THIS is Why So Many People Are Homesteading Today

The homesteading lifestyle has continued to gain popularity over the years, and I am definitely one of those people who has dove headfirst into the lifestyle after learning it existed. But, though I know the reasons why I am a homesteader, I couldn’t help but wonder what it is and why so many people are homesteading today. What has caused this new trend to emerge?

Many people have chosen to abandon the corporate world and lifestyle for a simple life on a homestead. But what has caused these people to make such a lifestyle change? The top reasons so many people are leaving the corporate world and trends of modern day society to become homesteaders are centered around:

Spiritual calling
Desire to remove their dependency on others for survival staples
Fear of or response to current world situation post the COVID-19 pandemic
Inner calling to live in relationship with the land

What does it mean to be a homesteader?

In today’s modern world, to be a homesteader means to live life as self-sustainably as possible from the site of your own home. This may include growing a garden, raising animals for meat and other products (such as dairy and eggs), and foraging from nature.

Homesteaders often grow or forage as much food as they can from their own homestead property, preserving and storing away this bounty to feed their family through the winter. Animals are raised in a humane and controlled way for meat, dairy, and eggs, and are processed on days that many coin as the animal’s “one bad day” of life. The primary focus for homesteaders is to produce as much as possible for their own home from their own home.

Top four reasons why so many people are homesteading

The reasons why so many people are homesteading today might not be that surprising. With an estimated 21 million adults in the United States struggling with depression and 40 million adults struggling with anxiety, there seems to be a disconnect between finding actual peace and happiness and what modern society teaches will bring us happiness.

People are feeling the sting of the fast pace, materialistic culture our world has become, and many are seeking other options.

1. A Spiritual Calling

Some people believe that God has prompted them to live in a simple, off-the land lifestyle, and that has prompted them to become homesteaders. As one homesteader reflected upon why he chose to begin homesteading, he spoke of an interaction with a group of Mennonites and how it impacted his life forever:

Twenty-three years ago, I met some friendly nearby Mennonites that lived a whole lot differently than I did – and it caused me to question literally everything about my life and the default path I was on. I “course corrected”. And that has made all the difference.
Modern day homesteader

Mennonites are part of a conservative Christian group, often focusing on living a very simple, bible-oriented life without modern conveniences in an effort to preserve their faith-based way of life. Many homesteaders can connect with this sentiment, in many ways, as they themselves seek opportunities to live a lifestyle different than the one being promoted by big businesses.

What does the bible say about homesteading?

Others feel that the spiritual teachings of the bible lead them towards a homestead life, recognizing it as a call. As one homesteader put it, homesteading is “an inner drive to cultivate and care for the land and life God has blessed us with so that we can be a blessing to others.” Many homesteaders are reading the words of the bible, following the teachings of Jesus, and using that to live a simple life on a homestead.

Homesteading is an opportunity for reflection and worship

There are many aspects of the homesteading life that cause a person to slow down, forcing them to be alone with their mind. This time might show up during the rhythmic milking of a family milk cow or while pulling weeds in the garden. Many homesteaders find this time to be very spiritual and an opportunity to speak with God.

2. Homesteading fulfills a desire to remove dependency on others for necessary food staples

Another one of the reasons why so many people are choosing homesteading revolves around a desire for self-sufficiency. Learning to homestead so that you can depend on yourself for your own food is extremely powerful.

While it is almost impossible to be completely self-sufficient in today’s world, a homestead is a wonderful place to gain some sense of freedom from a dependency on others.

Frustration with a broken system

Unfortunately, the current set-up of the food system is unsustainable. Though we are destroying forests, depleting resources, and growing food in mass-quantities (which is the opposite of nature), we are still throwing away 40% of all food being produced in the United States.

This type of food system will not and cannot survive forever. By depending on others to provide our food for us, and by buying food to throw it away, we only add to this problem. This is one of the driving forces behind the homesteading movement.

Unhappy with the broken system, people have decided to regain control over who they depend on to feed their families. Homesteading provides a doorway towards self-sustainability, which grants freedom from dependency on others in many ways.

3. Affects of the COVID-19 pandemic on homesteading

The COVID-19 pandemic, and the food supply chain issues that came as a result of the it, brought the issue of food dependency on others to the front of people’s minds. If there was to be food shortages, where would I get my food? Would our family be alright?

