Homesteading is narrowly defined as a lifestyle of self-sufficiency, often characterized by producing basic staples of living at home. While this definition certainly encapsulates the general idea of what homesteading is, it could be applied much more broadly to any home activity that produces self-reliance. With the broader definition, homesteading is no longer a dream achievable only by those with sufficient land. This expanded definition now applies to urban homesteaders, apartment homesteaders, and everyone in between.
Homesteading Origins
Homesteading is traditionally about living off the land. The phrase is closely associated with that self-sufficient lifestyle, and originated from the 1862 Homestead Act. The US government granted land to individuals who were willing to work and develop that land, which drove many families west to stake a claim and set up a life for themselves. In doing so, though, they needed to be much more self-reliant. Many of these families began producing everything they needed to live and homesteading was born. .
How Homesteading is Changing
While the traditional and narrow definition of homesteading is working the land and producing everything you need, modern homesteading definitions are much more broad. These newer definitions allow some reliance on external sources. Just because you’re not producing every stitch yourself, doesn’t mean you’re not a homesteader, too.
Some homesteaders simply supplement their food with their gardens, others work more toward their own energy production or reducing their carbon footprint. While it’s true that homesteading is still mostly associated with farming, what that looks like – and to what extent people take part in it – has changed a lot over the years.
In more recent years urban homesteading has been on the rise. With fewer and fewer millennials feeling they’re in a position to own land, they’ve turned to non-traditional homesteading practices. Backyard gardens are now a staple of many city dweller’s homes and many people raise all sorts of food right in their own apartments – be it herbs, mushrooms, or even full vegetable gardens.
Even Wider Definitions for Homesteading
Beyond growing your own food, homesteading can be about removal of any sort of external reliance. This easily translates to energy production, but also applies to the crafting of goods. With more people having access to sewing machines many are learning to make their own clothes – a skill the past generations didn’t pass on to their children. Woodworking, too, is on the rise with more and more people are making their own furniture. All of this is to say nothing of the thousands of other practical crafts that people enjoy making all over the US and the world.
While not everyone is 100% self-sufficient, these are no less efforts to work towards the same goals that homesteaders the world over share. We all come together to create the things we need and want with our own hands – that’s really what shapes and defines homesteading.
Noone is more or less of a homesteader than anyone else and as long as you’re trying to do something sustainably for yourself, you’re a homesteader too.
Learning More About Homesteading
Homesteading, as you can now see, is a wide topic. To be truly 100% self-sufficient there’s a lot to learn. Food production is just a small piece or the homesteading puzzle; understanding what type of homesteading really appeals to you is another.
If you’re interested in getting started with homesteading, this is a great place to start. Here at Get Homesteading our site is ever evolving, and chock full of tips on everything from raising plants and animals to moving off the grid. If you can’t find what you’re looking for here, feel free to reach out and ask for it. We look forward to learning and growing with you as we all embark on our homesteading journey.