So You Wanna’ Be A Homesteader? Advice & Inspiration From The Experts

so you wanna be a homesteader Lil' Suburban Homestead

Homesteading is not for the faint of heart whether you are an “Urban Farmer”, a “Suburban Homesteader” like me, on “Some Acreage” or completely “off-grid” it is a 24/7 way of life that is by no means glamorous but extremely rewarding.   It is a lifestyle that as I have researched and connected with fellow like-minded homesteading friends;  that incorporates the following qualities such as the love of life-long learning, the pursuit of a more self-sufficient, financially independent,  and self-reliant life. Often homesteaders are innovators, Do It Yourselfers, Gardeners, Chicken Mama & Papa’s, Preppers/Survivalists, herbalists, and often even use their own Home Apothecary.

So if you are currently researching the homesteading lifestyle and wondering if it’s for you have I got a stellar line up of folks and resources that not only have a lot of inspiration to share but are experts in their field. I am going to toss my hat into that ring as well and share with you some of my favorite blog posts!

 

“Lil’ Suburban Homestead”

Welcome To Our Lil’ Suburban Homestead

This Is How We Got Started The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly!

 

Teri Page150x150

Teri Page

Homestead Honey

“Cultivate a balance between idealism and realism. Celebrate that what you’re doing on your homestead is life-changing and inspirational, while recognizing that it takes hard work, more money than you think, and more time than you think!”

Patrick at Survival at Home

Patrick

Survival At Home 

“Don’t give up! If you started on the path, you did it because you want that life. It might be a hard start, but when things level out, it’s a good life! Stay diligent.”

 

Rachel and Craig Off Grid Homestead

Rachel & Craig

Off Grid Homestead

Talk to the locals, they can save you and teach you a lot! For instance, one neighbour showed us the closest wild leek patches, and another neighbour taught us to mention we’re local to the closest building supply store as they charge double to wealthy cottagers around here… and that’s just a tiny glimpse of extremely useful tips we’ve garnered from locals.

Angela England Untrained Housewife

Angela England

Untrained Housewife

“Developing a more self-sufficient lifestyle is partly about understanding your boundaries, your
personal limitations. And taking the risk and the chance to push the boundaries of where those
limits are. Do you just “know” that you could never have a backyard chicken flock? Do you
“know” that you have a terrible black thumb and could never grow your own food?  For me this year it’s starting the garden from seeds – heirloom seeds that I can try my hand at saving for the first time. It could be a colossal failure, but it could be a brilliant success. Chances are it’ll be something in the middle and that is ok with me.”

 

Melissa Jones From Scratch Magazine
Melissa Jones
When you are homesteading and trying to live a more sustainable life it is important to remember that this entire lifestyle is a process. Perfection or completion should not be your goal. Instead focus on the daily triumphs. Look at each day as an opportunity to learn something new.”
Rachel at Grow A Good Life.com
Rachel Arsenault

The one piece of advice I can share with a new homesteader is to grow slowly. Don’t try to build a house, add livestock, and start a huge garden the first year. Begin small, set goals each season, expand, evaluate your progress, adjust as you go along, learn from your mistakes, and try to enjoy the process of becoming self-sufficient a little at a time.”

blue yonder urban farms

Karen Coghlan

Blue Yonder Urban Farms

“I read this somewhere recently, “It is easier to grow food in a walled in area than in an open field”.  And I know from experience that it is true. Because when we lived in Texas on 5 acres I could not get my large unprotected garden growing well, the rain, and wind along with the scorching heat my plants just withered. But now living in an area with a walled in back yard it just seems to grow better, even with the heat and wind. What I read is that the walls protect the plants from harsh blowing winds and bad weather; also it keeps out critters that might eat your produce. I am not sure how this advice will help someone with a large area to work with, but I know it has made a difference for us. Things are growing again. “

andrea little big harvest

Andrea

Little Big Harvest

“Make your vision your own, and embrace it. Remember not to compare yourself to the homesteading efforts of others; whatever steps you are taking are huge. So keep doing them, and enjoy your journey!”
janet at timber creek farmerJanet

“Before getting any type of homestead livestock, chickens, ducks, goats,dairy cow. etc, make sure to do your homework.  All baby animals are cute and it makes them hard to resist.  But make sure their needs will fit with your family’s lifestyle and your property. Many animalscan be destructive to a small property.  Some need protective housing.  Knowing the needs of the animal first, can prevent heartache later.”

Schneider Peeps
Angi
My number one advice is to start small and add a little more each year.  It’s better to do something small and do it well than it is to try to do something big and totally feel overwhelmed.

Rebecca Letters From Sunny Brook

Rebecca

Letters  From Sunnybrook

 “Build on your skills and experience slowly. Each year you will grow and learn from the lessons the year before. It is tempting to try and ‘do everything’ but that can lead to being overwhelmed, and not putting your best into the experience. If you try something and it doesn’t work out the way you planned, don’t get discouraged. It is the trying that makes us grow as homesteaders.”

