Now that we're heading into the beginning of Spring (Lord willing) and projects are beginning to spurt out our eyeballs (sorry, bad imagery?), I felt it sort of important to share with you a few points of encouragement for all the new homesteaders out there. I get countless emails and messages from readers who are so eager and enthusiastic about beginning their journey to a homemade lifestyle and I think that's AWESOME.
AWESOME, I TELL YOU.
Sorry, I didn't mean to shout.
So many of these new homesteaders, however, are becoming increasingly discouraged for a variety of reasons. For some of them, it's a lack of land. For others it's money. For a lot of them, it's lack of confidence in their experiences. All of these were obstacles for us as well, at various times, in our homesteading journey. And to act as if we've got it all together now would be a complete sham.
After all, we did purchase an open cow that was sold as “bred” without preg-checking her like we should have. We've battled garden pests. And lice on our chickens. And escaped livestock. And predator losses. And a host of large, expensive mistakes in between. By all stretches of the imagination, Beatha Fonn is still in it's baby stages. That being said, I thought I'd offer a few tips and points of encouragement for others out there who are looking to get their feet wet in this madness we call micro-farming. Let's talk about starting your homestead.
5 Tips for Starting Your Homestead
Tip #1: Do what you can, where you are.
When we lived in Alabama, our house was located in the middle of a neighborhood. It was far from the rural paradise we had hoped for. What we did have was a pretty decent backyard and even though it wasn't fenced and was far too shaded for any sort of a garden, we really wanted to find a way that we could make use of the space for some sort of homesteading hobby. Chickens were out because they were too noisy and the city ordinances wouldn't allow it. Any form of vegetable was out because of the soil and the lack of sun. Bees were out because of the proximity to our house and our neighbors. Just as I was beginning to wallow in my lack-of-homesteading-misery, we were able to finally come up with a hobby we were very interested in: meat rabbits.
Meat rabbits weren't always on the top of my priority list, but it did allow me to learn a new skill and obtain new self-sufficiency knowledge in the capacity that I could do at the time. It was a rich experience and one I'm very thankful that we had.
Because we weren't able to garden in our yard, I put the word out to friends in the area that we were looking for gardening space. Sure enough, a reader welcomed me into her yard with open arms and let me tend to a large garden bed there that we built from scratch. Even though we were only able to harvest spring vegetables out of the garden by the time we decided to move back to Washington, it was another blessed experience in getting to forge a relationship with a new friend over a garden. We spent time together shoveling manure, planting seeds, and digging potatoes – it was wonderful.
Was it the incredible garden that I'd always dreamed of that would supply our family with enough food for the year? Hardly. But that wasn't the point. The point was that I was able to get my hands dirty in a small way that helped me to gain knowledge.
Starting your homestead can be done anywhere. Doing what you can where you are is a fantastic way to get started and should be encouraging to any homesteader-hopeful. Find a spare plot of land for your garden – or an even bigger plot for a hive of bees! Raise a few chickens in your suburban neighbor (pending code, of course). Learn to make cheese, even if you don't have a dairy animal yet. Read and gain knowledge on tasks you'd like to get started on. Just keep moving forward! Even if it's baby steps.
Tip #2: Be willing to learn by experience.
Had we had more experience in many of our homesteading adventures, we could have saved ourselves time, money, and tears – no doubt. That being said, experience is the best teacher, because when a lesson costs one something it immediately has a way of not being forgotten again.
One of the most expensive mistakes we made on the farm thus far was in purchasing our first dairy cow, Kula. I could have read 1,001 times in a book to get a cow preg-checked before you buy her, but until that lesson was real and costly, it meant nothing to me.
(If you think I'd ever buy a bred animal again with preg-checking them, you're a crazy fool. I've learned my lesson.)
I've read three books on raising chickens. And yet still, when one of my silkies started acting funky a few weeks ago, I had no idea how to treat her. I brought her in, kept her warm, gave her electrolytes, and cuddled her. Four days later, I finally realized that there were lice crawling all over her (which I, naturally, misdiagnosed as mites). I knew of diatomaceous earth as a preventative measure, but I had no idea how to treat such a bad infestation. Flash forward five days and I finally found a treatment that worked effectively (albeight with chemicals).
I could have read about mites and lice and diatomaceous earth and insecticides all day long without knowing what it looked like, how it acted, and how to treat it. As my husband noted, “unfortunately, there's always the one animal you've got to learn your lessons on.”
Experience teaches us. Big time. However, for starting your homestead, you've got to be willing to put yourself out there and be willing to make mistakes. It's quite embarrassing to write about all the mistakes that I've made on the farm – but the difficulty and the embarrassment teach me permanent lessons, which is an incredible blessing.
Tip #3: Final local people who know what the heck they're doing.
