On today’s podcast, I give a brief overview of many homesteading skills worth acquiring and I discuss how one would go about learning some of these skills. This is not a list of every skill a homesteader may desire to have but a good list of basics. Every person may not desire to acquire every one of these skills but they could if they wanted to.
Listen To The Podcast
Listen and Subscribe On Your Favorite Podcast Player
Spotify | Apple Podcasts | Amazon Music | Pandora | Pocket Casts | Castbox | Anchor | YouTube | RSS | Get Ad-Free On Patreon
Hey there, homesteaders and aspiring homesteaders! Whether you’re dreaming of life on a big plot of land or working with a small backyard or even a city apartment, there are tons of useful skills you can learn to become more self-sufficient. Today, I’m going to share 25 homesteading skills that will help you live a more fulfilling, sustainable life. Let’s dive in!
1. Gardening: Grow Your Own Food
Gardening is the cornerstone of any homestead. Even if you’ve never gardened before, don’t worry—there’s a style of gardening for everyone!
- Large-Scale Gardening: If you have lots of land, large-scale organic gardening is a great way to grow food for your family and maybe even sell some at local markets. Check out The Organic Farming Manual for guidance.
- Small-Scale Gardening: You don’t need a lot of space! In fact, with small-scale gardening (in an acre or less), you can grow plenty of food. The Market Gardener by Jean-Martin Fortier is a helpful guide.
- Container Gardening: No yard? No problem! You can grow vegetables, herbs, and even some fruits in containers on a balcony, patio, or even indoors.
- Seed Saving: Learn to save seeds from your harvest so you can grow them again next year. It’s cost-effective and keeps you more self-reliant.
2. Composting: Turn Waste into Garden Gold
Composting is one of the best ways to recycle organic waste and create nutrient-rich soil for your garden.
- Hot Composting: This method involves actively managing the compost pile by turning it regularly. It’s fast, breaking down materials in weeks.
- Cold Composting: A slower, low-maintenance option. Pile up your organic waste and let nature take its course over a year or so.
- Worm Composting: Worms (vermicomposting) are great at turning kitchen scraps into worm castings—a super fertilizer for your plants.
3. Raising Animals: Animal Husbandry Basics
Caring for animals can provide you with eggs, meat, milk, and more. Plus, it adds another layer of sustainability to your homestead.
- Small Livestock: Chickens, rabbits, quail, and even small goats are ideal for urban or small homesteads. They’re easy to care for and provide a lot of resources.
- Large Livestock: If you have the space, consider raising cows, pigs, or sheep. These animals can supply a steady source of meat, milk, and wool.
- Beekeeping: Keeping bees is great for pollinating your garden and producing honey. It’s not the easiest skill to learn, but it’s definitely rewarding!
4. Butchering: Know Where Your Meat Comes From
If you’re raising animals for meat, learning how to butcher them humanely is a valuable skill. You can save money and ensure that nothing goes to waste.
Attend a workshop
- It can be worth the cost of a great workshop to learn this valuable skill.
- Volunteer to help someone with experience to butcher his animals.
- Free labor is hard to turn down and just watching how it’s done can be a great way to learn.
Books
- Basic Butchering of Livestock & Game – by John J. Mettler
5. Food Preservation: Enjoy Your Harvest Year-Round
After growing and raising all that food, you’ll want to preserve it so you can enjoy it all year long.
- Canning: There are two main methods—water bath canning for jams and pickles, and pressure canning for veggies and meats.
- Dehydrating: Dry your fruits, vegetables, and even meat using a dehydrator or a homemade solar dehydrator.
- Freezing: Freezing is an easy and effective way to preserve food. Blanch vegetables before freezing to retain their nutrients.
- Fermenting: Learn to ferment foods like sauerkraut or yogurt. It’s healthy, tasty, and a great way to preserve your harvest.
6. Water Security: Keep the Tap Running
Water is essential for life, and having a reliable source of clean water is crucial for any homestead.
- Rainwater Harvesting: Collecting rainwater is a simple way to store water for your garden or livestock.
- Water Purification: Knowing how to purify water using filters or natural materials is essential in case your regular water supply is compromised.
