Modern homesteading has seen a resurgence since the pandemic lockdown days. It’s a lifestyle that seems to draw people in. The lure of old fashioned farming methods and homemaking is very romantic. However, can modern conveniences and homesteading share the same space? I certainly believe they can.
Demise of American Food
During the pandemic the veil was lifted on the modern food system revealing just how fragile the system actually is. However, over the past fifty years most of our country has forgotten the once commonly known skills of survival. Small family farms were replaced with large commercial operations. Buying local became replaced with big chain grocery stores, and food being shipped all over the U.S. Most people mindlessly shopped without a single thought about where the food came from, or the process it took to get it there. Sadly, as convenience and instant gratification became a way of life, America’s health quickly declined. It took something as drastic as a pandemic and national shutdown, to jolt us back into reality.
Homesteading Dreams
Unless you’ve been living under a rock for the past few years, you’ve notice the renewed interest in the homestead lifestyle. Social media it full of beautiful gardens and picture perfect livestock all being tended to by women in pretty vintage dresses. It all seems so dreamy. People are longing to be thrust back into a simpler time when small family farms were the norm, and mothers stayed home to tend things. However, it seems like a hard line was drawn. Either you’re all in or you’re not. You “can’t” homestead while still working outside the home, enjoying modern conveniences, and sending your kids to public schools. For some people it seems like a dream that’s just plain unattainable…or is it?
Modern Homesteading
Several months ago I made an instagram reel about modern homesteading, and got a lot of positive responses. There is definitely a lot of people who are interested in becoming for self sufficient, but believe they have to sell everything and move to acreage to do it. That’s just not the case. Now, more than ever, homesteading practices can be implemented even in urban settings. Modern technology has made homesteading much more attainable for the average busy family living on a small amount of land. I would love to see a rebirth of the small family farm, community gardens, food sharing, and the sense of community we once had.
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Modern Gadgets That Make Homesteading Easier
We have property in a rural area, and while the land isn’t an issue, it was raw when we acquired it. Both my husband and I also work full time careers, and have four active kids in the public school system. We didn’t know where to begin, but I was determined to improve our food and lives. That’s when I started researching ways to own livestock and grow food without having a ton of daily time to spend. I was surprised and excited about the modern gadgets and technologies that make homesteading in today’s times so much easier. Here are some of my favorites!
1. Automatic Chicken Door
This automatic chicken door was a game changer for us. Before having the door, we had no way to shut our chickens in at night if we were out after dark. I felt like we constantly worried about predators getting into the coop. The automatic door changes that. Chickens will naturally go into the coop at dusk, and fifteen minutes after dark the door closes. The chickens are locked in safe without any help from us. This allows us to stay out for dinner, a movie, or a late night ball game without having to worry about the flock.
2. DIY Pig Waterer
I love this DIY Pig Waterer so much I did a whole post about it. It was really easy to make using:
The pig waterer allows us to supply our pigs with plenty of water while we are away from the farm. Before having it, I worried all day while I was working that the pigs would run out of water. Pigs tend to be very messy drinkers, and would spill any waterer they had. This supplies them with water, and the nipple prevents a big mess and water wasting.
3. Solar powered electric fence
An electric fence is a great way to keep livestock effectively contained on a budget. It’s quick and easy to install, and also helps protect against predators. However, having an energy source close to the area you are wanting to fence is a problem. Solar powered electric fence chargers are a modern technology that fixes that problem. They allow you put your fence anywhere you want while also being mobile. It will change the way you grow your animals for the better.
4. Automatic Chicken Feeder
Feeding chickens is a daily task that can take time. Not to mention mice get into the feed, or the chickens will over eat increasing your feed bills. An automatic chicken feeder takes a lot of the hassle out of feeding chickens. It can be set to ration the amount of feed you give, and is on a timer so you don’t have to be home to do the feeding. Some feeders will hold up to 50 pounds of feed. This makes working away from the home so much easier by eliminating some of the daily chores keeping chickens brings.
A slanted nesting box will also help you on busy days. After the chicken lays an egg, it will safely roll away and stay contained until you collect it. You don’t have to worry about eggs building up and getting broken due to a being stepped on. It will also help prevent your chickens from developing the nasty habit of eating eggs.
5. Raised Garden Beds
Raised beds have been around for a long time. However, with todays advancements they can be purchased in just about any size you need, and easily assembled. Raised beds make it possible to garden on a small lot, or with very poor soil. I was skeptical about raised beds at first, but have found that they are convenient and can grow a surprising amount of food.
Couple your raised bed with a solar powered drip irrigation set, and you’ll have a very low maintenance garden. I firmly believe in having the skills to grow and raise your own food, and this system makes that so much easier. I personally have a timer and drip hose set up in my garden. It really helps for busy days. I still love to water my garden by hand as I find it to be therapeutic, but an automated system will help on busy days.
6. Apartment Gardens
Even while living in an apartment, gardening is still a possibility. Small container gardens will fit on a balcony or patio. Many herbs can be grown indoors in front of a well lit window. Hydroponic self contained systems are also great for growing food in small spaces. It doesn’t take but one home grown tomato, and you’ll be hooked.
Community gardens are also a great option for growing food in an urban setting. Empty lots can easily be converted into garden plots. The tending of the garden is shared by those benefiting from the food. There is a great community garden in my neighboring town. You can pay for a garden plot to tend, or a local FFA student will tend it for you. It’s a great use of community resources for education and production of local food.
Dive right in
I hope I’ve given you some insight on how to start a small farm with limited space, time, and budget. Hopefully you’re inspired to get creative and search for ways make owning animals and growing food work for your lifestyle.
Thanks for visiting my little farm!
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