What is homesteading today? Do you need land? Can you be vegetarian? Do you need to be independently wealthy?

Today’s definition of homesteading has changed from the original definition, but the spirit is still there. Homesteading encompasses a lifestyle, but also an emotion. It is preparing for the power to go out during a snowstorm, but also relying a little more on ourselves for everything we use. It means homemaking but includes the gardens and diverse land around us.

Do you need land? No. You can homestead in an apartment. Or on a large plot of land. Or on 1/16 of an acre like we do.

Do you have to be completely self sufficient to say you are a homesteader? No. No one is completely self sufficient. In fact, we are all interdependent. We just want more freedom from big corporations that tell us what medicines, what food, what products we have to have and who try to take away our ability to do something different.

Do you have to eat meat to be a homesteader? Even though hunting and raising livestock are an aspect of many homesteads, they are not required. The Nearing’s in their classic book on homesteading, The Good Life, were vegan.

What is the point of homesteading? Homesteading is making a home, using your abilities to craft, grow, preserve, cook, and do as much as you can so that if the power does go out or 2020 tries to repeat itself, you are a little more prepared. We’re all keeping an extra bit of toilet paper around! There is a real joy in creating things and an enchanted life for yourself.

How do you start? Look at your list of things you are going to buy this week. What can you make? How about bread? How about sewing napkins for the table? Maybe plant several garlic cloves today so that you will have your own garlic come summer? I can make my own kombucha. I will can my own broth from scraps. Do you have a wood stove? Maybe get a cord of wood for chilly nights so you don’t use as much electricity. Candles, oil lamps, sewing needles, fresh bread baking in the kitchen along with the aromas of rich coffee, maybe a few chickens in the yard for eggs, handmaking Christmas presents, making jelly, canning tomatoes, planting a garden. Lighting a candle and writing a letter to mail to a friend, making a quilt, freezing leftovers, supporting local business, enjoying the hard and happy work. Making a home and a homestead are so satisfying.

I will be a featured speaker at the Colorado Prepper Expo this weekend! October 10-12 at the Colorado State Fairgrounds in Pueblo. We will also have a huge booth with all of our herbal medicines, books, my weaving (I’m even bringing my loom), teas, animal medicines, and so much more. Hope to see you there!