7. Fishing: Reel in a Fresh Meal
Fishing is a fun and productive way to get food for your table. Whether it’s with a rod and tackle or bait, learning the skills of fishing can help stock your freezer with fish.
- Cleaning Fish: Once you’ve caught your fish, you’ll need to know how to clean and fillet it for cooking.
8. Foraging: Find Food in the Wild
Foraging is a skill that lets you collect wild foods like berries, nuts, and mushrooms. Make sure you properly identify what you’re picking to avoid anything harmful!
- Edible Weeds: Dandelions, lamb’s quarters, and purslane are just a few of the edible plants you might find right in your backyard.
- Wild Berries: Raspberries, blackberries, and mulberries are common and easy to forage.
- Mushroom Hunting: Morels and other edible mushrooms are a delicacy, but you’ll need to be cautious and know how to identify them safely.
9. Herbalism: Heal with Plants
Herbalism is the practice of using plants for medicinal purposes. Growing and using your own medicinal herbs can reduce your reliance on store-bought medicine for minor ailments.
10. Hunting: Bring Home Big Game
Hunting is a fantastic skill for providing meat for your family. Whether you’re hunting deer, squirrel, or rabbit, knowing how to safely handle a firearm or bow is crucial.
- Field Dressing: Once you’ve made a successful hunt, you’ll need to know how to field dress and butcher the animal.
11. Leatherworking: Make Something Lasting
If you’re raising livestock, learning how to turn hides into useful products like belts, bags, or shoes is a great way to make the most of the animals you raise.
12. Carpentry: Build and Repair Your Homestead
Knowing how to build and fix things around your homestead is invaluable. Start with simple projects like raised garden beds or chicken coops, and work your way up to bigger ones.
13. Blacksmithing: Craft Your Own Tools
Blacksmithing is a rewarding but challenging skill. With some basic tools like a hammer, anvil, and forge, you can make knives, tools, and other metal items that will last for generations.
14. Sewing and Knitting: Make and Mend Clothing
Being able to sew or knit is not only useful but also fun. Whether you’re fixing clothes or making your own from scratch, it’s a skill that’ll save you money and keep you creative.
15. Making Household Products: Clean Naturally
Making your own household cleaners, soap, and laundry detergent not only saves money but also reduces the number of toxic chemicals in your home.
16. Soapmaking: Keep It Clean
Learn how to make your own bar or liquid soap using natural ingredients. It’s healthier for your skin and better for the environment.
17. Candle Making: Light Up Your Home
Knowing how to make candles can be a fun and useful skill, especially in case of a power outage or for creating a cozy atmosphere at home.
18. Trapping: Catch Your Own Dinner
Trapping is a survival skill that can provide both fur and meat. It’s useful for those who live in rural areas where wild game is plentiful.
19. Fire Starting: Stay Warm Anywhere
Learning how to start a fire is a basic but essential skill. Whether you’re camping, bushcrafting, or just working in your yard, knowing how to get a fire going (even in wet conditions) can be a lifesaver.
20. Shelter Building: Be Prepared
Knowing how to build a temporary shelter in the woods can be useful if you’re ever in an emergency or enjoying some outdoor time away from home.
21. Bartering: Trade Skills and Goods
Bartering is an age-old homesteading practice. Learn how to trade your goods and services with others in your community for things you need.
22. Herbalism: Heal with Nature
Studying the medicinal and therapeutic use of plants is an invaluable skill. Grow your own herbs and learn to make salves, teas, and tinctures to treat common ailments naturally.
23. Engine Repair: Keep Your Equipment Running
From lawnmowers to tractors, learning basic engine repair can save you tons of money and keep your homestead equipment running smoothly.
24. Plumbing: Fix Pipes and Leaks
Knowing basic plumbing skills can save you from hiring a professional for every little leak or burst pipe. Learn how to fix pipes, unclog drains, and keep water flowing.
25. Electrical Work: Power Your Homestead
Understanding the basics of electrical work is useful for minor repairs or setting up off-grid systems like solar panels. Always make sure to follow safety guidelines or consult a professional when necessary.
Final Thoughts
There’s so much to learn on your homesteading journey, but don’t feel overwhelmed! Start with a few of these skills and build from there. You don’t need a huge farm or lots of money—just a willingness to learn, try, and grow. Happy homesteading!
Pin It For Later
