According to Wikipedia, homesteading is a lifestyle of self-sufficiency characterized by subsistence agriculture, home preservation of food, and may also involve the small-scale production of textiles, clothing, and craftwork for household use or sale. All of these practices can be performed on many different levels, and you can homestead wherever you live. If you rent or live in an apartment, herbs and vegetables can be grown in containers on a balcony, patio, or window sill. Fruits and vegetables can be purchased in bulk from farmers’ markets or even a local farm stand for preservation or to make jams and jelly. Found items or items in your home can be repurposed or sold for extra money. Making your own beauty and cleaning products is a safe alternative to the chemically-laden products sold in stores. For me, homesteading is about creating a simple, healthy, and sustainable lifestyle while leaving a smaller negative impact on nature.
Why should you homestead?
Everyone has their own reasons for homesteading. Here are a few of the reasons I’m choosing this lifestyle:
Quality/safe nutrition – Do you know what is in your purchased and processed food? Did you know that commercial farmers and ranchers have a significantly lower life expectancy rate due to prolonged exposure to the chemicals in pesticides and fertilizers? What does that say for the safety of commercially grown foods? Depending on the type of food, washing does not remove all traces of pesticides and herbicides. Processed foods are thought to be a contributor to the obesity epidemic and the rise of chronic conditions like heart disease, cancer, kidney disease, and diabetes. Some studies suggest that ultra-processed foods increase age-related cognitive decline and the development of dementia. I have worked for the last 25 years in skilled nursing facilities, and I have witnessed firsthand the correlation between diet and physical and cognitive deficits. I am disheartened by the lack of information/education provided to patients by doctors and healthcare professionals. I do not grow everything I eat, and I still love going out to eat, but I try to make healthier choices and eat processed food in moderation.
Food security – Unfortunately, we are living in uncertain times. In addition to rising food costs, every day some media outlet reports the possibility of future food shortages. I recently had a conversation with a biologist who predicted that large-scale commercial farming will only be sustainable in our country for about another 30 years. This is the result of current farming practices that are “killing” the soil. This is a terrifying thought. I may not be around in the next thirty years, but my children and grandchildren will be, and before I leave this world, I want them to know how to grow their food and know what it takes to maintain healthy soil.
Stress relief – There is always a feeling of calm that comes over me when I am tending my gardens or watching my chickens scratch around in the yard (as long as they aren’t scratching in my flower beds). For me, this is the best kind of therapy. I enjoy simple DIY projects and finding new uses for items I have.
Financial freedom – Food costs are on the rise with no end in sight. Actually, the cost of everything is on the rise. Growing your food, repurposing items you already have, and creating low-cost, natural products for yourself (or as gifts) and your home are a few ways to combat inflation. Making items to sell or growing extra food to sell is a way to make extra money for yourself.
Educational opportunities – I believe you are never too old to learn. Learning new skills helps you grow as a person. I love learning new (old) skills and I’m excited to teach my grandsons about gardening,
