A Homesteaders Journey

Yes, it’s true…

Homesteading can indeed be overwhelming.

I, personally, have been on my homesteading journey for 32 years. I began in an urban neighborhood in the bedroom community of Seattle, WA. It was a simple, humble beginning which started from necessity. I began canning, making soap, grinding wheat, making bread, sewing, and gardening on a tiny plot of land. I learned a lot of “inside skills” in those days. After 12 years of urban homesteading, we moved to the Monterey area of CA. My six children and I joined a local 4-H and gave a try with chickens, pigs, dairy goats and horses. Two intense years of being mentored. Then in December of 2002, we moved to Georgia on 6.69 acres of land. All the knowledge, all the “failures”, all of the reading, note taking and “farming” conversations converged on this land. And for the next 18 years, I continued to learn how to homestead.

The homesteading lifestyle is a journey, a one-day-at-a-time journey. No one with a dream to homestead wakes up one morning and “poof”, it’s all accomplished. It takes time and a determined willingness to invest in yourself, in your knowledge, and in your skills.

“But “homesteading” is so big, I don’t even know where to start!”

Let me help. In my book, Simplify Your Homestead Plan, I give this advice - choose one thing, one interest, one skill. One. Then learn it, master it, become the expert of whatever it is you choose.

Now, I’m guessing if you’re reading this blog on the Roots and Harvest website, you just might have an interest in preserving food. Or at least something to do with food. So, start here!

Choose one item from this long list of products they carry and master that product, become an expert. You’re feeling pulled toward the fermenting kit? Great! Get it and get the book too J

And begin. It’s that simple. Become so good at fermenting delicious food that all your friends with questions start coming to you as the expert fermenter. Experiment, think outside the box. Talk with others who ferment their food. The process of becoming an expert is exhilarating and fun!

Feeling a little scared to start? Very, very normal. It’s part of the journey. Here’s what I’ve learned in my 32 years of homesteading…. just do it scared!

But remember, start with one skill. One. Learn it, master it, become the expert…and if you’re a little scared? Good! Just do it scare.

… And may I be the first to welcome you to the homesteading community!