When it comes to the top homesteading YouTubers for beginners, the top five are Wranglerstar, Justin Rhodes, Living Traditions Homestead, Off Grid with Doug & Stacy, and the Homesteading Family. Each offers their unique take on homesteading, providing viewers with invaluable insight into the practicalities and benefits of off-grid living.
Key takeaways include:
- Wranglerstar offers a captivating and educational look into life in the Pacific Northwest.
- Justin Rhodes blends wholesome farm life content with tips on how to monetize the lifestyle.
- Living Traditions Homestead provides comprehensive insights into the financial side of homesteading.
- Doug & Stacy show viewers how to maintain an income while living off-grid.
- The Homesteading Family offers a broad range of topics and online courses for earning while learning.
Top 5 Homesteading Youtubers for Beginners
1. Wranglerstar
Initially, you may be drawn to Wranglerstar for its captivating tales of a family who left the urban grind behind to embrace a homesteading lifestyle in the Pacific Northwest. However, you’ll quickly discover that this channel offers an engaging crash course in everything from chainsaw basics to DIY construction projects. The videos are well-produced and the narration is a notch above, making this a great channel for beginners who appreciate a good yarn and are eager to learn practical skills.
2. Justin Rhodes
Justin Rhodes is a homesteading guru who provides a wholesome view of farm life from the perspective of a family man. His videos cover a diverse array of topics, from growing your own food to building a chicken coop. But what sets him apart is his ability to monetize his lifestyle through online courses and membership programs. This is a perfect example of how you can seamlessly blend off-the-grid living with the benefits of an online income stream.
3. Living Traditions Homestead
The couple behind Living Traditions Homestead left the corporate world to pursue a simpler life in the Ozarks. Their videos are an encyclopedia of homesteading knowledge, from raising animals to making soap. This channel does an excellent job of demonstrating the financial side of homesteading, offering insights into how to manage your resources and make the most out of your land. It’s a great resource for those considering homesteading as a viable alternative to the 9-5 grind.
4. Off Grid with Doug & Stacy
As pioneers in the homesteading space of YouTube, Doug & Stacy‘s channel is a treasure trove of useful information. Their content spans from harvesting rainwater, to building log cabins, to cooking with a wood-burning stove. Their approach to monetizing their lifestyle, through sponsored videos and affiliate marketing, is a masterclass in how to maintain an income while living off-grid.
5. Homesteading Family
For those seeking a comprehensive, family-oriented take on homesteading, look no further than the Homesteading Family. This channel covers a broad range of topics, including gardening, food preservation, and natural remedies. Watching this channel is like having a mentor guide you through the homesteading process, making it a perfect resource for beginners. Moreover, their online courses give viewers another means to earn while learning to live closer to nature.
Must-See Homesteading Videos for Small Space Living
6. Guildbrook Farm
For those interested in a more minimalist approach to homesteading, the Guildbrook Farm offers a wealth of knowledge. This channel, run by a family who traded their corporate careers for a simpler life in the Appalachian Mountains, gives viewers an intimate look into the realities of small space living. From the practicalities of raising backyard chickens, as discussed in an article from the University of Florida, to maximizing your garden yield, this is a must-see for those looking to make the most out of their homestead, no matter the size.
7. Fouch Family Off Grid
In the realm of off-grid living, the Fouch Family Off Grid channel is a gem. Their journey, reminiscent of the experiences described by Paul and Jocelyn in their podcast, showcases the intricacies of building an off-grid homestead from scratch. The Fouch Family’s experiences, combined with their clear and informative narration, provide a valuable resource for those seeking to escape the 9-5 grind and create a sustainable lifestyle that harmonizes with nature.
8. Becky’s Homestead
If you’re seeking practical advice and an authentic glimpse into the homesteading lifestyle, look no further than Becky’s Homestead. Much like the cozy home in Batesville, Arkansas, Becky’s homestead is a testament to what can be achieved with determination and a love for the simple life. From building your own chicken coop to making homemade soap, Becky’s down-to-earth style and extensive knowledge make this channel a valuable resource for both beginners and seasoned homesteaders alike.
Expert Advice on How to Start a Homestead from Scratch
Embarking On Your Homesteading Journey
Ready to break free from the constraints of the 9-5 grind and embrace the lure of nature? Starting a homestead from scratch may seem daunting at first, but with the right approach, it’s a journey that can be both rewarding and transformative. Let’s dive into a few key areas that can help you navigate this new adventure.
