One beginning way to learn to homestead is to start thinking like a farmer or homesteader.
Every employment field has a mindset associated with it—nurses, teachers, even accountants! I love this part of life!
I have a special place in my heart for people who work with their hands. Blacksmiths, welders, mechanics, and farmers.
Both sides of my family were farmers. Their love for their land and their livelihood was evident.
My dad grew up farming and eventually became a diesel mechanic. I’ve learned a lot from him. And the way he thinks.
The modern homesteading and gardening movement has captured the mindset of generations of farmers and homesteaders.
And learning to think like these capable people can benefit us all!
Self-sufficient and responsible.
They thoroughly understood that they were the responsible ones. No one was coming to rescue.
Not the government or anyone else.
This isn’t stated in a dark, hopeless manner but in a deep understanding that they were responsible for planting the crops, milking the cow, and fixing the tractor.
We’ve lost this kind of grit. But we can regain it.
Homesteading a large property may be outside our opportunities, but the mindset can still exist.
Self-sufficient people know they need to think ahead and prepare for the future.
Go to the ant, you sluggard; consider it’s ways and be wise!
It has no commander, no overseer or ruler,
Yet it stores it’s provisions in summer and gathers its food at harvest.
Proverbs 6:6-8
This wasn’t a shock to them; it was just part of a deep understanding that they were responsible for themselves and their families. And that was okay!
Most families planted their own food forest or orchard. There are ideas for that here.
How to Create a Small Food Forest – Gardening (singlemomoutwest.com)
Contentment was a way of life.
As you learn about homesteading, you learn that contentment is a way of life.
They had learned that they had enough. This is an excellent quality.
I don’t mean to say they did not want to improve their lives, but they were very content with what they had.
A new batch of homemade jelly brought just as much happiness as a new purse. Working with their hands was rewarding.
They did not need more stuff, but they did have a deep appreciation for quality crafted items.
And that is how they raised their kids. They were taught to work hard and be satisfied with their hands work.
But godliness with contenment is great gain. For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it. But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that. 1 Timothy 6:6-8 NIV
Living with contentment may answer the anxiety and depression we face in our generation and the next generation.
Different avenues for money flow were standard practice.
These farmers knew the value of contentment but also understood the ebbs and flows of crops and finances. They were willing to back up their farming plans with additional income sources.
They pursued additional income sources. College, trade schools, and apprenticeships were among many routes. Many farm and ranch kids also enlisted in the military.
It may have been as simple as picking up a waitressing job in town during winter.
They loved their land but could acknowledge the need for additional cash flow. They were willing to follow through and do the hard work for a lifestyle that they loved.
Additional sources of income were vital for the average homesteader and farmer.
Invest in seven ventures, yes, in eight;
you do not know what disaster may come upon the land.
Ecclesiastics 11:2
Different money streams are a good idea, especially for single moms. We must be on the lookout for other options and avenues.
They succeeded because of their willingness to work hard and learn.
They soaked up the knowledge from the farmers before them and put it into practice. Thinking outside of the box was commonplace to them.
If they did not have a tool to fit the job, they would rely on welding or blacksmithing skills to create a tool.
Being willing to learn and put what they have learned into practice made them successful homesteaders or farmers.
There are many resources to learn about homesteading, farming, and gardening.
One of these is the Homestead Rescue show. It may seem like simple entertainment, but the mindset behind the show teaches you about the skills and knowledge that you need to farm or homestead.
There are many different resources for those of us who want to learn these skills. YouTube has excellent options, including your local county extension office, local libraries, and many books on Amazon.com.
The only thing required of you is a willingness to learn and a little hard work!
These mindsets do not grow overnight. Like all good things, they must be cultivated and developed.
But the rewards are timeless and last through generations.
We may not all live in the country and have sprawling farms, but we can all learn from the farmer!
