It is common to imagine a beautiful farmhouse on acres of property with rolling green hills, swine in pen, and backyard hens, as well as an arbor full of citrus trees when you hear the term “homestead.” Homesteading does not necessitate a large plot of land, but it does fulfill the criteria.
You don’t have to have a lot of lands to start a homestead; it doesn’t matter if you live in a city or live in a rural area.
All you need to understand about modern homesteading is here.
What does it mean to “homestead”?
While the term “homesteading” is used to describe a self-sufficient way of living, the term itself is vague. It’s not uncommon for urban homesteaders to cultivate their food and compost, even if they live in the city’s center. One can even be completely self-sufficient as a homesteader if they cultivate their food and even generate electricity. They’re on opposing extremities of the homesteading spectrum, yet they’re both included.
Subsistence farming, food preservation at home, and the creation of textiles, apparel, and other handicrafts for sale or personal use are the foundations of homesteading. Homesteaders may even opt to forego the use of money in favor of bartering or making their supplies. Modern homesteading doesn’t have to be all-or-nothing; you can select what works for you and make tiny adjustments to your way of life.
Homesteading’s many benefits
Start anytime and anywhere you like
You don’t need acres of property to get off on homesteading basics – you can start with a small plot. Try planting herbs on a sunlit window sill or in a patch of your lawn to get your feet wet. Your food leftovers can also be composted to generate soil, which you can then use to grow your garden vegetables. The idea is to start modestly and do with the resources you have at your disposal. There is a possibility that you’ll grow to enjoy self-sufficiency so much that you’ll exchange in your city apartment for a farmhouse and some land.
Learn to rely on yourself
There’s no limit to how self-sufficient you can be once it comes to homesteading. You can grow your food, make your clothing, and even generate your power using sun, wind, or water.
Provide for the people in your area
For many people, homesteading feels like a return to our beginnings, when folks used to trade grapes from their orchards for eggs from neighbors’ chickens. A spirit of community support can be gained by distributing your garden’s produce, such as fruit, eggs, and vegetables.
Save money and resources
Consumption has become a major issue in our society, with plastic-wrapped veggies and apparel and food that isn’t exactly what nature intended. It’s better to grow your food than buy it from the store since you have more control over the quality and freshness of what you eat. Create apparel that reduces your carbon footprint and generates electricity to save money on your utility bill.
Conclusion
If you’ve done some research and planning, homesteading is a viable option for anyone.