Starting Small: The Hobby Farm Approach
When embarking on your homesteading journey, it’s crucial to manage expectations and start small. Homesteading doesn’t necessarily mean managing a sprawling estate; it can begin with a hobby farm. A hobby farm is a small-scale farm operated for pleasure rather than for primary income. It’s about cultivating a lifestyle that’s in sync with nature, and it’s a great way to dip your toes into farming without biting off more than you can chew.
Begin by setting goals and planning what crops and animals you’d like to raise. Start small, perhaps with a vegetable garden, a few chickens, or a beehive. The key is to learn as you go, expanding your operations as you gain confidence and experience. And remember, you’re not alone in this journey; immerse yourself in the language and practices of farming by connecting with other small farmers and drawing on their experiences and advice.
Building Your Own: DIY Initiatives
Part of the appeal of homesteading is the opportunity to create with your own hands. From building a chicken coop to crafting a kitchen table, there’s a certain satisfaction that comes from creating something tangible and functional. For example, crafting a DIY bench for your kitchen table can be both a practical addition to your homestead and a rewarding project that adds a personal touch to your space. So, don’t shy away from DIY projects; they can be an integral part of your homesteading journey.
Embracing the Art of Sourdough Baking
Living closer to nature doesn’t mean sacrificing the comfort of warm, fresh bread. In fact, mastering the art of sourdough baking can be a rewarding aspect of your homesteading lifestyle. As outlined in The Homestead Sourdough Cookbook, you can learn how to create a sustainable sourdough starter and produce delicious homemade breads, biscuits, bagels, and more. Baking your own bread is not only a cost-effective alternative to store-bought products, but it can also serve as a therapeutic activity that connects you with the age-old traditions of bread making.
Starting a homestead from scratch is a journey of self-discovery that requires patience, dedication, and a love for nature. By adopting a simple approach, remaining open to learning, and embracing the hands-on aspects of the lifestyle, you’ll find that the path to a fulfilling and sustainable homestead is well within your reach.
Homesteading Hacks for Urban Dwellers
Adopting a Possum Mentality: Urban Homesteading Adaptations
In the world of homesteading, the ‘Possum Mentality’ can be a powerful tool for urban dwellers looking to connect with nature and live a more sustainable lifestyle. Just as the opossum adapts to its environment and uses whatever resources are available, aspiring urban homesteaders can apply the same spirit of resourcefulness in their quest to live off the grid. As many urban dwellers are intimately aware, these critters are frequent raiders of city trash cans and dumpsters, demonstrating their ability to adapt to any surroundings. This includes living in unconventional dwellings such as barns, sheds, or even a hay bale home. They’re also willing to relocate if necessary for better opportunities and resources, which is a valuable lesson for urban homesteaders.
Part of the Possum Mentality involves being an anti-picky eater. Possums forage on anything they can catch, from roadkill to bugs and slugs. For urban homesteaders, this translates into a willingness to experiment with different types of food, including those that can be grown or foraged locally. Cultivating your gardening skills now before your life depends on your green thumb is a wise move. Backyard chickens are growing in popularity, while learning what bugs and insects are edible might come in handy in a pinch.
Just as possums save calorie resources by not digging dens for themselves, choosing instead to find abandoned ground shelters of other animals and set up house, urban homesteaders can also be resourceful. For example, a pile of pallets can become usable wood for homesteading projects. Containers can be hoarded for future use. Learning the characteristics of trees in your area can provide tool handles, log cabin building materials, bow making elements, arrow shafts, furniture, and medicinal purposes. The Possum Mentality is about finding alternative uses for items outside their intended purpose and budgeting money and resources wisely.
Urban Container Gardening: A Green Thumb in the Concrete Jungle
One of the biggest challenges for urban dwellers interested in homesteading is limited outdoor space. But don’t let that deter you. With a little creativity and some urban vegetable gardening know-how, even the smallest balcony or patio can be transformed into a productive garden.
Container gardening is an excellent solution for people who lack yard space. It’s easy to start, requires minimal resources, and can be surprisingly productive. For instance, planting one plant can provide 10 pounds of tomatoes over the season. With proper watering and care, a container garden can flourish and provide fresh vegetables and herbs right at your fingertips.