This is a hard one, for an introvert like myself, but when I'm enthusiastic about something I can usually make it happen. A few months ago, we went to a local pumpkin patch just a mile down the road from us. We wandered through the patch, picking out our pumpkins (as one does as a pumpkin patch) and went up to the make-shift booth to pay for our bounty. I began to chat with the farmer at the booth and ask him questions about his planting schedule, land, and pumpkins.
As the conversation progressed, I learned he raised hogs.
And after he learned that we had a dairy cow, he was enthusiastic that he'd found some young people who were interested in farming.
We left that day with a stash of pumpkins and some gifted sausage and pork chops from his freezer. Since then, we've purchased tons of produce from his large gardens, lots of excellent alfalfa hay for Sal from his fields, and even two piglets from one of his sows.
I've had at least a dozen experiences with farmers, bakers, beekeepers, and ranchers in our area just like this – they're usually always eager to share their products and their knowledge and I'm eager to soak it up and find further fantastic sources for our food. It takes effort. It takes face-to-face human interaction (wait? do people still do that?). It's absolutely invaluable for the homesteader.
Build a community.
Tip #4: Chill out.
So you don't have the money to purchase those bee hives this year. That's okay!
So you didn't get the pig pasture put together in time for summer hogs. Ain't no shame in it!
So your garden totally got ransacked by the racoons and all you have left is a half-eaten zucchini. Such is life!
You've GOT. TO. CHILL. OUT.
Please note: I write this one for myself as much as anyone else out there reading.
Early on in our farm's history, my husband gently (but firmly) reminded me that farming is an organic process full of organic life – which, as we all know, is anything but mechanical. Things HAPPEN. And it's absolutely essential that you learn how to roll with the punches, lest you suffer a heart-attack at least every other day. Because the reality is, when it comes to starting your homestead, crops will fail. Animals will die. Money will run out. You will become frustrated. Learn to take it on the chin and keep pressing forward.
Tip #5: Go slow.
I know you want bees, chickens, pigs, cows, horses, a partridge, and a pear tree. But try, just for a moment, to take a deeeeeep breath. While I'm a firm believer in jumping in and getting your hands dirty, there's also a lot to be said for just taking things one step at a time. Don't think that because progress is slow it's insignificant. Working slow and steadily through each new project on the homestead helps to make sure that your feet are on solid ground before moving to the next task at hand – as frustrating as this can be for those go-getters out there.
But take a few moments. Think about your decisions. Plan them out. See the bigger picture.
And breath!
It's far from an exhausted list, but I hope this at least offers you all some encouragement. By all means, get out there and go start your homestead! Gain experience, knowledge, and know-how. Tackle this world one homegrown vegetable at a time! And be encouraged. All of us were complete novices at one point and all of us had to start from ground-zero.
Which means there's no where to go but up, baby.
So enjoy it!
More of my posts on homesteading:
- Great Benefits of Homesteading
- Inviting My Children to a Food Revolution
- Welcome to the Farm
- Why We Homestead
Davi
Very good post, I really enjoyed it. Chill out is my biggest struggle, and I guess the slow down part too… 🙂 Those animals sure are hard and put a strain on your hair color. My favorite goat, pack goat mind you, beast of burden, went and broke his leg a few weeks ago. Stinking goat! We learned how to splint and care for a broken leg, now he is almost back to full use of his leg and only time will tell if he can pack what he should. Life, all of life whether on a homestead, mini-homestead, or urban jungle is full of learning experiences. Enjoy them, because they are making you a better person! 🙂
Melissa
Thank you for this great advice! I’ve wasted some money lately on failed dairy experiments (butter/buttermilk, kefir, trying to freeze raw milk, etc.). These failures are not only expensive (at $8/gallon for raw milk plus $5 per glass jar that broke in the freezer!), but they sort of crushed my confidence. Hearing that my homesteading heroes have been there and also had to learn their lessons the hard way gives me the encouragement to press on and conquer new territory despite my failures. Thanks again!
Kat
Don’t give up on the dairy experiments! Kefir takes a while to get going right, but once it’s there, you can keep it going basically forever. I would recommend doing butter in the blender if you don’t have an actual churn. It works surprisingly well and the lid keeps it from splattering everywhere like it does when you do it in the mix master 😀 I’m afraid I don’t have any experience with freezing raw milk, though… we drink all of ours too fast.
Regina
Very good post. Another idea is to find “older” farmers like my husband and me and join forces. Since our kids are grown and moved away, the farm is too much for us. We would love to help a young couple that is wanting to learn. They could help with the animals and garden and share all that we grow; beef, chicken, turkey, eggs, milk, cheese, and veggies. It would be a win/win partnership.
Shaye Elliott
Great idea, Regina!
Joana
This is very good info, thank you all. We are also in the beginning of it, and it seemed so hard and frustrating when you wanna do it all but you can’t , especially when you have small kids; but we are taking baby steps. I was interested in what Regina was saying, and was wandering where you live? I would love to do that especially with people that have experience in all this. If you can let me know I would be more than happy! Thanks again!
