for every component of homestead operations. During the winter, it’s a necessary…

If someone goes off-grid, they could potentially take with them a whole host of health concerns that hinder their everyday living. Naturally, once they get out into nature, they will have limited access to medicine, doctors, and specialized medical treatment. The mistake is neglecting your major mental and physical health needs before making the plunge…