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In this episode, I was feeling under the weather and fighting a cough so I asked some folks if they wanted to share why they started homesteading. This is a collaboration from a few homesteaders about what led them down this path.

The Modern Homesteading Podcast, Episode 78 – Homesteaders Share Why They Started Homesteading

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Homesteading has become a growing trend, with people from all walks of life choosing to live more self-sufficiently. Some may dream of acres of land, while others make it work in small urban spaces. No matter where or how you start, the reasons for homesteading are often personal, and they speak to a desire for a more connected, resilient lifestyle. Let’s dive into a few heartwarming stories from real people who shared their reasons on the Modern Homesteading Podcast.

Knowing Where Food Comes From

Troy McClung from Red Tool House Homestead got into homesteading to take control of his food. After watching documentaries like Food Inc., Troy and his wife had an “aha moment.” They realized they wanted to know exactly where their food came from and take responsibility for growing it themselves. They started with chickens, like many homesteaders, and quickly expanded into other areas of food production. For them, it wasn’t just about eating healthier but also about living more sustainably.

Using What You Have

Troy also shared how he felt like they were wasting the 100 acres of wooded, mountainous land they had owned for years. Instead of just admiring the landscape, they decided to see what it could produce. With that mindset, they started gardening and raising livestock. It wasn’t just about having land, but using it in a way that brought more value to their lives.

Learning Lost Skills

Many homesteaders, including Troy, are motivated by a desire to learn skills that past generations took for granted. Troy wanted to pass on the ability to grow food, raise animals, and fix things with his hands to his children. He felt these skills were not only practical but could also become essential in uncertain times. Whether it’s gardening or animal husbandry, homesteading teaches self-reliance, and Troy hopes to ensure his boys have these life skills to carry forward.

Escaping the Urban Grind

Christopher Soles B. shared a different story of how he and his wife got into homesteading. Raised in Orange County, California, where nature is hard to come by and freeways dominate the landscape, they became tired of city life. After moving to Utah, they stumbled into homesteading by chance. Christopher, who was initially just trying to find something to listen to during long night shifts, discovered a podcast about farming, which ignited his interest in self-sufficiency.

Building Resilience

For Christopher, homesteading wasn’t just about gardening—it was about creating resilience. With his wife facing medical challenges, he wanted to ensure they had a healthy food supply they could rely on. He began by cutting out processed foods and learning how to garden and raise chickens. What started as a hobby quickly became a lifestyle, as he aimed to eliminate reliance on commercial food systems and live more sustainably.

Making It Work in the City

Ariel, an urban homesteader in Texas, showed that you don’t need a huge amount of land to start homesteading. Starting with beekeeping, she quickly found her confidence growing. From there, she began raising chickens, even though she’s a vegetarian! For Ariel, homesteading isn’t just about raising animals but also about living ethically and sustainably. Her love for gardening, which her family passed down, also played a huge role in shaping her path. Urban homesteading allowed her to transform her suburban life into one of greater self-reliance and sustainability.

Taking Control After Health Scares

Many people start homesteading for health reasons, and Harold Thornbro’s story is a powerful example. After being diagnosed with colon cancer, Harold realized that his lifestyle needed to change. As a truck driver, he spent years eating unhealthy food on the road, which took a toll on his body. Homesteading became his solution—a way to grow his own food, raise small livestock, and lead a healthier, more sustainable life. Even on a small lot, he found ways to garden and raise animals, focusing on living in harmony with the environment.

Passing Knowledge to Future Generations

A common theme among homesteaders is the desire to pass down knowledge to their children and grandchildren. Tom from the Small Scale Life Podcast got into homesteading after the crash of 2008 when he realized how reliant modern society was on fragile systems. Inspired by his grandparents’ self-sufficient lifestyle, he and his family started gardening using the square-foot method. Now, they’re teaching their kids valuable life skills that may otherwise be forgotten in today’s world.

Conclusion: The Heart of Homesteading

These stories from the Modern Homesteading Podcast show that homesteading is much more than growing food—it’s about freedom, resilience, and connecting with the land. Whether it’s escaping the hustle of city life or preparing for uncertain times, homesteaders are united by a shared desire to live simpler, more meaningful lives. Starting small is okay; what matters is the journey towards sustainability and self-reliance.

Contributor’s Links:

• Troy McClung from Red Tool House –https://redtoolhouse.com/
• Tom Domres from The Small Scale Life Podcast –http://www.smallscalelife.com/

I also went into past episodes and pulled out a couple:

• Ariel Gunn from episode 42
• Cindy Patterson from episode 44

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