My Story: How I Started Homesteading

The Beginning:

My journey to homesteading didn’t happen overnight—it was more of a gradual shift that grew out of a deep longing for a simpler, more connected life as I grew up. For years, I lived in a small-town neighborhood with my parents, surrounded by the comforts and conveniences of modern living. We were never allowed to have pets and sports took up most of our time. 

Although I still contributed to sports, I wanted to be apart in our local 4H club. My 5th grade year of school my mom finally gave in and reached out to a family friend about the local 4H group her daughter was in. I was very excited to finally be doing something I enjoy. Although I couldn't show a large breed animal due to living in the city, I was allowed to have market rabbits. It only lasted a couple years because my family didn't have the same interests as me. I didn't get too upset that the 4H time ended, because I knew that was not going to be the end of raising animals for me. To my surprise my mom gifted me my first dog at my high school graduation. I named him Chance. He has been my world ever since. Wherever I went, so did he.

Highschool came and went and off to college I was. We had a local community college that did not have many options at the time. I wanted to go to school to become a veterinary technician, but the cost of college with a dorm was not an option. So, off to our local community college I went. Health Information Technology was the chosen subject. A 2-year associates' program that I had almost graduated from. With half of a semester left in the fourth quarter I dropped out. 

An opening position for a veterinary assistant popped up. So, I applied, was called for an interview and got the job. This was the start of the life I desired, or so I thought. For three and a half almost four years, I worked non-stop seven a.m. to seven-thirty/eight p.m. Monday through Friday and eight a.m. to one p.m. on most Saturdays. Working in vet med is very mentally and physically straining. Due to that we had a lot of call offs and that's when I would get called in more. Not to mention the low pay we were given to work these long days with barely enough time in the day to have a life outside of work.

 Something had to change. I started looking for another job and that's when I found a local job, pay doubled and I only had to work Monday-Friday 9-5 with no weekends. That was a no-brainer for me, so I applied. Shortly after, I received the email from the new job listing. The interview was scheduled, I went to the interview, and I got the new job. I put in my 2 weeks' notice at the animal hospital and enjoyed my last two weeks spending time with animals since I would no longer be working in veterinary medicine. 

Between leaving my last job and starting my new one I had a week in between. A friend of mine asked if I could take care of her dogs and boarding horses while they went on vacation, of course I said yes! One of the best weeks of my life, spending time and taking care of 4 dogs and 14 horses. To some that is a chore, to me it was just what I needed. I didn't ever think I would get the chance to do something like that in my lifetime. I will forever be grateful for that experience. During that time, it really hit me. I want this to be my life, I want to be surrounded by nature and animals. That is where I am the happiest. 

Little did I know it would be my future life. A few months after starting my new job I went to friend's cookout/bonfire. That is where I met my now fiancé, Wyatt. Who knew I would end up meeting my forever at one little bonfire, sitting on the tailgate of a pick-up truck. We grew up going to different schools, so I didn't know much about him except that he raced dirt bikes and lived on a family farm. I thought this was too good to be true but here we are almost 3 years later about to build our own home on 20 acres, with 4 dogs, 2 donkeys, a barn cat and of course more animals to come in the future. 

The Inspiration:

Over the past three years, I’ve had the incredible privilege of being around a family that is currently living the homesteading lifestyle I’ve always dreamed of. Their way of life has been a direct inspiration to me, showing me what’s possible when you commit to a self-sustaining and hands-on approach to living.

This family has truly embraced the values of homesteading, and I’ve been fortunate enough to learn from them firsthand. Every summer, they plant large gardens filled with vegetables. Come harvest time, they don’t just enjoy fresh produce—they preserve it by canning. Watching them carefully preserve the fruits of their labor for the colder months made me realize the importance of growing your own food, and how satisfying it is to know where your meals come from.

In addition to gardening, they raise their own meat and every winter, they process the animals to stock their freezer. I’ve had the privilege of being part of this process, learning how to respectfully and carefully raise animals for food, and understanding the commitment it takes to ensure that every part of the process, from raising to butchering, is done with care and purpose.

What has inspired me most about this family is not just the practicality of living off the land, but the deep sense of satisfaction and pride that comes from being self-sufficient. Their life isn’t just about survival—it’s about connection to the land, sustainability, and a strong sense of family and tradition. Their example has shown me that homesteading isn’t just a dream; it’s a reality that’s achievable with the right mindset, dedication, and a willingness to learn.

Seeing how they’ve built a life centered around self-reliance has made me even more determined to pursue homesteading for myself. The lessons they’ve shared, from gardening and canning to animal husbandry and food preservation, have been invaluable. Their lifestyle has been the perfect model of the kind of life I want to create—one that is rooted in the land, built on hard work, and sustained by the knowledge and skills passed down through generations. Follow along to watch our life unfold as we start this journey and share what we learn with you.

Here's to the next generation of homesteaders.