Janet One Acre Farm

Janet

One Acre Farm

“Thoroughly research the habits and needs of animals before you get them, so you understand what you’re getting yourself into, and so you will be able to provide the proper care and living conditions. Don’t feel like you need to do it all. It’s okay to pick and choose the animals, crops, and activities that YOU will enjoy.”

Jen

Easy Homestead

Start small- you have plenty of time to grow. Don’t try to do everything at once because you will become overworked, tired, and stressed. Also, don’t be afraid to fail- it’s a learning process!”

Joybilee Farm

Chris Dalziel

Joybilee Farm

“Take a planned day off once a week. Don’t go shopping. Don’t go anywhere. Just stay home, do only essential chores, put dinner in the crock pot, and rest. You will gain perspective, refuel your creativity, and enjoy your homestead life so much more. The to-do list doesn’t get any shorter.”

dr. eric z.

Dr. Eric Z.

Dr. Eric Z.com

“Urban Homesteading is not about the money, it’s a way of life.  It’s about taking control of your food supply and being intentional in , how you live.  It’s worth the time and energy, so get plugged in with some good FB groups and blogs and learn all that you can!”

Montana Homesteader

Annie

Montana Homesteader

“Don’t expect that you can do everything you want to do in your first year homesteading: big garden, orchard, chickens, goat, cow, beekeeping. It all takes time and costs more money than you may realize. Make a list of priorities and start with small steps to achieve your homesteading goals. “

Jessica at 104 Homestead

Jessica

104 Homestead

“If you can dream it, you can do it. It may need to be tweaked a bit, but your homesteading dream CAN be a reality.”

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Deborah Jean

Dandelion House

“Dream Big, then work small towards your homesteading dreams. Be grateful where you are on your homesteading journey. Grow something new every year. Cultivate relationships with other like-minded homesteaders for learning and ongoing support.  Put down some roots and bloom.”

pasture deficit disorder

Cheryl

Pasture Deficit Disorder

“My best advice is to start small, but always build/plan for bigger in the future.  If you think ahead of the capacity and infrastructure you’ll need down the road, and plan ahead for it, it will save having to redo or tear down what you’ve already built. A great example is running water lines for future animals, barns, gardens, etc.”

northern homestead

Anna

Northern Homestead

“Find out and work with your climate, not against it. What works in Kalifornien might not work for you. If it is hot where you are, plant melons, if it is cold build a greenhouse. You will be much happier and more productive. “

I hope you have all enjoyed reading these inspiring words of wisdom from the Homesteading experts!  I know they have inspired me and make sure to take time to check out their blogs and blog resources.  It is so important to connect with others who are like-minded on the homesteading journey!

And as you know my motto is…”If you have a home you’re a homesteader!”

Fondly,

Karen Lynn

”From

28 thoughts on “So You Wanna’ Be A Homesteader? Advice & Inspiration From The Experts

  1. Thanks for the mention. Love all these tips. Awesome post. And I’m seeing new faces, too, that I need to get to know better. Just a note. The Joybilee Farm link gives me a “page not found” error.

    1. Chris I was just reading your post again and I loved it because it’s so true! I will correct that right away!

      Thanks and Happy 4th!

    1. Anna so glad you wanted to share with others on the homesteading journey or contemplating one! I know they will love your blog I know I sure do!

    1. Dr. Eric Z so glad you weighed in on this topic! Your quote about “taking control of your food supply and living intentionally” resonated with me and I know it will with readers!

    1. Patrick as I read through all the posts I was so excited first of all at what a fabulous and diverse group of homesteaders we have all in one way or another but then I was like “Wow! We all have so much we can learn from each other!” Thanks so much for sharing your words of wisdom!

    1. Michelle so glad you enjoyed the post! I appreciate you sharing the info too and I so appreciate your comment 🙂

    1. Rebecca I was in awe as I visited all of the homesteading sites of the bloggers who wanted to participate and share their knowledge with others which includes you I so appreciate! I was so impressed with the vast amount of bloggers and knowledge that is included in this post and I was sooo excited to share it 🙂

  2. Thanks so much for including me, Karen. Wonderful post – informative for beginners, and it looks beautiful, the way you laid it out. Pinning and sharing!

    1. Janet thank you so much for sharing your wisdom and for stopping in to leave a comment too 🙂

      1. I wanted to also say that this was my choice for Feature of the Week on From the Farm Blog Hop July 11, So grab that feature button and slap it on this post! You earned it!

    1. Rachel I continue to learn so much from my fellow homesteaders such as you. Thank you for having a willing spirit to share you homesteading knowledge and advice with others 🙂

    1. Thank you Karen so much for being a part of it and being willing to share your wonderful homesteading advice and inspiration with others! 🙂

I Love Hearing From All Of You! Thanks for sharing!

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