Newbee Homestead Question

[Funmommy]

How big does the property have to be to be considered a homestead? What is the criteria for a homestead?

When I think of homestead I picture a large piece of property with a lot of animals and a large garden and barn. I guess it would be my dream property actually. ;)

I'm just curious on what your definition of homestead is. ;D

[rantinraven]

I think we all have a different definition of "homestead". I mean the ideal homestead would be as you describe, but for us we are "urban homesteaders" We live in a small town and we have a garden, rabbits, and some fruit trees. Mostly for us its living simply, and just trying to do the best we can with the land we have. Growing, canning and meat production as well as conservation is about all we can do here.

Although our goal is to eventually have a bigger place we are using all the sq ft here (vertical and horizontal) to practice for when we do go big. We already work from home part time (increasing that as we go) and hubby is back in a part time position out of the home to keep steady money coming in in this economy.

Our place is rather small compared to most but its a great starting point and a good opportunity to learn. As I said your idea is the dream for us and I think its probably the norm when people think about a "homestead".

[Anon001]

Funmommy, I agree Raven. Homesteading is just as much a philosophy as it is the actual property.

However, I think of a homestead in the same sense as when my great grandfather "homesteaded" our place in 1892. It was enough land to be self-reliant. Or it was enough land to supply your needs and then have enough to sell to buy what you can't produce.

That definition is just in my own mind and not the majority. We have many homesteaders that are on less than 5 acres. However, it takes a very creative and hard working enterprising person or family to be self-reliant on a small acreage. But, no matter what size acreage or whether you are in town or in the country there are a lot of things you can do. Some small towns will allow a few backyard chickens. You can go vertical with gardening like Raven has done, you do a lot of bartering for things you need. You can sometimes trade labor for firewood... or for fresh milk, or for beef, pork, etc. I think for most people "homesteading" is a mindset no matter what kind of property you are own.

I think of homesteading in addition to my original definition for me as one in which you live a very basic simple lifestyle enjoying the traditional old roots. Playing games or talking or other family activities in the evening instead of tv. Family sitting on the front porch in the evenings being a family. Working in a garden together. Everyone in the family pulling his/her weight to make it work. Sorta like the old joke that families were big so that there would be enough free labor on the farm. lol...

Homesteading is also in degrees... as self-reliant or as dependant as you want it to be.

But, this is all just my humble opinion and one of many. One thing is certain. Homesteading today is nothing like homesteading 150 years ago. so make it what you want it to be.

[Terri]

My definition is doing what you can with what you have.

I am not allowed 4-footed livestock because I live within city limits. Alas, I have no dairy animal or horse.

On my acre I DO have bees, fruit trees, blackberries, a garden, Christmas trees, a home made greenhouse, a potting shed, and such. Sometimes I toy with the idea of pigeons or quail, but, I haven't.

I don't know if I have a homestead either, to be honest. Not because I cannot have a cow: I don't think I have a homestead because I do not put up vegetables for the winter. That is due to a lack of energy, I am afraid!

I would like to root cellar, but, the garage is too cold and the washroom is too warm. And I cannot dig that many potatos.

[jen_in_southtexas]

Funmommy,

To me a homestead is what you make of it WHEREVER you are and whatever you see fit with the pocketbook. There is no certain amount of acres you "need" to have just because others have a certain amount. You'd be surprised at what you can do with an acre or less. When I bought my first acre I didnt realize how much potential it had....size wise. The second acre I bought was the very next one over and the ONLY reason I bought it was because I didnt want an immediate neighbor right next door to me. For me two acres is way more than enough let alone one.

I bought this book not too long ago: The Backyard Homestead by Carleen Madigan. It is a great book with lots of good info. It also has drawings of how they layed out a one-tenth acre, quarter acre, half acre, one acre etc., just to give you an idea.

Whatever your decision, your homestead will ultimately become what you make of it where ever you are. :)

-jen
Deep South Texas Brush Country

[firegirl969]

I agree with the other posts that a homestead is whatever you choose to make it. I have homesteaded on 1.9 acres, 3.44 acres, and now 18 acres. I found 3.44 was a great, manageable size. This 18 acres is good in that we have a sizeable pond and large pastures. This will allow for more and larger animals. However, I was able to comfortably provide all dairy and eggs for most of the year and some garden on the 3.44 acres. I probably could have provided the majority of our food, but first hubby refused to cut trees, so I had a shade problem. I had 9 raised beds, and did grow alot though.

[flatwater]

Today you really can't define homestead. I believe in yesteryear it was a section of land given by the government to settle people out west and within a spicific amount of time one had to improve on it. Alaska may have been the last state to do this and not that long ago I believe. Today homesteads are in your heart.

[Funmommy]

Today you really can't define homestead. I believe in yesteryear it was a section of land given by the government to settle people out west and within a spicific amount of time one had to improve on it. Alaska may have been the last state to do this and not that long ago I believe. Today homesteads are in your heart.


Oh Good I think I like all your answers but I think I like this one the best. ;D

As of right now I have 1 acre of land with 1 pear tree (that has been producing pretty well), 1 almond tree (that produces more each year), 2 cherry trees (that I got for mothers day last year), 1 nectarine and one plum tree (that I just got for mothers day this year), a small garden (in the works) and the start of a chicken coop. Oh and I have a Lone blueberry bush that made it (the other 3 died on me). I wish my town would let me have pigs and maybe a couple goats too (darn regulations). So I guess I AM homesteading because even though this has just been a new personal revelation for me ..... I'm absolutely LOVING IT! ;D

[homesteaderbelle]

Here is one definition of homestead I found in the dictionary -
A place where a family makes it's home, including a house and the land around it.

To have a homestead, I don't beleive that a person must have a certain amount of land. I think it is a place where you home is and where you live.

Happy Homesteading!
Belle