6 Things You’ll Need to Start a Thriving Homestead

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Starting a homestead can be a daunting task. There are so many things to think about – where should you live, what should you raise, what kind of infrastructure do you need? Don’t worry, we’ve got you covered! In this blog post, we will list 10 things that you will need to get started on your new homestead. From land to animals to tools and supplies, we have you covered!

Before we jump into what you will need to homestead lets discuss why you might want to homestead. For some, the idea of living off the land is a romantic notion. They want to get back to nature and live a simpler life. Others might want to homestead as a way to be more self-sufficient and less reliant on others. And still, others might view homesteading as a way to save money. No matter your reason for wanting to homestead, know that it is a rewarding and fulfilling experience.

One of the best things about homesteading is that there are so many ways to do it. You can focus on producing your own food, generating your own energy, or doing both. The important thing is to start small and gradually add new projects as you gain experience and knowledge.

So, what do you need to get started on your homesteading journey? Let’s take a look!

Disclosure: Some of the links below are affiliate links, meaning, at no additional cost to you, I will earn a commission if you click through and make a purchase. 

Land

When you think of homesteading you most likely think of large pastures with animals or fields with crops and say to yourself you could never “homestead” because you just don’t have the space. Well that is just NOT TRUE!! You can homestead anywhere!

A small apartment in the city is big enough for an indoor herb garden and some worms. A suburban home is great for a little bigger garden and maybe even a chicken or two, And if you are lucky to have some land then you can dream bigger but just because you don’t have acres and acres of land doesn’t mean you can’t homestead.

If you don’t have any property of your own, consider looking into community gardens or joining a local CSA (community supported agriculture) program.

Animals

Not every homestead has animals, so don’t think you have to have them. If you are ready to jump into the world of husbandry do your research, start small and be prepared to invest a little money.

Starting a worm farm is a great way to start. They don’t take up a lot of space and the start up cost is pretty cheap. BUT worms are work horses and will keep giving and giving. Not sure what I am talking about, go check out Worm Composting 101.

When you are ready to add animals what kind of animals you will need will depend on what you want to use them for. If you want to raise them for meat, you will need different animals than if you want them for milk or eggs. For example Rhode Island Reds are good egg chickens but Cornish Cross are great for meat. A jersey cow is a great milk cow but doesn’t have the muscle to make a good meat cow.

Tools and supplies

You will need basic tools like shovels, hoes, and rakes to care for your land. But don’t think you need to run to the local hardware store to buy these things. Buying them second hand will not only save you money but will also keep things out of the landfills. Check out facebook market place or your local thrift stores, they will most likely have everything you need.

I would have to say one of our FAVORITE tools around our homestead is the Gorilla Cart. That thing is a beast and amazing when it come to moving dirt, cleaning up debris, and even hauling the kiddos around.

And when you are ready to start adding animals to your homestead you will need supplies like fencing, feeders, and waterers for your animals. When it comes to this stuff do your research not all fencing is made equal and I would hate for you to buy something cheap and your animals get out or even get hurt. Think of this as an investment that you plan on keeping for a LONG time, spending a little more money to get something that is durable might not be a bad idea in the end.

A plan

Having a plan is crucial to the success of your homestead. You need to know what you want to raise and why. You also need to have a plan for how you will care for your animals and crops.

I suggest not just creating a plan for the current month or year but to create a 5 year plan. Then set goals and create action steps to get you to that goal. Homesteading is an adventure not a sprint! You are going to want to take it slow to so that you become proficient, learn what systems work for you. That way you don’t face burn out and run for the hills.

Our Turning Your Ideas and Goals into a Homestead eBook is a great place to start when you are just thinking about homesteading or even when you are homesteading and not sure what to do next.

Grow your Skill Library

It is a great idea to become at least somewhat familiar with the ideas that you’d like to implement before diving in. That is not to say you will learn everything and not make any mistakes because you will make mistakes!! It is normal and expected. With every mistake you make you will learn and grow! On the other hand, if you educate yourself on a skill or task first, you may avoid a few mistakes and prevent potential wasted time, resources, and heartache.

Here are some skills that you can start learning TODAY!!

Patience

Starting a homestead is not going to be easy. There will be days when you are tired, frustrated, and ready to give up. But if you have patience and persevere, you will be rewarded with a beautiful homestead that you can be proud of.

Mindset

Homestead mindset is the most important factor for homesteading success. A Homestead mindset is the way you approach problems and opportunities on your homestead and in your life. If you look at everything with a negative attitude things will appear hard and you wont want to do them, but if you keep a positive out look and focus on your goals you will be surprised at what you can accomplish.

Most people see a barn with a pitchfork and stalls that need to be cleaned as a mountain of sweaty, stinky work that they don’t want to do. But an organic gardener in the same barn with a pitchfork, sees black gold and future veggies. How you view things changes the task and often makes things more enjoyable. So when you think things are hard or just overwhelming take a step back and evaluate your mindset.

If you have all of these things, you will be well on your way to starting your very own homestead! Just remember to take it one step at a time and enjoy the adventure.
Happy homesteading!

Ready to get started? Here are a few more resources to help jumpstart your journey into homesteading:

• FREE What Makes a Successful Homestead eBook
• The Encyclopedia of Country Living – This book is an essential reference guide for anyone interested in self-sufficiency farming and living off the grid . It covers everything from growing vegetables to butchering meat chickens