Starting a homestead on your own can seem quite daunting, especially when you feel as if you a really are on your own. Maybe, like me, you didn't grow up on a homestead, you have never owned any land of your own, even preserving foods is a new thing. It's all very brand new and you don't know who to turn to when you have questions.
This is where having a local homestead community comes in quite handy. If you don't yet know any local homesteaders, here are a few tips to help you grow your local homesteading community:
1. Join a local farmers market. If you don't have something that you can sell then visit frequently and get to know the vendors. But, it's really not that hard to come up with ideas for a booth of your own. Veggies, homemade goods, handmade items, the ideas are endless. Just be sure you check your state's cottage laws to know what is and isn't allowed. If there is no local farmers market in your area, you can check in with the county office and see if there is a way to set one up.
2. This one is for homeschoolers: Join a local homeschool co-op. That may seem like an out of the box way of thinking, but trust me, it's golden! The number of connections I have made solely from our homeschool group are endless. What I have found is that other homeschoolers tend to have similar values, beliefs, and lifestyles.
Here's a short list of all that I have found within my homeschool co-op:
- grass-fed beef
- whole chickens (processed)
- eggs
- farmers market
- gardening skills
- baking skills
- homemade soaps, balms, etc
- natural remedies (info on what to use, practitioner info, etc)
- many more...this is just a short list.
3. If you are unable to do all that you want on your own (like raising cows to butcher, chickens for eggs, gardening, etc), talk to others in your community. Is there someone who loves to garden and has the space for a large garden, but doesn't have the time to put into it all? Can you offer your help with tending the garden and getting some of the fresh produce in return?
4. Check with your local trade school and either take classes or get names of homesteaders in the community who you can connect with.
5. Join a community garden (or start one if there isn't one). Check with your county office for info.
6. Join online groups/communities to help you connect with others in your area. This can be a great place when you have questions specific to the area you live in. Maybe you want to know more about your gardening zone or how to care for livestock during different types of weather. You can gain (and offer) a lot of insight in these kind of groups.
These are just some of the ways I have found useful in my homesteading journey. As I expand my knowledge and ability to do more, I know that I have a community of like-minded friends who are always willing and able to help. It may be teaching me how to process a chicken for meat, what to grow in my garden, or where to take the goats for auction...no matter what needs I have, chances are I can find the answers inside one of the above mentioned groups. And, as always, continue to follow me on my journey as I share with you tips I find useful along the way. You can also join my monthly membership where I share even more tips, recipes, education, and more!
Join our HomeGrown Homestead community—a place where we learn, grow, and share our homesteading journey together, fostering a bond of shared wisdom and experience. (everyone is welcome!)
Step into Lavender & Coffee: A Sip of Serenity, a haven for moms seeking support and community on their journey to fulfilling their roles as wives and mothers with grace and purpose.(for moms only)
Canning at home can seem like a daunting task, especially if you've never done it before or didn't grow up in a household where canning was a regular activity. The process requires a bit of courage and the right equipment to start preserving your own foods safely and effectively. From personal experience, the journey to mastering home canning can stem from necessity, such as the need to control dietary restrictions, and morph into a rewarding hobby that offers both satisfaction and a plethora of homemade goods.
To begin canning, certain tools are indispensable. These include a quality canner that can accommodate both water bath and pressure canning methods, canning jars along with new lids and rings, essential canning tools like a funnel, jar lifter, and bubble remover, and labels to ensure everything is clearly marked with contents and date processed. It's essential to ensure that jars are free from nicks or cracks and that lids have an intact seal to ensure the safety and longevity of the canned goods.
Lastly, proper storage and adherence to approved canning recipes are crucial to the success and safety of your canning endeavors. Canned goods should be kept in a dark, cool place like a pantry, and older items should be used first to maintain freshness. By utilizing only approved and tested recipes, you safeguard against the potential risks of foodborne illnesses, ensuring that your home-canned foods are not only delicious but safe to consume. This beginning guide underscores the importance of preparation, quality supplies, and following safety guidelines to embark on your own canning journey.
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Creating nutritious meals from scratch starts with a well-stocked pantry, focusing on several key categories. Grains and dried legumes, such as wheat, oats, and rice, offer a versatile base for various dishes, from baked goods to soups and main courses. Fats and oils, including high-quality olive oil, coconut oil, and butter, are essential for adding flavor and nutritional value. Natural sweeteners like honey, maple syrup, and molasses provide healthier alternatives to refined sugars, enhancing the flavor profile of homemade treats.
For those embarking on the journey of cooking and baking from scratch, maintaining a pantry filled with baking staples, meats and proteins, and a variety of fruits and vegetables is crucial. Ingredients such as baking powder, baking soda, yeast, and dried herbs and spices are indispensable. Seasonal fruits and vegetables enrich meals with optimal nutrition and flavor, while a stock of meats and proteins ensures a robust meal plan. Preserving these items allows for year-round enjoyment and convenience.