Creating a Sustainable Ecosystem: From Garden to Table and Beyond
As part of your urban homesteading journey, consider adopting principles of permaculture. This approach to sustainable living involves designing systems that mimic the patterns and relationships found in nature. For example, food scraps from your kitchen can be composted and used to enrich the soil in your container garden, creating a closed-loop system that reduces waste and nourishes your plants.
A great example of this approach in action can be seen in the Kinnection Campout, a conscious event that integrates forest gardening, compostable toilets, and other permaculture projects into its programming. The intention is for participants to leave a permanent positive trace through these projects during the event, while learning valuable life hacks and homesteading skills.
Ultimately, the path to a successful urban homestead is paved with creativity, resourcefulness, and a willingness to learn. By adopting a Possum Mentality, embracing container gardening, and striving to create a sustainable ecosystem in your home, you can escape the 9-5 grind and live a healthier, more connected life.
The Best Homesteading Channels for DIY Enthusiasts
The Art of Living Off The Grid: My Self Reliance
For those who dream of escaping the grind, My Self Reliance is a must-watch. Helmed by Shawn James, who carved out his own slice of paradise in the wilds of Ontario, this channel offers an immersive look into the reality of homesteading. James’ videos, which range from quaintly practical to the ambitiously large-scale, showcase the resourcefulness and skill required to build a life from the ground up. Whether he’s crafting a log cabin from scratch or whipping up a turf-and-turf meal of quail and beaver tail, James’ rugged practicality is a testament to the resilience and adaptability of the human spirit.
Building a Community on the Fringe: Wilderstead
Wilderstead, run by Dave Barrett and Amanda Caskenette, is a testament to the power of community in the face of self-reliance. Their channel, named after their 16-acre plot in Ontario’s Algoma region, is a treasure trove of practical advice on self-sufficiency. From fishing and smoking pork to an array of DIY canned goods, they demonstrate how to influence the most important aspects of life by taking control. Their message of resilience in the face of societal and systemic failures is not just a guide to survival, it’s a blueprint for a thriving community.
Living on Your Own Terms, Off the Grid: Gridlessness
In a world of constant connectivity, the Burkinshaw family of the Gridlessness channel have chosen a different path. Their life off the grid is a testament to the beauty of simplicity and the joy of hands-on work. From tending to their living roof to raising dairy goats and making kombucha, they bring viewers into their unique lifestyle. In addition to providing a peek into their daily life, they also offer hands-on workshops through their Off Grid Campouts. These real-life retreats offer a tangible experience of their lifestyle, allowing attendees to participate in everything from building a communal firepit to butchering a pig.
Exploring the Benefits of Raw Milk through Homesteading
Unveiling Nature’s Elixir: The Raw Milk Revolution
Homesteading isn’t just about living off the land, it’s about truly understanding the symbiotic relationship between nature and ourselves. Art and Bri channel, a charming family-run homestead in North Carolina, offers a deep dive into this philosophy. They showcase the health and taste benefits of raw milk, a nutritious powerhouse that modern society has largely overlooked. Raw milk, straight from the cow, is a multifaceted source of probiotics, vitamins, and enzymes. It is a testament to the fact that nature, in its untouched form, often provides the best for our health.
The Journey to Raw Milk: Homesteading Challenges and Triumphs
Adopting a homesteading lifestyle and integrating raw milk into your diet doesn’t come without its challenges. In the Justin Rhodes channel, viewers are taken on a journey of the trials, tribulations, and triumphs that come with homesteading. From learning to rear and milk a cow to understanding the legalities and safety precautions around raw milk, the channel provides a holistic view of the raw milk revolution. It’s a reminder that the path to self-sufficiency is often riddled with obstacles, but the rewards are worth every hurdle.
Raw Milk: The Catalyst for a Healthier Lifestyle
Raw milk isn’t just a product; it’s a lifestyle change that redefines our relationship with food. The Off Grid with Doug and Stacy channel shows viewers how raw milk can be a catalyst for a healthier lifestyle. From making homemade cheese and yogurt to using it as a natural remedy for various ailments, they highlight the versatility of raw milk. Their approach encourages viewers to rethink their consumption habits and motivates them to take a step closer to nature. It’s a journey that goes beyond health benefits, fostering a sense of fulfillment and connection with the natural world.
