Start a Homestead

When you grow tired of daily work and trips to the store, consider Homestead to become more self-reliant. A homestead is a plot of land used to raise crops or animals. Many people looking for a change find a nice space for a farmhouse and then plan out how to farm the surrounding land. The process includes digging utility lines and raising farm buildings to make the homestead a success. Homesteaders master various skills, from construction work to repairs and animal care, in order to create a self-sustaining environment. Setting up a homestead can be difficult work, but it is also very rewarding.

Steps

Arranging Your Land and Workflow

1. Decide what you want to raise on your homestead. Ask yourself what your ideal homestead looks like. You might wish to raise a big flock of chickens, a big garden of fresh vegetables, or a herd of dairy cows. Think about what kind of work you enjoy doing, the effort you’re willing to put in, and what you might sell for money. You could decide to look into beekeeping or working with wool from sheep you raise, for instance.
   • For example, grow vegetables if you like gardening or need a cheap source of food. If you like animals and don’t mind caring for them every day, then consider setting up a coop or barn.
   • Read books and look at helpful websites to start researching possible goals for your homestead.
   • Start small! You can start learning how to run a homestead no matter where you are. For instance, run a small garden or get a chicken coop if it is legal in your area. Research your local government’s laws about raising animals on your property.
2. Find an available plot of land for you to start a homestead. If you can find available land already set up with the basics, you can save yourself some work. The most important part of a successful homestead is getting land that suits your goals. Look at how much space is available for purchase, as well as the quality of structures like the barn and home. Figure out how much work you’re going to need to do to get your operation running.
   • For instance, keep an eye on the property taxes that come with land ownership. It’s an additional expense that can hurt your bottom line, especially if you’re close to a city.
   • You could start a homestead on an empty field, but keep in mind that you will also need to construct the entire homestead from scratch. Unless you’re good at construction work, it can get expensive.
3. Visit the land to get accustomed to its problems. The best time to tour potential homesteads is in the summer and on rainy days. Look for spots where water pools, for instance. In clear weather, walk around to figure out which spots are warm and which are cool. Use the character of the land to set up your homestead for optimal success.
   • For instance, your plants and animals can’t sit in puddles or at the bottom of slopes. They would get damaged by the water, so you either have to put them elsewhere or attempt to fix the problem.
   • Live on the land for a year, if possible, to get a sense of how it changes each season. You could continue working somewhere else or begin raising crops or animals to get started. If the land doesn’t suit your needs, make adjustments or think about moving somewhere else.
   • If you aren’t ready to purchase land, ask to rent it. Another option is to work there or live in a similar area as you prepare.
4. Research local laws that could affect your plans for the homestead. Stringent laws, especially when you live near neighbors on a small property, could throw a wrench into your plans. Look for issues like where you can house animals and dispose of waste. You may also need to register for Obtain a Zoning Permit before constructing anything new on the property. Clear your plans with the local government to prevent problems when you start working on your homestead.
   • Many areas have extension offices or other resources for aspiring homesteaders. Check these resources for more information on how to deal with local regulations and how to make your homestead a success.
   • If you live near neighbors, become friends with them. Work together to avoid conflicts and be aware of potential issues, such as loud or destructive animals.
5. Form a plan about how to run your homestead. List exactly what you need to do to make your homestead a reality. Include your basic workflow, including feeding the animals each day, setting up the utilities, and so on. Try to imagine each day, particularly muddy, rainy days when you’re tired and things are going wrong. Then, identify ways you can improve your operation to make it more efficient while handling problems.
   • When you’re running a homestead, anything from a sick animal to broken equipment can happen when you least expect it. The more you prepare for these problems, the easier they become to deal with in the future.
   • Part of planning is deciding what you want your homestead to be and how to achieve it. For instance, extensive farming and animal care can mean getting up early every day, which may not be what you want to do.

