How to Become a Homesteader: Turning the Dream of Self-Reliance into a Real, Working Lifestyle

The dream: How to become a homesteader

So, you’ve caught the homesteading bug. Maybe it’s the rising cost of groceries, the craving for a simpler life, or the urge to put your hands back in the soil. Whatever sparked it, you’re not alone. Thousands of people every year decide they want to take control of their food, their home, and their future.

But here’s the problem: most people don’t know where to start. They buy a few chickens, plant a too-big garden, and get overwhelmed. Within too short a time, they’re burned out or broke sometimes both.

Let’s sort that.

Twenty-five years ago we bought a property that eventually became New Terra Farm. We learned a few things about homesteading along the way. 

Homesteading isn’t about doing everything yourself; it’s about learning to do enough, wisely, sustainably, and profitably. In this article we'll walk through what becoming a homesteader really means, what most folks get wrong, and how you can build a lifestyle that actually works.

Raise food, build shelter, generate your own water and power.

Carefully Curated Resources For The Homesteader and Prudent Property Owner

The world seems to be a little unsettled these days. I'm always looking for ways to make New Terra Farm more self-sufficient and productive.

Here's a few of the best ways I've found to make self-sufficiency happen. Useful Homesteader Resources

What Homesteading Really Means (and Why It Matters)

Homesteading is often defined by what it rejects - debt, dependence, consumerism -  but it’s more useful to say homesteading is about building systems that sustain you.

That might mean growing your own food, generating your own power, preserving your harvest, or earning income from your land. The common thread is self-reliance: making choices that move you away from dependency and toward resilience.

Why is that important?

Because the modern world runs on fragility. Supply chains snap. Prices spike. Governments change rules overnight. Homesteading gives you a buffer;  a way to feed yourself, heat your home, and earn a living no matter what’s happening “out there.”

It’s not about running from society; it’s about being less vulnerable to it.

What Most People Do (and Why It Doesn’t Work)

You can do just about anything on your homestead, but not all at once.

Here's a key point: you can do anything, but you can't do everything. When people first decide to “become homesteaders,” they tend to go all-in, before they’ve learned the basics.

Here’s the typical pattern:

• They move to the country, buy too much land, and get buried in debt.
• They try to do everything  - chickens, goats, bees, gardens, solar, canning -  all at once.
• They don’t track costs or yields, assuming “homegrown = savings.”
• They depend on YouTube for advice but never build real, local know-how.

And within a year or two, they’re exhausted. The projects stop paying off. The dream feels like a burden.

The truth? Homesteading fails when it starts as a fantasy instead of a plan.

You don’t need 20 acres, a barn, or an Instagram-perfect pantry. You need systems;  small, repeatable systems that reduce costs, build skills, and generate a surplus you can sell or trade.

That is exactly the path we followed, one system leading to and supporting the next. That's how you stay sane and stay on-track.

How to Becomes A Homesteader:  A Better Approach

We got good at market gardening and raising chickens for sale BEFORE we took on piggies.

Here's an approach with a better chance of success:

1. Start Where You Are.
Don’t wait for the “perfect property.” If you’ve got a yard, a balcony, or even a sunny window, you’ve got a start. The habits of homesteading - i.e. growing, preserving, managing, repairing - can all be practiced now.

2. Think Systems, Not Projects.
A raised bed isn’t a system; but a four-bed rotation plan with compost input, succession crops, and a season-extending cover is. The goal isn’t to “build a chicken coop,” it’s to build an egg system, with housing, feed, water, and a market for the surplus.

3. Make It Pay Early.
Nothing builds momentum like cash flow. Sell a few dozen eggs. Offer composted manure to gardeners. Grow high-value herbs in pots and sell starter plants. Even $100/month proves the system works and helps fund your next step.

Our first market garden was about the size of a big back yard. But the purpose of the garden (besides the cash flow), was to learn the business so we could expand in future seasons

4. Build Resilience, Not Isolation.
Homesteading isn’t about going off-grid; it’s about building stronger connections. Barter with neighbors. Join local co-ops. Learn from nearby farmers. Independence is actually interdependence with the right people.