Caroline
Are you in California Regina? 🙂
Lisa
Oh my, I needed to read this today! We moved to a small farm last year. The ideas keep coming, but I’ve been getting bogged down with how will accomplish all of it during the warm weather. Especially, with such long winters. You’re right, even if only two of our many items are completed, we are still further ahead. Thank you for the post. I thoroughly enjoyed it 🙂
Jill
Starting with my very first garden this year. I love these posts!!!
Robyn
Great post! We are new to homesteading and loving the experiences! Just started our garden and can’t wait to reap the benefits this fall!
Jesse
Such a timely post, Shaye. Myself, my husband and our two little kids will be moving on the 31st, to 96 acres in TN. Our goal is to start a homestead. My husband shares almost each day the new ideas that he has for it and better ways he has researched on doing certain things. I’m thankful for his enthusiasm, because some days just keeping the normal stuff going seems like too much. :-p One huge blessing, is that it is on my in-love’s land we are moving on, so we will have support and family very close. So thankful for what God has provided. Thank you for sharing so much of your struggles and blessings with us. Continued blessings on your family!
Caitlin | The Siren's Tale
This post is so helpful 🙂 When I first started telling people I was working to become a homesteader, they’d often point out: what about money/land/time/experience, etc. You do such a great job of writing a motivational post that shows anyone can homestead from where they’re at. Small steps can lead to the greatest victories 🙂
Great post!
Abbi
Great thoughts! We too have been gradually building up our homesteading skills and supplies. We gradually add new ways of raising food. We are planning on moving this year and it is a little overwhelming to think that I will need to plant fruit trees and such all over again but we will have a little more space and be on a river (so we can easily fish and find wild foods that like rivers) so that is a plus. So thankful to God for the strength that He gives!
Lisa Pedersen
GO SLOW! We have taken our time and had great success…but we’ve also barreled ahead and had miserable failure.
the best advice I give any beginners (to gardening, farming and foraging) is take your time!!!
Joanna
Yes…baby steps. Step 1. Read Nourishing Traditions whilst downing a crunchy bowl of cheerios, Step 2. Decide you love health and put away the cheerios, Step 3. Soak oatmeal and ferment at least ONE thing, Step 4 Let the fermenting addiction catch on ….then read the elliot homestead and keep suggesting to your husband all the cool things you can do on 5 acres until they all start happening!!! Thank you for the encouragement and great ideas…keep posting
Madelyn
you rooooooooooock.
LP
This really was a true post and well written. I am a homesteader too, in Iowa with 22 acres, just me and my toddler and the bf. We just started in 2012 but we already have an entire host of mini businesses, mainly we sell op seeds online. I’ve got my newest batch of silkies coming in march, we raise all types but mainly heritage bantams because they forage free range without needing extra food plus the bantam eggs esp. From Silkies taste better. The newest thing we have is an indoor aquaponics setup with 35 white tilapia under a nice LED. Going to expanded to outdoor aquaponics for the summer too. Best part about it is becoming more self reliant, we use LEDs to reduce electric usage and burn a wood heater so no gas bills, we also have a small wind turbine And generator… so true though you can never plan you have to just let nature speak and try to respond best you can and improve your fArm with each lesson.
Kat
Haha your Silkies actually lay? We had to give all of ours away because they did absolutely nothing but try to hatch all the other girls’ eggs 😀
Kat
I’ve been browsing through your blog for a few days now, and I found this post at just the perfect time. Today was a tough one with people making it clear that there was no way I’d ever get my homestead I’m dreaming of, and then I found this… I love how God works sometimes 🙂 Just wanted to say thanks for writing this, and everything else on your blog.
Haley
Shaye,
Thank you so much for all that you share on the blog! I love how you share your keen insight but always point your readers back to Jesus. I pray that God gives you ample opportunities to see him, his mercies and his glory in new ways each day.
Travis Walker
Homesteading is really awesome. Turning your backyard into a sustainable source of food is a great way to save a lot of money from buying into supermarkets. Homegrown fruits and vegetable, as well as dairies, are much healthier than those we often see in groceries and supermarkets. Thank you for your enthusiasm and for sharing your ideas for homesteading.
Susie
Hi Shane, I love watching your videos on YouTube! I have always lived by the idea of doing what you can even if it’s just something small. So glad that’s been my philosophy as 3.5 years ago I had a very serious stroke which I still have many deficits from including loss of central vision in my right eye. I can’t do nearly what I used too, and yes it’s very frustrating at times but we do manage to grow enough potatoes, onions, corn, and tomato products to last us a year. Not to mention garlic and many herbs which I make into salts as I’ve seen you do on a video before. I’m 61 as well as my husband and we’re not ready to give up enjoying the fruits of our labor just yet. Keep up the great videos! You have a lovely family!!
Susie from Pennsylvania.