Incorporating convenience and comfort foods into the pantry ensures a balance between homemade meals and practicality for busy days. Canned goods, broth, and frozen vegetables simplify meal preparation without compromising quality. Meanwhile, stocking up on ingredients for comforting dishes like homemade soup, cookies, or bread provides nourishment and solace. A strategy of buying in bulk, preserving foods, and rotating stock ensures a pantry that supports healthy, homemade meals while minimizing waste.
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It's that time of year again...time to plan out your garden and get some seeds started. But, how do you know what seeds to get? Should you get any ole seed you come across? Or should you be picky and choose organic, non-gmo, heirloom...the list goes on.
When it comes to starting your garden, selecting the right seeds is crucial for a successful harvest. With so many options available, it can be overwhelming to decide which seeds are best suited for your needs. In this post, we'll look at the differences between organic, non-GMO, and heirloom seeds to help you make informed choices for your garden.
Organic Seeds:Organic seeds are harvested from plants grown without synthetic pesticides, herbicides, or fertilizers. They are produced through natural methods that promote soil health and biodiversity. Choosing organic seeds ensures that your garden remains free from harmful chemicals, supporting both your health and the environment.
Non-GMO Seeds:Non-GMO seeds are not genetically modified organisms. They are grown from plants that have not been genetically engineered in a laboratory. By selecting non-GMO seeds, you can avoid the potential risks associated with genetically modified crops and support traditional breeding methods that prioritize natural diversity.
Heirloom Seeds:Heirloom seeds are open-pollinated varieties that have been passed down through generations. These seeds often have a rich history and unique characteristics, making them prized by gardeners for their flavor, appearance, and adaptability. By choosing heirloom seeds, you can preserve genetic diversity and cultivate plants with a connection to the past.
Hybrid Seeds:Hybrid seeds are created by cross-pollinating two different plant varieties to produce offspring with specific traits, such as disease resistance or high yield. While hybrids can offer certain advantages, such as uniformity and vigor, they do not produce seeds that reliably reproduce the same traits in subsequent generations.
Now that you know the difference between the different types of seeds, here are a few tips you can use for choosing seeds:
- Research Your Climate: Select seeds that are well-suited to your local climate and growing conditions. Consider factors such as temperature, humidity, and sunlight exposure.
- Read Seed Descriptions: Pay attention to seed catalogs or packaging labels for information on plant characteristics, such as maturity date, size, flavor, and disease resistance.
- Support Seed Diversity: Choose a variety of seeds to promote biodiversity in your garden and help preserve rare or endangered plant species.
- Consider Your Goals: Determine your gardening goals, whether it's to grow your own food, attract pollinators, or beautify your landscape, and select seeds accordingly.
- If you are gardening as a food source, also consider how many people you are growing for and how much you need to grow in order to have a years' worth of food per person.
Whether you're a seasoned gardener or just starting out, choosing the right seeds is essential for a successful and sustainable garden. By opting for organic, non-GMO, and heirloom seeds, you can support healthy ecosystems, preserve genetic diversity, and enjoy the rewards of homegrown produce bursting with flavor and nutrients. Happy gardening!
Join our HomeGrown Homestead community—a place where we learn, grow, and share our homesteading journey together, fostering a bond of shared wisdom and experience. (everyone is welcome!)
Step into Lavender & Coffee: A Sip of Serenity, a haven for moms seeking support and community on their journey to fulfilling their roles as wives and mothers with grace and purpose.(for moms only)
Starting a homestead from scratch is not only possible, it's a journey that can begin with surprisingly humble beginnings. At its core, homesteading is about embracing a lifestyle of self-sufficiency, incorporating elements such as gardening, food preservation, and raising livestock. This lifestyle allows individuals to live in closer harmony with the land, regardless of whether they own it, highlighting the adaptability and resourcefulness that define the homesteading spirit.
The path to homesteading involves a thoughtful assessment of one's current resources and an alignment of priorities. Key considerations include the availability of land (owned or otherwise), space optimization, and identifying which aspects of self-sufficiency are most vital to start with, like food preservation or gardening. Future homesteaders are encouraged to cultivate a mindset of resourcefulness, leveraging community connections, repurposing materials, and remaining adaptable to overcome challenges and setbacks.
Embarking on a homesteading lifestyle is a step-by-step process that begins with an evaluation of personal goals and available resources, followed by a deliberate plan to develop the requisite skills and connections. Despite its challenges, homesteading offers a rewarding way to achieve a self-sufficient life. With patience and perseverance, anyone can make the transition towards becoming a successful homesteader, embodying resilience and a deeper connection to the environment.
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