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What is Homesteading and
Why I'm Pursuing the Homesteading Life
What is homesteading? The answer is different today than what it was more than a century ago.
Homesteading in the early 19th century meant earning land by proving you could live off it for a few years.
But today, homesteading has a new meaning altogether.
What is Homesteading?
A New Form of Homesteading
Starting in the early seventies, those fed up with our fast-paced society yearned for a simpler way of life.
They wanted to think for themselves and find a life
beyond working in a cubicle, the daily commute, shopping malls, fast food,
and cable television.
What is Homesteading and What I am Doing
The seeds of that desire were planted in me in my late teens, when my mom first became ill with lupus.
Mom was a feminist and had always been a firm believer in modern society, and yet by the time she was in her forties, that same society had left
her sick, alone with a teenage daughter and frightened.
From the moment I saw that terror in her eyes, I was determined not to depend on a job that could use me up and toss me aside when I had outlived
my usefulness.
I wanted something beyond that routine of spending my days
in a cubicle, putting my kids in daycare and all the stress that went with it.
Which leads to the story about me and my homesteading experience.
What is Homesteading and
Our Homesteading Start
Me in my "office". I'm here most days, usually with an adorable little one sitting on my lap.
Soon after I turned thirty, I met my husband Rick.
He was a carpenter and loved the idea of back to the basics living.
He owned the complete Firefox series. It was a match made in heaven.
Rick rekindled in me the desire for self-sufficient living.
I learned how to can vegetables and make my own bread.
Because we lived in Denver, we didn't keep chickens,
but I did have a garden.
My gardening skills were poor at first, and my first gardens were really pathetic.
But I kept at it, and each year my gardening skills improved.
What is Homesteading?
Pursuing Better Health
Because the specter of lupus hung about me (I did have my mom's genes after all), I also became passionate about
eating healthy.
I began learning about homeopathy,
alternative medicines and
herbal remedies.
I realized I didn't have to call the doctor every time I got sick.
Our Little Farm
Eventually Rick and I moved onto a small acreage.
At the time of this writing, I have goats,
chickens,
and two hogs living around and about me.
We also have two dogs, three cats and one lonely guinea hen - we started with five, but our dog killed at least two of the poor things and
chased off the rest.
I have been pursuing the homesteading life for years now and still have much to learn.
I expect to keep on discovering new aspects about this wonderful lifestyle until the day I die.
And what I learn, I share here, so I hope you'll enjoy visiting my site.
One Word of Caution
Homesteading is a skill that takes time and effort to learn.
You don't buy a piano and expect to play Moonlight Sonata right off the bat without a lot of lessons and practice.
The same goes with self-sufficient living.
Don't move onto an acreage and expect to become a successful farmer the first year or even two.
Don't get frustrated if you start an organic garden and the bugs eat it all, or your dog kills your new chickens (it's happened to us more than once)
or your loaf of bread falls.
Don't get mad at yourself, and more importantly, please don't take it out on me.
I am human and a sensitive one at that, and I don't like being yelled at.
Remember, it takes practice, so keep at it. You will get there.
Just like with life, I don't think you can ever truly learn everything about homesteading anyway.
And that's part of the joy of it.
It's never boring.
There are all sorts of things yet to be discovered; new ways to prepare a dish, or care for livestock or grow food.
Life is an adventure with new things happening all about me, and the older I get, the more fun it becomes.
It will be for you as well.
So have fun, take time to laugh, and happy homesteading.
Sue Merriam
More Helpful Information on Homesteading
Do you feel alone in your zest for homesteading? Find others who share your passion for self reliance.
Learn how.
Can you work on your homestead full time, and still earn a living?
It may take a little creativity, but it can be done.
Here's how.
Is it still possible to earn your land just by living on it? It is if you're willing to living in a more remote area.
Learn more here.
Have you ever been curious as to what the term homesteading means?
Learn what homesteading means today.
Learn lifesaving tips to survive a global crisis. Click here to view more details
Worried about a financial meltdown? You're not alone, and there are steps you can take to protect yourself.
Click here to learn more.
Learn how past generations have been successfully pursuing self sufficiency, and what you can learn from them by
reading these books.
Read one man's story of what he learned from his grandfather about harvesting wild plants by clicking here
Growing your own food is a crucial part of self reliance. But how do you keep it fresh? There is a way if you build a cellar to store your food.
Learn how.
By building your own hown in the country, you save tons of money, and there are a variety of ways you can build your home.
Learn more.
Ready to learn how to be more self sufficient? Learn fourteen ways to live off the land by
clicking here.
Learn crucial tips to survive any emergency with this helpful resource.
Learn why so many people, including me, are turning to homesteading by
clicking here.
Think you need a large plot of land to pursue the homesteading life? Think again!
Learn why you should start homesteading now by clicking here.
The self reliant life is great for the individual, but is it good for the nation as well? And what happens when self reliance is destroyed?
Learn more by clicking here.
Feel guilty because you can't do it all? Homesteading is a life skill that has to be done in degrees to prevent burnout.
Learn more.
A great, low-cost alternative to traditional building methods is cordwood construction, using split wood and mortar to build your home.
Learn more.
Agritourism is a fast-growing industry that allows you to earn money off your land while pursuing the self-reliant lifestyle.
Want to find out if it's right for you? click here.
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