The Role of Chickens in Homesteading Success
Clucking Their Way to Sustainability: Chickens as the Homesteader’s Secret Weapon
Chickens, these humble creatures with their ruffling feathers and calming clucks, have long been an essential part of the homesteading tapestry. Homesteaders have found a multitude of reasons to welcome these feathered friends into their lives. Not only do they supply fresh eggs and natural pest control, they also offer a way to reconnect with the rhythms of nature and the cycle of life. To Sandra Bontempo, founder of Free Range Skincare, chickens have become more than just a part of her homestead; they have become a part of her family and her business.
The Feathered Alchemists: Turning Scraps into Gold
Chickens offer a unique and invaluable service to the homesteader: they are nature’s perfect recyclers. With a diet that can include kitchen scraps, garden waste, and unwanted pests, chickens can transform what might be considered ‘waste’ into high-quality protein in the form of eggs. These fresh, nutrient-packed eggs are a far cry from their grocery store counterparts, providing a tastier and healthier option for the homesteader’s table. But the magic doesn’t stop there. Chicken manure, rich in nitrogen, can be composted and returned to the soil, providing a boost for the next season’s crops. This cycle creates a self-sustaining system that embraces the principles of sustainability and self-reliance.
Ruffling Feathers: Chickens as Emotional Support Animals
Chickens are not only providers of food and fertilizer, but they can also play a surprising role as emotional support animals. Just ask Sandra Bontempo, whose therapy chicken Winston has become a source of comfort and joy for many. Chickens can provide a sense of calm with their predictable routines and gentle nature. The act of caring for chickens can anchor the homesteader, providing a daily rhythm that connects them more deeply with the world around them. As Kendra Fortner, Livestock Agent at Jackson County Cooperative Extension Office points out, raising chickens can also teach valuable life lessons to children, from responsibility to understanding the cycle of life.
In conclusion, chickens offer so much more to the homesteading journey than just eggs. They contribute to the sustainability of the homestead, provide emotional support, and teach important life lessons. Whether you’re a seasoned homesteader or just beginning your journey, consider inviting chickens to be part of your adventure. They might just ruffle your feathers in the best possible way.
The Art of Preserving Food through Homesteading
The Sustenance Symphony: Appreciating the Art of Food Preservation
As we dive deeper into the rich tapestry of a homesteader’s lifestyle, one skill that truly sets the rhythm of sustainable living is the art of preserving food. When we talk about homesteading, we often think about robust garden beds, clucking chickens, and possibly a goat or two. But the ability to harness and extend the bounty of nature’s pantry is a craft as old as time itself, and yet, is seeing a modern resurgence. The art of preserving food is a living testament to human innovation and our enduring relationship with the earth—an integral piece in the puzzle of self-sufficiency.
Mastering this craft, as Ashley English outlines in The Essential Book of Homesteading, not only ensures a well-stocked pantry through the leaner months but also connects us with the seasonality of our food, fostering a deeper appreciation for the fruits of our labor.
Journey into Jamming: Preserving the Harvest
Homesteading, at its core, is a cyclical dance with nature. This dance is most evident in the garden, where the seasons dictate the rhythm of planting, growing, and harvesting. When the music of summer’s abundance plays, it’s time to preserve the harvest in its prime.
Imagine transforming plump, sun-ripened tomatoes into a robust pasta sauce or capturing the fleeting sweetness of summer strawberries into a jar of jam. It’s a magical process that allows us to bottle up a season and savor it long after its melody has faded.
As noted by Constance and Mike, modern urban homesteaders, the rise of the local food movement and self-sufficiency has breathed new life into these age-old skills. Canning, pickling, and fermenting have evolved from grandmothers’ secrets to mainstream homesteading practices that add value, nutrition, and diversity to the homesteader’s table.
Cultivating a Preservation Mindset: Towards Sustainable Living
The art of preserving food is more than just a practical skill—it’s a mindset. It’s an understanding that the resources we have are precious and fleeting, and we have the ability to extend their utility and reduce waste. It’s about reconnecting with the rhythms of the earth and respecting the bounty it provides.
This mindset extends beyond the mason jars and canning pots. It permeates every aspect of homesteading, from composting kitchen scraps to repurposing old materials, as vividly showcased in the Pagan Homesteading practices of Dandelion Lady.
Preserving food, in essence, equips us with a tangible way to experience the cycle of life, the ebb and flow of seasons, and the satisfaction of self-reliance. It is a powerful tool in the homesteader’s arsenal, helping us tread a little lighter on the earth and appreciate the simple, yet profound, joy of a pantry filled with the fruits of our labor.
