Author: From selling farm-fresh produce and handmade goods to offering workshops and experiences, there are many ways to make extra money from your homestead! This curated list walks you through the top 6 ways to make money from the goods you are already producing on your homestead.
I’ve read a lot of these posts through the years, the ones about how to make money homesteading. Mostly out of curiosity as to the “39 ways to make money homesteading” according to others, and also to make sure I’m not missing any opportunities to add a few extra bucks to our bottom line.
In the end, everything I’ve ever read on those posts is already included here too. Which is great! This is a very concise list of exactly how you can make money from your homesteading efforts.
How to Make Money Homesteading
One of the great things about having a modern homestead is the way you start to look at money and work. Homesteading is work. Hard work.
So if you can find a way to cut down on the number of hours you spend away from home, it makes the job of homesteading a lot easier. And if you can make money off of your homestead, so much the better!
Years ago I came across a great article by Lew Rockwell, entitled “The Austerity Diaries: If You Don’t Have a Job, Make One Up“. It really changed the way I thought about money and helped me look for those little “side hustles” we could easily add to make extra money.
That article had a lot of ideas for how to make up a job that Jason and I were able to use before we had moved to our homestead, such as…
- Hemming jeans
- Taking in prom dresses
- Making quilts
- Sewing curtains
- Recovering furniture
- Cleaning houses
- Cooking meals
- Tutoring
- Lawn and pool services
- Web design
- Graphic design
- Writing services
- Computer building
- Woodworking
- … and so on!
These side hustles helped us to pay off debt quickly and start saving for the homestead life we knew we wanted to live. Now that we are on the homestead, we are able to actually use our homesteading efforts to make money for our family.
Here are a few of the things we’ve enjoyed doing the most, and have yielded the most income for the time involved.
Farm-to-Table Sales
Sell your fresh produce, eggs, honey, or other homemade products directly to local customers, restaurants, or farmer’s markets. This is going to be regulated differently in each state, so be sure to check your local regulations for how to sell your fresh produce to restaurants or customers directly.
Farmers’ Markets
Set up a booth at farmers’ markets to sell your farm products, homemade goods, or handcrafted items to the community. We have done this off and on for the last 2 years and it’s always such a great experience!
We get to know the people in our community better, provide them with high-quality goods, and earn extra money at the same time. And don’t just think you have to sell produce and eggs, you can sell baked goods and handcrafted items also!
Homestead Workshops
Share your knowledge and skills by offering workshops or classes on topics like organic gardening, sustainable living, or animal care to fellow homesteaders or interested individuals.
I have held several canning classes in my home for locals, friends, and church members who were interested in canning their own food, but wanted a hands-on look before trying it themselves.
Homestead Tours
Open up your homestead for guided tours, showcasing your sustainable practices, livestock, or unique features to visitors interested in learning about self-sufficiency.
This is definitely something that many people ask us for, but Jason isn’t too comfortable with the idea. However, I do know many homesteads who offer this and they have really enjoyed the process!
Homestead Experiences
Create some homestead experiences on your homestead, such as pick-your-own fruit events, farm stays, or hosting farm-to-table dinners, where visitors pay for a unique and immersive experience.
So many people nowadays are interested in learning more about homesteading, and these activities would be a wonderful way to give them a taste while earning extra money on the side!
Livestock Breeding or Sales
If you are blessed with homestead animals, such as chickens, goats, or rabbits, you can breed and sell them to individuals looking to start their own homesteads or add to their existing stock.
This is a lot of work and can be difficult, but depending on the animal and breed, you can make a lot of money very quickly by offering this service!
No matter how you choose to supplement your income through your homestead, make sure you are enjoying the process.
You don’t want the homestead to become a grind! Enjoy your time in the garden, canning your harvest, and sharing your information with others. Homesteading is meant to be fulfilling, do all you can to let it stay that way.
Even More Homesteading Ideas
Ready to dive into even more information how self-sufficiency? Here’s some of our most popular content, from our homestead to yours!
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