Why I Decided to Start Homesteading

If you had told me a few years ago that I’d be out in the yard in my boots at sunrise, feeding ducks and goats before I’d even had my coffee, I would’ve laughed. I was a “grocery store chicken in a plastic package” kind of girl. But here we are — muck boots on, hair in a messy bun, coffee in hand — living a life I didn’t even know I was craving.

It wasn’t one big moment that got us here, but a slow, gentle pull toward something simpler. I wanted our kids to grow up knowing where their food came from, not just reading about it in books. I wanted more mornings outside and fewer hours staring at screens. I wanted to feel connected — to our food, to the seasons, and to each other.

Motherhood changes you. Suddenly you’re thinking about the long game — about the lessons your kids will carry into adulthood. I wanted mine to learn responsibility, patience, and the joy that comes from working with their own two hands. And honestly? I wanted them to be able to play in the dirt and know it’s good dirt.

The food piece was a big part of it too. Grocery store prices and ingredient labels can be overwhelming. Homesteading gives us control over what we eat. Fresh eggs, milk, veggies, and jars of food we’ve canned ourselves aren’t just healthier — they’re peace of mind in a pantry.

We’re far from perfect homesteaders. Our ducks aren’t even laying yet, and sometimes the weeds in the garden seem to be winning. But every day, we’re learning. Every jar on the shelf, every meal from our own backyard, feels like a victory.

There’s something magical about watching your kids carry a bucket of feed that’s almost as big as they are, or hearing the goats bleat when they see you coming. It’s work, yes — but it’s the kind of work that fills you up instead of drains you.

Homesteading isn’t just about the food or the animals. It’s about choosing a life that’s a little slower, a little more intentional, and a lot more connected. It’s the life I didn’t know I needed… and now can’t imagine living without.