The Benefits of Natural Building on Homesteads
Embracing the Art of Natural Building
As the world becomes increasingly digital, many of us yearn for a more tangible, hands-on connection with our environment. Natural building offers an opportunity to return to our roots, integrating the raw materials of the earth into our daily lives. The Mourne Homesteads project in Northern Ireland, for example, has revitalized traditional building skills and dwellings, fostering a stronger connection between the community and the land.
Beyond the inherent beauty and simplicity of structures made from clay, straw, and timber, natural building promotes sustainability and self-sufficiency—core principles of the homesteading lifestyle. This practice is not just about constructing shelters, but about creating a way of life that is in harmony with the natural world.
The Therapeutic Potential of Natural Building
Building your own home with natural materials has therapeutic potential that goes beyond the physical. The process of shaping, stacking, and sculpting the basic elements of earth, water, and air into a dwelling can be profoundly satisfying. It’s a way of getting your hands dirty in the most rewarding sense, creating something both functional and beautiful from the ground up.
Many homesteaders have found that the process of natural building, much like gardening, has a calming effect, reducing stress and promoting a sense of well-being. This is no surprise considering the deep connection humans have with nature, a connection that has been somewhat lost in our modern, technology-driven society.
Natural Building as a Catalyst for Community
One of the most exciting aspects of natural building is its potential to bring people together. The Hawaiian-style homebuilding is a great example of this. This cultural architectural style engages the entire community in the construction process, fostering a sense of unity and shared purpose.
When neighbors come together to assist in a barn raising or home construction, it creates strong bonds of camaraderie and mutual support that are at the heart of a thriving homesteading community. This spirit of cooperation and connection is an essential part of living ‘off the grid’ and can make the challenging aspects of this lifestyle not only manageable, but deeply rewarding.
In today’s fast-paced, disconnected world, natural building offers a return to simpler times, a chance to create with our own hands, and an opportunity to forge stronger ties with our neighbors and the earth itself. Whether it’s constructing a cob cottage, a straw bale house, or a log cabin, the process of natural building is a journey worth embarking on. It’s a testament to the fact that the best things in life are often those we build ourselves.
The Intersection of Technology and Homesteading
Reimagining Homesteading through Technology
The rise of homesteading in the 21st century is a testament to our collective yearning for a simpler, more sustainable way of life. Yet, it’s not about completely abandoning the comforts and conveniences of modern living. Rather, it’s about harnessing the power of technology to facilitate a lifestyle that’s both rooted in nature and fully connected to the digital world.
Consider the remarkable invention of the Coop Tender Internet WiFi Enabled Automatic Chicken Coop Door. This innovation epitomizes the intersection of traditional homesteading practices and advanced technology, transforming the way we care for our poultry. As we bid adieu to the manual tending of our coops, a new era of possibilities arises, shaped by such inventive solutions.
Open Source Movements and Digital Democracy in Homesteading
Advancements in technology have also ushered in an era of digital democracy, with open source movements playing a pivotal role. These movements, with their deep-rooted commitments to ethical democracy, are having a profound impact on the homesteading landscape.
For instance, FLOSS (Free and Open-Source Software) has emerged as a revolutionary force in this sphere, reconfiguring capitalist property relations from within. It’s a movement driven by hackers who view their activity as an expression of individual freedom, an aesthetic posture, and a means to further specific ethical projects. They are rewriting the rules, maximizing individual freedom in the use of technology and carving out a new path for homesteaders around the world.
Crafting a Hybrid Space for Homesteading
The blending of physical and virtual realities in homesteading is creating a new hybrid space. This exciting development is found at the intersection of the material and the immaterial, much like the liminal space anthropologist Turner spoke of. His concept of liminality – a state of being in between phases – is applicable to the evolving landscape of homesteading, where the real and virtual merge seamlessly.
For example, a gathering of scholars at the Madeira Interactive Technologies Institute discussed the intersection of remoteness, technology, and self-determination. Their deliberations resulted in a hypertext document that mirrored their location – an archipelago of islands, with each “island” exploring a different aspect of the topic. This “archipelago” format represents the interconnected yet distinct realities of modern homesteading, where each homesteader, like an island, is both a distinct entity and part of a broader community.
As we continue to explore the intersection of technology and homesteading, we must remember that it’s not about choosing one over the other. Instead, it’s about finding ways to minimize our environmental footprint while maximizing our quality of life. It’s about leveraging the power of technology to create sustainable systems that allow us to live off the grid, yet remain connected to the wider world.