What It Really Means to Be a Modern Homesteader

Discover what it means to be a modern homesteader—whether you live on five acres, in a backyard, or with a few pots on a balcony.

There was a time when the word homestead meant 160 acres, a team of oxen, and the grit to scrape a living out of whatever you had. Today, most of us don’t live that way—and yet, the word still resonates. It’s a label many of us wear proudly, even if our “homestead” is a suburban backyard, a rented lot, or even a third-floor apartment balcony crammed with pots of tomatoes and a couple scraggly herbs that you’re ridiculously proud of.

So what does it really mean to be a modern homesteader?

For me, it’s less about how much land you own and more about how you think. It’s about choosing a slower, simpler way of living, learning to do things for yourself, and finding satisfaction in the daily work of cooking, tending, and growing (whatever that looks like for you).

Where the Word “Homesteader” Comes From

The term homesteader has deep roots in American history. It was born out of the Homestead Act of 1862, which offered settlers 160 acres of public land in exchange for building a life on it—literally. The deal? Live there, build a home, improve the land, and after five years, it was yours.

It was a bold, rugged promise in a time when everything about life was hard. Those original homesteaders had to be fiercely resourceful. They built their homes by hand, grew their own food, raised animals for meat and milk, and often relied on little more than grit, community, and the willingness to figure it out.

They weren’t just farmers. They were bakers, butchers, builders, parents, inventors, and teachers. They learned to do a little of everything because they had to.

Today, we’re not handed land for free—and most of us aren’t digging root cellars or hauling water from a well, but the mindset of those early homesteaders still rings true today (though I’ll admit, I wouldn’t last long if I had to haul buckets every day).

The Homesteading Spirit Today

The way we homestead has changed over the years, but the reasons we choose it have stayed remarkably the same. Even with how fast life moves now, plenty of people are still craving something simpler and more hands-on.

Why We Still Choose This Lifestyle

Being a modern homesteader means embracing that same spirit, but in a way that fits into today’s world.

We grow food—not because we’d starve otherwise, but because there’s nothing like biting into a tomato you grew yourself. We learn to cook from scratch, raise chickens or quail, preserve the summer harvest, and fix things ourselves. We experiment with natural cleaning, herbal remedies, composting, and seed saving.

Different Ways It Shows Up

Some of us do it in backyards or on acreage. Others do it in town, in pots and windowsills. Some work full-time jobs and homestead on the weekends. Others homeschool, tend gardens, run side hustles, and raise animals all at once.

The common thread? A desire to be more connected—to our homes, our food, our families, and the natural world.

Homesteading today isn’t a job title or a destination. It’s more of a mindset. A way of looking at everyday choices and saying… I don’t need to outsource everything. I can do this myself. I can learn. I can try. And I don’t have to do it perfectly… and let’s be honest, some of us just try to squeeze it in between soccer practice and laundry piles.

Why We Still Call Ourselves Homesteaders

Some people wonder if the word still fits. After all, we have smartphones, running water, and grocery stores. Most of us aren’t building cabins in the woods or relying on what we grow to make it through the winter.

But the term homesteader has evolved. It’s no longer just about land ownership or self-sufficiency—it’s about a mindset of doing more with what you have.

A modern homesteader might raise goats on five acres, or they might make yogurt in a tiny apartment kitchen. What connects us isn’t where we live, it’s how we choose to live.

We’re reclaiming skills that were nearly lost to convenience culture. We’re saying no to the idea that everything must be fast, disposable, and store-bought. We’re choosing to be producers, not just consumers.

And for many of us, the word “homesteader” feels like the best way to describe a mix of tradition, resilience, and a stubborn streak against convenience culture. If you want a closer look at what this lifestyle can actually look like day to day, check out this deeper dive into the spirit of modern homesteading.

You Might Be a Modern Homesteader If…

A modern homesteader doesn’t look one specific way. You don’t need to live off-grid or raise all your own meat. You just need the heart for it.

You might be a modern homesteader if:

• You’ve muttered ‘I could make that’ in the middle of Target.
• You have herbs growing on your windowsill.
• You’ve learned to can, ferment, or dehydrate food.
• You keep backyard chickens, quail, or rabbits.
• You knit, sew, build, or repurpose things at home.
• You feel deep satisfaction from a pantry full of jars or a basket of eggs.

You don’t have to check every box. If you’re learning, experimenting, and doing your best to live more simply and sustainably—you’re already part of the homesteading movement.

What We Carry Forward From Traditional Homesteading

Here’s what I think we’re carrying forward from the old ways, even now:

• Self-reliance. Not because we have to—but because it builds confidence and peace of mind.
• Hands-on skills. From sourdough starters to soap making, we’re reconnecting with the work of our hands.
• Resourcefulness. Waste less, fix more, find joy in the process.
• Community. Homesteaders have always needed each other—today’s version is online groups, seed swaps, and shared advice.
• Gratitude for simple stuff. The first egg of the season, that one cucumber that somehow didn’t get eaten by slugs, or that basket of slightly misshapen carrots that still taste better than anything from the store.

Simple Ways to Lean Into the Homesteader Identity

You don’t need to move to the country or raise livestock to start living like a homesteader. There are plenty of simple, approachable ways to ease into the lifestyle—right where you are, with what you have.

Start Small and Practical

Feeling inspired but unsure where to begin? You don’t need to do it all at once. Here are a few simple ways to start—or grow deeper into—the lifestyle:

• Grow one thing. Lettuce in a pot. Basil on the windowsill. Start small and see what happens.
• Cook from scratch once a week. Choose a comfort food or seasonal recipe that sounds fun.
• Preserve something. Freeze chopped herbs in oil. Dehydrate apple slices. Make jam with a friend.
• Fix or reuse something. Patch a hole. Mend a seam. Paint old furniture instead of replacing it.

Looking for ways to put these ideas into action? These realistic tips for sustainable living are great for getting started without overwhelm.

Build Community and Knowledge

While homesteading often starts as a solo effort, it doesn’t have to stay that way. Learning from others and finding your people can make the journey easier, more inspiring, and a whole lot more fun.

• Read and learn. Find a few homesteading blogs or books that speak to you. (Homegrown & Handmade by Deborah Niemann is one of my favorites for bridging old and new.)
• Connect. Follow other homesteaders online. Ask questions. Share your wins and fails. You’re not alone.

Frequently Asked Questions About Being a Modern Homesteader

Still wondering if this lifestyle fits you—or how to make it work in your own space? Here are some of the most common questions I hear from people who are just starting out or feeling unsure.

Pin this for later if you’ve ever wondered what it really means to be a modern homesteader—or how to start right where you are.

At its heart, homesteading is about belonging. To your home, your land—whatever that may look like—and your values.

Being a modern homesteader doesn’t require a specific location or skillset. It’s about slowing down, choosing what matters most, letting go of doing it perfectly, and learning as you go. If you’re in a season where things feel messy or uncertain, this reflection on the struggles and small wins of homesteading might be just what you need to hear.

You don’t have to earn the title. If you’re trying—if you’re growing, making, doing, or simply wanting to—then you already are one of us.

So if you’ve been wondering whether you count—yes, you do. Welcome to the homestead family.

Post originally published April 8, 2015. Updated with new reflections on the evolving homesteader identity and what it means to live simply in today’s world.