Installing Roads and Utilities

1. Clear out space on your homestead to make it accessible. Remove all of the trees and stones in the way. Then, start preparing spots where you plan on constructing roads and buildings. Dig up the topsoil and begin leveling out the land. Dig by hand or use construction equipment to speed up the process. If you’re setting up farmland, plow the area to prepare it for planting.
   • You may need to wait until you’re ready to start building pathways before you can get construction vehicles to some locations.
2. Install water lines to your home and farm buildings. Find a water source close to your property, which could be a water main from the nearest city. If you have a main available, it first needs to connect to the plumbing in your home. After that, connect the line to the rest of your homestead through pipes in the ground. Consider supplying the line to barns, field sprinklers, and anywhere else you need a steady stream of water.
   • If you have access to a municipal water supply, call the city to have them connect the main to your home.
   • If you live in a rural area, you may need to Make a Well to route water to your home. You could hire a contractor to dig into the ground and install a water pump.
   • Once your home has water, try connecting the rest of your homestead through plastic PEX pipes and frost-resistant hydrants in the ground. Hire a plumber if you are unable to install the pipes yourself.
3. Connect your homestead to an electrical grid or solar panels. Speak with a local electrical provider to see if you can set up service. Installing lines can sometimes be expensive, so many homesteaders choose to go “off the grid” by investing in Solar Power Your Home. Position the panels in an open area near your home. After connecting the panels to your home’s circuit breaker, route it to other areas that require a supply of electricity.
   • If you decide to get solar panels, consider hiring an electrician to check and complete the wiring.
   • Some areas to supply with electricity include workshops, barns, and coops. Consider installing electrical lights in areas you need to monitor or possibly make repairs.
   • Remember to check what kind of wall outlets your equipment needs. A camper, for instance, may require a different hookup than a farming tool.
4. Get your home connected to a sewage system. Check your local government’s rules before deciding upon a sewage system. The easiest way to finish this part is by connecting to an available city sewer line. If that isn’t an option, have a septic system installed. Connect the sewer line or septic system to the outflow plumbing in your home.
   • You may need to look into getting an outhouse or composting toilet, depending on how far away from town your homestead is. Places often have strict rules about these structures, so check local laws first.
5. Pay for a trustworthy phone or Internet service. Almost everyone depends on these services, and homesteaders are no different. Contact a provider to see what kind of services they offer. Phone and Internet companies often have homestead deals you can take advantage of to maintain a reliable service. This connection to the world outside your homestead makes your lifestyle much easier.
   • Reception is often poor in rural areas, so don’t depend on your cell phone without researching the available options. A good service allows you to call out for help in an emergency, for instance.
   • Being able to browse the Internet is fun, but a reliable service has many other uses. For instance, you could sell products online or Work from Home in your free time.
6. Create driveable paths to make the homestead accessible. Without roads, you won’t have much luck getting to your homestead. After identifying where the roads will be, clear out a space about {{safesubst:#invoke:convert|convert}} wide to give vehicles plenty of room to maneuver. Cover the leveled ground with compacted gravel, asphalt, or pavement. Gravel is the most cost-efficient option, and a good gravel road can last a long time.
   • Wait as long as you can before finishing pathways on your homestead. The worst possible consequence of finishing too early is having to dig up pathways to install utility lines.
   • You will need to set up a gravel or cement driveway if you don’t have one, then connect it to the nearest road.
   • Remember to add any additional paths needed to help you get around on the farmstead, such as to future buildings or entrances. Any construction crews you hire need spots to park their vehicles, for instance.
7. Set up Build a Fence to protect animals and farmlands. Fencing tends to be more expensive than you expect, so set aside extra in your budget for what you need. Keep fences around pastures and other areas that will house animals to prevent them from wandering off. Install more fencing to close off gardens and other areas with vulnerable crops. Finally, consider enclosing your entire property, using a fence as a way to mark property boundaries.
   • Make the fence yourself using components like wood and chicken wire. It’s still a lot of money since homesteads often need so much fencing, but making your own is cheaper than hiring an installer.
   • Keep space between fences and fields or buildings. This will give you some space to operate mowers and other vehicles.