5. Keep Learning, Keep Records.
Track your costs, yields, and time spent. You’ll quickly see what works and what doesn’t. The most successful homesteaders think like small business owners,  because in reality they are. It just so happens the 'business' is their life.

Action Steps: How to Become a Homesteader

Let’s turn all this philosophy into actionable steps. Here’s a step-by-step path you can follow.

Step 1: Define Your “Why” and Your Vision

Ask yourself what draws you to homesteading.

• Food security?
• Lower costs of living?
• Environmental responsibility?
• Freedom from the rat race?

Write it down. Your “why” will guide your choices when things get tough — and they will get tough.

Then, sketch your vision. In five years, what do you want your homestead to look like? Be specific: how much land, how much food, what income streams?

Step 2: Assess What You Have Now

Make a quick inventory:

• Space (yard, balcony, basement, etc.)
• Tools and supplies
• Skills and experience
• Time available each week
• Money you can invest

Homesteading isn’t about what you don’t have; it’s about using what you do have efficiently.

Step 3: Pick One Core Skill to Master

Start with one area:

• Food: grow a small garden or start container tomatoes.
• Animals: raise 4–6 hens.
• Preservation: learn water-bath canning or dehydrating.
• Income: sell something small, like herb bundles or micro greens.

Master it, record your process, and build from there.

Step 4: Build a 3-Month Starter Plan

Create a short, achievable plan:

• 3–5 goals (like “grow 10 meals worth of veggies”)
• Basic budget (what you’ll spend and what you expect back)
• Weekly work blocks for garden or animal chores

Review and adjust monthly. The key is consistency, not speed.

Step 5: Reinvest and Expand

When you hit small wins — extra eggs, extra produce, saved grocery money — reinvest it. Buy better tools, add composting, or start a new enterprise. Each step should make the next one easier.

Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

Mistake #1: Going Too Big Too Fast

More land means more work, not more freedom. Start with what you can manage in 1–2 hours a day. Expansion is earned through efficiency, not enthusiasm.

Mistake #2: Ignoring the Numbers

Track expenses and time. That “free food” might be costing you $20 a tomato if you’re not watching the math. Record-keeping is the difference between a dream and a business.

Mistake #3: Neglecting Maintenance

Homesteads collapse from neglect. Clean coops, sharpen tools, fix leaks; get in the habit to keep your systems alive. Don't neglect maintenance on yourself as well. Allow time for recovery from bursts of action,avoid burnout.

Mistake #4: Thinking “DIY” Means “Do It All Yourself”

Smart homesteaders delegate. Buy from local producers when it’s cheaper or smarter than making it. Collaboration keeps you sane.

Mistake #5: Comparing Your Start to Someone Else’s Middle

Every Instagram homesteader started small. You’re not behind,  you’re just beginning. Focus on progress, not perfection.

How To Become A Homesteader: The Takeaway

Learning how to become a homesteader isn’t about geography; it’s about mindset. It’s about taking control of your needs one small system at a time.

Most people overreach and under-plan. You’re going to do the opposite: plan small, execute consistently, and build momentum.

Start where you are. Learn what works. Reinvest your gains. And before long, you’ll wake up one morning and realize you didn’t just start homesteading. You became a homesteader.

If (like me) you would rather build it than buy it, this is for you...

Learn how to become a homesteader with this valuable resource

I didn't write this one, but it's an excellent resource for the homesteader or small property owner anyway!

The Self-Sufficient Backyard has literally hundreds of plans and practical tools and techniques for the serious homesteader.Written by a couple who have actually done the work.

From growing food, to medicinal herbs, solar electricity, root cellaring, growing small livestock, and selling select produce as a side hustle, plus many more money-saving and money-making ideas, this book is an encyclopedia of growing and building knowledge. A must-have in your homestead library.

I only write about topics I have personal experience with. The authors of The Self-Sufficient Backyard have done the same. Highly recommended!

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