For a lot of families, this question burned deeply into their souls. They got to experience firsthand what life would be like without some of the conveniences available at the store. For some, it sparked fear, which led them to the homesteading realm. Others saw it to be a wake up call for change in the current system.

Now, people are starting to make connections between food and table, which might not have necessarily been happening before. People are recognizing that if there are unexpected events that alter the food supply chain, they want to make sure their families are going to be ok.

Enter homestead life. Growing a garden to provide fruits and vegetables for your home, adding animals for eggs and/or dairy, and growing or hunting your own meat are all ways to be free from dependency on others. This freedom is one of the main reasons why so many people are homesteading today.

4. Homesteading deepens your relationship with the Earth

When you live off the land, you start to become more in-tuned with nature. You start to recognize the complete dependence you have on Mother Nature to survive, and you honor that relationship. Learning to listen to the seasons, and act upon what they tell you is one of the greatest gifts a homesteader can receive.

A relationship with the land

If you are choosing to homestead, you can expect to develop a strong relationship with the land. It is completely up to Mother Nature to decide when it rains, when a season changes, or how long the sun will shine. Learning to give into this dependency (which is ironic considering so many desire independence when becoming homesteaders), can help to deepen your relationship with the Earth.

It is impossible to not become connected to something that you are immersed in everyday. Being out in the garden in the summer, or even as you do chores in the winter snow, will connect you to the Earth. You will start to notice different sounds and patterns. The wind blowing will tell you of what is to come. Dark clouds in the west will make you think of rain. You will notice when the song birds leave for winter and be glad when they return in the summer. Mother Nature will give you the light you need for long hours of work in the summer, and the darkness you need for rest during the cold winter. The relationship you will build is a strong one.

Hearing Mother Nature

I can remember very clearly the first time I recognized my own relationship with the Earth had changed. As I walked outside one summer morning, I noticed something was different. The air smelled a bit different than normal, and I could hear a sound towards the south end of our field. I stopped and listened, but couldn’t quite put my finger on what it was that was making me feel different.

I soon understood. The sound I was hearing was the rainstorm approaching as it hit the trees to the south of us. Soon, I could see the rain clouds coming closer, and I could see the rain falling in the distance. As I realized what was happening, we ran to the house to watch the storm come in from the porch. It was a really magical moment that showed me just how in-tuned I had become with nature.

One still evening’s warning

Another night, just recently, I had another experience. As I walked into the darkness, I noticed the deer who have been secretly stealing some of our cow’s hay from our hay wagon were not there. The cows were in the barn. The rooster was not perched, either; instead, he was standing guard in front of the door. Something was off.

I started to feel uneasy, and I shined my light around the property. As I looked around, I couldn’t see any eyes reflecting back at me, so I continued on with my chores. I locked the chickens up in their coop, and started towards the barn. Normally, the cows hear me coming and make noise, but tonight there was silence.

As I opened the barn door, I heard the noise that had cause my unease. A wolf’s howl loud and to the northwest. It was probably a mile away, but it was enough to put everyone on their toes. It howled 2 more times, and I did my chores quickly to get back to the safety of the house that night!

Moments like these can only exist on a homestead, and I am convinced it is part of the many reasons why so many people are homesteading today.

The benefits of being a homesteader

People have found numerous benefits to being a homesteader, with some of the greatest being freedom from a dependency on others, a deeper connection to the Earth, and recognizing their true potential. It is a life that can be truly fulfilling, spiritually grounding, and can provide affirmation in who you are.

Some of the absolute greatest parts of being a homesteader overlap with some of the reasons why so many people are homesteading today. Some of these benefits include:

Deepening a connection to the earth
Providing freedom from dependency on others
Creating a sense of pride
Providing opportunities for quiet meditation
Allowing people to lead a healthier lifestyle with whole, non-processed foods
Fostering a sense of responsibility
Creating a connection between the food on the table and the people who eat it
Forcing you to be outside, even on days you might not have chosen it otherwise
Connecting people to the circle of life in a very tangible way
Giving people a chance to connect with God
Simplifying life in a way that helps remove the burdens of modern society’s expectations
Helping people to find their true potential and capabilities

Some of these benefits are primary reasons why so many people are homesteading in the first place. Others end up being wonderful side effects that you might not have even known would happen as you embark on living the homesteading lifestyle.

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A family milk cow, garden, chickens, and sunflowers on a homestead

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If you’re a homesteader, why have you chosen to homestead? And if you’re just starting out, what has pushed you to consider the lifestyle? Comment below to let us know!