Setting up the Homestead’s Buildings and Business

1. Construct a place to live if the land doesn’t already have one. Before you can start working the land, you need a comfortable place to stay. Ideally, a farmstead features a nice house or cabin. Try searching for plots of land with an existing home to save you from starting from scratch. If you’re moving onto empty land, you could also park an RV or camper until you are able to finish setting up your homestead.
   • Always inspect existing buildings on a homestead. Many people focus on the land and forget to check the builds. A home that looks small and comfortable could need a lot of work, such as new windows and insulation to prevent a winter draft.
2. Build barns, coops, and other housing for animals. Your animals also need safe spaces to stay in at night and during bad weather. Setting up a barn is a lot like setting up a home. Find a clear spot, pour a concrete footer, then begin assembling the structure out of wood. To house chickens, try constructing a makeshift coop instead of purchasing a new one.
   • Animals need food, water, and warmth to be happy on a farmstead. Make your job easier by wiring animal housing to your electrical and water supply, if possible.
3. Set up buildings to store feed, hay, and other supplies. Ask yourself where you plan on putting the supplies you need to run your farm. Usually, constructing extra barns or Build a Storage Shed gets you plenty of extra storage space. Try to keep your storage structures close to your work area so the supplies stay accessible. Move delicate supplies indoors where they are safe from the weather and scavengers.
   • You probably won’t be able to fit everything into your home, even if you are lucky enough to have an attic or cellar.
   • Some other items to store include gardening tools, machines, wood, and seeds.
4. Stock your homestead with plants and animals. Start out by purchasing seeds and animals online or from trustworthy suppliers in your area. Then, begin raising crops and animals to sustain your home and even sell for profit. Many homesteaders get started with a small Start a Garden and a few animals. As you gain money and build your homestead, you can expand what you produce.
   • If you’re just starting out, try setting up a sustainable vegetable farm and a coop for a small flock of chickens. These projects are beginner-friendly and relatively inexpensive.
   • Focus on plants and animals that serve multiple purposes. For instance, goats produce milk, wool, and meat. Many garden vegetables are a good food source for chickens, which can then be used for eggs or meat.
5. Stock up on supplies to run the homestead in bad weather. Prepare in advance to keep your homestead running no matter what situations you encounter throughout the year. In many areas, severe weather like storms and blizzards are an issue. Store enough food and bedding to keep yourself and your animals comfortable during this time. Keep up with repairs and have plenty of heat and water sources available.
   • Basically, think of any possible scenario that could go wrong and come up with strategies for all scenarios. You could face anything from an injury to a power outage in the middle of winter.
   • Fill your storage spaces with additional supplies to get you through emergencies. Dry wood, for instance, is great for making quick repairs when a shelter starts leaking.
   • Plan for how you’re going to care for yourself and any plants and animals you’re raising. For example, learn how to repair any equipment you use on the homestead. Know how to care for sick animals and memorize the number of a good veterinarian.
   • To deal with a power outage, keep a backup generator ready. You could get a wood stove or food that doesn’t need to be cooked.

Tips

• If you’re not prepared to purchase a big homestead yet, look for alternatives. Try working on a homestead, for instance, or raising plants and animals from your current home.
• When you’re first setting up your homestead, start small. Make sure you have the necessary resources to maintain your homestead before expanding it.
• For a free source of wood, ask businesses for wood pallets. Use the pallets to build fences, walkways, coops, and all sorts of other structures.
• Study different types of crops and animals before investing in them. Plants and animals all have different needs, and reading more about them will increase your chances of success.
• Connect with other homesteaders, such as by visiting your neighbors, finding a mentor, or joining an online group.
• Get in touch with a good veterinarian office once you start raising animals. You will need to find a vet that specializes in the kinds of animals you raise on the homestead.
• Make sure your vet can meet you outside of normal office hours. When a problem arises, call the vet to arrange a home visit. If you’re dealing with a smaller animal like a dog, you may be able to take them to the vet’s office.

Warnings

• Starting a homestead can be a very tough, costly undertaking. Make sure you’re prepared for the work and that it fits your lifestyle before investing your savings.

References

See also

• Make a Career Out of a Hobby Farm
• Work in Farm Brokerage
• Stay Safe on a Farm
• Start a CSA
• Sell a Sorghum Crop
• Reduce the Use of Pesticides in Farming
• Prevent Red Tide
• Operate Tyre Balers (VB 150TY)
• Move to a Small Farm While Working in The City
• Manage an Organic Chicken Farm

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