What is a Homesteader? Modern Homesteaders

What is a homesteader?

Many people think of homesteading as an old fashioned term, and it is. The term “homestead” used to refer to a tract of land that a family filed a record for from the U.S. Public Lands. They would then live on the land and “homestead” it.

 

But what is a modern homestead?

Today, the term “homesteading” is enjoying quite the comeback. Modern homesteading is more about growing your own food and being a little (or a lot) less dependent on the grocery store.

A modern homestead might have, for example, a family cow or pair of goats, some chickens and a vegetable garden.

Disclaimer: this list contains affiliate links, meaning if you make a purchase I may make a small commission at no additional cost to you.

 

What is the difference between a farm and a homestead?

What makes it a homestead and not a farm? Modern homesteading tends to focus more on growing your own food and becoming more independent. A homesteader might sell some surplus animals or produce each year, but the focus is to grow food for your family, as opposed to growing food for profit.

A modern homesteaders are typically more part time farmers, as opposed to being a full time farmer and making a living that way.

 

What kind of animals can you find on a modern homestead?

 

 

Some of the more popular animals for the modern backyard homestead include:

• Milk cows
• Beef cattle
• Goats
• Sheep
• Llamas
• Alpacas
• Donkeys
• Pigs
• Chickens
• Ducks
• Turkeys
• Geese
• Fish
• Bees

 

This list is certainly not exhaustive. Many less common livestock breeds are gaining popularity!

 

 

Although I love my chickens and ducks, my favorite animal for modern homesteaders is the family cow. Eating about the same amount of feed as a horse, a heritage cow can easily give 4-5 gallons of milk a day for 9-10 months out of the year.

The family cow can provide milk, butter, cream and cheese, and surplus milk can support a flock of chickens or a pig for butcher. She also gives a calf every year that can be raised for meat or sold to pay for the cow’s feed.

A family cow is an investment that pays for herself many times over!

 

Can you still homestead if you don’t have land?

Absolutely!

If you live in the city, you may still be able to keep a few chickens, rabbits or bees. You can grow a garden in your backyard, or have a container garden on your patio or balcony.

They even make fancy indoor garden setups now, from little countertop gardens to indoor garden tents and towers!

 

 

 

Attractive edible plants such as nut trees, berry bushes or asparagus can be incorporated into a landscape.

Even if you live in an apartment with no access to the outdoors, you could still have an indoor garden in a south facing window or use a grow light!

 

Our Homesteading Family

Homesteading is something that is constantly changing for our family depending on where we are at and what we are allowed to do. Most of our homesteading journey has been on rental properties where we have a lot of limits.

Right now we are renting a five acre property where we are allowed to keep poultry and up to two large animals.

We keep a dairy goat and a horse on our property, along with bees, chickens for eggs and meat, ducks and a few turkeys. We rent pasture in the summer to raise lambs.

Although we don’t have very good water here, we are able to irrigate about 1/6 of an acre in gardens and berries.

As homesteaders, we also do lots of cooking from scratch, DIY projects and buy animals other people have raised to slaughter ourselves.

As a homesteading family of 6, growing as much of our own food is important to stay on budget!

 

And finally, I’m going to share my top 2 must have reference books for every homesteader!

 

#1 – The Backyard Homestead

Carleen Madigan shows you how to produce a variety of food for your family on as little as a quarter of an acre. She gives plans and detailed information on just how much space you need for different animals and garden crops. I learned so much from this inspiring book! An absolute must read for every backyard homesteader!

 

#2 – The Encyclopedia of Country Living

 

 

I don’t like to spend money on a book until I know it’s really, really good. When I find a book that looks promising, I usually check it out from my local library first. Some books I have checked out numerous times, but I only add my very favorites to my collection. The Encyclopedia of Country Living didn’t just get added to my collection; it has become my favorite reference book for all things homesteading, gardening, raising animals and living off the land.

This huge 922 page book by Carla Emery has some science, but is based more on the experience of the author and other contributors.

This is a great reference book for anyone interested in gardening, raising animals, doing things from scratch and living off the land. It has earned a permanent place on my shelf!

You can read more about The Encyclopedia of Country Living here: Book Review: The Encyclopedia of Country Living

 

You can find our complete list of homesteading must-have reference books here!

 

 

I hope you enjoyed this article! Are you a modern homesteader? What is your favorite animal for the backyard homestead?

-Kait