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Farm Animals

How to get started with raising chickens

Small chicks - how to get started with raising chicks hero

A beginner’s guide to raising chickens

Backyard chickens have gone fully mainstream. What started as a niche hobby has grown into one of the most popular forms of small-scale homesteading across the country. There are plenty of ways to get started, whether you have a farm or just a modest backyard.

With millions of households now keeping their own flocks, there are still plenty of questions about how to get started. After all, raising chickens is not the same as owning a goldfish or hamster.

Chickens need to be treated differently and cared for in a way that ensures they live long and healthy lives. Given this, you’re probably wondering: How do I get started with raising chickens?

Well, we have the answers you’re looking for. We’ve put together this simple guide to help you get started and make sure that your chickens live a long and good life.

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Farm Supplies Home & Garden

Bokashi Composting Guide: How to start Bokashi Composting

Bokashi vs. Traditional composting hero image

If you’re looking for an easy way to start composting, or have a lack of space for a traditional compost, the Bokashi method may be the right choice for you. Once a niche technique, bokashi has gone mainstream among urban and suburban homesteaders and is now one of the most accessible composting methods around.

This guide will show you how to get started with Bokashi composting, including what materials you’ll need and how to set up your system.

What is Bokashi?

Bokashi composting is a very simple composting method that allows you to add kitchen waste, directly into the composter without creating unpleasant odors. Unlike traditional composting, which takes several months to years, Bokashi can process your organic food waste in just 4 weeks!

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Homesteading

Living off grid in Homestead

Beautiful homestead garden

Homesteading is a lifestyle choice that has surged in popularity, particularly since 2022. Homesteaders are people who want to live off the land and produce their own food, energy, shelter and goods.

They do this by producing as much of what they need on site as possible or trading for it with others that have excess production capacity.

The homesteader’s goal is sustainability – living with minimal impact on natural resources so we don’t leave a footprint that future generations will regret.

Most people think of rural farmers when they hear the term “homesteader”, but you can be a city slicker too! You just need to make some changes in your life: no more going out to eat each night, fewer trips to the shopping mall and think about making your own food at home.

The next level of homestead is to combine this with an off grid lifestyle. Off grid homesteaders do what we’ve been talking about – producing their own food and energy – but the difference is that they often live in remote areas where it isn’t practical to directly connect to the utility grid.

Read on if this is a topic that interests you!

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Farming Home & Garden Homesteading

How to set up your Greenhouse – a beginner’s guide

Are you ready to get started with your own greenhouse? Fantastic! In this article we’ll give you a complete rundown of how to set up your greenhouse, what to plant in there and how to make sure you get your first starter-greenhouse-harvest, yummy!

The first thing you need to do is draw out a plan of what you want your greenhouse to look like and choose the best possible location for it on your property.

This is important because if the site isn’t suitable for your house or if it has poor drainage, you could be setting yourself up for some major issues.

Once you’ve found the perfect location, measure out how large you want to build your greenhouse for your garden so that your plans are accurate.

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Farm Animals

Becoming a Beekeeper of honey bees

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How to get started with bees

Becoming a beekeeper with your own bees is a wonderful way to connect with nature and help the environment. Hobby beekeeping has grown steadily in the US over the past decade, and there are now over 3.5 million managed hives across the country as of 2026.

The beehive creates an absolutely stunning smell around your backyard. It’s also a great way to get some exercise and spend time outdoors.

But before you can start as a backyard beekeeper, there are a few things you need to know.

In this article, we will discuss the basics of beekeeping so that you can get started on this rewarding hobby. If you’re thinking about starting a homestead, keeping bees is one of the most rewarding first steps you can take.

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Home & Garden

Best Rain Barrels for Your Homestead

Wooden barrels used for rainwater collection in a garden
(Photo by Peyton Clough on Unsplash)

Collecting rainwater is one of the oldest tricks in farming, and it still holds up as one of the smartest. A decent rain barrel can save you money on water bills, reduce runoff on your property, and give your garden a supply of chlorine-free water that plants genuinely prefer. Whether you are running a full homestead or just getting started with a few raised beds, a rain barrel pays for itself faster than almost any other piece of equipment.

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Home & Garden

Why You Should Grow Your Own Vegetables

Homegrown vegetables in a greenhouse

There has never been a better time to start growing your own vegetables. Whether you have a sprawling backyard, a modest patio, or just a sunny windowsill, cultivating your own food is one of the most rewarding things you can do. It saves money at the grocery store, puts fresher and healthier produce on your table, and gives you a hands-on connection to the food you eat every single day. If you have been thinking about starting a vegetable garden, this guide walks you through exactly why it matters and how to get going, even if you have never planted a seed before.

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Homesteading

Best pig breed for a Homestead

Best Pig Breed for a Homestead. Tips for raising pigs on your small farm.
Best Pig Breed for a Homestead. Tips for raising pigs on your small farm. Photo by Suzanne Tucker.

Whether you’re a hobby farmer or just starting your homesteading journey, raising pigs can be a fulfilling and worthwhile pursuit.

With appropriate fencing and shelter, most pig breeds can mature rapidly, making them an ideal protein source for small farms.

To ensure success, it’s crucial to determine the best pig breed that aligns with your homestead’s unique needs and conditions.

By selecting the right breed, you can optimize meat production and enjoy a variety of delicious cuts, including bacon, ham, and pork chops, all while contributing to a sustainable and self-sufficient lifestyle.

When raising pigs, ensure their well-being by providing proper nutrition, a secure enclosure, and a comfortable shelter with outdoor space. By addressing these essentials, you’ll be well-equipped to raise healthy pigs that contribute to your homestead’s productivity.

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Homesteading

The Best States for Homestead

Man with lamb in homestead ground. Idaho is one of the best states to start a homestead.
Man with lamb in homestead ground. Idaho is one of the best states to start a homestead. Photo by Zoe Schaeffer.

Are you looking for the best states for homesteading? Not sure if there are favorable homesteading laws in the states you’re looking into?

In this comprehensive guide, we’ll reveal the top states for homesteading and provide essential information to help you make the best decision for you and your family.

We understand that everyone’s preferences and needs are different, so we’ll discuss various factors you should consider, including:

  • Homesteading laws
  • Property taxes
  • Geography and climate

So, let’s dive in and explore the best places to start your off-grid, sustainable lifestyle!

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Farm Feed

A Guide to What Most Farm Animals Eat

A cow on a field eating grass. Photo taken in Texas.
A cow eating grass on a field. Photo by Thomas Park.

If you’re a small farm owner or a homesteader, maintaining the well-being of your farm animals is crucial.

Ensuring they receive proper nutrition not only contributes to their overall health but also plays a vital role in providing us with essential carbohydrates, vitamins, minerals, and proteins.

This post will dive into various farm animals’ dietary requirements, focusing on small-scale farm and homestead animals.

Join us as we explore the importance of a balanced diet for our hardworking farm friends, and gain valuable insights to help you optimize their care and productivity. Let’s get started! 

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