On today’s podcast, I interview Sherry Willis from Half-Pint Homestead. We discuss her urban homesteading journey from the wide-open spaces of Wyoming to eventually land within the city limits in Missouri on a 1/5 acre plot raising goats, chickens, and rabbits with plans to bring in other livestock.
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Urban Homesteading: Starting Small and Growing Big!
Hey friends! Today I’m super excited to share with you all about a fascinating homesteader who proves that you don’t need acres of land to start living a more self-sufficient lifestyle. In this post, I’ll tell you all about Sherry Willis from Half Pint Homestead, who turned her tiny city property into a productive, mini homestead. Whether you’re dreaming of rural life or living in the heart of the city, Sherry’s story will inspire you to start homesteading wherever you are!
From Country to City: Sherry’s Homesteading Journey
Sherry didn’t always live in the city. She grew up in Wyoming on a 283-acre homestead, where her family raised their own food, made cheese, and lived what many people consider the “homestead dream.” As a child, she thought this was normal! After spending time in the countryside with cows, sheep, and horses, she made a big change—moving to a tiny house in a small town.
With only a fifth of an acre of land, Sherry could have given up her homesteading dreams. But instead, she embraced the challenge. She used her creativity and homesteading know-how to turn her little property into a productive, sustainable space. That’s when the urban homesteading journey really began.
Urban Homesteading: What Can You Do in the City?
When Sherry moved into her small house, she didn’t let the lack of space stop her from continuing her homesteading ways. She put up a privacy fence, built a henhouse, started raising rabbits, and even managed to grow a garden despite the big trees on her lot.
Sherry’s advice to anyone who wants to start homesteading in the city is simple: just start. You don’t need acres of land. Start small, maybe with a window box of herbs, a few chickens, or a tiny garden. Every little step counts, and before you know it, you’ll have a thriving homestead—no matter where you live!
Small Livestock: Goats vs. Cows
One of the funnier parts of Sherry’s story is her experience with cows and goats. She originally had cows but realized they were a bit too much work, especially when living off-grid in the woods. That’s when she switched to goats—and fell in love with them!
She says goats are easier to care for, take up less space, and provide a better option for small homesteaders. Plus, if you have multiple goats and one gets sick, you still have other goats to provide milk. With a cow, all your eggs (or milk!) are in one basket.
Dealing with City Rules and Neighbors
One of the challenges of urban homesteading is dealing with city ordinances. Sherry has found that in her small town, the laws are pretty relaxed. But she stresses the importance of building good relationships with your neighbors. She sweetens the deal by sharing eggs and cheese with them!
Sherry even has some creative ideas for getting around certain rules. For example, her town doesn’t allow pigs, but she’s thinking about getting miniature pigs and calling them pets! She says sometimes it’s better to ask for forgiveness than permission—but always be prepared to be flexible with the law.
Small Space Gardening: Garden Barrels and Microgreens
Gardening in a small space can be tough, especially when you don’t have much sunlight. That’s why Sherry uses garden barrels and a drip system to grow her plants with minimal weeding. She’s also into growing high-value crops like strawberries, which are often full of pesticides when bought from the store.
If you’re looking to make the most of a small yard or balcony, you might also love Sherry’s microgreens systems. Microgreens are tiny, nutritious plants that are perfect for small spaces. You can even grow them indoors on your countertop!
Raising Livestock Fodder: Better Food for Your Animals
Sherry also sells fodder systems, which are automated setups to grow fresh feed for animals like rabbits, chickens, and goats. The cool thing about fodder is that it’s much healthier than pelleted feed because you know exactly what’s in it. Sherry’s systems water themselves every few hours, so they’re perfect for busy homesteaders (or those who forget to water their plants, like me!).
These systems allow her to grow healthy food for her animals year-round, even when fresh pasture isn’t available. And the best part? The systems are easy to use and don’t require a lot of space!
Starting Small: One Step at a Time
Sherry’s biggest piece of advice for anyone wanting to start homesteading is to start small. Pick one thing to focus on, whether it’s raising chickens, growing a garden, or learning how to can food. Master that one thing, and then move on to the next. Before you know it, you’ll be an expert homesteader, even if you only have a little space.
Final Thoughts
Sherry’s story is such a great reminder that you don’t need a huge farm or a lot of money to start living a more self-sufficient life. Whether you’re in a city apartment or a small suburban lot, there are so many ways to start urban homesteading. Just take it one step at a time, and soon you’ll be growing your own food, raising animals, and enjoying the benefits of a homestead lifestyle.
If you want to learn more about Sherry and her awesome products, check out her website at Half Pint Homestead. Whether you’re interested in fodder systems, microgreens, or just some homesteading inspiration, Sherry’s got you covered!
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