Ten Skills You Need to be a Homesteader, No Matter Your Circumstance

When we think of "homesteading" we often think of acres of farmland with a big, red barn, a lot of farm animals, and life skills that have been handed down for generations. At least, that's what I tend to think of!

But what if we live in the suburbs on a quarter-acre plot with an HOA, or a fourth-floor walk-up in the middle of a concrete jungle? What if no one teaches us those

traditions and life skills? Can we still be homesteaders? I think we can.

I think if we shift our focus to production and less on consumption, we can indeed be

homesteaders. If we choose to decrease our dependence on resources and supply chains that aren’t guaranteed, work with our own hands to feel that we're contributing real and profound value to our families and the world, and become more responsible for ourselves and our families - I think that is the heart of a homesteader, regardless of their location or circumstance.

Rather than purchase all of our food from the grocery store, why don’t we grow some ourselves and get to know our local farmers? Rather than going through the drive-thru, why don't we learn to make real food from scratch? Rather than living in a state of unpreparedness, why don't we begin to learn the skills we need to be confident and able? I think it's possible if we do the work. And that has been my goal.

Here are ten essential skills I believe everyone needs to feel confident in their abilities, not

only as homesteaders but as human beings. Let me know in the comments what you would add to this list!

Establish a community.

One of the most important things we can do for ourselves, and our families, is to be a part of a community that is knowledgeable and helpful. Whether your goal is to become self-sufficient or just learn basic life skills, you need people who you can learn from and people who want to learn.

Much of what I love about homesteading is the traditions, and that's hard to do without a group of people with the wisdom to share them. Finding a community can be as simple as online groups, through your local extension office, or with neighbors.

Cooking and baking from scratch.

Learning to cook and bake from scratch can not only save you a lot of money, but it allows you the ability to choose what exactly is in your food. By having the freedom to choose specific ingredients, you're able to cater to your family’s exact dietary needs.

Making meals from scratch can be hard to do when you work outside the home, but just devoting an hour or two an evening, or a few hours on a weekend can really add up. Most of my go-to recipes are things I can make ahead of time. I can make a freezer meal for later, breakfast the night before, or preserve things for longer storage, all of which my future self will thank me for!

Learn to sew by hand.

Learning to repair your clothing for longer use, or making your own clothing can keep a lot of waste out of landfills. Hand sewing is a fun, inexpensive hobby that can increase hand-eye

coordination, improve math skills and reduce stress. Having a small sewing kit is a necessity and because it's portable, it's easy to always have on hand. I do recommend learning to use a sewing machine as well. A machine can help save a lot of time when working on larger projects! There are many beginner videos available all over the internet, and I also recommend reaching out to your older friends and relatives that have a wealth of knowledge to share!

Repurpose and Recycle

We have so much available to us nowadays that it seems everything we could ever want, or need is available with little to no inconvenience. However, this isn't always a good thing. We seem to have forgotten the old mantra “Reduce. Reuse. Recycle.” that we learned as school children.

According to the United States Environmental Protection Agency, about 146.1 million tons of

municipal solid waste were landfilled. Food was the largest component at about 24 percent.

Plastics accounted for over 18 percent, paper and paperboard made up about 12 percent, and rubber, leather, and textiles comprised over 11 percent. You can learn more about MSW landfills here. The bottom line is, we can do better for ourselves, our households, and our planet!

Learn basic home maintenance skills.

Skills such as carpentry and plumbing can save you a lot of valuable time and headaches.

Something as simple as repairing clogged drains and toilets, a running toilet, or leaky faucets and pipes can save you a ton of money by doing the work yourself rather than calling a plumber.

Basic carpentry knowledge can help you move quickly through simple projects and give you the confidence to move on to bigger jobs!

Learn auto mechanic skills.

Keeping your vehicles and machinery in good working order can be straightforward if you have the proper know-how. Reading over the owner’s manual and watching videos on how to conduct common tasks such as changing the oil, replacing a belt, and changing a tire could save you a lot of time and money!

Learn to hunt and fish legally and humanely.

It's important to know the state and federal laws pertaining to hunting and fishing. There are

certain regulations regarding age limits, education, and training prior to receiving permits,

zoning areas, seasons, and breed and quantity per person. You can find this information with a simple online search of fishing and wildlife laws in your specific location.

Learn how to garden in your climate.

Knowing your growing climate and hardiness zone is a must! It's important to know what your soil conditions are like and what crops do best in your climate conditions. Gardening styles such as hydroponic or aquaponic gardening may be better suited to the needs of your particular climate. Container gardening, indoor gardening, and raised bed gardening may better suit your needs if you are limited in space. There's a wealth of knowledge at your local library, your local extension office, and online.

Learn to harvest rainwater.

In my state, there are currently no law restrictions when it comes to harvesting rainwater. This is not the case for some states in the U.S. Some states may allow rainwater catchment but require a permit, or may specify the size of the system used, and the purpose for which the rainwater would be used. It's best to be up to date on the regulations in your area before setting up any rain catchment system, big or small.

Learn basic first aid.

Knowing basic first aid skills can be the difference between life and death. There are simple steps of first aid that may help to avoid making a bad situation worse. If you're prepared during an emergency, you're likely to be more confident in your skills and know how to respond to a person in need. Knowing how to minimize panic and physically move someone without increasing injury can help the victim suffer less. There are classes available through The American Red Cross, YMCAs, local colleges, and online.

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