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Join Rachel as she interviews Beth Declercq of The Declercq Homestead.  In today’s podcast episode they talk about Beth and Tommy’s journey from city dwellers to rural living on a small farm.  Beth talks about raising milk cows, beef cows, homeschooling, large families all while running businesses from their farmstead. She gives wisdom and encouragement to all of us to slow down, be patient and give grace to yourself and your family. 

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Homesteading doesn’t have to start with a big farm or a background in agriculture. Just ask Beth and Tommy Declercq! This Michigan family began their journey on a quest for real, healthy food—and today they raise almost all their own meat and much of their own produce on a small piece of land. Their inspiring story shows how you can grow a thriving homestead slowly, simply, and smartly.

From City Life to Country Roots

Beth and Tommy didn’t grow up on farms. They were city folks living in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Their interest in homesteading began with a natural childbirth class while Beth was pregnant with their second child. That class opened their eyes to things like nutrition and food quality. Soon they were buying whole foods, learning to cook from scratch, and trying to find local food sources.

Their first garden didn’t go very well—but they didn’t stop there. As their family grew (they now have eight kids!), so did their passion for raising their own food. They moved from the city to the country and started with a dozen chickens and a garden.

Big Land Isn’t Always Better

At first, the Declercqs bought a 40-acre plot of land. It sounded like a dream, but they quickly realized it was too much. With limited funds, they couldn’t build all the things they needed—fences, shelters, and equipment. So they downsized to just five acres.

And guess what? They produced way more food on that smaller land!

By keeping everything close together and managing it well, they grew 90% of their own meat and 60% of their fruits and veggies. They even rotationally grazed four cows on just two acres. Beth says having less land helped them get focused and more efficient.

The Farm That Pays for Itself

One big shift for the Declercqs was deciding to make their homestead financially independent. At first, everything came from Tommy’s job. But Beth realized if that job ever disappeared, so would their ability to run the farm.

So she started small—raising extra meat chickens to sell. One thing led to another, and now they raise over 700 meat chickens each year. That pays for all the feed, hay, fencing, and more. They even pay their kids for helping out with chicken butchering and other farm work.

Beth also started teaching others how to make money from their homesteads through her online course and membership program.

Raising Kids and a Farm

Many people wonder: how do you manage a big family and a busy farm? Beth says the key is patience and going slow. For the first six years, they stuck to just chickens and a garden. They didn’t get a milk cow until their oldest child was 11 years old!

They added one animal or skill at a time. That way, they had time to learn and get used to it before adding more. Beth also has help from her husband (who now works full-time on the homestead) and her mom, who comes by twice a week to help with laundry, childcare, or cooking.

The kids are very involved and even run their own mini-businesses, like selling baby chicks or laser-engraved signs.

Milking Cows

The Declercqs keep two Jersey cows for milk. They started with hand milking, but now use a simple machine. The milk is used for drinking, butter, cheese, and sometimes goes to the pigs and chickens. They also sell milk through a small herd share, which helps pay for the cows’ feed.

Beth admits she’s not a cheese expert, but she makes enough basics like butter and mozzarella to keep the family happy!

Planning for Calves

Milk cows need to have calves to keep producing milk. The Declercqs use artificial insemination (AI) to breed their cows. It’s not always easy—sometimes it takes a few tries. They space out the breeding to make sure there’s always one cow milking, while the other is resting or preparing to give birth.

They’ve had some trouble with mastitis (a common cow health issue), but they handle most problems naturally, with antibiotics only when absolutely needed.

Everyone’s Homestead Looks Different

Beth’s best advice? Don’t try to copy someone else’s homestead. Every family is different. Every property is different. What works for one might not work for another.

She encourages folks to go slow, learn as they go, and be content with what they can do. Even when money is tight or life gets busy, there’s always something you can work on—like learning, preserving food, or helping out on a friend’s farm.

Learn More from Beth

If you want to follow Beth and her family or learn how to make money from your own homestead, check out:

• Website: intentionalhomesteading.com
• Facebook: The Declercq Homestead 
• Instagram: @bethdeclercq

Beth offers hands-on classes, online courses, and tons of encouragement for homesteaders at any stage. Her most popular course, Jumpstart Your Financially Independent Homestead, is a great way to learn how to turn your backyard dreams into a money-making reality.

Grow where you’re planted. Whether you’re raising a few chickens in the suburbs or dreaming of your own milk cow one day, the Declercq family shows that small steps can lead to big harvests.