Checklist for Starting a Homestead<\/h2>\n\n\n\n![\"how](\"https:\/\/farmandanimals.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/fence-4804234_1280-1.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\nBefore you can figure out how much money you need to start your homestead, you need to first figure out exactly what you need<\/em> in general to make your homestead successful.<\/p>\n\n\n\nTo start, you will need:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
- Land <\/strong>– how much land is necessary? We\u2019ll discuss this in more detail below, but chances are, it\u2019s not nearly as much as you might assume.<\/li>
- A home<\/strong> – again, if it\u2019s already built, great, but if not, that\u2019s another cost.<\/li>
- Barns and outbuildings <\/strong>– optional, but necessary if you plan on keeping any animals (a chicken coop will fall into this category). <\/li>
- Garden space <\/strong>– this could be part of the homestead or something you build on it later on. <\/li>
- Fences <\/strong>– if these are already in place, great – if not, you\u2019ll need to figure them into your budget.<\/li>
- Kitchen equipment <\/strong>– because a big part of homesteading takes place in the kitchen with your cooking and preserving, you\u2019ll need all kinds of supplies (from pots and pans to canning jars) to make that happen. <\/li>
- A pickup truck <\/strong>– you might be able to get by temporarily on your homestead without one, but a truck is going to be essential when it comes to moving firewood, getting feed from the feed store, and more.<\/li>
- A utility vehicle or tractor <\/strong><\/li>
- Some sort of compost bin or composter<\/strong><\/li>
- Tools (hand or power) <\/strong><\/li>
- Medical supplies <\/strong><\/li>
- Animal feed <\/strong><\/li>
- Clothing <\/strong><\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n
This checklist is far from exhaustive and you may want to add to it as you sit down and plan out your homestead.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Questions to ask yourself as you plan include:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
- How much land do I want? How much is necessary for the homestead plans I have?<\/li>
- Can I build my own structures or will I need to hire help?<\/li>
- What sorts of animals will I raise (keeping in mind that to raise some species, like cattle, properly requires more space)?<\/li>
- Will I grow all of my own food or supplement with store-bought items?<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n
How Much Land is Needed to Homestead?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n![\"can](\"https:\/\/farmandanimals.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/Depositphotos_88023944_l-2015-1.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\nThis is a tricky question – one to which there is no clear cut answer. However, it\u2019s important that you at least attempt to answer it before starting your homestead so that you can figure out how much money you might need to purchase and maintain that homestead.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Believe it or not, a few acres is perfect for the average homestead, particularly one that\u2019s not looking to turn a profit (but instead just be self-sufficient). Two to four acres, when properly managed, will give you room for chickens, a garden, a compost, and perhaps even a pig or two. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Of course, you\u2019ll also have room for your home. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
If you can swing it, a larger plot of 20 to 40 acres will allow you to be even more self-sufficient, since it will allow space for things like woodlots, orchards, ponds, livestock paddocks, barns, and more. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Can You Be Self-Sufficient on 1 Acre?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Though we mentioned that two to four acres is ideal, you can start a self-sufficient homestead on an acre or less. There are even people who start homesteading in tiny urban apartments<\/a>!<\/p>\n\n\n\nYou might be wondering how, exactly, this is possible.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The key here is creativity. Although an acre likely won\u2019t let you accomplish all the homesteading things that might be on your dream list, you can raise chickens, grow a garden, and compost in an acre or less.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Even in an apartment, it\u2019s possible to begin homesteading by learning how to cook from scratch, sewing your own clothes, making candles, preserving food, and working on other self-sufficiency skills. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
If you\u2019re new to the idea of homesteading, I recommend checking out this video. It has tons of information on how you can start homesteading immediately, even if you don\u2019t own acres upon acres of land.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/figure>\n\n\n\nBefore you can figure out how much money you need to start your homestead, you need to first figure out exactly what you need<\/em> in general to make your homestead successful.<\/p>\n\n\n\n To start, you will need:<\/p>\n\n\n\n This checklist is far from exhaustive and you may want to add to it as you sit down and plan out your homestead.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Questions to ask yourself as you plan include:<\/p>\n\n\n\n This is a tricky question – one to which there is no clear cut answer. However, it\u2019s important that you at least attempt to answer it before starting your homestead so that you can figure out how much money you might need to purchase and maintain that homestead.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Believe it or not, a few acres is perfect for the average homestead, particularly one that\u2019s not looking to turn a profit (but instead just be self-sufficient). Two to four acres, when properly managed, will give you room for chickens, a garden, a compost, and perhaps even a pig or two. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Of course, you\u2019ll also have room for your home. <\/p>\n\n\n\n If you can swing it, a larger plot of 20 to 40 acres will allow you to be even more self-sufficient, since it will allow space for things like woodlots, orchards, ponds, livestock paddocks, barns, and more. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Though we mentioned that two to four acres is ideal, you can start a self-sufficient homestead on an acre or less. There are even people who start homesteading in tiny urban apartments<\/a>!<\/p>\n\n\n\n You might be wondering how, exactly, this is possible.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The key here is creativity. Although an acre likely won\u2019t let you accomplish all the homesteading things that might be on your dream list, you can raise chickens, grow a garden, and compost in an acre or less.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Even in an apartment, it\u2019s possible to begin homesteading by learning how to cook from scratch, sewing your own clothes, making candles, preserving food, and working on other self-sufficiency skills. <\/p>\n\n\n\n If you\u2019re new to the idea of homesteading, I recommend checking out this video. It has tons of information on how you can start homesteading immediately, even if you don\u2019t own acres upon acres of land.<\/p>\n\n\n\nHow Much Land is Needed to Homestead?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
<\/figure>\n\n\n\nCan You Be Self-Sufficient on 1 Acre?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
![\"how](\"https:\/\/farmandanimals.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/Depositphotos_101985300_l-2015-1.jpg\")