Modern Homesteading
Definitions and terms morph over time and they are shadowed by perspective, but it is still a good idea to try to agree upon what we mean when we talk about modern homesteading.
My first exposure to the term homestead was in elementary school. In 1862, I learned, President Abraham Lincoln signed the Homestead Act. There were a few conditions that had to be met, but the ability to stake a claim to 160 acres of federal land was extended to citizens as well as to freed slaves and immigrants. Some may be surprised to learn that the Homestead Act remained in effect until 1976 (and continued in some capacity in Alaska until 1986). Prairie schooners caravanning westward. Mule drawn plows etching new farms out of wilderness. Rugged pioneers.
Homesteading was the lifestyle of these pioneers. It was their daily reality. It was the skill set that was necessary for their survival. Pause a minute. What thoughts does this bring to your mind? If this conjures up imagery of glitz and glamour, you need to try again. This was often a harsh existence. Grueling. Laborious. Unforgiving. Agonizing. Dangerous. Deadly. But, somehow, also Worthwhile. Rewarding. Satisfying. Fulfilling. Gratifying. There can be an amazingly fine line between adventure and death and these brave folks walked it on a daily basis.
While the phrase “homesteading” may be directly linked to the Homestead Act of the United States, in my mind homesteading is a more broad framework. The spirit of the homesteading includes the wisdom and lifestyles of the native populations who had inhabited the land for centuries before the arrival of the new settlers. It also includes the rich traditions of other cultures and nations. Homesteading was largely the pre-Industrial norm.
There is no sense in trying to compile an exhaustive list to define homesteading. It would fail and the point would be obscured. To put it simply, homesteading is an intimate intertwining of one’s life and livelihood. Home and the family are of central importance. There is reverence for the wisdom and traditions passed down by elders. Day to day activities include an interplay between occupation, provision, education, health, spirituality, leisure, community and family.The realization that preparation for the future is necessary for survival is balanced by the need to make the most of every day.
The reality is, most people no longer need to live a subsistence lifestyle. Exceptions exist, but for the most part, the world is much smaller than it used to be. Many of the communities that try to adhere to “the old ways” are endangered and on the brink of extinction. The benefits that progress usher in come with a price. Love it or hate it, industry and technology are here to stay. Fortunately , there are some who see great value in preserving and protecting the wisdom and skills of our predecessors.
Enter modern homesteading.
As time passes, people continue to stray further and further from their home-based, agricultural roots. We have lost the intimacy that we once had with the land, the water, the plants, the animals, the weather, the seasons and nature in general. I realize that this sounds quite hippy, but spark one up and indulge me. Modern homesteaders realize that the world has changed but still seeks to heal those relationships. Some of us are so far removed that the roots need to be reestablished. To give you an idea of my starting point, my mom recently shared with me that she was surprised to learn that chickens can fly. She’s a smart person. She just never had the exposure necessary to make the association between chickens and flight. Disconnectedness.
Modern homesteading is an attempt to blend the old and the new, generally with a bias towards the reconnection with and preservation of traditional skills and practices. Specific focus varies from practitioner to practitioner, but common themes encountered may include variations of simple living, off grid living, zero waste living, upcycling, thrifty shopping, farming / gardening, raising animals, food preservation, self sufficiency, wild crafting, homeschooling, conservation, hunting, foraging, and preparedness.
Who can be a modern homesteader? Anyone.
Where can modern homesteaders live? Anywhere.
It doesn’t take a huge time commitment or investment to get started. It doesn’t take a farm house and acreage. It doesn't take a fancy off grid set up. It doesn’t take a massive knowledge base and skill set. Geography doesn’t matter. Urban, suburban or rural don’t matter. Housing situation doesn’t matter. It simply takes the desire to learn and a willingness to try new things. And sometimes, some creativity. Don’t put a bunch of pressure on yourself to live up to some unobtainable ideal. Allow yourself to learn and live. Failures and setbacks are inevitable. Shake the dirt off, get back on your feet and try again.
